OK, I think that a lot of the Cg/RA/TS question depends upon your schedule. I have driven non-stop from NJ to FL and from NJ to Houston as well as NJ to Tulsa. on some of those trips there were a couple drivers so we stopped to eat and gas up. When driving alone my schedule was usually just enough time to get there and back with some vaca in the middle so the less time stopped the better. Drive till I need gas, eat, hit the facility, and sleep in the parking lot for 4 hours, then back on the road. Exhausting, but necessary then. Now that I will be traveling a my leisure, I think that I may take a night in a TS or RA, but most of time I plan to drive up to 10 hours in a day, then get to another CG where I'll spend 2-3 nights, explore the area and move on.
As for stopping at CGs for a night, some places that may be possible, here in the NE most CGs are booked solid and also they are mostly well off the beaten path. Nice to stay at, but not a great rest stop for a single night.
So Walmart, Lowe's, Home Depot, Cracker Barrel, Pilot/Flying J, Rest areas, Welcome Areas, all are still in and will remain in my plans as interim short term stops, but I really look forward to being able to drive 3-4 day stop to 3-4 day stop and no more rush hour!
