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Topic: En Route Overnighting (Read 3 times) previous topic - next topic
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En Route Overnighting
Yahoo Message Number: 144959
The criteria (that I use, anyway) when looking for an overnight 'squat' en route from Point A to Point B are quite different from the 'pick a camping location' criteria for a longer stay. (I *think* that finding safe, convenient spots to overnight was the OP's intent when asking about truck stops?)

Not speaking for anyone else (that 'YMMV' thing), but the 'where to overnight' question is one of the first things I consider when planning a trip route. Yes, there's always the 'jello plan' aspect, and one does need to be flexible. I've gotten jammed up and had to take potluck quite a few times over the years; some stops have been pretty weird, and some serendipitous finds!  But, for me, having a 'stop goal' figured out in advance is my preferred MO. I travel solo, I don't drive at night, and I don't overnight in rest areas; at the end of a long driving day (even with 'walk around' breaks for me and the dog every couple of hours or so), the last thing I want to be doing is wandering around trying to ferret out a close access, safe, convenient overnight spot.

I use some of the 'free campsite' resources already mentioned  - not Day's End, as I'm not an Escapee - but primarily (since I'm now sticking to travel in the west), I use a combination of "Benchmark" atlases, Allstays, including the Walmart 'overnight parking OK or prohibited' links, Google maps, BLM and/or NF sites, the 'travel center' sites (listed in a previous post), welcome centers (not located in malls where overnighting is not allowed), Camping World locations that allow overnight parking, casino locators, and whatever other 'local' resources I might need at that point, including http://www.sanidumps.com/ . And, of course, the experiences and recommendations of one's 'been there, done that' fellow travelers are very helpful!

Basically, I choose the highway/route, calculate the number of miles and/or amount of time I am willing to drive before stopping (and well before dark), 'stick a pin' in the location, then look at any viable overnighting options within the framework. If there's no free or low-cost spot and the 'stop' location is at the outer limits of my parameters, I revise the parameters or, occasionally, even find an RV park, but that's not often! If there's a cell signal, I pull off the road and use the iPad for any last-minute lookups or plan changes. (BTW, I suggest fueling - if needed - before stopping; that way, you can get down the road at first light without worrying about finding a gas station and stopping again.)

Joan

　
　  
　
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