Trucks Stop Help

One thing I always check on for trip planning is where the weigh stations are located. They are easy to locate in the Rand McNally Motor Carriers’ Road Atlas because they are marked with prominent red dots on the state maps. I can’t remember any time I couldn’t park at a weigh station. They are a great resource. Unless you are overweight. Lol

I can’t remember any time I couldn’t park at a weigh station.

Well, some are gates closed at night, and prominently posted as "No Overnight Parking", so I would not recommend staying at these for more than a 30 minute break.

I drive northeast exclusively. You need to be parked by 5 pm at the latest.

Hey Grumpy.

Glad to hear you made it into Champlain safely. I mean to tell you...you better have a couple of back up plans when you roll into the great north east. It just isn't trucker friendly. When I rolled into Syracuse to top of before proceeding North it was only 1800 and the Pilot was overflowing into the streets with overnighters.

I ended up parking near the customer for the night. The Walmart in Rutland is trucker friendly and has a large parking area adjacent to the lawn and garden center. Call ahead. Also, there is an Amtrak terminal in the same parking lot. So, make sure to park away from that. Oh, word of caution - there is a lot of foot traffic going to and from the Amtrak station, be vigilant and cautious. Every local I talked to in the area warned me to make sure my truck is locked at all times. There appeared to be a sizeable homeless population in Rutland. I had several people walk up to my truck just looking around at it. I made sure that people knew I was in the truck.

Finally, there are a handful of truck pulloffs along the 3 hour drive to Rutland from Northern VT. But, if you miss them, there is nowhere to turn around and go back to them.

Take care

Good to know.

I ended up making it to Champlain with 40 minutes to spare. I had two backup plans just in case.

Potsdam and Malone Walmarts both show no overnight parking in truckers path.

Doesn't matter. I'm at these stores every week or two, and trucks are always parked. As mentioned, call ahead to be sure. The answer may change from one manager to the next.

Hello Anne,

All went well, even though I had COVID and didn't know it until Friday of that week.

I will say, like I told Grumpy; you need back up plans for backup plans going into that area of the country. It simply isn't very trucker friendly for overnighting - limited places to park. Heck, it's difficult to find a place to pull over let alone park for the night. Malone walmart was not amicable to me overnighting at their location so I pulled up about two hours shy breaking up my long leg into two short legs of driving.

Where I stayed the first night was a Sunoco with a dirt parking lot that had room for about 20 trucks. Maybe 10 trucks were there when I arrived at 2200. The next day I drove about 4.5 hours to the consignee and then another 3 to the next customer where I overnighted and had a live load the next day @ 0700.

I'm not sure what to think about my FL sending me into northern Vermont being as I've just over 3 months of solo driving under my belt. Teachable moment, punishment (lol, just kidding), or confidence in my abilities and resourcefulness? No, they really are great to work with. Sometimes my FL will call me and talk to me about a plan they are working on and ask me if I'm OK with it. I appreciate that and always tell them whatever you need me to do. You plan the loads and routes, I'll run them to the best of my abilities. I've been pushed out of my comfort zone on multiple occasions. Though, it would have been nice to run this route healthy, not sick. I just wasn't able to enjoy it as well as I could have otherwise.

On this trip I was able to work my primary plan without having to use a backup plan. But, I could have never planned as successfully as I did (main plan + 3 backup plans) if it weren't for the help and advice from members of TT. Everyone was so helpful!!

Hi everyone,

It's been a while since I've posted. I'm on month three driving solo and doing well. However, I picked up a load yesterday that presents me with my biggest challenge to-date.

It's a live unload in Northern Vermont along the Canadian border next week. I can't span the distance on an 11 hour drive clock. The pickings appear slim once I get past Syracuse. In fact, there is a message in my que to top off in Syracuse before proceeding any further. I'm traversing route 11 across from rt 81. I've checked several websites and can't find anything except a small truck stop on route 87 just south of 11, but I won't make that on 11 hours unless it's a perfect drive with no lost time.

Grateful for any help.

Howdy, Bill !

You haven't stopped IN for a bit; hope all is well since you've (hopefully) overcome the truck stop follies!!

Any update would be welcome; stay SAFE this holiday weekend, good sir.

Best always,

~ Anne ~

Dear Bill;

I sure DID read this at the time of your original posting; was hoping for more following! Did that work? I recall Susan D. and Kearsey, always look for Sapp Bros., as well as the 'chain' types, even though they kinda are, too.

If you EVER need 'hidey holes' in Ohio, by all means, let us know! Perrysburg (up by Toledo) has a GREAT many; upon request, of course, haha! Always following you, man. Major KUDOS!

Oh.. and this .....So, you joined the 'Covid Club!!' There was a few in the 'gang' yapping about it in a thread; a bit back.....was wondering if you were going to 'Join Together w/ the Band!' ( LoL .. music always has a place.)

Sure hope things are going MUCH better for you, in all which ways (but loose, haha!)

Tom says howdy, as well. Keep it up, good sir. Be the 'master of your craft' is what my other half says; no matter what. Same advice given by ALL the mods, and all of the OTHER pro's on this !

Best always;

~ Anne & Tom ~

ps: It's awesome that you are 'cross border' or, close as such, to be! I miss those days, crossing w/ Tom. Fun, excitement! Things sure have changed since the 90's, though!