Overnight Stays at I-95 Rest Areas

We have stayed the night...about 8 hours or less at rest areas that say no overnight parking but generally we don't or if there is someone to ask (there was an attendant at one on I95 that we were able to ask and he told us that they just post that for the troublemakers). Welcome centers usually better. Rest areas with separate rv/car and truck. Santee State Park is cheap during week. There are a few walmarts.

When we had the motor home, we often traveled at night and pulled in wherever we could find a spot when I got tired. Since we got the travel trailer, we've only taken more leisurely trips and haven't tried to do the late/all night driving routine. I've never had any problems or been asked to move on from a rest area. We always pulled in after dark, usually late into the evening and were on our way early in the morning.

Since we haven't tried lately, I can't say what it's like these days, but before we sold the motor home, it got to the point where after about 9:30 or so we couldn't even pull into a rest area. There were trucks lined up and down both sides of the ramps and often even stopped in the travel lanes. As others have already suggested, there are alternatives for RVs that might work better, depending on your intent.

I agree that if you are truly camping, a campground is usually worth it. They are usually quieter, safer, and more relaxing. In an ideal world, we wouldn't be constrained for time and could slow down and enjoy the trip. But we've all been there where for whatever reason you just need to make the best time. Pulling into a campground after 10:00 at night just doesn't make sense to me. It's disruptive to those already sleeping, and campgrounds often just aren't that easy to find or convenient to access from the interstate.

Here are some alternatives that may or may not be better than rest areas. It's usually a good idea and good etiquette to check with management to make sure it's OK. It's also suggested to actually use these businesses services whenever possible. Also keep in mind that local ordinances in many cities forbid any overnight parking. Those locations which are usually posted as such are much more likely to force you to move on or worse...

* Cracker Barrel's dedicated RV/Bus parking
* Flying J RV Parking areas
* Cabela's dedicated RV Parking
* Walmart Parking Lots
* Other truck stops - check with management and be aware many truck stops have reserved parking areas you shouldn't be parking in.

While some welcome stations and rest stops "allow" overnight parking, the reality is that official rules in most states forbid it. Whether you get away with it, or some officers allow you to stay because they know you are just resting and moving on, you need to be aware of the official stance of each state that you are passing thru. This link seems to have the information you need.

http://beamalarm.com/Documents/state-rest_stop_policies.html

or this

http://www.interstaterestareas.com/overnight-parking/

Charles

I've never overnighted at a rest stop. Some allow it, some do not.

However, I have stopped at rest stops long enough to get a power nap of 30 to 60 minutes. After that, I'm good to go for a lot of miles.

Never stayed all night at a rest area. I think I would prefer Walmarts that are in smaller towns. We have only stayed at a Walmart a few times, but the ones near large cities were noisy all night. Smaller towns , much quieter.

AlwaysDreaming wrote:

WNYBob wrote:
I stopped at the Dale City cars only rest stop in VA south of DC. Reasonably quiet and clean rest rooms. When I got up I was one of 4 RV's.

Looked on map and I see trucks only and cars only rest stops I-95 Dale City. Do you think there is room/parking space for a 22ft RV with a toad (total length is 42 Ft in the cars only? Trucks Only rest Stop sounds a little dicey.

P.S. I worked at IBM Owego, now Lockheed Martin ('78 - '16) and lived in Endicott. Al Levo, maybe I know you?

Can't help you with the rest area question as we stop at CG's when heading up that way. I worked at IBM Endicott 77-80 before xferring to Florida. In college I worked for Mayflower one summer and hauled a bunch of stuff in/out of the Owego location.
Last couple years we've stayed at Hickories across from the old IBM Owego while visiting the area.
Have a safe trip

bucky wrote:
Do not stop at the I95 Lumberton NC Wal*Mart. Lumberton was recently named as the most crime ridden town in NC. We had 3 Officers tackle some thug 20 feet from our door the last time, that was enough!

x2
we live about an hour west of lumberton, nc

the report about lumberton being crime ridden is accurate.
the only way i would stop in lumberton would be to refuel.

there is a koa directly off Interstate 95, i would assume it would be safer than a wally world

On a side note about Lumberton, NC. They have a great Farmers Market we stop at right off I-95 on the way to Myrtle Beach right off the exit heading East.

dave

mgirardo wrote:

bucky wrote:
Do not stop at the I95 Lumberton NC Wal*Mart. Lumberton was recently named as the most crime ridden town in NC. We had 3 Officers tackle some thug 20 feet from our door the last time, that was enough!

We have spent the night at the Lumberton, NC Walmart a few times. It is probably one of the loudest we've ever stayed at. Seems like people would intentionally race their engines as they passed by us. It's been a while since we have stayed there for that reason. Glad to know there is no reason to stop in Lumberton for any reason.

We've stayed at a lot of different Walmarts along I95 between NJ and GA. We prefer Walmart because they have security that ride around the parking lot throughout the night. They also provide a place to stock the fridge and pantry before heading back out onto the road. We have found a few that aren't open 24 hours, but even those had security in the parking lot.

I'm a light sleeper, so being right off the highway usually keeps me from getting a good nights rest. Walmart has worked well for us. We've used Walmart with both our HTT (only one bed folded down) and Motorhome.

-Michael

bucky wrote:
Do not stop at the I95 Lumberton NC Wal*Mart. Lumberton was recently named as the most crime ridden town in NC. We had 3 Officers tackle some thug 20 feet from our door the last time, that was enough!

We have spent the night at the Lumberton, NC Walmart a few times. It is probably one of the loudest we've ever stayed at. Seems like people would intentionally race their engines as they passed by us. It's been a while since we have stayed there for that reason. Glad to know there is no reason to stop in Lumberton for any reason.

We've stayed at a lot of different Walmarts along I95 between NJ and GA. We prefer Walmart because they have security that ride around the parking lot throughout the night. They also provide a place to stock the fridge and pantry before heading back out onto the road. We have found a few that aren't open 24 hours, but even those had security in the parking lot.

I'm a light sleeper, so being right off the highway usually keeps me from getting a good nights rest. Walmart has worked well for us. We've used Walmart with both our HTT (only one bed folded down) and Motorhome.

-Michael

Do not stop at the I95 Lumberton NC Wal*Mart. Lumberton was recently named as the most crime ridden town in NC. We had 3 Officers tackle some thug 20 feet from our door the last time, that was enough!