I agree with Steve, and I avoid truck stops.  I have done a lot of your
type of travel in the past, including a round trip to Mexico City from
Seattle in three weeks (I don't recommend doing this).

If you follow the Intestates there will be plenty of rest areas, many
patrolled by state police, where you can sleep in your Vanagon.  Stop at
a truck stop for a shower only (wear shoes!), don't stay--you are an
obvious outsider driving a foreign made vehicle usually associated with
hippies and won't be welcomed with open arms by some.

Many State Campgrounds have showers and I have parked and used them many
times without staying to camp.  Frowned upon, but they usually let you
shower before they kick you out.

Use common sense and stay in busy, crowded rest areas and campgrounds
(or truck stops only if you must).  Don't stop by the side of the road
(remember what happened to Michael Jordan's father).  The noise is a
reasonable price to pay for safety, and if you are tired enough you
won't mind anyway.

Steve wrote:
>
> Truck stops are not the safest places....lots o shady characters at some
> of the bigger ones...and crime, too.  Depends where.  They are noisy and
> smelly, too.  Sometimes, that's all there is, though.
>

--
Stuart MacMillan
Manager, Case Program
800-909-8244 ext 208

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