Harry Gibson on January 5, 2023 No Comments
Occasionally, some people find the idea of sleeping in the car very appropriate. This is usually because of driving fatigue. Most people on road trips also prefer sleeping in their cars to save money. Where can I sleep in my car legally and is it even legal to sleep in a car? The answer to this question is very simple, there are several places where you can legally sleep in your car. And yes, in some states it is legal to sleep in your car.
The question of where to sleep in your car legally depends on your circumstances and your location. Where you decide to sleep can influence who will wake you up the following day. As stated above it is legal to sleep in your car but at the same time, it is also illegal to sleep in your car if you park it at a place that is considered illegal to park and sleep overnight.
Federal law doesn’t make it illegal to sleep in cars. But still, some of the US states have local laws in place to stop or control sleeping in cars overnight. It is therefore necessary to be observant of legalities so that you can be confident to navigate your way to legal resting places without being bothered by the authority.
To sleep legally in your car, ensure to park your car in a non-dangerous location from other road vehicles and in a secured area.
Contents of this article entail
- Reasons
- Rest Stops
- Walmart
- BML Lands
- City Street
- Religious Buildings
- Stores and Restaurants
- Safety Tips
Where Can I Sleep In My Car Legally: Reasons
Not every person chooses to sleep in their car. There are several reasons drivers end up sleeping in their vehicles. Some people sleep in their cars because of driving fatigue. Some sleep in their cars because they are drunk. Other drivers also sleep in their cars because it is free and time-efficient.
Sometimes, the lack of affordable housing forces some people to sleep in their cars. Some people also consider sleeping in their cars to cut hotel bills. Sleeping in a car also guarantees protection from viral outbreaks and also from harsh weather elements.
Here are some of the places where you can park and sleep in your car legally.
Where Can I Sleep In My Car Legally: Rest Stops
Rest stops are parking areas that are located along major routes on highways. They are designed to give travelers and drivers a place to take a break from a long day’s drive. Sleeping in a rest stop will depend on the state you are in. Not all US states allow people to park and sleep in their cars at a rest stop.
Rest stops are one of the safest places to spend a night in a car legally if your state allows it. It is the first place that will come to your mind if you are planning to sleep in your car legally overnight.
Advantages Of Rest Stops
Most rest stops have limited access since the only way to get in and out of a rest stop is from the highway. This means that there is only one way in and out of the rest stop. This makes it less attractive to many people like thieves and robbers.
Another advantage of a rest stop is that it is very difficult to go unnoticed. Generally, most rest stops are small in size, this makes it easy for people to maintain a watch on their cars. Rest stops also have nighttime lighting plus security officers. This makes it very difficult for criminals to get into your vehicle without being noticed.
Most of the rest stops are also monitored by the camera. The ones that receive a high volume of traffic and the ones that are located along the interstates are all monitored by CCTV cameras. This implies that every activity going on in this area is recorded.
Disadvantages Of Rest Stops
The common disadvantage of staying at the rest stop is that it is very difficult to find privacy. Because many drivers are coming in and out and since the rest stops are smaller in size, it becomes very difficult to find privacy in your car.
The truck drivers can also be very unruly. This is also another disadvantage of staying at the rest stops. Some of the truck drivers can get angry by RVs drivers taking up the precious parking lanes.
Where Can I Sleep In My Car Legally: Walmart
It is completely legal to sleep in your car at Walmart parking lots overnight. However, not all Walmart will allow you to park and sleep in your car in their parking lots since there is no cooperative-wide policy of allowing drivers to sleep in their parking lots.
Walmart is one of the most easy-to-find legal places to sleep in your car overnight. With its lighting and security, it is also the most secured place to park and sleep in your car for only one night. The common advantage of staying at Walmart’s parking lots is that you will get access to Wi-Fi since most of them have got free Wi-Fi.
The only thing one can consider as a disadvantage of Walmart parking lots is the well-lit area that can deprive you of sleep and give you more trouble getting to sleep.
Where Can I Sleep In My Car Legally: Casinos
Another place that you can sleep in your car legally is at casino parking lots. Casinos are always open 24 hours. So there is no doubt about security and safety because there are security officers who are patrolling all night long. Additionally, security cameras are available in the casino parking lots.
Many casinos in Las Vegas allow drivers to park in their parking lots and spend their night in their cars. Casinos are well lit in with optimal security to keep you safe and secure all night.
Apart from security, the other advantage of staying at the casino’s parking lots is that you will be able to get access to bathroom facilities and the availability of food. For those who like gambling, that will be another added advantage for you.
The only disadvantage of staying at the casino is that your movement will be somehow restricted. You won’t be able to get in and out of your car as you desire. Since you will be drawing too much attention to your situation and you may be told to move on.
Where Can I Sleep In My Car Legally: Welcome Information Centers
Generally, Welcome Information Centers are located at each borderline. It is legal and safe to sleep at the parking lots of the Welcome Information Centers. These places normally have a good-sized parking lot that you can park and sleep in your car legally overnight.
Advantages Of Staying At Welcome Information Centers
The first advantage of staying at Welcome Information Centers overnight is that you will be able to get the privacy you need since they are not popular for people when looking for camping areas and not so many drivers get to go there to sleep in their cars.
Another advantage of staying at this place is that you will be able to get the opportunity to talk to the staff of whom will be giving you details that you may need to know about the particular region you are in.
You will also be able to obtain free maps of the state’s highlights. As a new person in that area, you will also be able to learn more about things to do and things that you are not supposed to do in the area once it is open the following day.
Disadvantages Of Staying At Welcome Information Centers
The only disadvantage of sleeping at the Welcome Information Centers is that you won’t be able to get access to the bathroom facilities until in the morning when the center is opened. So make sure to use the bathrooms before you get to sleep.
Where Can I Sleep In My Car Legally: BML Lands
Most Bureau Management Lands (BML) has enough space for people to park, sleep in their cars overnight, and even camp. This means that it is 100% legal, safe, and secure to sleep at the BML lands.
Parking and sleeping in your car at the BML land is not only safe but is also totally free. Any person who wants to spend their nights in the car can use them. However, it is demanded that after using this land, you should pack out all your items and leave no clue so that you shouldn’t get into a problem with the authorities.
The BML land’s surrounding offers natural, beautiful, peaceful, and open spaces for you to enjoy staying in overnight.
Where Can I Sleep In My Car Legally: Shopping Malls And Grocery Stores Parking Lots
Approximately, all shopping malls and grocery stores have parking lots. Shopping malls and grocery stores parking lots are secure and safe to park and enjoy your sleep in your car. They are well lit and some of them even have security cameras for safety factors. Some malls and stores are legal but some do not allow people to stay in their parking lots. There is no policy of allowing people to sleep in their cars at the mall’s parking lots.
The most common advantage of staying in these places is that you will be able to get access to their bathrooms and restrooms to freshen up in the morning.
You should be aware that not all shopping malls and grocery stores are safe. Robbers and thieves can sometimes target your car with the assumption that it is not occupied.
Where Can I Sleep In My Car Legally: City Street Parking
City street or city designated parking lots is a place that is designed for parking. Another legal place to think of when searching for a safe place to park and sleep in your car is the city street parking. Even though parking in the city street parking is free, it is important to ensure that there is enough security in that area.
You should also be aware that not all city street parking allows sleeping in a car so you should ensure first that the specific city street is legal to use.
Depending on the city you are visiting it is in all probability safe to sleep in the city street. The only advantage is that sleeping on the city street is free.
The common disadvantage of sleeping at the city street is very risky since not all city streets have enough security. Another disadvantage is that the city street is always a noisy environment with pedestrians continually walking and also the loud traffic noise. With all this, it will be very difficult to fall asleep. You will also not get access to bathroom and restroom facilities.
Where Can I Sleep In My Car Legally: Police Station
Police stations are public offices that run 24/7. Wondering if sleeping in your car at the police station’s parking lots is legal? Yes, it is very legal. This is the most secure place to spend your night inside your car overnight. This is because there are police officers around plus the security cameras in this area.
While thinking to spend the night in your at the police station’s parking lots, you should first go and check with the police officer on duty if they can allow you to park and sleep in your car at their parking lots. Also, keep in mind that they will need your details so be ready to run them through the system.
The good thing about staying at the police station’s parking lot is that the place is much more secure with officers around and it is free.
The disadvantage of staying at the police station’s parking lots is that you won’t get access to their facilities like the bathrooms unless they offer it up for you.
Where Can I Sleep In My Car Legally: Religious Buildings
Religious buildings for example mosques, churches, and temples are also one of the places that you can park your car and sleep in your car legally. Some of the religious buildings are located on public lands while some are located on private lands so it is good to first ask for permission if they can allow you to park and sleep in your car at their parking lots before parking.
Depending on locations, some religious buildings are well lit but there is no security personnel. Large religious buildings have large, and well-lit parking lots with security personnel but some of the small religious buildings may not be having any of these.
Where Can I Sleep In My Car Legally: Hotel Parking Lots
Hotels in different states are used to visitors coming in and going out. They are also used to different cars parking in their parking lots. The hotel’s parking lots are also one of the great places to park and sleep in your car overnight legally.
You should select an unnoticeable space away from the entrance and stay stuck in your car. It is not illegal to sleep in your car at the hotel’s parking lots but still, you can be moved on. Depending on the owner of the hotel, you may or may not pay the parking fee since some of these hotels are on private lands.
Where Can I Sleep In My Car Legally: Stores And Restaurants
Some national retailers and restaurants allow people to park in their parking lots and sleep in their cars overnight. You should always call ahead if you are planning to spend your night in your car at the restaurant’s parking lots and confirm with the management if they will allow you to park and sleep in your car at their parking lots before parking.
You should also ask them to show you the specific place to park your car before parking.
Where Can I Sleep In My Car Legally: Rural Neighbourhoods
It is usually good to avoid big city streets and main roads where you will find metered parking lots and also avoid some parking places that are highly sought. Parking and sleeping in some rural areas in the neighborhoods where people park their cars outside their homes can be either a great or horrible idea depending on the laws of the particular region.
So if you want to park and sleep in rural areas then you should consider looking for vacant parking lots on the rural street or woody areas with few homes around.
Where Can I Sleep In My Car Legally: Safety Tips
Sleeping in your vehicle is a good substitute for car camping. While car camping needs one to put up a tent, sleeping in your car only requires you to prepare a comfortable bed inside your vehicle. To sleep comfortably in your vehicle, you will require these safety tips which will help you make the safest and the most secure night.
Locate A Safe Parking Space
This is the first most important thing to do. You should first locate the safest and legal place to park your car. To know if the place you are parking your vehicle is safe for you to sleep overnight, you should always consider using a Google map to know the legal and safe places.
You should be sure if the place is legal with nothing to disturb your privacy. You should also be sure that there are no intruders and thieves around. This means that the place should be secured with security officers.
Set Up A Warm Bed
After you have located a safe, and legal parking space, you should consider setting up a bed. Since you are going to go to sleep in your car, making a warm comfortable bed inside your vehicle can be a good deal. To make them comfortable, you should recline both the front and rear passengers’ seats and put them into a bed with a sleeping mattress and sleeping bag.
Text Your Location To Friends And Families
Even though this may sound alarming, it is the best thing to do since you never know what might happen to you. So make sure to test your location to your trusted friends and families before sleeping.
Turn Off The Engine
Leaving the engine of your vehicle running may cause more harm. The air inside your car will be contaminated with carbon monoxide which is a very hazardous gas to your health.
Open The Window A Bit
Circulation of air is very important so to allow fresh air to flow in and breathe while sleeping, you should leave your car’s window a bit open.
Cover The Window For Privacy
Everybody loves privacy. This should always be your number one priority when sleeping in your vehicle. One of the ways to get your privacy is to hang some clothes on the car’s window so that you won’t be seeing outside watching you sleep in your car.
Stay Out Of Sight
When sleeping in your car, you always want to be unnoticeable. To avoid attracting attention from other people outside, you should probably stay out of sight. Always remember that once you are inside your vehicle, then you are stuck there till the following morning. Consider using the bathrooms before going to sleep.
You should also carry your earplugs with you since you don’t know whether you will find a safe quiet area or a noisy area to park your car and sleep.
Get Something To Entertain Yourself
A night in your car can be a very long night if you ask me. You should always make sure that you have some entertainment options with you. It could be anything from your smartphone to some of your favorite books.
Always remember not to sleep with the car climate controls on since this can burn the gas and drain the battery. This can make you breathe in the discharges while sleeping. Also, remember to park your car near a light pole in a shade. This helps your vehicle to stay cooler. You should also avoid parking and sleeping on the roadsides since it is not safe. Do not sleep with your doors open.
These safety tips will always help you to stay safe while sleeping in your car so don’t ignore them.
Where Can I Sleep In My Car Legally: Final Thoughts
In this article, we have only discussed some of the known places where you can sleep in your car legally without being harassed by the authorities. You should now feel free to go for road trips and adventures without worrying about where to sleep. Locating these places is not difficult, with Google Maps, you will be set to go and find these places where you can sleep in your car overnight.
