Can Cars Park At Texas Truck Stops?

The holidays are upon us and travelers, native Texans and non-natives alike, will soon be cruising Texas highways to visit friends and family.

Whether you're going to see someone or they are coming to see you, Texas is big, with long stretches of road. (The longest highway in Texas takes 11 hours to drive end to end.)

Drivers may need to pull over for a short break, a few hours or to spend the night and there are some landing spots you may not have thought of.

Texas is loaded with rest stops but, no offense TXDoT, they can be sketchy. Sometimes the facilities don't work, many don't even offer vending machines as far as food and drink go and most are way out on the edge of town, leaving you isolated and alone.

Where Else Can I Park?

You can always find a motel and knock out for awhile but if that's not in the budget or you don't need to rest that long, there are other options. One is pretty obvious but others are kind of secret, known only to frequent travelers.

Walmart

They're damn near everywhere and they almost always have huge parking lots. Plus, you can stock up on snacks, walk the dog and get gas while you're there. They're, (usually), cool with you using the parking lot for a few minutes or even staying the night.

Something bands traveling from gig to gig and truckers have known forever but that many "amateur" travelers are unaware of. No matter who you are, just to be safe, check in with the manager - things can change.

Truck Stops

Yes, they're designed for 18 wheelers and their drivers but they're not going to turn potential customers away. Some even have designated car areas and they all offer nice amenities like restaurants, packaged food, clean restrooms and showers.

READ MORE: Tips For Traveling With Dogs

You don't need permission or anything but don't be afraid to ask if there's a special place for private vehicles and remember; you're welcome there but the truckers will always get preferred treatment. Don't get into any kind of "trucks only" area either.

They are also high traffic areas and big rigs need a lot of room to turn, back up, etc so choose your parking spot wisely. Here are a few tips:

• Avoid parking spots on the end of the row. You could get sideswiped by a rig so, try to park mid-row.
• Park close to the main building. It will be well lit with lots of activity and close to the bathrooms for that 2am pee call.
• Avoid dark or empty parts of the lot.
• Keep your doors locked at all times.
• Watch for "no parking" or "trucks only" signs.

Know The Law

Texas is cool with sleeping in your car and/or overnight parking but not all states allow it and many businesses leave it up to the local manager so, it's best to ask.

Other businesses that, (often, but not always), allow overnight parking include Cracker Barrel, Culver's, Home Depot, Bass Pro Shop, Cabela's, some 24-hour gyms and casinos. Again, you should ask first.