Safe Parking In NJ

Hi everyone.

I know this topic has been discussed before, safety at truck stops, but I have to ask about this one. Generally speaking, I feel safe just about anywhere and stay in my truck if things are a bit suspect. Has anyone stayed at the Petro/TA in Bordentown, NJ? Would you consider it safe?

I have an upcoming assignment that requires me to either start driving at about 0100 to get the load delivered by a 0900 appointment time, or leave early and stay at a truck stop in Bordentown, NJ, the night prior and drive about 20 minutes into the receiver.

Thanks in advance!

I forgot to mention, I will reserve a spot ahead of time because I've already talked to the truck stop and they say to make sure I do that because parking is full early in the day!

Hi everyone.

I know this topic has been discussed before, safety at truck stops, but I have to ask about this one. Generally speaking, I feel safe just about anywhere and stay in my truck if things are a bit suspect. Has anyone stayed at the Petro/TA in Bordentown, NJ? Would you consider it safe?

I have an upcoming assignment that requires me to either start driving at about 0100 to get the load delivered by a 0900 appointment time, or leave early and stay at a truck stop in Bordentown, NJ, the night prior and drive about 20 minutes into the receiver.

Thanks in advance!

I've stayed there several times with no issues. There are three or four truck stops in that area. They always fill early - that's a New Jersey thing. The trucks also come and go a lot. Parking is very limited in New Jersey, so you need to have a plan. Even when you reserve a spot, you may find them full. There's always three to five bandits thinking they can get away with stealing a reserved spot without paying the fee.

Thanks, OS.

That's what I'm afraid of. I'll be getting in there around 2100 and my reserved spot will be taken. My backup plan is that I can stay at the consignee , but they don't have any facilities, and I'm afraid there will be trucks parked that don't belong either. Decisions, decisions.

I've stayed there several times with no issues. There are three or four truck stops in that area. They always fill early - that's a New Jersey thing. The trucks also come and go a lot. Parking is very limited in New Jersey, so you need to have a plan. Even when you reserve a spot, you may find them full. There's always three to five bandits thinking they can get away with stealing a reserved spot without paying the fee.

If you have a reservation, and find no parking spots, go in and talk to someone at the fuel desk. They will get their security people to find and force the pretentious thief from their position. You've already paid for it. Make sure you get what you purchased.

It's always best to let them handle it. They will call local law enforcement if a driver refuses to leave. That usually gets things moving pretty quickly.

A couple of months ago (approximately), I was there for a tire issue. I didn’t stay overnight but the truck-stop itself didn’t seem like anything out of the ordinary. Like OS pointed out, securing a spot can be iffy but your chances are good.

Keep your head down. That’s the TA where I found $200 laying on the parking lot by the tire repair shop.

Let us know how it works out for you there.

Thank you for tge advice. You may remember I mentioned this happened to me in KY.

I pulled into a spot with a very faded paint job that said "reserved." I didn't notice it. I got a knock on my door at 2200 and was asked to leave. I apologized for the oversight and heard down the road where I finally found parking at a rest stop 18 miles amd two truck stips later. Phew

If you have a reservation, and find no parking spots, go in and talk to someone at the fuel desk. They will get their security people to find and force the pretentious thief from their position. You've already paid for it. Make sure you get what you purchased.

It's always best to let them handle it. They will call local law enforcement if a driver refuses to leave. That usually gets things moving pretty quickly.

Yeah, sometimes this happens innocently. Some of these reserved parking areas are not marked clearly. It's super easy for a driver to pull into one of those areas late at night. The lighting is poor, the driver is fatigued, and there is just not much to warn you that you're in a reserved spot.

I honestly didn't like it when they started the reserved parking. It's nothing short of extortion in my opinion, but it's not going away - in fact, it's just becoming more wide spread.

I don't mind it if they want to charge for parking. That's been around for a long time. We always knew which places charged for truck parking and we avoided them if possible. You knew going into certain areas of the country, you'd be paying to park. You put up with it when you had to.

Now days I've been charged as much as $25.00 for a parking spot in Miami, and then I laid out another $25.00 for a single meal and a tip for the waitress. Fifty bucks is just too much!

I'm not out here on vacation. I'm just trying to earn a living. Inflation has had a profound effect on our expenses, while there is actual downward pressure on our wages. That's a terrible combination punch the truckers are taking on the chin.

Old School,

Sounds like you spent your time at the 595 Truck Stop in Davie, Fl. It is about the only place with any chance of being able to find parking in or near Miami. I here that the restaurant is OK but high priced for what you get.

Up here in Winter Haven, FL. isn't much better. A Loves in Lake Wales and Davenport, Pilots in Haines City and Bartow. You were as close to me as you have ever been and I still hope to get that Meet and Greet someday. Be safe and take care.

Bill M.,

Like you have found out, this Petro is safe, has a lot of parking but it does fill up on most days. I used to live about 10 miles from there and used this Petro quite often.

I enjoyed it a lot better when it was first built and was called Bordentown Junction. Also if someone has taken the reserved spot you paid for do go inside either the store or fuel island counter and they will remove the non payer. Good luck.