On those long driving days that stretch into the evening., it's a waste of time and money to stay in a commercial campground. A safe and free alternative is a Flying J Travel Plaza. Flying J's are clean, safe, and conveniently located on most major highways--once you get off the east coast. They have a special section for overnight RV parking. However, since most seasoned Rvers know about Flying J's, it's important to arrive before 9:00 p.m. to ensure you get a spot.

Another alternative to a commercial campground is a 24-hour Walmart Supercenter. Most Walmart stores that are open all night allow overnight RV parking. However, unlike Flying J's the safety factor can sometimes be an issue depending on where the Walmart is located. We spent one very uneasy night in a Flying J in Richmond, Virginia, where teenagers were drag racing their cars most of the night.