Question:
I was doing some searches but couldn't find much information. I learned thru some searches that in most states it is illegal to stay over night on on-ramps and some will even write you a ticket.
Rest areas always seem slammed with truckers sleeping everytime I pass thru in my car and I see many trucks on the on ramp of the rest area because it has filled up in the early evening.
I abhor truck stops. They always seem dirty and dangerous and oh so expensive and just don't like the idea of staying there other than fueling up. I lodged across from the big TA truck stop on I-65 in montogomery and I vowed not to frequent them when I got on the road. The place was dirty and so crowded in the evenings trucks would just circle around endlessly looking for spots and line up in the turning lane to get into there.
So, if these options are ruled out where else can you spend a night and get some rest?
Jon
"Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the universe." Albert Einstein

Answer:
yea as much as we ALL dislike truckstops,sometimes you are left with no choice The key is to get into them early to avoid the neverending "circling" which I personally just wont do....If i gotta "fight" for a parkin spot,I just move on...as far as the on-ramp thing goes some states allow it,others dont I aint to versed on that subject cuz I just dont do the on-ramp thing too often
Fortunately my freight allows me to be a "solar-powered" driver (not a lot of nite drivin)so I'm usually shut down and in a safe parkin hole long before the truckstops start overflowing,but I also do a lot of parking at my customers place...I always ask when I do my precall if they got a place for me to park,if they do...thats where I'm spendin the night. If whatever company you drive for makes your appts for you,have them ask about parking...before I used to set my own appt's my company would set them and ask if there was parking available and say so on the puter with the directions that they would send me.....Alas only a few "decent" truckstops exist in this wonderful country of ours and the T/A in ole Montgomery aint one of em!!!
BOL
CD
"Not all who wander are lost"~J.R.R.Tolkienrecovering dweller..........oilfield trash division

Answer:
Consider the lot behind the weight station. If in doubt, you can always ask permission.

Answer:
If you are going to park at truck stops, best bet is to shut it down early to ensure you get a spot at one of the better truck stops. It is even more important to get off the road early when the weather turns nasty, you'll find every inch of space taken up then... and even then some truckers creating "new" parking places where none existed before at the truck stop.
Another option which won't work every night, is to check with your customer... perhaps they won't mind you spending time in their yard to catch some sleep. These can often be safe places to park, but as with anything there is always a downside... you might find yourself without washroom facilities.

Answer:
"So, if these options are ruled out where else can you spend a night and get some rest?"
Sometimes Weigh Stations have truck parking. At Shipper/Receiver you might ask if they will let you park it. Side streets beside shp/rec. are sometimes good. Small towns often have a cement plant where ya might pull in and park, or a small trucking company might have the gates open and there is a spot. They go to work early in the morning too, and will give you a wake-up call :0
Get creative; you in a big city? Shoot, distribution centers that are open might let you park overnite. They probably will have a gatekeeper, tho just ask. Tell 'em you're desperate, if you are, and they might be able to allow it. Tell them how long you are going to sleep, and when you will leave. There are warehouse districts all over big cities. Look around for them if the truck stop is full, as it usually is 'back east'.
Small trucking companies by the side of the road will often let you sleep there. They probably won't even know you came and gone. John Deere/tractor dealerships, etc, might have a spot.
Wal-Mart often has RV's and a few trucks sittin' in the parking lots. Heck, you might even go around back near their docks and camp out if they have enough spaces. K-Mart frowns on it. Dunno about Target. Most malls have a big 'no-truck parking' sign. SOmetimes I don't see that sign tho, and end up there. You might get a knock at malls. Especially if they see a set of tandem-tracks over their landscaping, and they lead up to your truck
How creative can you BE when you get out there? Especially when you're in N.J.
Well, new driver, time will tell. Maybe this will help a bit tho.

Answer:
Also thanks Ed, Paul, and xcis, those were some great ideas, I will keep an eye out on the road....
I was afaid that was going to be the reply....grin and bear the Truck Stops. I will keep searching and hopefully find some way to avoid them and if not will just grin and bear it.
I just wanted a quiet place to park, make some supper and catch up on some sleep. I eat out rarely as I hate the prices and how unhealthy it can be much of the time. I plan on being creative and fixing most of my meals in the truck. Me and my wife are working on ways for me to eat healthy and save money on the road.
Thanks for the reply.....
Jon
"Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the universe." Albert Einstein

Answer:
I sue to do alot of detroit and I only had a straight truck and finding a safe place to park was a major problem. I only found 2 truck stops-One north of the city and one south in woodhaven(detroitor). It was a pain to deadhead to these places and there were so many of my companies trucks at the detroitor which would make it hard for me to get a load out. I did try the parking lot scene in the city and got run off a few times lol and really you are risking life and limb to do this but when you can't keep your eyes open you gotta stop somewhere.
I really dangerous looking truck stop is the one in gary indiana. BUt this is a good question because you will spend alot of time trying to find safe parking and I dread trying to do that in a big truck in a big city
Charles

Answer:
Bottom Line.....
It has a LOT to do with Timing & Trip Planning.
Sometimes what I did whenever I was on a trip that allowed me ample time to get there....
I would go "EXPLORING"...
I would make mental notes or write notes in my notebook of possible places to park(shopping centers, malls, Wal-Marts, K-Marts, abandoned warehouses, small ma & pa fuel stops, distibution centers, etc.) if I ever had to pick up or deliver in that particular area.(or, if I just happen to get tired & need a place to pull over while in that particular area.)
Finding a place to park is not really all that difficult if you are willing to LOOK & if you are willing to be a bit CREATIVE.
Although, I must admit....
Finding a place to park along either of the coasts are more "challenging" than finding a place to park in Mid-America, USA.

Answer:
Something else you can do is....
Get yourself one of those Truckstop/Exit Guide books & then PLAN your trip according to the places in the Exit Guide.
http://search.yahoo.com/search?p=truckstop+exit+guides
http://search.yahoo.com/search?p=american+trucker%27s+exit+guide

Answer:
"I would go "EXPLORING"..." My Cb handle use to be "wrong way". I use to do a little exploring my self. I know some country backroads better than most. Nothing like making a left when you should have made a right. It can take a very long time down some skinny roads to get turned back around.
You've got to be careful when you go exploreing.
"Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of all who threaten it"

Answer:
Originally posted by J Minter:
I was doing some searches but couldn't find much information. I learned thru some searches that in most states it is illegal to stay over night on on-ramps and some will even write you a ticket.
Rest areas always seem slammed with truckers sleeping everytime I pass thru in my car and I see many trucks on the on ramp of the rest area because it has filled up in the early evening.
I abhor truck stops. They always seem dirty and dangerous and oh so expensive and just don't like the idea of staying there other than fueling up. I lodged across from the big TA truck stop on I-65 in montogomery and I vowed not to frequent them when I got on the road. The place was dirty and so crowded in the evenings trucks would just circle around endlessly looking for spots and line up in the turning lane to get into there.
So, if these options are ruled out where else can you spend a night and get some rest?
Jon
"Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the universe." Albert Einstein
I don't like many truck stops as far as what they offer, but that doesn't preclude me from parking there. The way I get around the problem of full truck stops, is, when I can, I run late into the night, and stop at 2 or 3 in the morning. By that time, there are drivers just getting up and getting started on their day, so I can often find a parking spot. I won't eat there or buy anything, I just park and use their restroom.
I never park on ramps if I can help it. In 7 years of driving, I have only used a ramp 3 times, and not for an entire night, but only to catch a nap when I still had hours left on the book, but was sleepy.I dont park in rest areas or scales either. I have been awakened too many times by queers (rest areas) and the DOT (scales).
I have parked in the truck lots that some motels have. This sometimes backfires, as some hotels actually match their guests to their vehicles. But if the weather is good, and you can park with the engine off, you can get away with this more often than not.
Some industrial parks allow on street parking, and I have done this before.
Many department stores will not complain if you either get permission from the manager, or you park out back out of sight of the front door.
Same goes for malls. If no signs are posted, park way out in the remote lots. If there is a security patrol, ask their permission. Many times, they will grant permission if you ask, but will chase off those who couldn't be bothered to ask permission.
WHY IS MY BEER DARKER THAN YOUR COFFEE??
Answer:
I only mention it here because of the subject nature, but I think a new topic is in oerder, Basically if there were a chain of decent truck parking lots available throughout the nation, would you be willing to pay for it, for the convenience?

Answer:
NO I would'nt pay to park there, especially if I am spending ANY amount of money there. That's where TA and Petro found out when they started charging to park there. That and they had to pay the rent a cops to sleep in the guard shack.
Choclit Sundae had a good post: It all takes trip planning/timing. When will I get there? Where's the nearest t/s or parking spot? Wal-Mart will let you park on their lots in most cases. Especially if you go in and BUY something--anything. (Personally I like their fresh-made individual pies, but I digress).
I usually make my appts. with my customers and in our directions on our qualcomm it many times will say if you can park there. Another thing I started doing is driving into my parking spot where others are backed in--then I'm not listening to a reefer or Billy Bigriggers damned straight pipes. Works most of the time.
Just my .02 worth Just remember:If the world did'nt suck, you'd fall off!
The more I see and read about Republicans and Democrats, the more I wish we had an Independent Party.
IMPEACH BUSH!!!!!!!!!!

Answer:
But if you believe the states and government, there isn't a parking problem for big trucks!!!
Ya right. Sometimes the memory is the best place to start. I had a load to Miami that had to be delivered real early one morning, but the closest t/s is almost 1 1/2 hrs north. (No-I didn't forget about beautiful Hialeah Gardens!)
Then I remembered about a delivery I had done in Ft Lauderdale about 6 months earlier in a newer industrial park. It was OK for big trucks to park on the street and it was very quite and secure and well lit. Parked there and had only 45 min to run to the customer in the morning.
Ya the customer said I could park there overnight, but I wasn't too sure about that side of town. And I was right. It was an awful place.

Answer:
When I was running out there I knew I had to find a place to layover. I'd ask the 'locals' on the CB where would be a good place. You'd be surprised, Locals will give you a wealth of info on where and where not to park.
As for being cited for parking on offramps/onramps, on interesting note I'd like to add to that. If you ever get cited for this, take it to court ONLY if you can show from your logbook you were almost out of hours and there was no rest area or truckstop within thirty minutes of where you were cited. Most judges will dismiss the citation. I found this out from a good reliable source.