Sometimes you’re in a pinch and need a place to stay after a long travel day. While truck stops can be easy to navigate and readily available, they’re not ideal parking places.
Today, we’ll look at a few reasons why you should avoid sleeping at truck stops. We’ll also share a few places you might consider staying instead. Let’s get started!
What Are Truck Stops?
Truck stops are a familiar sight along the highways and interstates of America. These locations typically offer almost everything big-rig drivers need to stay fresh while logging thousands of miles. You can often fill up your fuel tank and stomach, take a shower, and do laundry at some locations.
While truck stops offer many resources for truck drivers, they’re also convenient locations for all travelers. Their proximity to busy roads makes them an excellent place to use the restroom, fill up on fuel, and resupply snacks.
Can Non-Truckers Sleep at Truck Stops?
Despite the name, truck stops can be a spot for non-truckers to sleep. However, they’re generally not the best place for non-truckers to do so.
Truck drivers won’t usually make an issue of non-truckers sleeping at truck stops if they can find a place to park. However, truckers are likely to get frustrated with non-truckers if there’s nowhere for them to park.
Why You Should Never Sleep at a Truck Stop
There are several reasons you should never sleep at a truck stop. Let’s look at why we think you should seek out alternative options if you can.
Truckers Need the Space
Truckers need ample space to navigate their loads. Unless you’re familiar with navigating big rigs, it can be easy to underestimate the room they need to maneuver.
You can expect an aggressive knock on your RV door from an angry trucker if you don’t give them enough space. Sometimes it’s not worth the hassle or stress of being in the way of truck drivers, especially if you’re a smaller rig.
It’s Very Noisy
If you enjoy quiet while sleeping, you won’t find it at a truck stop. Truckers are constantly coming and going from truck stops.
Their diesel engines can be incredibly noisy as they maneuver their trailers around the parking lot. However, trucks don’t have to be driving to be loud.
Many truckers leave their trucks idling all night. This allows them to use air conditioning units and heaters to control the climate inside the cab of their trucks.
It also might surprise you that many rigs have TVs, refrigerators, and other modern conveniences, which require the use of the engine or a separate generator. Getting a good night’s sleep with so much noise can be challenging.
HOT TIP
Find out if RVers can stay overnight at rest stops.
It’s Not Always Safe
Like any high-traffic area, truck stops can be a hotspot for seedy behavior. Not everyone has the best intentions while using a truck stop, which can make them somewhat unsafe.
This isn’t always the case, but it can be nearly impossible to tell the difference between a safe and hazardous truck stop.
You Have Other Options
Truck drivers often have limited options for overnight parking. They can only drive for so many hours in a day and must find a place to park for a specific time before continuing. Truck stops are often their go-to place to stay as they offer many conveniences to enjoy during their required breaks.
However, as a non-trucker, you have many more options. There are various campgrounds, hotels, and even Harvest Hosts that you can call home for the night.
It may take a bit of planning to find a convenient place to stay, but it allows truck drivers to take advantage of the truck stops and get on the road with minimal difficulties. Your lack of planning should not cause issues for truck drivers.
It Can Be Dirty
It’s no secret that some people, truckers and non-truckers, do a terrible job picking up after themselves. With so many people coming and going, truck stops typically aren’t the cleanest places. Some locations can be downright disgusting.
It’s not uncommon to see trash, including bottles of urine, on the ground around where trucks park for the night. Sometimes debris blows across the lot. Some people will even leave behind broken or damaged items too large to fit into a trash can. If the truck stop’s management doesn’t stay on top of it, these spots can quickly become a dump.
Get a Good Night’s Sleep While Traveling
There are many places you can park for the night and get a good night’s sleep. Taking advantage of memberships like Harvest Hosts and Boondockers Welcome can be incredibly useful.
Don’t settle for a terrible night’s sleep because you pulled into a truck stop. You can use resources like Campendium and iOverlander to find public lands or inexpensive spots to stay for the night.
Get a good night’s sleep and hit the road in the morning!
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