Are Truck Stops Safe?

Truck stops can be excellent places to use the restroom, get fuel, or sleep on a road trip. However, we would be lying if we said there’s nothing to worry about when using them. So are truck stops safe places to rest, or should you consider other options while adventuring?

Today, we’ll answer that question. What we learn may surprise you and change the way you travel. Let’s get started!

A professional female truck driver with aviator sunglasses driving a semi.

What Is a Truck Stop?

Truck stops are fuel stations that sit along interstates and major highways. Several corporate brands like Pilot/Flying J, TA, and Love’s have hundreds of locations countrywide. While builders may have designed these locations for big rigs, they’re excellent places for any vehicle to stop.

Over-the-road drivers often rely on their vast parking lots as places to stay for their legally required breaks. They can take showers, stock up on snacks, and fill their fuel tanks before returning to the road. Some RVers and travelers will also use truck stops as a place to stay overnight to break up long travel days.

HOT TIP
You don’t have to be a truck driver to use a truck stop shower, but what are they like inside?

Safety at truck stops will vary by location. If you take a few common sense safety measures, you’ll generally have nothing to worry about at a truck stop. Do bad things happen at truck stops occasionally? Absolutely. However, most truck stops have boosted security by increasing lighting, installing security cameras, and hiring night-time security to patrol the property.

Whether you’re parking to sleep overnight or to fuel your vehicle, you should always be aware of your surroundings. Avoid wearing headphones or getting distracted by your phone at a truck stop. You don’t want to make yourself an easy target because that’s what untrustworthy people look for in a potential victim.

A line up of semis at a truck stop on a cloudy day.

If you pull into a truck stop and don’t feel comfortable, return to the road. If you have no choice but to stop, minimize your time at the truck stop. Get fuel as quickly as possible and wait until you find a more comfortable place to grab snacks or use the restroom. It’s best to trust your gut in these situations.

Is Sleeping at Truck Stops Safe?

Sleeping at a truck stop can be safe. However, there are some dangers. It takes abundant space for drivers to maneuver big rig vehicles and the trailers they’re towing. As a result, it’s not uncommon to hear of accidents happening in truck stop parking lots. Ensure you park out of the way and are not at risk of getting hit by another vehicle.

Because many people are coming and going at truck stops, you want to lock up your stuff. Thieves often put forth a minimal effort and will look for the easiest possible option for stealing items.

However, if there is a potential to swipe something of value, they may be willing to put forth a bit more effort. Locks on your gear and equipment can deter or slow down thieves, but they’re not 100% effective. If someone wants your items bad enough, they’ll do whatever they must to take them.

What Are the Benefits of Sleeping at Truck Stops?

You might consider sleeping at truck stops during your adventures for several reasons. First, they’re easy to find and navigate for all-size vehicles. Whether in a passenger vehicle or towing a massive trailer, anybody can pull in and get some rest before returning to the road.

Secondly, they have various service offerings for drivers and their passengers. Beyond fueling and food, larger truck stops have on-site medical professionals, barbershops, and even massage therapists. You may not realize it, but you can pamper yourself nicely at some truck stops.

What Are the Dangers of Sleeping at Truck Stops?

While truck stops can be pleasant places to stop, they don’t come without risks. When you put many people who have spent most of the day driving, tensions can be pretty high.

Everyone parked is likely wanting to sleep. Any disruption in their sleep will likely cause an argument. You may not realize how loud you or your vehicle is and that it’s disrupting the rest of those around you.

Truck stops also have a reputation for attracting seedy behavior. Some truck stops can draw in scammers or sex workers. They’re typically not the most family-friendly places to stay. This is one of the primary reasons many travelers with other options will only stay in truck stops if it’s their last resort.

Finally, there’s a potential for damage to your vehicle when parking at a truck stop. Drivers constantly come and go at night in truck stop parking lots. Sadly, some drivers are more attentive than others.

We’ve heard of several instances where big rigs struck RVs or other vehicles while parked overnight. If you extend your slides, this can seriously damage them and potentially total your RV in an accident.

Are Truck Stops Noisy?

There’s no way to sugarcoat it; truck stops are incredibly noisy. Truckers often leave their rigs running overnight to power electronics and control the climate. Since there’s a chance you’ll be sandwiched between big rigs, you may have the whole surround-sound experience during your stay.

Even if you can look past the droning hum of a semi-truck idling, truckers come and go throughout the night. The noise from these massive engines can increase as they gain speed and switch gears in the parking lot. You may want to invest in a quality set of earplugs if you stay the night at a truck stop.

Do You Have to Pay to Sleep at a Truck Stop?

Parking overnight at a truck stop is typically free. Some reserved spots allow drivers to pay in advance or use membership programs for these unique places. However, reservable sites at truck stops generally are for semi-trucks and other commercial drivers, not RVs.

However, just because we’ve neither seen nor heard of a truck stop charging doesn’t mean they don’t exist. It won’t surprise us if some truck stops only allow paying customers to stay overnight or use their facilities.

Can You Shower at a Truck Stop?

Most truck stops have showers. Showers are typically available for any driver, not only semi-truck drivers. You can expect to pay $10 to $15 per shower for anywhere from 30 to 45 minutes.

However, you will often get a shower room with plenty of space for using the restroom, showering, and any grooming needs you might require. Depending on when you took your last hot shower, these can be a great option to stay clean while on the road.

Should You Sleep at a Truck Stop?

Sleeping at a truck stop can be an option in a pinch. However, we’ve found so many other options available to RVers and travelers that it’s not usually worth it.

We love taking advantage of Boondockers Welcome and Harvest Hosts locations and choose not to stay at truck stops. These can be unique places to stay and help support small businesses during your adventures. We prefer to take minimal risks regarding our safety and get a quality night’s sleep while traveling.

Would you sleep at a truck stop? Let us know if the comments below.