stopping for a single night - rest area or rv park?

I have done both. Really depends on the pace you are traveling at as well as what's available.
I prefer the CG simply because it's more relaxing. However it requires staying more time in general to be of value.
Walmart rest areas are an OK alternative if your in a rush.
I've sort of concluded there is no point in being in a rush if you're on vacation.
It really not about hurrying to your destination, but it's more about maximising your relaxation time.

We also opt for campgrounds BUT we never travel beyond 2 or 3 o'clock at the most as ours is the travel not the destination. We tried WalMart once and it was so noisy, and here on the west, most rest stops don't allow overnight parking.

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!

pitch wrote:
I'm talking about a parking spot for 35 not a campsite!

I didn't say parking spot...I said campground. I did refer that it would be nice if campgrounds had overnight spots for $5-10/night with no amenities... I think you must of misread what I wrote...

pitch wrote:
wbwood you would actually consider 35 dollars for an overnite spot reasonable? Wow you sure move in different circles than I!!!!!
I would gladly pay 5 maybe 10 but no more. (before anyone starts, I could afford the 35,but I demand fair value for my money. 35 may be fair to the lot owner,but not to me, Now if you threw in dancing girls for that 35 OK)

If a park warrants $35/night then it's $35/night...it makes no difference whether I decide to stay there for 1 night or 10 nights. It's still the same. If I'm pulling in at dark and leaving at sun up, then I would probably not bother with a park at all.

We've paid anywhere from $5/night to over $80/night and there are many more places that charge way more than that. $35/night still beats a halfway decent hotel room. Which is at least twice as much if not three times as much.

DSDP Don wrote:
The only one moving in a different circle is you.....most likely one from the 50's. I would keep driving before I would stay at a campground that only charges $5-$10 a night. I wouldn't sleep worrying about having my coach stripped or the meth lab blowing up.

I guess you would not even think about the free ones we stop at with W E & dump. We sleep good too.:)

I'm talking about a parking spot for 35 not a campsite!

The only one moving in a different circle is you.....most likely one from the 50's. I would keep driving before I would stay at a campground that only charges $5-$10 a night. I wouldn't sleep worrying about having my coach stripped or the meth lab blowing up.

wbwood you would actually consider 35 dollars for an overnite spot reasonable? Wow you sure move in different circles than I!!!!!
I would gladly pay 5 maybe 10 but no more. (before anyone starts, I could afford the 35,but I demand fair value for my money. 35 may be fair to the lot owner,but not to me, Now if you threw in dancing girls for that 35 OK)

Not all states allow overnight in a rest area. Do they enforce it? Who knows. I know I see them all the time at the rest area near my house. And there is no overnighting in rest areas in NC. But I have never seen a police car there at an RV as I drove by either. Personally, I would opt for a truck stop or somewhere like a walmart that allows it over a rest area. Campground would be an ideal situation as long as it's easy to get in and out, open upon my arrival, and not costing an arm and/or leg. I would find anything under $35/night reasonable.

With that said, I think Rv parks should offer sites (parking places) for over night without any hookups or amenities at a cheap rate. I would pay $5-10 to pull into a quiet and safe campground, just to park overnight. I don't need electricity. If they have potable water and dump station to use, that would be great. But it would be for one night only. After one night, you pay a regular rate, whether you are in a regular site or not.