West Coast to East Coast and back

[WStrmiska]

Hi everyone, will be doing a trip starting this comeing Monday from Tracy, CA. to Charlotte,North Carolina and back to Tracy. Will be takeing I-40 most of the way. Need your personal advice and any information on places to stop and sleep far as road side rests and truck stops that you feel are safe as I will be going by my self. Will not be staying at hotels or motels, sleeping in my truck only, moneys tight. What truck stops do you also recommend getting fuel at. Any and all answers greatly appreciated. Thanks

 

[Grizzly]

While going through Albuquerque, one of the better fuel stops for diesel is the Flying J, which is located on the Westside, exit 98th St. Good place to sleep for a few hours. Cheapest diesel is at Lowe's Phillips 66 on 4th and Griegos NW. Click here

 

[Diesel Thunder]

Be sure to fuel up BEFORE you enter Memphis, TN. Get fuel in West Memphis, Arkansas. At the Martin Luther King Jr. Exit there is a Flying J and a Petro that are good/safe. Many RVers stay in the Flying J parking lot.



This MLK Jr. Exit is the last exit prior to crossing the Mississippi River into Memphis--Keep on trucking through Memphis! I always get diesel at the Flying J in Arkansas, before heading into TN.



Memphis is a real Gun & Knife Club--if you know what I mean. Father in law got hit in the head with a bottle while fueling in Memphis--luckily he kicked both the kid's @sses and left.



Have a good trip.

 

[GAmes]

Ditto on Flying Js. However, the one in Albuquerque has signs prohibiting overnight stays. If you go to their website Flying J you can plan on where the cheapest fuel is. With my 50 gal aux, running empty gives me a 1500 mile range so it is easy to pick and choose. If you don't have an aux tank you might consider a few 5 gal cans. Almost any truck stop that isn't in a large town is as safe as another. I wouldn't sleep in any of them in West Memphis.

 

[Grizzly]

Ditto on Flying Js. However, the one in Albuquerque has signs prohibiting overnight stays. If you go to their website you can plan on where the cheapest fuel is. With my 50 gal aux, running empty gives me a 1500 mile range so it is easy to pick and choose. If you don't have an aux tank you might consider a few 5 gal cans. Almost any truck stop that isn't in a large town is as safe as another. I wouldn't sleep in any of them in West Memphis.

I've known many who have stayed at the Flying J for a few hours sleep. You just need to go inside and ask where to park your truck.



I sent WStrmiska a link to a Phillip 66 where diesel is selling for $1. 97 on North 4th Street in Albuquerque. [url=http://www.albuquerquegasprices.com/index.aspx?fuel=D]Click here for diesel price and location.

 

[MMeier]

I usually use the J's in Albuq, Amarillo, and OKC at Morgan Rd. Just pull over in front where the RV's park and face AWAY from the bright lights on the fuel islands! :-laf

 

[CUMMINZ]

I live 40 miles from Charlotte. PM me.

 

[24V-DSL]

What's up with all the negatives about Memphis? Not being a smart-***, seriously want to know.

 

[damar]

Check out this web site. gocomchek.com/



You put in the type of highway, road number and the state. It will not list FlyingJ, maybe some Pilot and some Love's. Might miss some others but I use it all the time and by checking around you can cover all the major ones and even some of the small truck stops. It is updated on a schedule that may be truck stop dependent as you will see different dates for updates. Hope this helps.

 

[steved]

Be sure to fuel up BEFORE you enter Memphis, TN. Get fuel in West Memphis, Arkansas. At the Martin Luther King Jr. Exit there is a Flying J and a Petro that are good/safe. Many RVers stay in the Flying J parking lot.



This MLK Jr. Exit is the last exit prior to crossing the Mississippi River into Memphis--Keep on trucking through Memphis! I always get diesel at the Flying J in Arkansas, before heading into TN.



Memphis is a real Gun & Knife Club--if you know what I mean. Father in law got hit in the head with a bottle while fueling in Memphis--luckily he kicked both the kid's @sses and left.



Have a good trip.

ONLY go into the West Memphis trucks stops during daylight hours... that is by far one of the worst (read- roughest) places to be at night...



Get fuel away from there if you can...

 

[steved]

What's up with all the negatives about Memphis? Not being a smart-***, seriously want to know.

Its a very rough area (West Memphis Truckstops)... good place to avoid.





The Flying J in ABQ is good, there is a Loves in Tucumcari... Amarillo and OKC have a ton of places, OKC did have some of the cheapest fuel going. West Memphis is Rough, there's some things around Nashville...



Rest areas tend to be OK to stay in (doors locked).



I don't run I40 that much anymore, typically only the stretch from Gallup to Tucumcari, then backroads to I70.

 

[Grizzly]

You can stay at almost any Wal*Mart. Just go inside and ask a manager for permission. Sometimes there is a city ordinance that prohibits overnight stays. This is due to the RV Parks putting pressure on the city.



If they say yes, park where other RV's are parked.

 

[GAmes]

ONLY go into the West Memphis trucks stops during daylight hours... that is by far one of the worst (read- roughest) places to be at night...

That is what I was talking about. The only place I have been that the dope dealers advertise on the CB.

 

[steved]

White smoke and green smoke... heard it many times through there...

 

[AABEN]

Go to gasBUDDYS this way you will be able to check fuel prices all over the USA==Good Luck You can stay at most Wal-Marts if it is not posted Jest stay overnight WE use them some. Makes it nice to shop when it is 11. 00 at night.

 

[GAmes]

What's up with all the negatives about Memphis? Not being a smart-***, seriously want to know.

Just saw this today and remebered your question.

America's-Most-Dangerous-Cities: Personal Finance News from Yahoo! Finance

"Detroit has, historically, been one of the more violent cities in the U. S. ," says Megan Wolfram, an analyst at iJet Intelligent Risk Systems, a Maryland-based risk-assessment firm. "They have a number of local crime syndicates there--a number of small gangs who tend to compete over territory. "



Detroit was followed closely on the list by the greater Memphis, Tenn. , and Miami, Fla. , metropolitan areas. Those three were the only large cities in America with more than 950 violent crimes committed per 100,000 people. "

 

[WStrmiska]

I want to think everyone that had a input to my questions. I will definately heed your guys advice. Thanks again.

 

[BDaugherty]

Aside from what has been mentioned above, take a spare fuel filter with you in case you do get some contaminated fuel. Have a great trip. I40 is a great and efficient way to get across the US, but be prepared to be surrounded by 18wheelers.

 

[WStrmiska]

When I get back I'll let everyone know how the trip went. Thanks again guys.

 

[MMeier]

Be sure to take some pics along the way !!