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In today’s minipod, I will share why I sleep at gas stations while traveling in my RV. I will focus on Pilot Flying J’s because they are my favorite, mainly because of the convenience of a one-stop shop, how they are usually easy on/off from the highway, and the amenities they offer us as RVers.
Pilot Flying J
Pilot Flying J’s typically have dedicated RV parking spots separated from the big rigs. These spots vary from station to station. Sometimes, they are roomy, and other times, not so much. Also, they can be a snug fit for the width of our RV. They also always have dedicated fuel lanes for RVs with no overhead clearance issues. You can typically find a dump station to empty your black and gray tanks in these lanes. There is also usually a freshwater fill station, but that is not always a guarantee.
Most Pilot Flying J’s also have a propane fill station. This might not sound like a big deal for all RVers who travel in a towable and can remove the propane tanks, but for some of us with fixed tanks, this is a big win since they are certified to fill those fixed tanks.
Conveniences for RVers
Every location has a convenience store, most of which are very large, with a wide variety of snacks, drinks, tools, and supplies. Since they are open 24 hours, I can get that late-night snack whenever.
I have only used the showers once but have taken advantage of the laundry facilities a few times. This is a great time saver for me as I will be parked at this location overnight anyway with no place to go. It works out perfectly to get my wash done.
There is almost always a restaurant on the property. Usually, it’s a Denny’s, but I have also seen Ihops and Huddle Houses. This is an excellent way to start my day after waking up. Usually, Belle and I will split some eggs and pancakes.
Speaking of starting the day, there are no check-in or check-out times. You can come and go as you please, but generally, there is a 24-hour rule, similar to most rest areas.
Safety
Some people might be fearful of staying at a Pilot Flying J lot overnight. Still, I can tell you after seven years and 120,000 miles of traveling and staying at over 70% of Flying J’s in the country, we have never had a problem. This is due to a few reasons. They are open 24/7, so staff and people constantly come in and out all night. In addition, they have security cameras, and the lots are usually well-lit.
With all that said, Sabrina and I have a rule that we will move if we ever have a bad feeling about a location. It only takes one of us to vote for us to leave. We have only left two parking lots in all these years and miles. One was a Walmart, and the other was a Pilot Flying J. Just had a bad feeling about both.
So, it comes down to the convenience of all these amenities and how easy it is to stop the night and then keep going in the morning.
Loves Travel Stops
Recently, I have been staying at more and more Loves Travel Stops, and they have been slowly winning me over. They offer a lot of what the Flying J’s do, plus a lot of them are adding dog parks, which Belle really appreciates.
Have You Stayed at a Gas Station
Let me know what you think. Have you slept in a gas station before? How was the experience, and would you do it again? Let us know by leaving us a comment or emailing me at Kenny@beyondthewheelpodcast.com. I always enjoy hearing from our listeners.
Safe travels, and I will catch you next time!
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