ALDI can be a great place to stock up on road trip snacks, but what about overnight parking? With the growing popularity of #vanlife and people looking to travel, many are considering alternative places to stop for the night.
Unfortunately, quiet and safe places to park at night are becoming few and far between. If you’re in need of some shut-eye after a long day on the road, ALDI might be a tempting choice.
Today, we’re looking at whether or not you can park overnight at ALDI, as well as sharing a few other spots you might want to consider during your travels.
Let’s get started!
What is ALDI?
ALDI is a German-based discount supermarket chain started by the Albrecht family. The store originated in Essen, Germany, in 1913 and began expanding internationally in 1968 after acquiring an Austrian grocery chain. The company is over a decade old and has over 10,000 locations in almost a dozen countries.
The name ALDI is an abbreviation for Albrecht Discount. The brand remains true to its founding principles of simplicity, responsibility, and reliability. ALDI has earned a reputation over the past decade for its no-frills approach to grocery shopping.
Their stores typically have limited selections, and customers must bring their own bags. Additionally, shoppers must pay a quarter deposit to use a shopping cart while visiting the store. Since customers return their buggies, the store cuts costs by not hiring individuals to collect them. By minimizing expenses, ALDI can also keep its prices low.
Why Do People Love ALDI?
One of the biggest reasons people love ALDI is their low prices. The no-frills shopping experience may not be everyone’s favorite. However, those looking to save a few bucks can’t get enough. For those on a strict budget, ALDI can help them make the most out of every dollar.
People also love ALDI because of their high-quality products. They offer private label brands that are a great value without sacrificing quality. Just because you’re getting budget-friendly deals doesn’t mean you have to settle for less.
Another thing people appreciate about ALDI is the layout of their stores. Again, like many other things about the chain, their store layouts are simple and efficient. Shopping here is typically stress-free, and getting in and out as quickly as possible is easy. However, it’s also easy to take your time and stroll through their aisles and enjoy the experience.
Can You Park Overnight at ALDI?
Unfortunately, ALDI doesn’t have a corporate policy for overnight parking, so it’s up to each store to determine how they handle each request. However, many of their locations are in urban and more populated areas, which typically have restrictions regarding overnight parking.
You shouldn’t have high expectations that an ALDI will allow you to stay. However, it never hurts to ask. The worst they can say is no and send you on your way. Get permission from a manager or someone in authority before getting too comfortable in their parking lot. Trust us. You don’t want to experience the dreaded knock on your door asking you to leave.
What Stores Allow Overnight Parking?
While ALDI likely won’t be the best choice for overnighting, there are some stores where travelers have had success. Remember, you should always get permission to stay parked overnight, especially when using a business’s parking lot. Local rules and regulations supersede a store’s willingness to allow overnight parking.
Walmart
For years, Walmart parking lots have been some of the most popular overnight stop spots. You’ll find thousands of locations across the country that welcome guests. Unfortunately, all good things must come to an end. We’re seeing an increase in these locations restricting overnight parking. However, some stores still welcome overnight guests.
Make sure you get permission and park out of the way. You don’t want to create issues for other vehicles to come and go while you’re there. If you park towards the rear or perimeter of the lot, you’ll likely leave others plenty of room.
Pro Tip: Before you give spending a night in a Walmart parking lot a try, make sure you know the Don’ts of Walmart Camping.
Cracker Barrel
Cracker Barrel, a beloved southern-style restaurant, is another excellent option. Hundreds of locations are found throughout the country. They’re fantastic places to stay as you can get a bite to eat after a long travel day or before hitting the road in the morning. They typically have a handful of extra-long spots to accommodate large vehicles and RVs.
Again, make sure you call ahead to get permission. It’s better to know beforehand if they can’t accommodate your request. You don’t want to go out of your way or waste time stopping if you won’t be able to park for the night.
Cabela’s
While most Cabela’s offer overnight parking, not all do. You’ll want to make sure you call them to get permission. If they can accommodate you, make sure you ask where they’d like you to park. Some stores have dedicated parking spaces on the side of their buildings, and we’ve even seen some with RV dump stations available for a fee.
Although there are only around 80 Cabela’s stores, they make for excellent spots to rest. They’re typically in or near shopping centers right off the highway, which provide plenty of space for maneuvering big vehicles.
Camping World
More than 180 Camping World locations can be found in 46 states. The company hasn’t released an official statement on whether they accept overnight guests. However, we’ve heard from many RVers that they’ve been able to sweet-talk a location into letting them park for the night.
You’ll want to be as polite as possible when making your request to give yourself the best shot at getting a yes. If they say no, respectfully move on and keep searching. You won’t do yourself any favors by arguing or getting upset with them.
Bass Pro Shops
Bass Pro Shops and its roughly 90 locations have been in cahoots with Cabela’s since 2017. As a result, they share a similar policy when it comes to overnight guests. Most of their locations allow overnight parking whenever possible. However, there’s zero consistency regarding which stores allow it and which don’t.
If you find a store that allows overnight guests, you can bank on the fact that you won’t be alone. These parking lots typically fill up with several campers each night. Depending on the size of the parking lot, you may want to arrive earlier just to ensure you have a spot.
Sam’s Club
Sam’s Club and its 600 stores are a part of the Walmart empire. They often allow overnight parking when possible. Their parking lots are massive, and there’s space to maneuver. Even if there are multiple guests during your stay, everyone will likely have plenty of room to spread out. This can be a great opportunity to stock up on any bulk purchases you need during your travels.
Truck Stops
There are thousands of truck stops all over the country. Notable brands like Love’s, Flying J, and Pilot often go out of their way to accommodate overnight guests. However, these are popular spots for big-rig trucks to retire for the night.
You should expect trucks to be coming and going throughout the night. Additionally, many drivers leave their engines idling to power electronics and stay comfortable during breaks. Getting a good night’s sleep can be difficult but not impossible.
Pro Tip: If you’re going to spend the night at a truck stop, these are 7 Things Non-Truckers Should Know About Truck Stops.
Is Overnight Parking at ALDI Worth It?
Desperate times call for desperate measures. While you may not have ever dreamed of staying overnight in a store parking lot, it’ll likely eventually happen. These stops can help break up long travel days and help you save money by avoiding expensive fees at a campground.
While we can’t say if a specific ALDI store will allow you to overnight, it can’t hurt to ask. Under the right circumstances, they can be as safe and comfortable as staying the night anywhere else. For many travelers, these stops are worth the risk of rejection!
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