When you’re on a long trip, truck stops can be a godsend. They provide you a place to fuel up, get a bite to eat, and even get a shower or do some laundry. But is it really OK for RVs to use truck stops and what are the truck stop rules for RVers?
In this article, we’ll take a look at just that and provide you some essential truck stop rules for RVers to follow.
Can RVers Use Truck Stops?
The vast majority of the time, the answer is yes. Most truck stops allow RVs and they are ideal for those driving Class As or towing a travel trailer or fifth wheel. This is because truck stops are designed to be navigated by large vehicles towing large loads.
Of course, there are exceptions. If you see a truck stop that doesn’t accept RVs, you should be respectful and move on.
If the truck stop allows RVs, it may have specific truck stop rules for RVers, such as where they can park. In some instances, there may be additional rules such as the showers and sitting areas are for truckers only.
Whatever the case is at a particular location, follow the rules and be respectful of our big rig friends.
Can RVers Stay Overnight At Truck Stops?
Most truck stops that allow RVs will also allow them to park there overnight, with rare exceptions. After all, it’s absolutely essential for anyone on the road to get rest periodically. This is true for truckers and RVers alike.
The truck stop will likely have time limits posted for how long you can stay. Even if you don’t see any signs, it can be smart to double-check with employees at the truck stop to be sure.
And of course, always follow all truck stop rules for RVers and be especially cognisant of parking locations. Some locations have areas designated for vehicles other than semis. You don’t want to be the person who blocks in or takes the spot of a tired trucker!
Do Truckers Mind If RVs Stay At Truck Stops?
Generally speaking, most truckers have no problem with RVers at truck stops as long as they’re respectful. After all, everyone is there for the same reason: to fuel up and to rest up.
However, not all RVers behave properly at truck stops. If you end up being one of those RVers, truckers likely won’t be pleased with you.
Be respectful, follow the truck stop rules for RVers, don’t bother or inconvenience the truckers, and you’re unlikely to have any problems. Also, be sure to be respectful of their personal and parking space, and avoid crowding them.
These men and women are traveling the country to deliver all the goods we consume. We are out on the road on vacation and for leisure not away from our families working.
6 Truck Stop Rules For RVers To Follow
If you’ll be stopping at a truck stop, it’s important to follow the rules and stay on everybody’s good side. Here are 6 essential truck stop rules for RVers to follow.
Some of these may be posted rules while others may not. However, it’s good practice to follow these rules at a minimum.
1. Use Designated Parking If Posted
Many truck stops will designate RV parking spaces that will be marked as such. If this is available, you should park there and nowhere else.
Even if there’s no designated RV parking, you should absolutely never park in the spots designated specifically for trucks, for a few reasons.
For one, this simply isn’t your space. Truckers are coming and going at all hours, and if they find an RV hogging the last available space, they’re not likely to be happy about it.
This is one of the few spaces they can easily park and rest, and there are strict regulations on when they need to do so. If you’re taking their spot and they have to look elsewhere, it could lead to them incurring hefty fines or even losing their jobs.
You’re not likely to be very comfortable parked in one of the truck spaces either. These spaces tend to be rather tight, with little space between trucks to maximize available parking.
Besides the logistics of getting in and out of such a space, that also means lots of noise from your neighbors from engines and busy truckers coming and going at all hours.
Instead of taking up truck parking, find a parking spot tucked away in a corner to ensure you’ll have space and won’t bother anybody.
2. Don’t Overstay Your Welcome
It’s one thing to stay a single night at a truck stop. But if you stay longer, you might have trouble. Remember this isn’t free camping it’s a rest stop.
Some truck stops have specific time limits posted, while others don’t. For those with limits posted, overstaying them can lead to getting chewed out by management at best and getting slapped with a fine or getting towed at worst.
Even if limits aren’t posted, you should still be respectful and only stay as long as needed. If you will be there more than a night say for mechanical issues let management know.
3. Only Use Truckers Facilities If Allowed
Truck stops will have various facilities for truckers, such as showers and laundry. Before making use of these facilities, make sure they’re open to RVers, and not exclusively for truckers.
Also, these facilities tend to be the busiest in the evenings when most truckers arrive after a long day on the road. To avoid the rush (and to avoid hogging facilities that truckers want to use), try to get any showering our laundry out of the way during the mid-afternoon.
This tends to be the slowest time of day at the truck stop, so you’ll have free reign of the facilities and can ensure you won’t bother anybody.
4. Give Truckers Priority
At the end of the day, truck stops are for truckers. You should give them priority wherever possible. This means not hogging gas pumps, giving them the right of way, and not crowding facilities. The truckers will thank you for your courtesy.
Remember, they are working, so Wi-Fi areas and common areas with computers, phones, and fax machines are all important for them to get their job done.
5. It’s Not A Campground, It’s A Rest Area
A truck stop is a place to make a quick stop, get some rest, and maybe stay overnight. It is not a full-on campground and shouldn’t be treated like one.
That means that when you’re at a truck stop, you should avoid things like rolling out your awning. This takes up precious space and gives the impression you might want to stay longer than is allowed.
It’s also generally recommended to avoid extending your slides. However, some people do extend slides if they can find a tucked-away spot that has room for it.
Unloading all your camping chairs, kid’s bikes, and propane fire pit probably isn’t going to go over well. Get something to eat, get a good night’s sleep, fuel up, and continue your journey!
6. Support The Truck Stop If Your Overnighting
If you’re going to stay at a truck stop, you should support them. That might mean filling up your gas tank or grabbing a bite to eat.
But you should find some way to spend some money while you’re there. Staying at a truck stop overnight is free, after all, and that support helps ensure the truck stop can stay in business and keep helping customers.
Not to mention truck stops have some cool stuff to buy!
How To Find Truck Stops Near Me
Looking for a truck stop near you? There are quite a few ways to find them.
One easy way is to simply Google “truck stops near me” (or search the same in your search engine or map app of choice). This will quickly bring up a variety of truck stops in your area, as well as reviews and other important info.
There are a variety of other apps you can use to find truck stops as well.
One great option is the RV LIFE Trip Wizard. This is a comprehensive trip planning app that lets you input your route and shows you truck stops along your route as well as campgrounds, points of interest, and more.
Many truck stop chains, such as Flying J and Loves, also have their own apps. These not only show you locations on a map, but they also help you earn rewards, get deals, and other special features.
RV forums and group chats can also be a huge resource. These let you source the wisdom of the crowd. You can find not only where the truck stops are, but also learn key info about them. For example, which truck stops to avoid, which truck stops are more accommodating to RVs, etc.
How Long Can You Stay At A Truck Stop?
The exact amount of time depends on the truck stop. Most locations will have signs posted stating limits, but not all. If there’s no sign, you can ask the workers at the truck stop for more information.
Regardless of time limits, however, it’s recommended to avoid overstaying your welcome. Remember, these are truck stops, not RV stops. We generally recommend staying overnight, and no longer. After all, if you need a longer-term stop, you’ll be much more comfortable at a campground.
If you’re having mechanical or other issues and will be stuck there a bit longer than planned, be sure to let the truck stop know your plans. They’ll likely be understanding, and that way you won’t have any trouble staying there longer than expected.
Final Thoughts About Truck Stop Rules For RVers
Truck stops are an amazing resource for anybody on the road, truckers, RVers, and normal motorists alike. There, you can park and rest for the night, fill your tank and your belly, and sometimes even shower or do laundry.
But, while RVers can usually use truck stops, it’s important to remember they are not campgrounds. There are certain truck stop rules for RVers to follow as with any shared space.
Be sure to avoid parking in spots for trucks, don’t overstay, and be sure to give priority to truckers and only use their facilities if allowed. Also, remember to avoid being a freeloader and support the truck stop by making a purchase.
If you follow these rules, you can ensure everything goes smoothly at the truck stop.
Related Reading:
– 25 Campground Rules Everyone Should Follow
– Is It Legal To Dump RV Grey Water On The Ground?
– Should You Leave Your Exterior RV Lights On All Night?
– Are Camper Trailer Brakes Required By Law?
About the Author:
Ryan Milejczak (mill-LAY-check) is a full-time freelancer writer and Florida native with a passion for RVs.
Currently, he’s saving up to do his own camper van conversion, which he plans to take across the US and Mexico.
When he’s not writing, Ryan loves cooking, hiking, practicing his Spanish, and taking care of his plants (currently at 23 plants and counting!)
