Walmart — Hamilton Supercenter

Located just off I-295 along Nottingham Way, this sprawling Walmart Supercenter offers a convenient overnight option for road-weary travelers passing through the Trenton area. The expansive, paved parking lot accommodates hundreds of vehicles, with plenty of room to maneuver larger RVs and trailers. Situated in a busy suburban commercial corridor, the setting isn't particularly scenic, but the easy interstate access, ample parking and full-service Supercenter make it a practical place to settle in for the night. The outer reaches of the lot are worth considering for a little breathing room away from the busiest customer parking areas.

HIGHLIGHTS: (1) Enormous paved parking lot with approximately 620 spaces and generous maneuvering room; (2) Excellent proximity to I-295, making this a convenient stopover for travelers navigating central New Jersey; (3) Well-lit parking areas that provide some welcome visibility after dark; (4) Full-service Walmart Supercenter featuring groceries, fresh produce, bakery, deli and practically every forgotten travel essential imaginable; and (5) Convenient access to the surrounding Hamilton and Trenton communities without venturing far from the interstate. 

LOWLIGHTS: (1) Busy suburban surroundings mean some traffic noise and commercial activity are inevitable; (2) No RV hookups, dump station or dedicated camping facilities, so self-contained rigs are the name of the game; (3) Limited greenery, shade and privacy throughout this decidedly unromantic sea of asphalt; (4) Store closes at 11 PM, eliminating access to restrooms and shopping until 6 AM; and (5) The sprawling parking lot can attract considerable daytime customer traffic, particularly around the main entrance and shopping-cart corrals. 

Happy Overnighting!

Conveniently located just a few stone’s throw from I295, you’ll reach this particular Walmart Supercenter within 2 minutes of exiting this major highway. And while that stretch of Nottingham Way isn’t the most pleasant of eyescapes, when you arrive here at this big blue box wholesaler, there’s a decent swath of pleasing natural haven surrounding this retail complex. While this medium-sized Walmart isn’t the most spacious or the newest, you’ll find decent vacancy(mostly away from the front of the storefront) and very level parking accommodations along with solid lighting for overnight parking adding to the sense of security you’ll feel here.

With the Seward Johnson Center for the Arts as the anchor to this lush natural retreat, you’ll also find this smorgasbord of outdoor cornucopia offers up fairgrounds gardens, Deciduous Conifer Collection, Sculpture Grounds, Bamboo Observation Tower Hedgerooms, Water Garde, Motor Exhibits Building, scattered ponds and various picnic areas surrounded by woodlands. This lakeside refuge also offers up tons of trails to hike& bike and is perfect for anyone touring around with their furry friends who might need a quick escape after being on the 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: 5 

Safety & Security: 4 

Quality: 4 

Peace & Quiet: 4 

Amenities: 4 

Overall, I scored this location a 4. 

Happy Overnighting!