Still smelling of freshly poured pavement and newly erected store facility, this Costco Supercenter sits on the west side of town with direct access off Randall Road. The lot is expansive, freshly paved and incredibly level (not so difficult, considering we are in Illinois afterall), making it manageable even for larger rigs. The best place to park overnight is along the far edge of the lot, away from the main entrance and just south of the fueling lanes, or better yet, south of the store itself, where there’s less traffic and fewer headlights to disturb your rest.
Inside, Costco offers its usual array of amenities: bulk groceries, a pharmacy, tire and battery service, a Costco gas station, and even a food court for a quick and cheap bite. Restrooms are available during store hours and are generally very clean. The lot is brightly lit after hours, providing good visibility and a sense of safety, though light sleepers may want window covers to block the glow. The overall vibe is suburban busy during the day but relatively calm at night.
Nearby, St. Charles has plenty of dining and shopping to fill in any gaps Costco doesn’t cover. Noteworthy St. Charles restaurant options include The Office Dining & Spirits, which is a casual pub with hearty American fare like bourbon glazed pork chops; La Za’ Za’ Trattoria, a well-regarded Italian spot with upscale plates like Penne Abruzzese and freshly tossed pies like Quattro Stagioni all washed down with a Birra Moretti; and E&S Fish Company for a solid local stop for fresh seafood serving up blue point oysters and red snapper en papillote. Grocery, hardware, and additional supply options are also close at hand along Randall Road.
While scoring criteria may vary from one person to the next, here are the 5 most important criteria that informed my rating of this overnight location: convenience (EZ on- and off-access), safety & security, quality (of facilities), peace & quiet and amenities (either on-site or nearby). Here’s how I ranked this particular overnight spot:
Convenience: 4
Safety & Security: 4
Quality: 5
Peace & Quiet: 3
Amenities: 4
Overall Score: 4
Happy Overnighting!
