Have you slept at Rest Areas (hotel, hotel, Europe, overnight)

[6 FOOT 3]

I may be traveling from Albuquerque to Jacksonville, Florida which is a 2,000 mile trip. I'll be traveling by myself and thought about saving motel/hotel money for the 3 day drive by sleeping at Rest Areas. I have an Ext Cab truck so i can lower the seat back to sleep.

Just curious if anyone has ever done that before with good or bad experiences.

[BlueWillowPlate]

I have in Europe and it was fine; never in the USA.
But then I'm not 6 foot 3.

[hapaleeretired]

We have done it frequently. I usually sleep for an hour or two which charges my batteries but once I slept for over five hours. Once, in northwest Florida, a German couple was killed while sleeping at a rest area. It created quite a stir Florida started providing security at night. "Stuff" can happen anywhere. We never let this one reported incident change our travel methods although I did leave a Georgia rest stop one time because I got a little nervous at some youths hanging around.
RVers often spend nights at Walmarts or Sam's Clubs. I have done this also.

[Poltracker]

I have done it in Florida, several times. They have nice rest areas and security drives by frequently (don't be surprised if one checks on you). Texas rest aren't too good and I definitely wouldn't stop at a Louisiana rest area. On the other hand, WalMart doesn't mind if you take a snooze in their parking lot.

[dynimagelv]

Nope.....I stop for the night each n evry night.....sometimes only make 300 miles in a day....depending on what there is to see....I am NOT a "We gotta get there, NOW" kinda traveler lol.

[ontheroad]

I have done it on at least one occasion, perhaps twice. I've also used RV areas to stop, take a long rest, and move on. I've done it when I was too exhausted to find a place to sleep or places were not within easy driving distance.

You might also check out the hostels between your two points. Generally, even with the cost of membership, rates are below USD20.00 (especially out of season), comfortable and much safer than the alternate solutions -- 6'3" or not.

PS - I drove from Taos to upper New England (and elected different sleeping accommodations along the way).

[6 FOOT 3]

Thanks Cil, Hapaleeretired and Poltracker for your thoughts and advice as you guys have done this before.
Thanks also Ontheroad.....but what the heck is a Hostel.

Anyway need to see the family out that way and at 50 bucks a night i'd rather reminisce about the Greyhound bus days back in the 80's and crash out semi sitting up in my truck....lol....

I figure 600 to 700 miles a day so looks like first night around San Antonio and second night around Mobile or Pensacola along I-10.

[GreenMachine]

Originally Posted by 6 FOOT 3

I may be traveling from Albuquerque to Jacksonville, Florida which is a 2,000 mile trip. I'll be traveling by myself and thought about saving motel/hotel money for the 3 day drive by sleeping at Rest Areas. I have an Ext Cab truck so i can lower the seat back to sleep.

Just curious if anyone has ever done that before with good or bad experiences.

When I traveled across the U.S. I slept in rest areas a few times, but not in a comfy cab. I slept in my mazda miata. I drove to the point where it was dangerous for me to drive anymore, so I had to pull over and sleep. I had no problems with it.

Greenie

[GreenMachine]

Also, you might be able to sleep in the parking lots at Walmart. They allow RVers to camp their overnight and I think they even have restrooms...

Greenie

[ontheroad]

Here's some info on hostels:

Hostels to reserve in the United States, USA with accommodations in New York, Chicago, San Francisco, California, Miami, Washington DC, Boston Hostelling International USA - US Hostelling Stamp

And having done a similar trip, I'll just say 600-700 miles per day was too much for me this time around. Drive safely and enjoy the trip.