Rest area overnight stops.

[Rodallg]

Is it allowed to spend the night at a rest area? Hope this isn't a dumb question to ask.

[tropical36]

Rodallg wrote:
Is it allowed to spend the night at a rest area? Hope this isn't a dumb question to ask.

Most do, even if it says otherwise. Some say no camping, which doesn't mean you can't stay overnight. If it says no overnight and they try to enforce it, a trucker told me to call the Federal Marshall at 800 333 4636 and say you're too tired to drive any further. Truckers aren't allowed to by law, once their time on the road is used up. Most of the signs and laws are designed to enforce when that 10% shows up that screw everything else up in this world and the sole reason we have so many rules and restrictions. The most intelligent signs will say no more than a 12 hour stay or something to that effect.
If you see signs in a Walmart, better check with a manager to see if it's enforced, cuz these are usually implemented by the city's ordinance and not Walmart as per say.

[MrWizard]

yes we do it when traveling
even pulled over in the middle of the day, if the wind got bad

[lanerd]

HERE is a list of all states for overnight camping and dump sites.

Hope this helps

Ron

[Altern]

Depends..
Unless you think its safer to drive sleepy tired.

[2oldman]

Each state's dot site should have that information.

[ScottG]

Depends on the state - some do and some don't.

[The_Texan]

We use them all the time. IMO, they are safer and quieter than the retail big box stores. One NE state had a 3 hour time limit they rigidly enforced, until big brother threatened to reduce their federal highway funds and they changed the law very quickly. Many have "rules" to give law enforcement a tool, but there is no state that I am aware of, that has ANY law prohibiting the practice.