Just a thought, for those who can't find a room or afford one, sleeping in your car seems ok. Look for one of the better truck stops, they are stocked with a lot of one serving meals, and for about $5.00 will allow showers. Park under the lights,, good nights sleep for next to nuthing.
I was thinkin the same thing.
Park as close to the entrance of the truckstop as you can AND under a light. Do not park out among the semis or even close if you can help it. One person should stay awake--on watch--all night. It's not usually the truckers that you have to watch out for.
That is what our daughter did several years ago when she drove from the state of WA to AL. She had 2 dogs with her plus a bird.