Truck stops don't usually have reservations, time frames, and often don't have fees. Either there is space when you pull in, or there is not. Similarly for rest areas or roadside parks. Add to this "friendly" parking lots like Walmart and Cracker Barrel in some places.
I still don't understand whether you are looking for some sort of family travel, camping, sightseeing experience, or getting across the country in minimum time. For me, the two approaches are different. The trip I most often take is about 1000 miles from NE Oklahoma to SE Michigan, and it can be driven without overnight stops with enough drivers, two days with one driver, or 3-4 days as a family RV road trip experience.
Is there a bucket list of places to see, or is this a trip to get as quickly as possible to some California destination at lowest possible cost? Or something in between?
