By Johnny Robot
Yes, you can stay overnight in an RV at a truck stop. However, there are a few things to keep in mind. First, some truck stops may have restrictions on how long you can stay. Second, you will need to make sure that your RV is properly parked and level. Finally, be aware that there may be noise from trucks coming and going or idling their engines throughout the night. If you can handle these potential issues, then staying in an RV at a truck stop can be a great option.
Some truck stops have special areas set aside just for RVs, so be sure to check with the staff before you park. If there is no special RV parking area, try to park your vehicle in a well-lit area near the entrance of the truck stop. This will help you feel safer and also make it easier for you to keep an eye on your surroundings.
TRUCKERS MAY NOT APPRECIATE you taking up a space at the truck stop meant for them, so it’s always polite to ask permission if staying in the truckers’ parking area before setting up camp for the night.
Overall, staying overnight in an RV at a truck stop can be a good option for travelers who are looking for a more affordable alternative to traditional RV parks.
The most popular truck stops that allow overnight RV stays are Pilot Flying J, Loves and TravelCenters of America. Be sure to check their websites or call ahead for any restrictions on size, the number of people and pets allowed in the RV, or other rules that may apply.
In recent times, there has been an increase in the number of newer, more upscale truck stops that offer RVers amenities such as laundry facilities, showers, and even restaurants and stores. These types of truck stops are typically located near highways and Interstates and can be a convenient stop for RVers who are looking for a place to rest for the night. And, almost always, the stay is free.
EDITOR’S NOTE: This article was 96% written using artificial intelligence by a fictional writer we call Johnny Robot. A human with minimal writing abilities and minimal knowledge of the RV lifestyle could have written it in a few minutes with “Johnny’s” assistance. We have posted it here to illustrate how easy it is to populate a website or blog with relevant content that attracts readers but generally offers only mediocre advice or information.
##RVT1051
What would now be interesting is to have an expert re-write Johnny Robot’s item so we can compare the information!
As a truck driver that’s been in the business for 35 years.. absolutely not ok for rvs to b in truck stops… we have limited places to park and sleep legally… rvs take up 2 places not just one.. 95 percent of truck accidents take place in truck stops.. the new breed of truckers have zero respect for one another.. most are from forign country’s and do not speak English. I for one would not want my rv near these non driving fools.
You can park your rv anywhere.. we can not park our trucks anywhere but truck stops or the cops issue us huge tickets. So for your own safety… stay the hell out of truck stops… Walmart has the good Sam’s club park in their parking lots
Truck drivers HATE Rvs, they drive 11 hours, and cannot move the truck for 8. The truck lot is full and there are Rvs taking up space, those entitled ***** should go to rest areas, but they have to take truck spaces. [bleeped]
Yeah and u can park on the side of the road like the trucks that have to because there are RVs parked in the truck stop parking space. We are limited on how long we can drive during the day with limited parking. Paying $6 a gallon for fuel to keep everyone fed. But it’s cool being your kids and chill at the truck stop.
Great job J.R. you should be writing for CNN or one of the other great news stations.
I would like to point out that the comment section of some large news corporations appear to be populated by various pro and con chat bots run by the company.
I have been RVing for over twenty years. Most Flying Js have large parking areas designated as semis only. Many keep their rigs running all night. I never intrude in their area. Most newer Flying Js have areas where travelers in RVs and other vehicles can park overnight. Never had a problem parking there. I do have a Flying J fuel discount card as well. I never open slides, set out chairs etc. And I often have friendly chats with semi drivers while having coffee etc in the morning. Most drivers are polite and regular folks and respond in kind when treated friendly. I mostly stay in wallmarts or Js when I am pushing hard for 12 hours or more. I stay in rv parks and enjoy their amenities when not in a hurry. Say hello and chat with semi drivers. They have a tough job and work hard and are usually alone for long hours and often enjoy the chance to chat.
This should be the “Johnny Robot,” part of the article: “In recent times, there has been an increase in the number of newer, more upscale truck stops that offer RVers amenities such as laundry facilities, showers, and even restaurants and stores.” This statement is simply misleading and incorrect. Old and new truck stops have offered all of these amenties for years to everyone, with no regard to RV’ers, or necessarily upscale stops. The article should be rewritten correctly.
You can definitely tell the article was written by a bot, (Johnny Robot), and written by a novice. Have read many articles like these, and only offer rudimentary advice for newbies,…at best.
In regards to truck stops. Make sure there is an RV designated area, and park there. If not, ask the manager, where to park. We usually find a corner, where a curb blocks one side of the RVise, and is too short for a semi to fit it. We are 30′ long, so its much less of an issue.
Yes, it will be noisy, duh. It’s a truck stop.
A lot of talk about not parking in truck stops with RVs. What about rest areas that I full of trucks parked on the in ramps and out ramps. Should they be using truck stops. You know guys it works both ways. It just depends on which side of the fence you are on.
It’s been a while since I have driven a truck, but the rest areas are full of trucks because there are not enough truck stops and rest areas to accomodate them.
Never had a problem stopping for the night at truck stops. We usually will ask and park way out of the way. But if you talk to nomads they have spoken to truckers and have no problem. So not sure where all these bad experiences other have had happened.
Don’t be the a-hole parking your RV at a Truck Stop….it’s called a truck stop for a reason and us truckers have a very difficult time finding parking. Good way to start a confrontation. Go park at a camp ground…or somewhere else maybe a rest area in the RV section not the truck parking area there either. Your in an RV you can probably park just about anywhere and worst case is you would be asked to move cops love to give us truckers parking tickets. We face the struggle of finding parking every night this article is so frustrating. Please do not take this bad advice.
Did a truck stop a couple times in 20 years.. learned my lesson. By 10pm I was surrounded and boxed in by a refrigerator truck. Never again.
I love parking at truckstops, if the truckstops allow us to park there and welcome our business also….why wouldn’t we.
There is already a shortage of truck parking and we’re not allowed to park in campgrounds please stay out of truck stops we need the rest
I agree. I am retired truck driver(40 years). I am a full time rv’er now. Get your fuel and munchies and leave before nightfall. The spaces for truckers are filled quickly in the evening. They need that space. Find somewhere else to sleep. Also, with the tremendous amount of “new” drivers out there, there is a lot of inexperienced drivers. They will take your front/rear end off in a flash, and drive away. Watch enough “trucker YouTube videos” and you’ll see the carnage they do to other trucks. The truckers(me included) couldn’t care less if you get your fuel there….just be considerate about our parking at night.
Besides Walmart & Cracker Barrel and a few other such places, we one night parked in a Park & Ride lot. Nearly empty all night, until very early in the morning, when commuters started coming in. We got ready and headed back out.
Very interesting. This is the first I’ve heard of this kinda stuff.
but having stayed at a truck stop, I will not do it again unless I can’t help it. Trucks made loud noise coming in til about 1 AM then started back up around 4 or 5 AM. Was the worst experience and sleep I’ve ever had.
Worse than the lot sweepers at 5am at Walmart.
When staying at a truck stop, the No.1 courtesy you can give to truckers is the understanding that they HAVE to take their DOT-mandated 10 hours of off-duty/not driving time. Any space that looks like a big rig would fit in NEEDS to be left to truckers. After spending all day in line waiting to drop off loads or waiting for a “lumper” to unload no-touch cargo, or having to endure a DOT inspection at a weigh station (just a few of the many realities of “the freedom of the open road” 🙄)—especially in inclement weather or dealing with unexpected LONG detours—the last thing that truckers need to worry about is finding a place to rest after running out of authorized driving hours!
As a former elementary school teacher I had to laugh at the first paragraph. It is formatted exactly how I used to teach my kiddos. An introductory statement then three major reasons or points. The use of transition words (first, second, finally). Then restate the introductory sentence in a different way for the concluding sentence. 5th grader Johnny used some pretty rudimentary choices so I’d give him a C-.
There are a variety of articles, introductory, intermediate and expert. This may be a boon to those who are expert in the field they write about. I know its boring reading about stuff I already know. Likewise it may be boring for the expert to write about the simple stuff. Yet the basic stuff needs to be written about because it is always new to someone. With Johnny Robot writing the simple stuff, the expert can then spend more time writing on intermediate and expert topics.
Real authors need to leave an article with their names. Why wouldn’t you do this anyway?
Johnny Robot doesn’t appear to be much different from so many “non-robot” writers out there. Too many general comments and not enough substance. Even here?
Okay, point taken. Now can Johnny just be dispatched – or do we have to continue to live with the Borg?