Costco — Coralville

First things first, while you’ll have to snake around some curves and head down some roads that seemingly don’t end around bends, eventually if you’ve loaded this CostCo into your GPS, you should arrive at your destination 5-7 minutes once exiting I80. And when you do arrive, you’ll be somewhat confused. 

Why you ask? Great question. Because all of the parking is in a parking garage. So, if like me, you asked yourself the question – great, so how do I get my RV in that entrance, as I won’t clear the height restriction. Well, fret not. Instead of going into the garage, head south to where you’ll come across what is easily the most congested CostCo gas station I have ever been to (and for a very good reason because the gas here is also the cheapest I’ve ever found), but if you pass by the gas station and instead head BEHIND this CostCo, you’ll find a nice hidden pavement paradise that is perfect for setting up your overnight stay. 

So not only can you stock up on supplies (albeit in bulk here!), you’ll be pleasantly surprised that this particular location has you protected, both from a noise standpoint but also from a security perspective too, while also offering up a simply beautiful view of the nearby lagoon that offers sweeping views that we’ll have you nearly convinced that you are actually in / near the outdoors here. 

That said, if you are looking for a slice of nature while you are here in central eastern Iowa, then just head due north of this location to the Iowa River, near the Denovian Fossil Gorge, where coincidentally there’s like 10 or so pristine campgrounds that you’ll be upset that you hadn’t discovered first before reading this far down in my review! 

If you’re looking for a bite to eat, fret not, there’s a decent smattering of joints like Steak ‘n Shake, Culver’s, Texas Roadhouse and Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen. But if you want a serious meal that you won’t soon forget, then head on over to Estela’s Fresh Mex, which has amazing ambiance along with some really amazing chimichangas. 

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: 5 

Quality: 4 

Peace & Quiet: 5

Amenities: 4 

Overall, I scored this location a 4.

Happy Overnighting!