sleeping at rest stops.

[rrohrer]

last year I went from Pa to Florida. broke trip up and slept a couple hrs at a gas stations /rest stop. I noticed state rest areas said no overnite parking but there seemed to be pretty many rv's and rigs parked there- I assumed for the night. Is that ok? I travel at night and usually only park at around 3-5 in the am just to sleep a couple hrs. otherwise I would just stop at a campground(I sometimes do that too). just wondered what others do.

[TandE]

Some states have laws against it for some reason or another. I do it all the time but over where I am at and usually go most signs just say max of 8 hours so that others can use it too.

Travis

[antiqfreq]

We have stopped on Interstate rest areas when allowed, and have slept in a few Wally Worlds calling them first to see if it is okay.

Jo

[Bob Landry]

I can't remember ever passing a state rest stop that did not have designated parking for trucks and RVs and vehicles parked there. That's what they are for. Some cities have ordinances against it, but that's a different matter.

[fla-gypsy]

Some states like Florida have regulations limiting the number of hours you can park to prevent overnight stays. Florida limits stays to 3 hours

[hankpage]

While on the road we generally sleep for a few hours at interstate rest areas with security or at truck-stops. If I'm dragging a perfectly good bed along behind me why should I pay to sleep in someone else's? If more than a few hours is needed than I look for a CG with pull-troughs. I think you will find most rest areas don't mind you sleeping, they just don't want you to set up camp. I travel mostly at night so I ignore the "No Overnight Parking" signs and sleep in the daytime.

[GaryWT]

To date we have only has one trip where we needed to stay over and we booked a campground for that. I know a lot of people use the rest stops and we probably would if we were to drive to FL or the like.

[crohill]

I know it is extra cost, but we plan ahead and stay in hotels. Sometimes driving and pulling a travel trailer makes you more tired than a full day of camping. Plus the kids enjoy staying in hotels too..it is about the only time we ever do. If you book in advance far enough and do some research you can find good hotels for under $100 a night. We take a trip to northern Michigan every year and the hotel is very inviting especially on the way home when you have not felt carpeting on your bare feet for 10 days

[rrohrer]

Thanks everyone. I think if it is time to rest a couple hrs I'll consider stopping at a rest area

[Ken / Claudia]

rrohrer,
It is not you and your rv with out of state plates that is a problem. Here we have 24hrs limit due to some folks use the rest areas as a home and are living in their car/rv at them. Cops need common sense, I know that some do not. You, me, us rvers are traveling and need to stop and rest/sleep. The cop who would make you leave is awaiting a big law suit. Whats worst making a sleeping driver drive on the freeway or let hm sleep afew hours. Really the whole point of them is to rest right?

[hankaye]

Howdy All;

Never much cared for the sleeping in a Rest Area idea. Only as a last resort.
After the sun goes down all sorts of non-conventional thinking seem to creep
out of the cracks in the surface ... Lot Lizards, panhandlers, the list goes on.
All nefarious in thought and deed to be done ...

The only plausible explanation for a Zombie Apocalypse I can think of.

hankaye

[Festus2]

hankaye -
Like you, I've never considered spending the night at a Rest Area but would if there was no other nearby place to stay or I was dead beat and couldn't drive another mile/kilometer.

I'm more worried about the 2-legged "lizards" and not so much about 4, 6 or multi-legged creatures. My fears are probably unfounded but I'm not willing to stay awake all night wondering if there will be a knock on the door or someone knocking down the door.

[Ken / Claudia]

The several rest areas near PDX are patroled as much as possible and have arrests of crooks, mostly ones with warrants or dope or both. My advice is always be careful, if possible use ones away from metro areas. Not to many stranger to stranger crimes happen at any of them.