Respectful Overnight Parking At Truck Stops For The RVer
By Kelly Beasley
Unless you're new to RVing, you know many campers do overnight parking at truck stops. And that is a great place to overnight!
But there's a big divide about if it's OK to park your RV in the semi-parking spots that are available there.
There are other places for RVs to park, and there are a FEW other places for truckers/professional drivers to park, too.
But are you hurting those working drivers with big rigs for taking up the space they depend on while working?
Here you learn if it's ok and how to safely use truck stop overnight parking at places like Love's, Flying J, Pilot, and more!
Can I Park My RV In A Truck Spot?
Yes, you can. BUT... is it always ethical? We're going to get into that. For now, we say you can, but you might change your mind about how you overnight parking at truck stops with your RV affects semi drivers.
Meantime, at most travel centers, the company owner doesn't state that RVs cannot use these spaces.
Many have even removed the word 'truck stop' and made it 'travel center,' as the amenities exist for all, not just truckers.
Some 'trucker stops' do have spots dedicated to RV parking.
You can see exactly which Pilot and Flying J do in this guide (PDF), where they do and do not have dedicated RV spots.
If they have them, we suggest you use them instead of the truck parking spots.
Well, Can RVs Park At Truck Stops Or Not??
The short answer is that parking in a large truck parking spot is technically OK.
But be aware, if it's full, you'll likely tick off the professional drivers.
So if you do so, park there at your own risk.
We believe truck drivers are justified in their anger.
How so? Let's find out.
The Professional Trucker's Dilemma
They may be angry because THEY ARE WORKING and have limited places they fit.
They also have strict hours to abide by when it comes to driving and rest time.
Those drivers are in trouble if they come to a truck stop at the end of their shift and can't find overnight parking at truck stops they hit.
Now they have to put their careers and licenses on the line, and potentially even their life (sleepy), to go another 10+ miles up the road to the next truck stop to HOPEFULLY find other truck parking spaces.
If they don't park by the time the golden hour hits, they:
- Incur hefty fines
- The infraction goes on their record for up to FIVE YEARS
This puts their job in jeopardy and could even make them un-hirable.
For them, not having available overnight parking at truck stops is dangerous, and the system seems unfair to them.
We talked to one of our previous full-time RVing friends, who is now a professional driver, about RVers overnight parking at truck stops IN the big rig spaces.
Below are his insights.
Ash Chesnut
"The subject of RVers parking in truck spots is discussed A TON among truckers, and the responses are always negative and often threatening violence or property damage.
This seems aimed more at the RVs that park at truck stops than public rest areas.
Folks need to know they're being talked about and are disliked for taking up available truck parking with their RVs.
Truckers are regulated VERY stringently.
We have more Federal and state regulations than even doctors.
We cannot cheat or fib, as they're all based on computers and GPS trackers required in each truck.
These regulations tell us when we must park.
And you better be parked before that timer hits zero!
Otherwise, significant fines and possibly losing your job make you almost unhirable.
All infractions are recorded and logged for five years.
The wonderful thing about being an RVer is you have control. I would never tell an RVer to pay for an RV park site instead of parking at a truck stop.
That's idiotic, but it's what I hear most truckers say.
However, I encourage RVers to stick to Walmarts, rest areas, and the auto side of truck stops whenever possible."
The DOT regulates semi-truck drivers.
They cannot park in the same alternative spots as RVs, such as some Walmarts, Cracker Barrels, etc.
Sure, many travel centers clearly state that RVs are welcome there. However, we must share the road with truck drivers trying to make a living.
We both may be driving long hours. (Truckers are.) We both need to pull over to sleep.
RVers have campgrounds, Walmarts, boondocking sites, and more, but truckers do not.
Professional drivers have a very tight schedule and rules to abide by.
We usually have more flexibility than they do. Can you park elsewhere?
Likely, yes.
How To Find A Truck Stop
The easiest way to find a truck stop is by using the Allstays Camp and RV app. It does require a subscription, but it's CHOCK FULL of helpful things for the RVer.
You can filter for truck stops (even by brand), and they all pop up on the map.
SUPER easy! Some bloggers claim they call to ensure they can park (including at Walmarts), but we never do anymore. I don't know a seasoned RVer that does this.
Most apps will tell you if RV parking is allowed or not, and that's sufficient.
Truck Stop Amenities
I love truck stops! Look for these handy amenities:
Good as they are, let's find some other places you could overnight park for free.
Truck Stop RV Parking Alternatives
Often you can create your own RV spot at a travel center such as a Flying J, Love's, or Pilot.
Truck stops are spacious enough for semi-trucks to maneuver.
If you can find an area off to the side where you will not be blocking any traffic flow, take it!
Parked in a Flying J car park area, NOT in a giant truck spot
At some stops, there are empty lots next to the truck stop where some trucks and other travelers will park.
Some travel centers have spots dedicated to RVs. If where you are has it, USE it.
Other Places To Park Your RV Overnight
There are many places that RVers can use to park overnight.
A trucker doesn't have so many options.
If you are smaller and you CAN find a spot that isn't taking up a giant truck spot, why not do it?
It's simply about being aware of others' needs.
Not just your own. Really, it is. Can't we all be considerate?
It's a beautiful thing.
Interstate Rest Areas
Yep, it's true.
A good old rest stop can be the perfect place to overnight in a pinch.
They are designed for RVs and semi-trucks to come through and park, so there's plenty of maneuvering area to feel safe to pull in.
Also, many states have laws that disallow staying overnight in rest areas.
Boondockers Welcome
Some people love to stay overnight at the places that this membership provides (one of several companies that offer camping discounts).
It's all about whether it fits into your travel style or not.
Read more about how Boondockers Welcome works.
Boondocking
Out West, more than in the East or the Midwest, there are many places on public land to stay overnight for free. (Can you camp on public land?)
There are places on BLM land, national forests (can I camp anywhere in a national forest?), nature preserves, and more. Just be sure to arrive well before dark.
Kelly parked in Quartzsite on free BLM land
To find spots, check out Campendium.com.
If you fear boondocking, check out our boondocking guide on losing your fear.
Walmart RV Overnight Parking
Most Walmarts across the country allow overnight RV parking.
It's SUCH an easy place to stay for the night. The number of parking spaces available at night is never a problem.
Be aware- some Walmarts don't allow overnighters due to city ordinances.
Trust us; these cities enforce their rules.
In some cities, you may experience cops coming through and forcing you to leave.
Some even hire security to keep people from staying the night.
An excellent way to find out if camping at Walmart is allowed at a particular Walmart is to get the AllStays Camp and RV app.
Business Parking Lots
Some chain businesses allow RV overnight parking. Check the Allstays app or call ahead to find out if any company allows it.
Kelly parked overnight in this Lowe's parking lot her first night
Some RV-friendly places are Cracker Barrel, some large outdoor stores like Cabella's, non-truck stop gas stations, some casinos, etc.
You can always call and ask if it's OK to stay.
RV Street Parking
Some cities allow RV street parking on certain streets. It's not always easy to find city ordinances online showing where you are legally entitled to park, along with the rules of that street.
Even in some large cities, you can find legal street parking.
(Keep in mind that many of these spots are NOT desirable because of the homeless population/high crime areas.)
Also, due to the length of your RV, if you have a fifth wheel RV, type A motorhome, or a camping trailer, finding a spot long enough may not happen.
Other Parking Alternatives
There are many strange places that RVers have found to stay that may not technically be 'legal.'
We don't necessarily condone doing this, but many RVers and nomadic people do it.
However, if you get good at this, it can work.
It's worth a try, and you might find the perfect spot for one overnight.
Let's review some of the rules for parking at businesses:
*Unwritten* Parking Lot Overnighting Rules
Abide by these and act like a decent human being.
This way, we can all enjoy staying overnight in our RVs at a Walmart and other businesses that still allow it in the distant future!
Conclusion
So, is overnight parking at truck stop ok to do? Sure, but reconsider parking in the only spots where a semi can fit.
They are a great place to use the toilets, take a hot shower, and do laundry, in addition to needing a place to park for the night.
But unlike you (likely on vacation), a professional truck driver, who is working, cannot just find a place to park at the local laundromat.
So can RVs stay at truck stops?
They can. There are even truck stops with RV parking. Truck stops that allow overnight RV parking aren't necessarily condoning you parking in the big spots. Do that at your own risk (the truckers dislike it).
Look for those RV-friendly truck stops with dedicated RV parking if you need a big spot.
Even if there are a ton of spots in the early evening at, say, a Love's travel stop overnight parking area, remember that it most likely will quickly fill up overnight.
CA Kelly being 'that guy' when she first started RV life!
Do your best not to be 'that guy' who parked his little travel trailer in a huge truck spot.
It's just all about being considerate of one another on the road!
Ultimately, it's your decision whether you should use a truck stop overnight parking spot for yourself. It's not against the law, but we should all be looking out for one another. And now you know.
Author: Kelly Beasley
I dedicated myself to living the full-time RV life for over 6.5 years, immersing myself in the unique quirks and joys of the boondocking lifestyle and gaining a wealth of knowledge and experience along the way. In December 2020, my business partner and I made the transition to part-time RVing, but in January 2023, we hit the road once again, this time in our trusty vans. My mission is to help others embrace the RVing lifestyle with confidence and excitement, armed with the knowledge and resources needed to make the most of their adventures. I believe that the more you know, the more you can truly appreciate and enjoy the freedom and flexibility of the open road.
With all due respect ruck drivers in today’s world with electronic log books etc reat areas are filled with trucks. The entrances are filled as well as the exits including the off ramps everywhere! I can assure you many truck drivers wait till the last moment to find a parking area. They have the luxury of reserving spots on most major truck stops where those of us who use our large motorhomes for work and pull trailers with work equipment (36+14=50 feet) do not. We cannot just “pull over” anywhere we need too. Truck stops sometimes are the only place to park. There are always two sides to every predicament. I do attempt to not utilize a truck stop however sometimes it is a necessity.
Hi Pete,
This opinion and article stems from feedback from people who are actually truck drivers and do it for a living. Time after time, they have hard times finding places to park.
If you have an employer who requires you to drive a motorhome pulling a trailer, I’d hope they would have specified places for you to park at night.
Otherwise, you are a self-employed citizen, as am I, who does not have to follow regulations limiting how long you can drive in a day, where you can or cannot park, etc.
I have even had hard and very frustrating times trying to find a place to park once or twice at night. (I pull a 24′ travel trailer, so my whole setup is about 50′ long as well.)
Couldn’t find ANYWHERE to park, (N Colorado Springs or Denver, can’t remember which) not even a truck spot, and had to drive, well, I don’t remember what we finally found. It was late at night and we were both tired and frustrated.
Another time, I found a patch of dirt just down from a truck stop (the truck stop was SUPER noisy where I could park, so I left), and parked there overnight. It was the access road. No problem. Even had a trucker park next to me there. Guess the truck spots were full again.
I can’t imagine being a trucker and having this predicament. ESPECIALLY when they face getting fined or worse when they don’t stop driving when their time is up.
Therefore, I won’t take up a trucker’s spot. Others will. I simply choose not to dump my problem onto a trucker that has even fewer choices for parking.
That said, we are all free to make our own decisions!
The sound of the riggs running are better than a lullaby for me, puts me right to sleep.
Something to consider when parking at a truck stop/plaza is:
Does the truck stop/plaza allow one to sleep in parked RV? Trucker’s can park & sleep but due to the truck stop’s insurance liabilities an RV’r can park there but not allow one to sleep in parked RV. In the event of an event you’re a liability, their insurance doesn’t cover you.
Don’t shoot me, I’m just sayin…
I am writing this sitting in a truck spot at a flying J in Fargo ND. The spots that were RV parking last time thru here are now reserved truck parking. 5yrs on the road for you? Hard to believe. I remember checking out your renters upkeeping of your house. How time flies. This has been a challenging trip as quite a few RV parks are still closed. Keep the sparkle in your writing.
Thanks, Greg… yeah, not surprised about the spots. Truckers really need more legal parking spots. I usually make my own spot at a truck stop. I just make sure I am not in any way blocking the big trucks.
Yeah, the place looks very different now that I’ve sold it and they have built on a porch on the front, and aren’t really keeping the bushes trimmed. ????
Hopefully we shall all be on the road again soon, and safely. This is painful. But necessary.
Stay safe, Greg!
I also wanted to thank all of the truckers, both Ladies and Gentlemen for taking such great care of your Country, the United States of America! God’s Speed.
Amen! The only reason we have ANYTHING in our stores is because of truck drivers. : )
It’s a double edged sword. Truckers now park their entire semi in parking up front at most Flying J’s designated for RVs. But on the same hand, I’ve seen motorhomes parked in the semi parking lot.
Why? It baffles me. They must love the smell of urine, the noise of trucks idling, etc….lol.. Ever since the Pilot bought out the Flying J, they just don’t care who parks where, and it shows.
Call the Pilot Corp office in Knoxville and let them know the amount of business you once gave them. And the amount of money they are going to lose.
Hi David,
LOL! Yep, some RVers just can’t get enough of the gnarly smells and noise! I prefer a gas station/Walmart/truck stop over any campground just to not have to pay, not be told where to park, not to have to have people WATCH me park, not to deal with noisy neighbors, not to have to check in/check out, etc etc etc.
Full-time boondocker here.
But I do NOT park my tiny 24′ travel trailer in giant spots meant for eighteen wheelers.
Cheers!
Yes, Kelly, I am a full time boon docker in a expedite van…yes, I also agree to free as well, but in the extreme hot weather I will plug in at a campground, preferably state parks, just to give the generator a rest when the rooftop a/c unit is running, and when I want to cook out on the grill, and get away from the noise of the parking lots….no matter how far I park away from civilization in a Walmart or Flyingpilot car parking lot, I seem to always attract the trucker in a bobtail who just has to park next to me while that driver idles their truck alllll night long…lol.
Personally, I only boondock. The only reason I am at a Walmart or a gas station is because I am on my way somewhere and couldn’t make it in one day. I’m a hell no vote for one night in a campground!
But that’s just me. ????
I chase elevation to keep it cool, so no generator needed for air. I’ve had one or two pretty warm nights, regardless.
When I DO stay overnight at x location, I too am really good at attracting the trucker who parks right next to me. Somehow, I am unusually good at not being too bothered by the engine noise.
Lucky me!
One thing not mentioned about parking near the truckers is the noise level. Most semis park and run their engines.
Hi Richard,
Correct! I’m a very light sleeper and really get a horrible night’s sleep when I am around semis. Fortunately this doesn’t happen very often, but it did just the other day when I was relocating from Arizona to Washington and overnighted in an Oregon rest area. Of course there were plenty of semi’s there, and they did their best to keep me up all night.
I’ve had my CDL since 2009, and hope this explanation will bring a little understanding to all. Most big trucks have 4 batteries in a box under the drivers seat.These batteries are much larger than car batteries and help provide electricity for all the electronics in the cab. Many companies don’t have inverters in the cab so the driver has to idle the truck while parked or within four to six hours it will not start the batteries will be dead. Since a truck burns 1 gallon of diesel for every hour it sits we burn 10 gallons every day.If taken care of properly these trucks will log over a million miles in it’s lifetime, with many running continuously for months at a time. If the truck is shut down the APU ( auxiliary power unit) may be just as noisy if not more so, again it keeps the batteries charged and helps to prevent the diesel from gelling in the winter. Finally if you look a the nose of the trailer right behind the tractor you may see digital numbers on a box, this would mean it is a reefer (refrigerated) unit which makes a racket but must run continuously to keep the inside of the trailer at a pre set constant temperature.I guess the only good thing with all this noise is you can’t hear the driver snoring – sorry people 🙂
Thank you, Ernie!
That was very informative. I have always wondered why they have to idle. Figured there was a good reason, but I didn’t know the real reason.
The noise doesn’t usually bother me as long as it’s consistent.
I also imagine that the engine covers driver farts as well.
LOL! Look at me.
????
I drive drive away RV’S. the thing that worry me about is this. I have seen semis park in spaces that are marked for RVs. That mean the semis are 73 ft long which rv might be only 24 ft. The semis are sticking way past the lines
If someome hits your trailer, Its on the truck because he’s parked in rvs space. No matter who is at fault.
Hello all, I’m a trucker who drives for a small company and been at it for 8 years. It does drive me nuts when I see RVs in spots where we have to park and there sometimes where they have to, but I also see that there is plenty of room where auto park too.
My point is that sometimes we just need some common sense. Not all RV people do this just some of them but it makes the RV industry look bad. All in all, when you travel and park just use common sense before taking up a large spot! Other than that safe travels!!!
Exactly. We hope people will use their common sense, but it doesn’t always happen. Thanks for giving another insider positive view without hate or anger about this topic.
We hope you have no more parking woes out there. One can dream, right? LOL!
Anyhoo, safe driving!
I as both an RV’er and a Trucker REALLY appreciate that you tried to be both objective and understanding (kind of hard sometimes to be both at once!) in regards to this super important topic!
I have been a Driver legally for over 25 years and doing RV living for about 20 years. And I myself have pretty much given out the same tips and advice to other RV’ers and Expediters (hauls Frieght in vans or shorter box trucks) over the years. And as Truckers are being even more hogtied by Over-Regulations, and adequacy in Safe, legal parking is declining, the relevance of your article will help others have better understanding and hopefully better interactions with the Trucking Community.
Side note- as many of us Truckers spend upwards of 6 weeks at time in our trucks, we have also been using and implementing many RVing tips about living/life on the Road! Keep up what you are doing and let’s ALL enjoy seeing the Roadways and Stops together!
Wow! What an understanding and positive take from a longtime truck driver. Thank you, Shelle. We are sorry that this has to be a struggle at all for the industry. But we think that getting knowledge out there to those who may not know about the issues may help at least a little.
So we are happy you and so many others found this article. We appreciate that you perceive the value in it. Thank you for helping get goods to where they need to go so they end up in consumers’ hands. And hello, fellow RVer! : )
I don’t think the average RV class A has any idea how much professional CDL drivers resent the lack of regulation on non commercial vehicles. Especially with the new rules requiring lighter “for hire” vehicles to be included in the ELD mandate. A class A motorhome weighs as much or more than an an unburdened tractor trailer, but they have zero accountability. Then that same RV pops in and takes up a parking spot too. Or that 30+ foot trailer being pulled by a car or light truck that we KNOW would not pass an axle weight if it had to run through a scale. It is a small percentage but RVs run unregulated. To an industry that is constantly being imposed upon with more regulations and oversight this “chaps”.
FYI, In Tennessee rest areas RVs are considered trucks and need to park in the truck lot.
Any time one pulls into a rest area, follow the signs instructing RVs where to park.
I have been in Tennessee alot and no where have I seen a sign stating RV’s are considered trucks but I have seen signs coming out of North Carolina saying no trucks but RV’S can park there. Our big rigs are limited on where we can LEGALLY park where you can park almost anywhere and have the essentials of home where we don’t.
Hi Melvin,
Exactly. This is why we state in the article that RVs should not park in trucker spots at truck stops.
I agree with Ash on everything. Personally i think the truckers that really get offended are company owned drivers. I honestly dont care because i make sure i have time to check another truck stop for parking in case it is full. Only bob tail trucks get on my bad side when there is other places for them
If I have to park in a truck space I always park where my trailer can been seen when a trucker pulls into the be area so they won’t come all the way up thinking it is empty and have to leave or go arround
It would also be great if bobtail drivers would consider not parking in truck/trailer spots. Seek areas along drive or hard to get in spots.
All good notes. As an OTR truck driver, we don’t have time to look for a safe place to shut down. I go on the Trucker Path app to see what’s ahead. If there’s a Walmart, I’ll call and ask the manager if I can stop there. If so, I go in and thank the manager. If not, I keep rolling.
Hi Jeff,
Thank you for adding your experienced voice to this conversation. You have pointed out another good reason RVs, for the most part, should stay out of truck spaces. Truckers don’t have the luxury of time to stop and find out what is available ahead like RVers do.
Good point, thank you.
Different places are more lenient. some more strict in our particular place at Pilot Flying J California due to the amount of agricultural. if there is an RV is parked in the truck spots we will get them to move out and because it’s always full we will allow them to bobtail on the gas side if needed. the fact of the matter is that truck drivers regularly Fuel and spend anywhere from 300 to $800 in diesel and that’s just the way it is. Corporation likes to take care of its prime customers. Not unlike a regular person who leaves one job to go to another job who pays more sure that person stay at the job that pays $5 less no they will leave a company.
Well written article and I’ve got to agree with it 100%
Thank you J. Jones. We think it’s great information for the RVing and trucking communities. : )
I’ve been living in an RV for 22 years. The best places to park or places that are a little off the beaten path. Close to civilization but not quite in their parking areas. You just have to be creative. The further you are from people the less problems you’ll have.
Whoa, I am a drive away driver for RVs, I HAVE TO follow the same rules and law as the semis. I hold class A. But pilots and flying j allow Bobtails to take up OUR space and you truckers dont say anything about it..here are some of the places that I cant park because they’re full of Bobtails: flying j at Tulsa, Sullivan, Mo. Flying j at Lemom, Co let’s semis park in their RV parking, Souix Fall, SD. East St Louis flying j.
If anything is said to the management, they don’t care..I just go to someplace else that the manager has a set of balls. I believe several seasonal drivers are doing the same..take the PETRO at Oak Grove, Mo. Their RV.and Bus parking smells like pee.with big companies like Celadon going out of business, they might want to change their thinking
Interesting… hadn’t thought of that angle. I wonder- do they give you some kind of permit/notice to put in your windshield which would let others know this information?
That would be helpful in cases where there are ‘parking wars’, for others not to get their feathers ruffled.
Curious what truck drivers think about this, as we have no experience or education about what parking rules are for other class A drivers while working.
The reason most bobtails park on the RV/Auto side is to make room for the trucks with trailers. Some Flying J consider that side for bobtails too. As far as management goes, they make about 85% of their store earnings from truckers so they tend to take the trucker’s side. They don’t want to choose, so please don’t force them.
This was many years ago on a rest stop on I95, NC or SC, I stopped to sleep in my RV after driving all night, after approx 2 hrs, an officer knocked on the door and asked what I was doing as we did not move in several passes of his route, I told him getting some rest, and advised we could not “camp” at rest stop and had to move on
Hi Stephen,
Yes, that is an unfortunate rule for most of us in some states. The truth is, you could have told the officer you were just resting and grabbing a bite/going to the bathroom. I mean, is there an hourly duration you are/aren’t allowed to stay?
Not that we have seen. But yes, as we stated in the article, most rest stops do not allow overnight camping. You can try, but as you have already seen, you might get called out for it by law enforcement. Not that we are promoting breaking the law, just how long is too long?
It’s sort of a grey area.
Great article and thanks for the tips! I’m currently rving around the country, approx 5000 miles so far and just never park in a dedicated truckers spot because I understand their plight having trucked for a few years myself. I typically stay a couple times a week at a rv park when I am moving around but boondock the rest of the time because I enjoy that plus the cost of rv parks is getting a little high. When I’m parked some where for a while I enjoy koa,s but your article has provided me with some helpful info for my boon docking stays, awesome!
Hi Scott,
Sounds like you are having a great time of it RVing around the country! Yes, we agree that campgrounds are pretty expensive considering you can simply boondock for free much of the time, at least out west.
Glad we have helped you out, that’s what we are here for!
Safe travels, friend.
Thank you for respecting the truck driver. Wish there were more people like you
My truck and rv trailer is 45ft would this be ok park it in auto parking lot of the rest area .
Hi Walter,
Rest stop? I am assuming you mean a truck stop? If there is no place to park your RV as far as RV parking goes at a truck stop, yes, you can park in the auto park area. There is often plenty of space. I do it often! I have even stayed overnight. I usually try to find a spot out of the way, or on the side of the property where I am not in the middle of a traffic area. Just be considerate and you should be fine.
I’m a 20 year driver, it totally depends upon the rest area and state. Some rest areas have a large number of car spaces that never get used. Usually law enforcement is more lenient with RVers than trucks.
Never have stayed in trucker spots or Walmarts, when we traveled always use rv parks. That was part of the budget. Guests in rv parks also need to learn Dont cross other peoples spots go around them. That spot you didnt pay for. And turn down those bright lights you put up. If your that afraid you dont belong to the camping people who also need to sleep and not have bright lites shining in their spaces. At 85 have done and gone many places and regret it is coming to an end. Jo
I am 75, thought we had given up the travel/camping deal but missed it SO much. Just bought a 22 foot r-pod and we will be “ On The Road” again soon! Yippee! I’d love to hear your story!
I’m a retired trucker after 42 years b hind the wheel i now a rv er i lov seeing the places i could never c because i was in at nite unload an gone by morning lite so i these young truck drivers understand about y some rv ers park in a truck stop stop truckers spot.so don’t take offense its a habit an mayb strike ua conversation with a rver they would b surprised who we r. Thank u
Great advice, Tommy!
It’s amazing what happens you stop to talk to a person. Treat them kindly. As a human. Be nice and civil. Most likely you’ll find a very interesting person to talk to for a bit.
Happy RVing!
Yes Yes Yes… respect, kindness, consideration ♡
Beautiful, and well written. You did not go negative, and it is easy to do.
One thing that is another simple thing is diesel island have rules unwritten also. Always pull up after fueling to allow another to take your place. Courtesy to pull up. Maybe that is obvious.
Thank you for a well written article.
Thanks for the kind words, Bob!
Yes, for sure, pull forward once you are done fueling. Don’t fuel and then go inside to shop, use the bathroom, whatever and continue to block a fuel pump. That’s a great way to piss off people, not just truckers.
Nice article. Very helpful. Thanks!
You’re very welcome, Mark!
As a recently retired heavy haul trucker and with 35 years in the industry, I’ve never had a problem with a rv parked in a truck space. What is upsetting is when they decide to camp in the parking lot, steps down, slides out, awning out. Then they’re being ridiculous.
As a rv owner and traveler is really upsets me that the trucks feel the need to use the rv spaces in the rv lot in front of the truck stop.
Hi Frank,
There definitely is room (a lot?) for improvement when it comes to educating RVers as to what is good etiquette when camping overnight in a parking lot – whether it be a truck stop or a Walmart (or other store that is nice enough to allow RV overnight parking).
The Escapees have published a Good Neighbor Policy (PDF) that has been adopted by the industry, and shows what is considered to be proper etiquette. Problem is, the vast majority of RVers don’t have a clue that this policy exists. Or that it applies to them.
And yes, it is frustrating to see truckers parking in RV spaces, or cars for that matter. This is also a huge problem (cars parking in RV spaces) in the over crowded National Parks.
Fortunately the joys of hitting the open road in your RV greatly outweigh these minor annoyances. Though at the time you are facing them, they can be quite frustrating.
Thank you for your comment and congrats on your retirement! I hope you enjoy RVing as much as Kelly and I do!
I’m wondering why you didn’t mind RV’s parked in truck spots but trucks in RV spots bother you?
Frank I 100 percent agree. My rig with my car hauler is 66 ft long. Parking at the truck stops have never so far been a negative for me and actually have met some really good people and never had any inclination that I made anyone mad. I am normally rolling in after 1 or 2 am so most of the truckers are already settled in so not worried about taking up their space. I am way to big to go looking for a space at Walmart, street parking etc. I completely respect the truckers and their needs way before mine but also keep in mind they do have alternatives that the rv ers do not. Maybe not in every state, but most of the ones I have traveled is the weigh stations normally have 50 to 100 spaces that they can spend the night., also on the side of the on ramps to the interstate. Tried that and parked between a couple of trucks, well off the road and got ran off from a state trooper but he did not bother the truckers. I will never park at a truck stop if there is only a couple of spots but usually have no issues at late, late hours at night. These guys are just like we are and just want everyone to be safe. They recognize that if I fall asleep at the wheel they can be in danger. Just respect them and have yet to run into them disrespecting me. Excellent input from all. Be considerate and usually you will get it back
Nice work, Kelly!
I would like to add that 2 things most non-truckers are not aware of are:
1 – When a driver comes to the end of herhis 14 hour on-duty day, that driver is FORCED to shut down and not move the truck for 10 hours. With the advent of electronic logs, and the ambiguities in the hours of service (HOS) regulations, any attempt to skirt the regs is professionally dangerous.
2 – While you see many trucks pulled over at on and off ramps to take their breaks, the state and local governments are increasingly outlawing this practice. Wal-mart and many other big-box stores welcome RVers (and
I’m 1 of you), they don’t like the damage an 80,000 pound truck can do to their lots and so are hesitant to let them park.
All that being said, if you are worn out, sore and sleepy, find the nearest SAFE spot to park and lock down.
Be courteous, be safe and have fun!
Hi Dave!
Awe, thank you for the kudos, Dave! Also- that’s great additional information you provided. Others surely can learn from this. That’s what is so great about this site… our readers! We love that our readers engage and help teach one another what we may not know or add to an article. This is great. Thank you for your comment and Camp On!
Nicely written, Kelly. We have been full time for almost 4 years and have made a couple of Truck Stop overnights out of necessity but we always try to avoid for the very reasons you mention. This article did a great job of explaining things from the truckers perspective without the emotional language you get during online “chats” about the subject. We all have to share the road and it is good to stop and appreciate where we would all be without all of those big trucks moving across the nation.
Hi Frank,
Thank you for your kind compliment- I totally tried to be as ‘both sided’ as possible. Well, maybe I leaned a little in the truckers favor. But for good reason. It’s about all of us having to share the road, and knowing what our options are compared to other’s options, and trying to be decent humans to others. They work hard to bring us the goods we use every day! I appreciate them, even if they are not perfect. Neither are we. Happy upcoming 4-year Nomadiversary, and thanks for reading and appreciating this blog post!
Good article, Kelly:) Thanks!
You are most welcome, Steve! We’re happy you liked it.
After driving an 18 wheeler for 40 years and finally retired My wife and I decided it was time to buy the power unit and the 5th wheel and hit the road. So we did. I can totally understand how the truckers feel about RVs in a truck stop. I thought the article was very well written. The way I see it if it wasn’t for the trucking industry we would not have our MH 5th wheel or TT. So please be considerate to the truckers and their way of life on the road and you will find out they will help you when everyone else will pass you by
Hi Wayman,
Thank you for your input as a previous truck driver. It goes a long way hearing it from someone who has been in the industry. I also agree with the fact that you wouldn’t have pretty much ANY of the stuff you do if it weren’t for these drivers. Basically, every single thing you own has been on a semi truck at one point in time. We hope others read this and understand the quandary truck drivers are put in when there is no place to park and sleep for the night at a truck stop. Sure, it’s easy for an RV to park there, and yes, it’s ok to park there during the day, but I myself don’t want to put someone’s job in jeopardy just because I felt like it was my right to park in a giant spot when other places were available to me. It’s all about humans being educated and making considerate choices for others. Hope you get to camp a lot these days and thanks for the comment, Wayman!
90% of all fender benders between trucks happens in a truck stop. Backing in a spot with a 53 foot trailer and and the possibility of not seeing a slide out on a camper could be fatal to the person sleeping! Don’t do that type of camping in a truck stop. That’s like taking up two parking places.
Very interesting
If you take the time and effort to LOOK, you often will find smaller out of the way places that sell diesel where a lot (often unpaved) is located. I have done this often and have always found parking. The big “travel centers” are always PACKED. You won’t have all the “bells and whistles” of the big truck stops but MUCH less noise.
Hi Kevin,
Very true. Some gas stations don’t care if you want to stay overnight. I have asked before and stayed at a gas station that wasn’t a truck stop. Just buy some gas from them and maybe breakfast. It’s all good. There are many other places to park overnight than just truck stops!
How is it every time I pull in to a Flying J/Pilot station all the dedicated RV spots have bobtails?
It goes both ways my friends.
Hi Kimberly,
We didn’t say that all truck drivers are perfect. We don’t know why you see this. This article is about YOUR awareness/knowledge of truck stop situations and behaving in a way that you see appropriate for the other humans around you. We cannot control what others do. All we can do is lead by example.
But you all can park wherever trucks don’t have that luxury and i personally think it is bs when rvs come into a trucks parking lot because 1 they are to cheap or to lazy to find an rv park you don’t have regulation like truckers do
Hi Annie,
Yes, as stated in the article, we discourage RVers from parking in truck lots. This article is intended to inform those RVers who are unaware.
You cannot always park where you think motor homes can. Like a previous poster stated, try pulling off the side of a rest stop entrance in a large Class A pulling a trailer. The State Police will tell you “that dog doesn’t hunt!”
Hi Pete!
Thank you for your comment.
For sure, some RV setups are much more challenging in design to find parking than others. This is all about having consideration for others, and educating one’s self about how truck stops and how the trucking industry works. Anyone is free to make their own decisions, educated or not.
I personally still would do everything in my power to NOT use a giant trucker spot in my RV from all of the many truckers I have heard from.
Usually they do that because they also don’t want to take up a full space that another trucker can use and somevstops consider that area for bobtails too. That’s why you may sometimes see quite a few bobtails parked out near the road in front of the store
Great job and agree with all.
Thank you, Bob! We hope many hear this. And make good decisions from it.