Florida Turnpike rest stops

[J2]

I see no over-nite parking but do not see how long you may park to rest

[J2]

my 15 sec from turnpike site I see no hours but 3 will work just fine

There are eight service plazas on the Turnpike mainline, located approximately every 45 miles, which provide nighttime, armed security. Due to limited parking spaces, overnight parking is prohibited and vehicles may be towed at the owner’s expense.

The service plazas on Florida's Turnpike are open 24-hours a day and typically offer a variety of fast food dining options, gift shops, ATMs, Florida Lottery, public telephones, 24-hour news broadcasts, travel information, picnic areas, dog walks, and other amenities. Both men's and women's restrooms have changing tables and each plaza also has a family-style restroom.

Wireless Internet (WiFi) is currently available at the following service plazas: Okahumpka, Turkey Lake, Canoe Creek, Fort Drum, Port St. Lucie/Fort Pierce, West Palm Beach and Pompano Beach.

At all Turnpike Service Plazas, convenience stores with fuel are open 24 hours per day. In addition to regular gasoline grades and diesel, the following stations offer E85 ethanol for flex-fuel approved vehicles: Turkey Lake (Milepost 263), Ft. Drum (Milepost 184), Canoe Creek (Milepost 229), Port St. Lucie/Fort Pierce (Milepost 144), West Palm Beach (Milepost 94), Pompano Beach (Milepost 65) and Snapper Creek (Milepost 19).

You may contact the service plazas at the numbers below, call 1-866-820-1178 and leave a voicemail, or send an email to guestservice@areasmail.com.

[The_Texan]

fla-gypsy wrote:
3 hours in Florida

Unless they have passed a law in the last 2 years, the 3 hours is nothing more than an FDOT rule with no legal basis for enforcement. What the LE community calls a tool to use on the unwary, but will need to apply something else to actual cite a person.

[fla-gypsy]

3 hours in Florida

[The_Texan]

The Turnpike rest areas are the ONLY rest areas in Florida that have FHP troopers assigned to patrol inside the rest area on a 24/7 basis. This should give you an idea of what to expect at the rest areas on the turnpike. All other rest areas that have armed security are security guards, NOT armed law enforcement. We have no problem resting at any rest area in Florida, EXCEPT the turnpike.

[Executive45]

A 15 SECOND search using GOOGLE with the OP's question gave me this information from the Florida's website..READ the last sentence...:S....Dennis

"Each facility is protected by security personnel during evening and nighttime hours. Most of the rest areas provide family restrooms for travelers who may need companion assistance to make use of the facilities. The facilities in our Welcome Centers and Interstate Rest Areas are open and maintained 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for your comfort and convenience. The State of Florida's Welcome Centers, Rest Areas and Turnpike Service Plazas are generally equipped with public pay phones for use by travelers; facilities that do not offer pay phone services are equipped with call boxes to be used in case of emergency. Overnight camping is not permitted, but visitors may stay for up to three hours.

[Dog_Folks]

old guy wrote:
last time I stopped in a Fl rest area, they had armed guards posted. Are they still there, I haven't been back since then. I thought this is an environment I really need to stay away from.

All Florida rest stops, unless marked otherwise, have armed guards at night. They started 24/7 in 1993 after a British tourist was murdered in an I-10 rest area. They were cut back to night time hours in 1995. Source? I bid on the job.

[old_guy]

last time I stopped in a Fl rest area, they had armed guards posted. Are they still there, I haven't been back since then. I thought this is an environment I really need to stay away from.

[Dog_Folks]

Star Gazer wrote:
Not everyone is retired. I drive to get to my destination as quickly as I can. When I retire I will slow down and smell the roses along the drive. So until then a flying J or rest area will work just fine for a stop over of 6 hours or so. And yes I have stopped in the wee hours at the Florida turnpike rest areas and have had no issues.

Glad you guys like the RV parks as it gives us more room at the J 🙂

With respect, you are welcome to the extra room.

Different strokes for different folks.

[Star_Gazer]

Not everyone is retired. I drive to get to my destination as quickly as I can. When I retire I will slow down and smell the roses along the drive. So until then a flying J or rest area will work just fine for a stop over of 6 hours or so. And yes I have stopped in the wee hours at the Florida turnpike rest areas and have had no issues.

Glad you guys like the RV parks as it gives us more room at the J 🙂

[ford_truck_guy]

Dog Folks wrote:

Jim Shoe wrote:
Before all the rest area campers jump on me - I've heard it all before and it doesn't hold water. The various states (residents) build and pay for Rest Areas for potty breaks and/or resting for visitors and long haul truckers. A rest is anywhere from a 15 minute stretch to a couple hour nap.
They also license RV parks for people that need a longer rest, like overnight or longer. With some 'Resort' exceptions, they charge $30 to $40 per night for FHUs. As a bonus, you generally avoid dope dealers and lot lizards. If you can't or won't pay that, in your five or six figure RV, pick a new hobby.
OK. Flame away. I'm wearing my asbestos undies, but at least come up with a new excuse.

X2 Jim, flame suit on.

X3
If I am staying the night its a campground , if I am just tired and need 2 hrs of shut eye that's another story , anywhere I fit will do

[Dog_Folks]

Jim Shoe wrote:
Before all the rest area campers jump on me - I've heard it all before and it doesn't hold water. The various states (residents) build and pay for Rest Areas for potty breaks and/or resting for visitors and long haul truckers. A rest is anywhere from a 15 minute stretch to a couple hour nap.
They also license RV parks for people that need a longer rest, like overnight or longer. With some 'Resort' exceptions, they charge $30 to $40 per night for FHUs. As a bonus, you generally avoid dope dealers and lot lizards. If you can't or won't pay that, in your five or six figure RV, pick a new hobby.
OK. Flame away. I'm wearing my asbestos undies, but at least come up with a new excuse.

X2 Jim, flame suit on.

[Markiemark32]

past-MIdirector wrote:
They don't want the rest areas looking like the Walmart and Flying J lots with people camping out. If you're just parked with slides in they won't bother you.

I'm guessing the over-road truckers would be more of a issue.


Florida Walmart ~~





Markiemark:C

[Jim_Shoe]

Before all the rest area campers jump on me - I've heard it all before and it doesn't hold water. The various states (residents) build and pay for Rest Areas for potty breaks and/or resting for visitors and long haul truckers. A rest is anywhere from a 15 minute stretch to a couple hour nap.
They also license RV parks for people that need a longer rest, like overnight or longer. With some 'Resort' exceptions, they charge $30 to $40 per night for FHUs. As a bonus, you generally avoid dope dealers and lot lizards. If you can't or won't pay that, in your five or six figure RV, pick a new hobby.
OK. Flame away. I'm wearing my asbestos undies, but at least come up with a new excuse.

[past-MIdirector]

They don't want the rest areas looking like the Walmart and Flying J lots with people camping out. If you're just parked with slides in they won't bother you.

[Dog_Folks]

queenie2 wrote:
Three hours,

Legally, 3 hours.

However, some security guards and law enforcement will bend to rules a little to avoid forcing a tired driver back on the road. Just don't count on it.