Flying J Plazas I-40W or I-10W, Rice to Bakersfield

[CD Smith]

Thanks to all of you for your advice!

In an earlier post, I said that I planned to travel from one Flying J to the next, along I-40. After reading the posts from Marv and CD Smith, I switched to the I-10 --- and found that the Flying Js are just too far apart for me to stay there overnight (I expect to average 50 mph and drive for no more than 8 hours per day). I next searched for 24-hour Walmarts but found that they, too, are too far apart to stay at every night. So, reluctantly, I'm planning to stay in RV campgrounds. While it will be more costly, this will enable me to test out the trailer's systems.

I'm having enormous fun planning the trip.

Again, thank you for your help!

Cheers,
Petit Lapin

I use the following information in MS Streets and Trips to locate the nearest truck stop/refuel location when traveling.


All_Fuel_Stops.pdf


This map includes Love's, Travel America's, Pilot's, and Fluing J's. All four allow overnighting if they have the space.

[bobinyelm]

Thanks to all of you for your advice!

In an earlier post, I said that I planned to travel from one Flying J to the next, along I-40. After reading the posts from Marv and CD Smith, I switched to the I-10 --- and found that the Flying Js are just too far apart for me to stay there overnight (I expect to average 50 mph and drive for no more than 8 hours per day). I next searched for 24-hour Walmarts but found that they, too, are too far apart to stay at every night. So, reluctantly, I'm planning to stay in RV campgrounds. While it will be more costly, this will enable me to test out the trailer's systems.

I'm having enormous fun planning the trip.

Again, thank you for your help!

Cheers, Petit Lapin

Flying Js at Abiline, Pecos, and El Paso, TX (two, the one at the TX/NM Border the better of the two), and at Casa Grande, AZ along I-10.

Most of those are well within your chosen range. You could mix-and-match along your trip with an occasional RV Park thrown in. If you cannot quite make it to Casa Grande from El Paso, there is a State Park at Picacho Peak AZ (near Eloy).

You may find after getting comfortable towing, that a couple more hours at a slightly higher speed will feel entirely comfortable, too.

Bob

[Gina D.]

an aside...

There is an interesting show on the History channel this week.. on the History of Truck Stops.

Some good stuff on how they came about, and the trucks that go to them!

It is on Modern Marvels. No link to post, sorry!

Back to your regularly schedule post....

[Marg]

If I were planning a trip from Rice to San Francisco I would drive the following route.
north from Rice on I-45 and exit on US 287 just south of Ennis
US 287 through Fort Worth, Wichita Falls, and Amarillo
at Amarillo take I-40 west through Tucumcari, Albuquerque, Gallup, Flagstaff, Kingman, Barstow
at Barstow take US 58 to Bakersfield
go north on US 99 but exit on CA48 thru Wasco to I-5
go north on I-5 , west on I-580 to San Francisco
We just drive the same trip only starting in Pleasant Hill, CA (SF Bay area) and ending in Arlington, TX (DFW area). We were towing and driving 60 mph. It took us 3 days.

I have stayed many nights in Indian Casinos and Wal-Marts. The Casinos have been very considerate about RV'ers staying overnight. All the casinos I've stayed in in CA and NV have all night lighting and cameras. I have always felt very secure staying in them.

I have only run across one Wal-Mart that will not accept overnight RVs and that is in Crescent City, CA. Don't know why, but have seen their large sign. I have logged probably 15,000 miles on my 2005 13' Scamp all over OR, CA and Nevada and have only stayed in a real RV park once.

Margaret in NW CA