Truck Stops, Rest Areas, or WalMart?

[Only_True_Mosno]

I posted earlier this week about my road trip from Mizzou to Knoxville for the game on November 22 in Knoxville. Thursday late afternoon we are leaving Columbia and heading down. I am still trying to decide whether to go Nashville Route or through Lexington Ky. It looks to be about the same distance and I really don't like the route through southern Illinois to Nashvilke. So...my question....

I am a Newbie that has never stayed at any of the spots listed it the title. We would be pulling over around 10-11 at night and continuing on around 8 the next morning. I would leave fifth wheel attached to truck. Is it safe to do this at the locations listed? For some reason I keep thinking ( worrying) about someone deciding to take off with the truck with camper attached while we are in it sleeping. I know thats probably crazy but these days who knows. Any advice from you veteran RVers would be appreciated.

[IAMICHABOD]

RV Parky App will give you a guide to

Rest Areas
Military Campgrounds
Casinos
Walmarts
Cabela's
Cracker Barrels
Camping Worlds
Flying J's
Pilot Travel Plazas
TA Travel Centers

[Busskipper]

hotpepperkid wrote:
Wal-Mart would be my first choice and rest stop my last resort

Wally has camera and security -- just be sure to locate opposite deliveries. I usually Google Maps it to see the locations parking lot and how to enter and depart.

You should have no issue. allstays

BOL,

[Vannnce]

Ive overnighted in rest stops in both my fifth wheel and just sleeping in my pickup with no problems. I prefer to park between two semis myself. They keep to themselves and security comes in numbers IMO. I can sleep anywhere though at anytime ha

[GordonThree]

I was nervous earlier this year, my first time overnighting at rest areas / walmarts while driving round trip to alaska. others have said and I will echo, plan ahead and research your stopping point and alternates, keep in mind the closest alternate might be back the other way.

twice while traveling did I end my day in a town that didn't take kindly to overnighters... so I drove on into the darkness while I was tired - that was no fun.

only once did I have an unpleasant experience overnight - I was nearly killed by an elderly couple who parked their gasser's next to my trailer and let the engine run all night long - the CO alarm is not a good alarm clock.

[mgirardo]

We prefer Walmart over Truck Stop or Rest Area because they are quieter, most have security over night and if we ever need to stock up, we can just walk into the Walmart.

-Michael

[coolmom42]

Walmart, in a small town.

Plus I would take the I-64 route.

[gbopp]

Check the other options:

Free Campgrounds

Free Campsites

Casino Camper

There are other websites, just do a little research.

Enjoy your trip.

[TubaPete]

Wal-Mart is probably the best. Many have their own night security to help the overnight traveler.

As said truck stops are noisy.

Not all rest stops permit overnight camping. Plus we stopped at one and a truck purposely pulled up beside us and ran his engine all night long for our benefit. I know he did it just for us, we were at the far end of the row, the entire row was empty but he parked beside us.

[DesertHawk]

I'd use Walmart, never had a problem in the past.

Finder for Walmarts: Do Allow & Don't Allow OverNighting.

Put a Club steering wheel lock on & get a good night sleep.

[littlemo]

We've done all 3 in MH and 5er with no problems at all!

By the time they "wired" the truck I think you would be awake! And they would be crazy to attempt this!






You could always get a Rottweiler to sleep in the truck. LOL

[Sandia_Man]

Walmart would be preferable among the 3 choices for us although we have had occasion to overnight at the others as well. We always stay hitched and must admit that I never even considered the possibility of someone stealing our truck and trailer at the same time. It is not out of the realm of possibility, but we're usually concerned more with noise and the type of surroundings we are in.

A campground would be safer with such concerns, but we find overnighting when trying to make time driving into the wee hours of the night a suitable option when done prudently. We use our tablet or smartphone (RvParky app) to find the locations mentioned above for possible overnighting options. We also use google maps to do satellite shots to view surrounding areas where we might choose to overnight. Enjoy your trip!!!

[Merrykalia]

Taking either route, where will you about at approximately 10 or 11 pm. I might be able to give you a little more info, but I'm not going to mapquest and try to figure out where you will be.

[hotpepperkid]

Wal-Mart would be my first choice and rest stop my last resort

[paulcardoza]

We've done all 3. All have pro's and con's.
Truck stops are noisy, as trucks often idle all night and trucks move in and out at all hours. We would pull in and leave our genny running to offset the noise from outside, while allowing us to run the AC.

WalMart is probably the best option, as long as the specific location allows it.

Rest Areas - Depends on the location. If it's pretty busy, I would not hesitate to stay over, but in remote location with little traffic, I might be more concerned.