Wal Mart Parking

The reasons cited included damage to vegetation, concrete curbs, parking lots, and traffic signs.

The above news adds to the growing list of Walmarts that prohibit overnight truck parking. Is this a nationally growing practice? Does this country need more truck stops or larger ones? I'm not sure there's an answer, but I do share the same concerns that Mark posed...

It's a case of inconsiderate drivers. WM is not in the truck stop business, so when I get into their parking lot, I act like I'm going into someone's house and taking my shoes off at the door.

Never leave trash (except in the cans), park "neatly" out at the street end of the lot, if the tandems look like they might hit something (drive so you don't have to worry about it), safely back up a bit and do better.

The Walmart in my town doesn't allow overnight parking, but I have seen a couple of trucks parked in a lot that adjoins a church. I totally get why this store discourages overnight parking. The lot is small, crowded and full of medians with trees, and some very tight turns. The street getting to the store is also a bit of a nightmare.

I have 3 Walmarts within a 10 mile radius of me all super centers. The one i always go to always has at least 3 trucks parked right in the front but off to the side near the water drainage side of the property.

Last night there were 5 in row all up front not one was a major carrier and all sleeper cabs. Started to look like a truck stop.

I have always made a point of checking with store management in person at any Wal Mart where I parked overnight and certainly folllowed all of the rules of truck parking etiquette. But there will always be those rude ones. I am lucky to have a sympathetic Lowes manager at the store near my house so I always have a parking spot if I pass thru my home town with a load. Especially since the closest truck stop is 40 something miles from my house.

I have always made a point of checking with store management in person at any Wal Mart where I parked overnight and certainly folllowed all of the rules of truck parking etiquette. But there will always be those rude ones. I am lucky to have a sympathetic Lowes manager at the store near my house so I always have a parking spot if I pass thru my home town with a load. Especially since the closest truck stop is 40 something miles from my house.

I would think it is best for any driver to talk to management before ever considering parking in there lot.

Now a curious question. By going in and speaking to a manager, would your personal appearance and ability to speak clearly and educated help with his decision. I would assume if you go in looking like a slob he will fully expect you to leave his property looking bad and turn you away.

I am in no way the next Brad Pitt but I will always be sure to dress appropriately and clean as it makes me look and feel better plus I am representing the company I work for.

I call and ask before parking, even if it's listed in my parking book. Some say yes, some say no, some say only for a few hours if you're going to shop. Regardless of the answer, I thank them politely, ask where in the lot I should park if it's allowed, and respect what I was told. I always go in and buy something too, as a team we always need groceries (that's usually the only reason I park at WM). I try not to throw out garbage there as we generally have a pretty full bag and I don't want to impose. I do this for anywhere I'd like to stop that isn't a truck stop, from movie theaters to shopping malls.

Is this just a company policy because a driver parked where he shouldn't have? If Walmart specifically said no Prime trucks at any stores there must have been some pretty bad behavior going on. Although I can't imagine that it was only Prime, I've seen drivers from every carrier under the sun treat parking lots like their own personal dumpster/latrine.

My hubby and I were just talking about this. We have 2 WM supercenters where we live. One of the areas is not a good location and we would tell someone it is not safe to park there. We were wondering how you know if you are in a bad area to park. Whether it be WM or some other place that allows you to park.? Any way to know those things before you risk it to park?

My hubby and I were just talking about this. We have 2 WM supercenters where we live. One of the areas is not a good location and we would tell someone it is not safe to park there. We were wondering how you know if you are in a bad area to park. Whether it be WM or some other place that allows you to park.? Any way to know those things before you risk it to park?

Generally, if it's an area I'm not familiar with, I'll take a good hard look around as I'm driving. I'll look at the cars, the neighborhood, is there graffiti all over the place. I'll even go as far as to kick on the police scanner and listen for a bunch of calls in the area I'm in. Most of all, trust your gut.

Does this country need more truck stops or larger ones? I'm not sure there's an answer, but I do share the same concerns that Mark posed...

If you've been to Jersey or NYC (any borough) then you know parking is only available in PA...you can include CT & MA in with Jersey & NYC

SamTon wrote:

My hubby and I were just talking about this. We have 2 WM supercenters where we live. One of the areas is not a good location and we would tell someone it is not safe to park there. We were wondering how you know if you are in a bad area to park. Whether it be WM or some other place that allows you to park.? Any way to know those things before you risk it to park?

If you know the general area (which you should plan for) where you intend to break, Walmart's website has a search feature by city and state or zip-code. Find a couple of stores in the general area you intend to park and call them. I would ask if first they allow overnight parking (and where; front lot, on the sides or behind the store) and how safe the area is for overnight parking.

The majority of stores in my territory that allow overnight parking, usually request parking behind the store, next to the docking area, or on the sides. As a general rule I try to stay away from the main parking lot at all cost. Many are not truck friendly, tight with islands/vegetation, shopping cart cages, light standards, and of course cars. If you park in the front lot, say about 1AM, when you wake with a fresh 11/14 you may find yourself boxed in by cars that weren't there in the middle of the night. If you must park in the main lot and WM allows it, park as far away from the front entrance of the store as possible.