This Walmart Supercenter really puts the SUPER in its not-so-humble parking abode, which will easily have access for the biggest of RVs, 5th Wheelers and Rigs. In fact, there’s so much room here that you’d think they created this parking lot specifically designed to attract overnight road warriors like yourself. Good news apart from the incredibly convenient access to nearby the I55 / I74 corridor and the ample parking space is that this location also has an on-site gas station, although not connected directly with the Walmart, which greets you as you make your way in allowing you to ‘kill a few birds here with just a single stone.’
Occupying more or less the size of a football field – if not more – this parking depot is flat, very well paved and has tons of options for you to‘hole up for the night.’ Once you exit I55 / I74, you’ll be turning into this particular parking lot within 1 minute from exiting the main turnpike by heading west on US Highway 150. This main thoroughfare running east and west is one of the main arteries coursing through Bloomington-Normal, which is home to Illinois State University. That being said, trust me, this is not an ideal access point to be introduced to this central Illinois city as this particular vantage point is down-trodden with both a neighborhood and surrounding retail outlets that have certainly seen better days, but this is really what you’ll discover on the east side of I55/ I74. Where you find yourself at this particular big blue box retailer on the western side of the interstate highway is more prairieland as well as peace& quiet. You’ll want to stay on the southern and westernmost periphery of this enclosed parking lot, which will keep you away from all of the traffic zipping in and out of here.
Should you need to stock up on anything for your trip, this Walmart Supercenter should have it, but if you want something better, there is an Aldi’s next door as well as a Family Dollar and Pilot Travel Center due east of where you are currently parked as well as some local markets like Red& Blue Grocery, Lupita’s Hispanic Shop and One Stop Market. Apart from the low rent hotels and motels that you’ll find in abundance east of I55/ I74, you’ll also encounter no shortage of fast-food joints like McDonald’s, KFC, Arby’s, Wendy’s, Culver’s and Taco Bell. But life is short, and if like me, every bite counts, and you don’t mind a short 20-minute drive, you can indulge on either Portillo’s for its awesome cake shake, crinkle cut fries and Italian beef+ Italian sausage sandwich or Giardano’s for its famed deep dish Chicago pizza.
Insider’s tips? Here’s a few: (1) If you are traveling with kids, for a decent 2 hour diversion, check out the nearby Children’s Discovery Museum, which will be sure to keep the tykes distracted; (2) Further afield, if you want to experience some really great fishing or kayaking then head north where you will discover Comlara Park, about 20– 25 minutes north of where you’re parked; and (3) Should ‘späzerengehen’ is on your list of things to do, then there is some excellent trail hiking further south of Bloomington in a magical estate called Allerton Park, which features a preserved estate, random beautiful statues and undisturbed flora and fauna, however from where you are at is a 40 minute drive south, but very well worth it.
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: 5
Safety & Security: 4
Quality: 4
Peace & Quiet: 3
Amenities: 2
Overall, I scored this location a 4.
Happy Overnighting!
