Common Sense and Overnight Parking

I spend a fair amount of time reading posts in various RV social media groups. Like many online communities, there are a lot of good discussions, plenty of questions, and occasionally some interesting debates.

One thing I’ve noticed is that many people ask questions that have probably been answered before. I try not to let that bother me. While a quick search often provides the answer, sometimes people simply want to talk with someone who has firsthand experience or ask follow-up questions that older posts don’t address.

Personally, I prefer to do as much research as I can before asking for help. That’s just the way I learn.

A recent question caught my attention. Someone who was new to RVing asked if it was acceptable to spend the night in a parking lot, truck stop, or rest area—and whether it was okay to put their slides out.

It’s actually a good question.

When we first started taking longer trips, I asked myself many of the same things.

Parking Lots

The first thing I ask myself is whether overnight parking is actually allowed.

Many businesses post signs stating that parking is for customers only. Others, such as some Walmart, Cracker Barrel, and Cabela’s locations, may allow overnight RV parking. The key word is some.

Policies vary by location, so the best approach is to call the store and ask the manager before arriving. If they say yes, thank them and consider supporting the business by making a purchase. After all, they’ve potentially saved you the cost of a campground for the night.

Just because one location allows overnight parking doesn’t mean they all do.

Rest Areas

Rest areas are another option, but they also have rules.

Many states limit how long you can stay, and some designate certain parking areas exclusively for commercial trucks. Truck drivers are required by law to take mandatory rest breaks, so it’s important not to occupy spaces reserved for them.

Read the posted signs when you arrive or check the state’s transportation website before your trip so you know the regulations.

If overnight parking is permitted, be considerate. Stay within a single parking space whenever possible. If extending a slide would block the neighboring space or create a hazard, leave it in.

You’re there to rest—not to set up camp.

Truck Stops

Some RV owners avoid truck stops, but we use them regularly for fuel.

Our 39-foot fifth wheel isn’t always easy to maneuver through a busy gas station, and truck stops generally provide easier access and diesel fuel. We fuel up, pull forward promptly, and move out of the way so the next driver can use the pump.

If I were planning to spend the night at a truck stop, I would ask the manager if they have a designated area for RVs. Some do.

If they suggest parking with the trucks, I’ll find a spot where I’m out of the way and only occupy the space I’ve been given.

If they tell me overnight parking isn’t allowed, I simply thank them and continue on to another location.

A Little Common Courtesy Goes a Long Way

When deciding whether to park somewhere overnight, I try to keep a few simple questions in mind:

• Is overnight parking allowed?
• Am I following any posted rules?
• Am I blocking someone else’s parking space?
• Can other vehicles safely get around me?
• Will my slides or awning create a problem for others?

Most overnight parking decisions really come down to common sense and common courtesy.

Treat the property with respect, leave it as clean as you found it, and remember that the actions of today’s RVers help determine whether future travelers will continue to be welcomed.