Truck Stops

In my travels, I only had to pay for truck stop parking once, and that was in Kentucky I believe. Only reason was cause there was no other parking at the receiver, and I didn't have any hours left to drive to another rest stop. But most truck stops are free, and if you have to pay, they waive the charge if you spend a set amount in fuel or merchandise at the store. The real thing to worry about is getting there before the spots are all gone! I have literally taken the last stop at a truck stop more than a few times, and I found that the truck stops in California, washington, Oregon, Arizona, and Colorado fill up very quickly. Seemed like it was the opposite in the Midwest, at least for me. I could go to a truck stop in Missouri or Tennessee at 9 pm, and have my pick of the spots. Or maybe they all just moved cause they knew I was a rookie truck driver!

And Tracey nailed it, its how you carry yourself at a truck stop. You walk around like you belong there, no one will mess with you. Keep you're eyes open, walk with a purpose, and act like you have every right to be there. No one will bother you. Also what helps is dressing professionally. Some truck drivers dress well and you'd never know they drive a truck until they get into the cab...others well, lets just say they aren't "fashionistas."

And Redgator, I actually found that Loves where the hardest ones to get in and out of, I would try to avoid those altogether if I could...the Petros and Flying J's were always huge, and Pilots were average size, but filled up quick. I had a few encounters with lot lizards, I just smiled at them and shook my head, or ignored them altogether. They'll get the hint and leave to the next lonely truck driver out there.

Good luck!

In my travels, I only had to pay for truck stop parking once, and that was in Kentucky I believe. Only reason was cause there was no other parking at the receiver, and I didn't have any hours left to drive to another rest stop. But most truck stops are free, and if you have to pay, they waive the charge if you spend a set amount in fuel or merchandise at the store. The real thing to worry about is getting there before the spots are all gone! I have literally taken the last stop at a truck stop more than a few times, and I found that the truck stops in California, washington, Oregon, Arizona, and Colorado fill up very quickly. Seemed like it was the opposite in the Midwest, at least for me. I could go to a truck stop in Missouri or Tennessee at 9 pm, and have my pick of the spots. Or maybe they all just moved cause they knew I was a rookie truck driver!

And Tracey nailed it, its how you carry yourself at a truck stop. You walk around like you belong there, no one will mess with you. Keep you're eyes open, walk with a purpose, and act like you have every right to be there. No one will bother you. Also what helps is dressing professionally. Some truck drivers dress well and you'd never know they drive a truck until they get into the cab...others well, lets just say they aren't "fashionistas."

And Redgator, I actually found that Loves where the hardest ones to get in and out of, I would try to avoid those altogether if I could...the Petros and Flying J's were always huge, and Pilots were average size, but filled up quick. I had a few encounters with lot lizards, I just smiled at them and shook my head, or ignored them altogether. They'll get the hint and leave to the next lonely truck driver out there.

Good luck!

James I wish you would get on TT more often lol. You were my mentor when I was preparing for school haha

In my travels, I only had to pay for truck stop parking once, and that was in Kentucky I believe. Only reason was cause there was no other parking at the receiver, and I didn't have any hours left to drive to another rest stop. But most truck stops are free, and if you have to pay, they waive the charge if you spend a set amount in fuel or merchandise at the store. The real thing to worry about is getting there before the spots are all gone! I have literally taken the last stop at a truck stop more than a few times, and I found that the truck stops in California, washington, Oregon, Arizona, and Colorado fill up very quickly. Seemed like it was the opposite in the Midwest, at least for me. I could go to a truck stop in Missouri or Tennessee at 9 pm, and have my pick of the spots. Or maybe they all just moved cause they knew I was a rookie truck driver!

And Tracey nailed it, its how you carry yourself at a truck stop. You walk around like you belong there, no one will mess with you. Keep you're eyes open, walk with a purpose, and act like you have every right to be there. No one will bother you. Also what helps is dressing professionally. Some truck drivers dress well and you'd never know they drive a truck until they get into the cab...others well, lets just say they aren't "fashionistas."

And Redgator, I actually found that Loves where the hardest ones to get in and out of, I would try to avoid those altogether if I could...the Petros and Flying J's were always huge, and Pilots were average size, but filled up quick. I had a few encounters with lot lizards, I just smiled at them and shook my head, or ignored them altogether. They'll get the hint and leave to the next lonely truck driver out there.

Good luck!

WE fuel up at like 4 Loves nationwide so I couldnt tell ya. Plus Im trying to get platinum status at the TA;) Tgey have some serious perks.

Its official...Love's has small, tight, ugly parking.....Its cuz they are a fuel stop..and don't really care if you park there....

Daniel I think the tables have turned...you're my mentor now! I enjoy following you're posts out here, plus we drive (well I used to) for the same company, so I can relate to a lot of what you're going through.

Redgator, I chased that elusive platinum status at TA, let me know when you get it! And Starcar, I think I took years off my life trying to back in at some of those Love's. They are definitely "expert" level backing skills, and let's just say for the first few months of me being solo, I was definitely not an expert!

Daniel I think the tables have turned...you're my mentor now! I enjoy following you're posts out here, plus we drive (well I used to) for the same company, so I can relate to a lot of what you're going through.

Redgator, I chased that elusive platinum status at TA, let me know when you get it! And Starcar, I think I took years off my life trying to back in at some of those Love's. They are definitely "expert" level backing skills, and let's just say for the first few months of me being solo, I was definitely not an expert!

Im like 8000 points away; ) Sooooo close

Inquiring minds want to know.....well, atleast I want to know... What does the Platinum status get you at TA ????

Danny: I have not ever paid for parking overnight in my short career so far. Here is a resource (Ref type book)if you are interested:

"The Ultimate Truck Parking guide, third edition". Here is an excerpt: "the Ultimate Truck Parking Guide was written for over-the-road truck dirvers. The primary purpose of this book is to provide a comprehensive list of tractor-trailer parking locations. In fact, this book provides over 8,700 locations." etc.

More info at: ParkMyRig.com I bought my copy while at Con-Way Truckload.

I think there are similar resources out there.

-Traffic Jam

Inquiring minds want to know.....well, atleast I want to know... What does the Platinum status get you at TA ????

I free reserved parking a month. 7 free showers that never roll off. $15 for a birthday meal and $25 for Christmas. Plus those platinum shower rooms with the double shower heads;) Thats all I know for now but to get it you have to basically exclusively fuel at TA PETRO which I do for the most part.

I have found that most truck stops in the Dallas metro area charge to park. Those that don't are filled up early in the day. One nice thing, if you hit a truck stop that uses Idle Aire you can usually get a spot there by using their system, which saves fuel and has other services in the price. I like Idle Aire.

In the Northeast, I usually drive from Midnight to Noon, just because it's the only way to get a spot in one of the few truck stops they have. I truly dislike driving, New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Rhode Island....mostly because of the lack of places to stop.

With apologies to Brett!