Question:
How bad is it to find a parking spot at night? I live in Las Vegas and all of the trucks stops except for Petro (outside the north end of the city) are always full at night. Is this a problem for drivers around other parts of the country? Someone said that it is real bad back east. Can you find out if lots are full by driving down the road and getting information on your CB? I hear that some trucks stops send out messages to drivers. Is this true? What is the best way to find out? Thanks

Answer:
I'm not sure that there is a "best way" to find out if a particular truck stop has a parking spot open. Trucks pull in and pull out throughout the night so if there's no room to park right now, there may be in 5 minutes.
The "secret" to finding a parking spot is to plan your trip well. Truck stops, like motels, fill up after dark so, if you want to be assured of a spot at a particular truck stop, plan to get there early.

Answer:
Monday afternoon I was way early for my delivery in Oh, so I decided to stop at at the TA that was only a few miles from my delivery. You couldn't buy a place to park, so I made a few laps around and eventually someone left, so I took his spot. It is amusing to watch a bunch of trucks circling the lot like a bunch of buzzards waiting for a spot.

Answer:

Or get there late. I don't usually roll in to a truck stop until 2, 3 4 in teh morning, and by that time, many drivers have left already, and few new ones are looking for spots.
Raely do i have trouble finding a parking spot for the night. Of course it helps to be creative too...
Answer:
Yeah, I'm one of the guys leaving about then but, it's okay; you don't have to thank me for the spot.

Answer:
Who wants to hear my solution to parking spots in truck stops??
Personally to me, there is always ample room to park at mom and pop truckstop. If you fill up at a Flying J, Petro, T/A etc and you need to take a shower, do it then. It is always easier to take a shower when you fill up then it is at night. You will more and likely find a parking spot in daytime between 0800-1600. That way when your rolling down the road and your decide it's time for a shuteye, you can pull over into a mom and pop or smaller truck stop. I always find them safer, but what do I know I am just a female.
One thing I have seen lately, the new HOS has definately changed the hours people keep. I still drive the same as before and park late at night. Taxibob knows that for sure don't ya, lmaoo. While he has always pulled over early and did his thing, I am still scurring down the road. Oh I think that has something to do with, I always get those 4am, 2am, 6am appointments . I sometimes barely have enough time to grab a water or my pumpkin seeds.
P.S.
Get a truckstop directory, I have Bob as my truckstop directory. I am only teasing Bob, oh by the way Willis Shaw called your late for your appointment.
HAHAHAHAHA
Sweet WhiskeySweet Whiskey

Answer:
There is no parking shortage.I always found Hampton Inns, my company's preferrred employees' overnight accomodations provider, more than happy to provide for my parking needs. I never saw any parking problems anywhere; must be a 'lifestyle' or 'tourist' type problem, with all the free campgrounds for the homeless and indigent being full in our 'booming economy'.(snicker)Jay Gould
__________________________
This post coming to you live, from Jesus Land !!!

Answer:
Hey Whiskey.....
That's cause he's SLACKIN !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
GO HOME ALREADY, SLACKER !!!!!

Answer:

That's what I try to do if I know I'll be trying to park late in the evening. It really depends on the location too. Las vegal -- suprisingly -- is a tough place to park.
Vegas: Try the "Wild Wild West Truck Stop" on W. Tropicana between Procyon and Polaris.
Exit at: W. Tropicana Blvd (SR 593)
Go west 1.5 blocks.
Right hand side.
See parked trucks in back.
Turn right on Polaris or Procyon, parking in back.
Just a medium sized (free) parking lot, c-store, pumps and a dingy motel...but I always find a space and there's several fast-food joints across the street. I found it trying to park overnight for Nevada Beverage, which is one block west on S. Valley View. It's nice to develop a list of these places as you find them. They come in handy.
But as mentioned -- trucks are always coming and going 24/7 at the big chain truckstops -- TA, Flying-J, Petro, Love's, Pilot, etc.... That's where a lot of drivers want to be and they're the most crowded at night.... The hardest time to park is from when it gets dark , until about midnight. Then the early birds start pulling out after midnight and by 400am there's multiple spaces opening-up to choose from.

Answer:
LMAO
He was in St. Augustine, FL lastnight. He just boogies down the road doesn't he. I think he might have a fast truck, hahaha. While he's getting a homecooked meal from his sister, I am in California sicker then a two legged dog trying to pee. It's just not fair at all, not fair at all.....
Sweet WhiskeySweet Whiskey

Answer:
i think it was in illinois on I70, there was no place to park! i had to pull over on an exit ramp, the next morning, the exit and entrance ramps were full with parked trucks. apparently no one else could find a place to park either.

Answer:
Depends on how you view the problem. The real problem is too damn many trucks for the freight that is out there, if anybody feels like being truthful about it. The overcapacity in irregular route carriers is around 30%, or probably more by now. That becomes particularly acute on weekends.Jay Gould
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This post coming to you live, from Jesus Land !!!

Answer:

I live 15 miles from 70 and have run it MANY times.
There are VERY few T/S along the route. Unless you know the area REAL well or find a hole 2 Effingham you're pretty much hosed
Now that I think about it, there is a shortage of T/S all over the state.
Answer:
One thing you may find to your advantage is: a lot of drivers cannot back up a truck. Sometimes there are parking spots but you must back in.
Something you may want to be aware of. Parking in the back rows. There are times you may not be able to get out wih a 53 footer because the parked trucks along side of you and to the front of you leave no room for you to make a swing out. This is true especially if your leaving out at 2am or so.
Try never to park were you cannot get out early in the morning hours.
Many of the older T/S's were never made for 53 footers.