Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
 

Go Back   Thor Forums > Thor Community Forums > Thor RV Lifestyle
Click Here to Login
Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
 
Old 07-07-2017, 03:31 PM   #1
Senior Member
 
Mike in AZ's Avatar
 
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Challenger 37LX
State: Arizona
Posts: 506
THOR #7863
Rest Stops

I've seen so much great info in these forums on just about every aspect of RV'ing. Campgrounds, Walmarts, dry camping, boondocking, full timing... but I have not come across anything about spending the night at state rest areas when traveling cross country.

We are planning to drive from AZ to Ohio and figured on 2 to 3 full days of driving. Are there any things I should know about parking at a rest area for the night along the way?

__________________
__________
Mike
USAF Veteran, Retired Security Professional
The only thing necessary for evil to prosper,
Is that good men do nothing.
Mike in AZ is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-07-2017, 03:36 PM   #2
Axis/Vegas Enthusiast
 
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Axis 24.4
State: Michigan
Posts: 9,837
THOR #1150
Depending on where you are going in Ohio: The Ohio Turnpike "camping" spots in the service plaza's are pretty nice:
Service Plaza RV lots (pdf)
__________________
2022 Thor Axis 24.4
2021 Mach-E
blog - https://spareelectrons.wordpress.com/
JamieGeek is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-07-2017, 03:39 PM   #3
Senior Member
 
Mike in AZ's Avatar
 
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Challenger 37LX
State: Arizona
Posts: 506
THOR #7863
Quote:
Originally Posted by JamieGeek View Post
Depending on where you are going in Ohio: The Ohio Turnpike "camping" spots in the service plaza's are pretty nice:
Service Plaza RV lots (pdf)
Thanks Jamie. By the time I get to Ohio we will be with relatives. I'm thinking an overnight in New Mexico, then another in Missouri.
__________________
__________
Mike
USAF Veteran, Retired Security Professional
The only thing necessary for evil to prosper,
Is that good men do nothing.
Mike in AZ is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-07-2017, 04:03 PM   #4
Axis/Vegas Enthusiast
 
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Axis 24.4
State: Michigan
Posts: 9,837
THOR #1150
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mike in AZ View Post
Thanks Jamie. By the time I get to Ohio we will be with relatives. I'm thinking an overnight in New Mexico, then another in Missouri.
Yeah I figured as much given the destination being in Ohio I wasn't sure if you were all the way on the east side--probably wouldn't be overnighting in OH.
__________________
2022 Thor Axis 24.4
2021 Mach-E
blog - https://spareelectrons.wordpress.com/
JamieGeek is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-07-2017, 04:19 PM   #5
Junior Member
 
charlie_kay's Avatar
 
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Axis 25.4
State: California
Posts: 28
THOR #6892
Rest Stops

We stayed at rest stops along the way this past month in about 20 or so states with no issues. Most of them are really nice. I found Ohio to have the best stops, a lot of them with full dump stations and clean water fill up(free of charge). Rest stops are the best when going from point A to B. New Mexico had some decent ones as well.
__________________
charlie_kay is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-07-2017, 04:27 PM   #6
Senior Member
 
Mike in AZ's Avatar
 
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Challenger 37LX
State: Arizona
Posts: 506
THOR #7863
Quote:
Originally Posted by charlie_kay View Post
We stayed at rest stops along the way this past month in about 20 or so states with no issues. Most of them are really nice. I found Ohio to have the best stops, a lot of them with full dump stations and clean water fill up(free of charge). Rest stops are the best when going from point A to B. New Mexico had some decent ones as well.
Thanks, that's very helpful! I'm looking at our route. Probable stop in New Mexico, just east of Albuquerque on the I-40; and one just southwest of St. Louis. I won't be hooking up, just sleeping overnight.
__________________
__________
Mike
USAF Veteran, Retired Security Professional
The only thing necessary for evil to prosper,
Is that good men do nothing.
Mike in AZ is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-07-2017, 04:58 PM   #7
gmc
Senior Member
 
gmc's Avatar
 
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Hurricane 32A
State: Florida
Posts: 1,873
THOR #2829
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mike in AZ View Post
Thanks, that's very helpful! I'm looking at our route. Probable stop in New Mexico, just east of Albuquerque on the I-40; and one just southwest of St. Louis. I won't be hooking up, just sleeping overnight.
I've stayed in rest areas in a few states - never had an issue... Typical of a Walmart stop - I don't extend slides, etc - get some sleep and on my way. Just can't do the shopping thing beyond vending machines...

Ohio is the only ones I've seen so far with hookups (and a machine to take your credit card for the fee - reasonable as I recall compared to CG).

Many are posted with no overnight parking - never been even questioned as I sit between 18 wheelers doing the same thing...
__________________
Greg
Not yet retired...
Florida (Michigan transplant)
2014 Hurricane 32A
2000 Infinity (previous)
gmc is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-07-2017, 05:11 PM   #8
Site Team
 
EA37TS's Avatar
 
Brand: Entegra
Model: Accolade 37TS
State: South Dakota
Posts: 8,726
THOR #1469
If you haven't done so get the app "Rest Stops Plus"

https://www.allstays.com/apps/reststops.htm

Another one is USA Rest Stops.

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/usa-...528988698?mt=8
__________________
Dave
US Army (Ret)
2020 Entegra Accolade 37TS
2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee Trailhawk (Toad)
FMCA - F432054
EA37TS is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-07-2017, 05:33 PM   #9
Senior Member
 
airforceret's Avatar
 
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Four Winds 26B
State: Indiana
Posts: 387
THOR #6414
The key is to not appear to be camping and if you by chance do talk to an attendant you're only there to catch some needed rest before you get back on the road. We've only been asked to move along twice in the past 30 or 40 years. One was a weather evacuation and the other actually closed between the hours of 2 and 6 am (to keep out overnighters).

All in all they aren't bad but can be noisy at times depending on who pulls in near you. Cattle trailers are the worst! Stomping and mooing all night long!
__________________
Roger, Dawn, and Roxie
airforceret is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-07-2017, 05:43 PM   #10
Senior Member
 
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: 2013 31L
State: Florida
Posts: 2,181
THOR #908
I think there are something like half a dozen states that technically allow it.
google "states that allow overnight parking in rest areas"
and you'll find several references.

I personally have never done it..... probably would but I would be very selective.
__________________
blw2 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-07-2017, 06:03 PM   #11
Senior Member
 
Oneilkeys's Avatar
 
Brand: Still Looking
Model: Travato
State: Florida
Posts: 2,475
THOR #1765
Www.beamalarm.com

Beamalarm.com has a list of all the rest stops by state and whether they allow parking overnight. I did it for several nights on a trip in my RV from Denver, Co to South Florida several years ago and it was fine. In the states that allow it, you will almost always find a few RVs together around dark. It was nice on the interstate not to have to stop early and look for a site. I drove until just before dark and stopped at rest stops until I found a few RVs parked for the night.
Attached Thumbnails
Click image for larger version

Name:	IMG_5028.jpg
Views:	196
Size:	97.9 KB
ID:	5668   Click image for larger version

Name:	IMG_5030.jpg
Views:	191
Size:	104.7 KB
ID:	5669  

Click image for larger version

Name:	IMG_5031.jpg
Views:	183
Size:	105.1 KB
ID:	5670  
__________________
Oneilkeys is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-07-2017, 06:14 PM   #12
Senior Member
 
Mike in AZ's Avatar
 
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Challenger 37LX
State: Arizona
Posts: 506
THOR #7863
Quote:
Originally Posted by dstankov View Post
If you haven't done so get the app "Rest Stops Plus"

https://www.allstays.com/apps/reststops.htm

Another one is USA Rest Stops.

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/usa-...528988698?mt=8
Thanks, I will check them out ASAP!
__________________
__________
Mike
USAF Veteran, Retired Security Professional
The only thing necessary for evil to prosper,
Is that good men do nothing.
Mike in AZ is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-07-2017, 06:16 PM   #13
Senior Member
 
Mike in AZ's Avatar
 
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Challenger 37LX
State: Arizona
Posts: 506
THOR #7863
Quote:
Originally Posted by airforceret View Post
The key is to not appear to be camping and if you by chance do talk to an attendant you're only there to catch some needed rest before you get back on the road. We've only been asked to move along twice in the past 30 or 40 years. One was a weather evacuation and the other actually closed between the hours of 2 and 6 am (to keep out overnighters).

All in all they aren't bad but can be noisy at times depending on who pulls in near you. Cattle trailers are the worst! Stomping and mooing all night long!
Good advice, thanks. I'm going to look for that info (overnight allowed or not) for the rest areas I'm looking at.
__________________
__________
Mike
USAF Veteran, Retired Security Professional
The only thing necessary for evil to prosper,
Is that good men do nothing.
Mike in AZ is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-07-2017, 06:18 PM   #14
Senior Member
 
Mike in AZ's Avatar
 
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Challenger 37LX
State: Arizona
Posts: 506
THOR #7863
Quote:
Originally Posted by blw2 View Post
I think there are something like half a dozen states that technically allow it.
google "states that allow overnight parking in rest areas"
and you'll find several references.

I personally have never done it..... probably would but I would be very selective.
Awesome tip, thanks! Both NM and MO are listed as allowing overnight parking. NM says "24 hours," and MO says "unless otherwise posted." That will be perfect for us.
__________________
__________
Mike
USAF Veteran, Retired Security Professional
The only thing necessary for evil to prosper,
Is that good men do nothing.
Mike in AZ is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-07-2017, 06:21 PM   #15
Senior Member
 
Mike in AZ's Avatar
 
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Challenger 37LX
State: Arizona
Posts: 506
THOR #7863
Quote:
Originally Posted by Oneilkeys View Post
Beamalarm.com has a list of all the rest stops by state and whether they allow parking overnight. I did it for several nights on a trip in my RV from Denver, Co to South Florida several years ago and it was fine. In the states that allow it, you will almost always find a few RVs together around dark. It was nice on the interstate not to have to stop early and look for a site. I drove until just before dark and stopped at rest stops until I found a few RVs parked for the night.
Thanks! That is the first site that popped up on the google search someone else suggested. Looks like it's going to work out well for us.

I would love to see a couple other RV's in the area too, safety in numbers and all that.
__________________
__________
Mike
USAF Veteran, Retired Security Professional
The only thing necessary for evil to prosper,
Is that good men do nothing.
Mike in AZ is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-07-2017, 06:36 PM   #16
Senior Member
 
airforceret's Avatar
 
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Four Winds 26B
State: Indiana
Posts: 387
THOR #6414
Keep in mind that if weather is bad they tend to fill up quickly, and if you wait too late it can be a gamble whether or not a spot will be available. If it's getting late and you are contemplating stopping it may be worth getting to bed early and getting out early... I've found myself out of luck on more than one occasion and had to go to a backup plan (walmart, loves, pilot, american legion, and so forth).
__________________
Roger, Dawn, and Roxie
airforceret is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-07-2017, 06:51 PM   #17
Senior Member
 
Brand: Still Looking
State: Texas
Posts: 6,187
THOR #2121
Overnighting in rest areas has come up various times in different threads as I recall.

We've used rest areas to sleep from 4 to 8 hours many times when traveling between home and family. Don't recall it ever being part of a vacation because we take it easier and drive shorter days. Rest areas meet our needs much better than campgrounds when driving late regardless of cost.

Most of our stops have been on I-10 in Florida, Alabama, or Mississippi; or I-75 in Florida. We've also stopped one or two nights each in Arkansas, North Carolina, and Georgia while driving to visit family.

As I've mentioned before, our van is only 20-feet long so we park next to cars where there are a lot more people sleeping, and it's not as loud because trucks are farther away. We have never been bothered, and haven't seen anyone that's been asked to leave.

As long as there are many open spaces, I doubt there is going to be an issue. However, there have been a few recent reports of upcoming campground shortages that may change our ability to overnight in rest areas. I hope it doesn't come to that.
__________________
Chance is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-07-2017, 07:06 PM   #18
Senior Member
 
Mr Sunshine's Avatar
 
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: 2023 Jayco Precept 31UL
State: Florida
Posts: 2,914
THOR #1589
I use a website and app, OvernightRVParking. Besides a list., it gives you crowd sourced reviews of rest areas, WMrts, Cracker Barrels.
__________________
Life is better when you cry a little, laugh a lot, and are thankful for everything you've got!
Mr Sunshine is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-07-2017, 07:21 PM   #19
Senior Member
 
Mike in AZ's Avatar
 
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Challenger 37LX
State: Arizona
Posts: 506
THOR #7863
Thanks for the additional info, this is all very helpful to a first timer like me!
__________________
__________
Mike
USAF Veteran, Retired Security Professional
The only thing necessary for evil to prosper,
Is that good men do nothing.
Mike in AZ is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-07-2017, 07:23 PM   #20
Senior Member
 
Mike in AZ's Avatar
 
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Challenger 37LX
State: Arizona
Posts: 506
THOR #7863
Quote:
Originally Posted by Chance View Post
Overnighting in rest areas has come up various times in different threads as I recall.

We've used rest areas to sleep from 4 to 8 hours many times when traveling between home and family. Don't recall it ever being part of a vacation because we take it easier and drive shorter days. Rest areas meet our needs much better than campgrounds when driving late regardless of cost.
That's the case with us now, Chance. We are going to visit relatives in OH, so the traveling part is really just to get there.
__________________
__________
Mike
USAF Veteran, Retired Security Professional
The only thing necessary for evil to prosper,
Is that good men do nothing.
Mike in AZ is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by Thor Industries or any of its affiliates. This is an independent, unofficial site.




All times are GMT. The time now is 11:58 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Content Relevant URLs by vBSEO 3.6.0 PL2