Pilot Flying J Travel Centers Free Overnight Parking

Above, the Jamestown, New Mexico Pilot Flying J Travel Center. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

RV Travel posted the following in their Sunday Newsletter:

Many Pilot Flying J Travel Centers offer free overnight parking for RVers. Here’s a PDF list you can download and carry with you to help plan a snoozing stop at one of these locations. Locations with dump stations are also noted. Click here then click on “Download RV locations list”.

The locations list is a XLSX file. If your device doesn't have the app to open such files, links to get one are included.

First Full Day

Above, the morning after at the Shady Oasis Campground in Victorville. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Yesterday was moving day and I am no longer a California resident.

Above, the movers after arriving. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

I was hoping to leave in the early afternoon yesterday, but the movers didn't finish loading the truck until around 2:00 and I had to get a new clutch for the Mustang. That wasn't finished until 4:30.

So, due to the above, I got on the road around 5:30. Naturally, that put me in the midst of the evening rush hour.

Above, at this point, the movers were almost done loading. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

I decided that I would spend the night in Victorville at the Shady Oasis Campground. It used to be a KOA. I pulled in around 9:00 and self-registered.

Today, I got up and back on the road at about 6:30 in the morning. I decided to have a Tommy's breakfast sandwich for my last California meal in Barstow. After that and taking care of some banking chores in Barstow, I got on Interstate 40 for the trip into Arizona.

Once I reached Arizona, I needed to fill The Beast's gas tank. About 9 miles from the border, there's a Pilot travel center (part of the Flying J) and I filled up there. With my Good Sam discount, I saved an additional five cents per gallon. Arizona's gasoline prices are a dollar less than California's, so, technically, I saved $1.05 per gallon!

Above, my Arizona first stop was to get gas. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

I was wondering how long I would last driving after all the moving work of yesterday. As it turns out, I started getting tired just before reaching Seligman, Arizona (home of the Roadkill Cafe). I knew there's a KOA Kampground in Seligman, so I decided to camp there for the night.

The Seligman Route 66 KOA Kampground is a nice place for an overnight stop. It is expected to be freezing tonight, but I am prepared.

Above, The Beast at the Seligman Route 66 KOA. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

I am going to try to get out as early as I can so I can reach Jamestown in daylight. If not, maybe I'll just pull in early Saturday morning. 

Latest News On Convenience Stores/Travel Centers

Above, a Kum & Go travel center in the midwest. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The convenience store/travel center industry is constantly changing and Convenience Store News has the latest skinny on them. RVers and other travelers would do well to keep abreast of the changes.

The Jamestown, New Mexico Pilot Flying J Travel Center is located down the hill from where I am moving to.

The convenience stores/travel centers they have a report on includes Love's, Kum & Go, Pilot Flying J, Circle K and others.

They begin with:

NATIONAL REPORT — The convenience store industry landscape is constantly changing as chains open and close stores each week. On a regular basis, Convenience Store News highlights these comings and goings in this special roundup.

 To read more, go here.

Is There A Store Nearby?

Thanksgiving Day was spent at my cousin Maria's in Wildomar, California.

While there, other family members were asking and congratulating me on the home purchase. More than once, I was asked if there are stores nearby. I said yes, there's a Pilot Flying J Travel Center at the off-ramp at Interstate 40, which is about a couple of miles from the house.

It has a Denny's and a Subway there. And, they sell fireworks!

The first photo is of the Pilot Flying J Travel Center from the Yelp website:

There are more photos of the Pilot Flying J Travel Center, some even has the place covered in snow.

Here's an aerial view of the Travel Center and where the house is located (white "X"):

As you can see, I'll be a little bit "up the hill" from Interstate 40 and Historic Route 66. This will come in handy as I get a five-cent-per-gallon of gas discount at Pilot Flying J Travel Centers through the Good Sam Club.

Good Sam Club

There was something I was going to do but neglected in doing it. Until now.

That would be renewing my Good Sam RV Club membership. For some reason, I kept forgetting to renew my membership. It is only $27/year.

I finally renewed it minutes ago as I received an email from them telling me that my membership expired. My membership came in handy during my trip to Metropolis, Illinois last year as I saved four cents per gallon at Flying J or Pilot travel centers. Gasoline was generally cheaper than in California anyway, but saving an additional four cents per gallon helped, considering that The Beast has a 55 gallon gas tank.

There are additional benefits besides campground and Camping World discounts. Also, and I just learned this, there are discounts available at Enterprise Rent-A-Car, Meijer Pharmacy, Office Depot, Office Max, Redbox, Sears, ProFlowers, Carnival, Quisnos and more.

There are other benefits, such as trip planning and Pet Benefits.

For more on the Good Sam Club, go here.