Welcome to RTA!

Yes, there are risks in anything we do. I am old enough to remember when there was a prison break from the Florence, Arizona state prison. The prisoners killed a family that had pulled over at an Arizona interstate rest area, in the middle of the night. Ever since, my husband and I have refused to stop at any rest area during the dark hours.

Add to this fact, that in many areas, overnight parking in a rest area is illegal. Most of these are signed to this effect. Sometimes they say 4-hour maximum, or something like that.

If one must sleep in ones car overnight, you're better off in a truck stop that allows overnight parking. Ask at the desk, and if it's permitted, they will tell you where you can park. Most of them are patrolled. The only problem with this idea is that you may have lights in your face and engines running all night.

Some folks have tried staying overnight in parking lots of hospitals, department stores such as Walmart & Target, on a neighborhood street, and similar. Hospitals aren't really thrilled about it unless you have a family member that's been admitted. Walmart and Target may have signs saying no overnight parking. A neighborhood street may have a cop waking you up in the middle of the night and asking you to move on.

The best bet is either to save your money for a cheap motel or a hostel, or (when weather is cooperative) stay in a campground.


Donna