Overnight stays on the interstates

[AlwaysDreaming]

We are a new class B owners taking our first cruise. We are driving FL to NY and going to do the trip in 2 nights, 3 days.

Are there places where we can pull in and hookup electrical for 12 hours? We don't need amenities, or a lake, or trees. Just a place to have dinner, walk the dog, and get a few hours of sleep and be gone by 5:00 AM.

Do these places exist? What are they called?
A rest stop with electrical hookup kind of thing.

Do truck plazas offer this?

Thanks

[adamkottler]

We stay in the "rest area" with the generator running. If no space or a dodgy feeling we opt for a Walmart or Cracker Barrel directly off the interstate. Either way we find it easier and cheaper to run the generator for the hours we need a/c. This may be different for you if your generator uses LP.

[JamieGeek]

For trips like that before we start I find a few campgrounds along the route that are likely overnight spots (using a guide such as campgroundreviews.com or simply koa.com). Then at a convenient stop figure out how far we want to drive and start calling ones looking for a place to stop (usually just try to grab a pull-though water and electric spot). Sure it may cost more than a rest area or Walmart but we get power, water and sometimes sewer.

[mountainsam]

In the past before we bought the MH we had a 5th wheel. It had no generator but we stopped in rest areas often when we could do without the a/c. Problem is they would pack in with trucks running their refers and air compressors. We now have the 23TR and we can park in the auto sections where it is much quieter. I do not run the generator. We usually get a pretty good nights sleep and get on the road early. However I prefer a CG, much more restful.

[gmc]

Ohio (I-80) is only state I've seen elec RV hookups in rest area... I'm sure others have it, but is the minority...

Traveling this time of year, should be minimal need for A/C... I have 12v fans on board for circulating air... Have never had to run Genny overnight.... Guessing you may not have one in class B??

Have used rest areas and Walmarts...
I've tended not to use CG as we often leave by 5am as well, and think it would be disruptive to 'neighbors'...

All depends how you travel and personal preferences.

[16ACE27]

Do what Jamie said but first get a Passport America pass and narrow your search to PPA parks. Figure $20 average a stop.

[AlwaysDreaming]

$20 to $25 a night is OK with me. Is this with a Passport America Discount? I looked at a KOA in GA and it was $55 a day.
Thanks

[16ACE27]

Originally Posted by AlwaysDreaming

$20 to $25 a night is OK with me. Is this with a Passport America Discount? I looked at a KOA in GA and it was $55 a day.
Thanks

Yep, PPA is 50% off. KOAs don't play that!

[bigben]

Yep - PPA is a pretty good deal. I use the PPA interactive campground map to locate then use RVParkReviews to get double check other users inputs. Make sure you read the section under Campground Notes - it gives you specifics about when and how ofter you can use the PPA discount.

[Chance]

Originally Posted by gmc

.....cut.....

Traveling this time of year, should be minimal need for A/C... I have 12v fans on board for circulating air... Have never had to run Genny overnight.... Guessing you may not have one in class B??

.....cut.....

Same here. Stayed at rest areas many nights with no A/C. Fans help a lot.

I think most Thor Class Bs probably have a generator, and since most (maybe all????) are on diesel Sprinter chassis, there is a good chance the generator is diesel too. Not sure -- just guessing.


Anyway, just saw today that Coachmen Class B will be offering Xantrex Freedom e-Gen Lithium Power System. I can't find much data on system yet but expect a lot to come out in two weeks at Industry RV Show. Somewhere I saw a claim of running A/C for up to 8 hours. That sounds about right, and what many RVers have been hoping for. Let's hope price is reasonable.

Coachmen Galleria Offers Xantrex Power System | RV Business

[abjbrtd]

We look for the following.

1. Casino, a lot of them have camping, very reasonable with power, water, sewer.
2. Wal-Mart, some of them don't allow overnight parking, Generator is OK.
Some Cabela's have overnight parking with a dump station.
3. Cracker-barrel, RV parking is marked, generator is OK.
4. Campground CLOSE to the highway.
5. Flying J, Pilot etc, always last on our list but there are a lot of them. Generator is OK and will mask the running trucks...a little.
6. Highway rest stop, some don't allow overnight parking.

Look in your APP store for "RVParky" it lists all of the above.

[Mr Sunshine]

There's an app and website called OvernightRVParking.com

It has an annual fee, ($25), but has helped us find free or almost free places to park countless times. And it has helped us avoid some places we might have tried. It is crowd sourced, updated by users in exchange for subscription extensions.

[blw2]

here is a place we stopped at once for a quick overnight when we wanted to plug in.
easy on/off the road
they have a nice little set-up for after hours self check in.
quiet
nice enough for a quick stop
Walterboro SC
http://www.newgreenacres.com/

[Bob Denman]

Originally Posted by Tfryman

Do what Jamie said but first get a Passport America pass and narrow your search to PPA parks. Figure $20 average a stop.

This looks like a pretty good place to start the research...