Rest Areas Safe?

rockhillmanor wrote:
20 years ago yes.

Certainly not anymore. I full time and rest stops across the country are closing at alarming rates. They are so crime riddled with druggies and sickos that the state department doesn't have the funds to keep them patrolled 24 7's with police anymore to keep them safe for the public. That's why if you do find them open they will not let anyone stay over night. I found it very sad. Makes it more challenging traveling long distance in an RV down the interstates. Just but yet another case of the bad ruining it for the good. :(

I base my opinion on over 20 years ago when I was driving over the road. Way to many "guys" hanging out in rest areas looking to meet up with "good buddies", way to many lot lizards (hookers) hanging out in rest areas, and way to many flam flim men hanging out in rest areas. To many people who want to part your money from you!!! Same thing in truck stops. I spent my last 20 years running regional and stayed away from those places, and I doubt they got any better. I'm a good 10 miles from the interstate, but I know the state LEOs target the closest rest area because of all the crime that takes place them, all oriented around what I mentioned above. Around here, the Walmart parking lots are very safe when compared to rest areas!

It kind of depends on your definition of safe. Does the county coroner make it a daily stop to empty the corpses out of the dumpsters? no. Would I leave my wallet and camera on the hood of the car while sleeping? no. It is likely that eventually you will have some shady characters around you in a rest area. The homeless like them because of the restroom facilities with water and often times there are shelters. There are vast numbers of people coming and going and eventually the laws of large numbers will catch up with you and some bad people will be nearby. That situation is exacerbated by the fact there is no one in charge at most rest stops. At least in a truck stop, a Walmart or a campground there is someone there keeping at least a sleepy eye on the comings and goings. In my opinion, they are the stopping place of last resort. Others have a higher tolerance for transients, noise and overall lack of appeal.

20 years ago yes.

Certainly not anymore. I full time and rest stops across the country are closing at alarming rates. They are so crime riddled with druggies and sickos that the state department doesn't have the funds to keep them patrolled 24 7's with police anymore to keep them safe for the public. That's why if you do find them open they will not let anyone stay over night. I found it very sad. Makes it more challenging traveling long distance in an RV down the interstates. Just but yet another case of the bad ruining it for the good. :(

Here are some options to rest stops:

Free Campgrounds

Free Campsites

Casino Camper

There are other sites, just do a little searching.
Enjoy your travels.

I have stopped at a few rest areas while traveling long distance, but just to get a power nap and I let the wife keep the gun and watch while I catch a nap. She has her cwp and has had training classes so she doesn't take any chances.

Not really safe at night, But you can do a few things to stay safe. Do not leave the vehicle, and be sure your doors are locked. IF someone comes up to your dooor. NEVER open it, Crack the window and ask what they want, NEVER get out.

Rest areas are pretty safe untill late at night. They tend to become brothels during the night. When I drove, They were called "pickle parks", and the girls would walk from truck to truck, trying to get a "Date". Not a place you would want to go into in the middle of the night.

When we pass through an area and I don't like it/doesn't feel right we don't stop for naps.
Most areas are fine.
Always do the walk around after we stop anywhere.

Just park next to other motorhomes and you should be just fine some rest stops have some really neat views.

sure they are safe, whats more important its free, not EVER for us. we will gady pay. amd ow its all happy-camping

Fulltimer for 7 yrs, use rest areas frequently while traveling for overnight stops, usually less than 8 hrs. Yep, they can get noisy at times but never had any security worries and never had law enforcement tell me to move on. No doubt others have had different experiences.