3 Layover Places That Are Safe...

[Lawrence]

Can you please list 3 layover areas that you feel comfortable and relatively safe? Feel free to elaborate.

If you reply - we may use it for our radio show or publish it in our magazine.

 

[nightcreacher]

Depends what you are being safe from and what.The most safe place can be unsafe under the right conditions.In my 34 years of driving truck,I've only had my truck broke into twice.Once at Super 8 Motel in Baytown Tx,and that happened couple years ago.The other was at a shipper in St.Pete Fl,in the late 1900's.I stay mostly at TA truck stops,and try to get up front.I find most Mall's are good,if they let you park there.It's always safer to hang out in groups,and NEVER flash any money.

 

[blizzard2014]

The Flying J and Petro in Perrysburg, Ohio. Both of these places are safe and i've had the most quietist nights sleep i've ever had while parked there. There were no loud mufflers reving up or rap music being thumped in the parkig lot at night.

The TA, Petro, and Flying J in Castaic, Grapevine area of California. This location is very close to Valencia and Santa Clarita where a lot of television shows are filmed and it is so quiet and peaceful there. It's almost like being in another world.

The third safest and most relaxing location is the Petro in Rochelle, Illinois. I have never once felt unsafe or unwelcomed there and the movie theatre is very nice.

 

[idtrans]

Sure as heck isn't the hook in Laredo LOL a few months ago the border patrol was out with guns and dogs looking around the back corner for guys that were suspected killers from mexico.


But the safest I found is the Kangaroo in Ringgold, Ga very nice very clean very welcoming workers and the subway was clean.

 

[greg334]

The safest - the J in Olive Branch Mo.

The unsafest - any where in Memphis.

 

[EnglishLady]

My 3, of the top of my head, would be ...

Petro at Racine WI
Petro at W. Memphis AR
TA at Monroe MI

Never had or seen any problems at these 3.

 

[purgoose10]

I used to stay only in Truck stops, but now I'm more scared of the truckers than the homeless. Maybe that's the same. lol!

I try to stay at WalMart centers or Malls where there are lights and your not totally alone.

An yes don't flash money, people watch. I try to carry only about 20 bucks in the pocket I reach in to pay for meals and such, that way if someone is watching they can tell you don't have much cash. Since starting to operate a C/V I always have my 1911 along and my dog Gator.

 

[usaf6186]

The safest - the J in Olive Branch Mo.

Don't you mean Olive Branch MS? Jerry Lee

 

[chefdennis]

I have never had a problem at the Laredo "J" and always feel safe there, to the point that I will leave the back doors open, but straped to allow for those good breezes to blow in at night....So yea The "J" and the TA in Laredo..

Olive Branch MO. "J" , The OLD "J" now Loves in Oak Creek Wisc has always been a good place also..

I could rattle off more as there certainly are alot of safe and comfortable TS's to stay at....And I have never had a bad experience at any Wal-mart...but then again, I try to be very aware of my surroundings and I think that is key to anywhere you might stay....

 

[Bruno]

My 3, of the top of my head, would be ...

Petro at Racine WI
Petro at W. Memphis AR
TA at Monroe MI

Never had or seen any problems at these 3.

The Petro in Memphis is not safe, as a matter fact no place in West Memphis is. In 1995 I found a driver dead in his truck at the Flying J. 2008 I was a witness to a murder at the Petro. I almost had to go back for court.

The TA in Albert Lee, MN
The TA in Seville, Ohio.
and in my truck.

 

[moose]

Kansas City Casino, (free security)
better yet ,let Inland Truck Parts work on my truck for a day, while i'm shining myself in the CLC provided hotel room near by.

in the NE, i like the Connecticut TA, just off I-95.
it's quiet, clean,and the Stop&Shop have fresh fruit.

in Seattle, i normally spend the 34 at the SouthCenter Mall.

in Vegas, it will be the SunSet Mall,(free security), I-515x64(sunset rd)(...Dou'haa)...

In Ontario,Cal.,IF in a Strait Truck !,and would like to be away from the pack ,ther's a Best Buy/Target combo, about one mile away,just ask your GPS for directions...and park to the east.

 

[cheri1122]

I really like the Pilot in Castaic, Ca, the TA in Albert Lea, Mn, and the WalMart in Gaffney, SC [85, exit 92] because the laundromat is so convenient.
I've rarely felt unsafe anywhere, but I stick to well known and busy places, esp at night.

 

[cheri1122]

Don't you mean Olive Branch MS? Jerry Lee

Yes, they do.
I always found it amusing that if 100 drivers were on layover in Memphis, half would be in Arkansas [West Memphis] and the rest in Mississippi [Olive Branch] but not one would even be in Tennessee.

 

[Freightdawg]

The Petro in Memphis is not safe, as a matter fact no place in West Memphis is. In 1995 I found a driver dead in his truck at the Flying J. 2008 I was a witness to a murder at the Petro. I almost had to go back for court.

The TA in Albert Lee, MN
The TA in Seville, Ohio.
and in my truck.

Holy crap Bat man! I've lived in West Memphis for 17 years and never had a problem! Although I was able to hear the big shoot out at the Wal Mart a few months ago. That was more gunshots than I heard in 14 months in Iraq. Other than that, I haven't had any issues.

 

[zero3nine]

I stick to campgrounds as much as possible. KOA's or national parks when possible. I try not to ever sleep in truck stops. Rest areas are ok sometimes.

I can't ever remember feeling unsafe. I grew up in Long Beach California.

fired at you from my Droideka

 

[Jack_Berry]

most any walmart.
ta perrysburg is fine until the cowboys come in with the jake blasting. we sleep in front mind you.

albert lea definitely safe if you can keep from freezing.

socal we have gone to the j in barstow and lebec on the i-5 grapevine mountain. in barstow the tourists fill the lot with trailers. did not have tourists in lebec.

the j in w. memphis has security at least up front. never been pan handled there.

 

[RedBird]

My safest places to layover.
1. Petro, off I-69 (north of Indiana Turnpike)
2. The J north of Evansville, IN
3. Walcott I-80 truckstop

 

[Jefferson3000]

I stayed at the twin Pilots in Memphis one time for about 18 hours. Boring as anything, but I never really felt unsafe there. Perhaps it was because of the misty rain and high of 55F that kept the riffraff away.

My three:

TA/Petro/Kenly 95 Truckstop - Kenly, NC
Hate the coffee, but it's quiet and straight can normally get away with outer front lot parking.

Super Target - Gainesville, VA
Target stays open until 10pm. Five Guys burgers, Panera, Starbucks, and I've never had a security officer or anyone else bother me.

Kohl's/Walmart - Raleigh, NC
NW side of Raleigh, at the corner of Brier Creek Pkwy and Hwy 70 (1/2 mile from I-640)
Safe, quiet and no one bothered me. 24hr Wally World, Starbucks, lot of eating choices.

There is also two more big complexes on different corners of the same intersection in Raleigh, so spread out and don't ruin it as a stopping place for MY guys. We have a frequent pickup just down the street and it's nice to not need to leave Raleigh to park.