Driving when you are tired can be just as dangerous as driving while intoxicated. An exhausted driver is a risk to everyone on the road and if your eyes feel heavy behind the wheel, do not keep driving. Whether you are worn out from a long drive or you can’t find a motel for the night, you may consider sleeping in your car.
Sleeping in your car is not illegal but only certain places allow overnight parking. Can you sleep in your car at a rest stop or truck stop? Truck stops and rest stops are open for use 24 hours a day.
In this article, we answer your questions about sleeping in your car at a rest stop and we share some important safety tips you should know about if you are considering spending the night in your car.
You may think truck stops are just for trucks but car drivers can use these spaces too. Truck and rest stops have a gas station and plenty of parking spots. As truck spots are built with working truckers in mind, there are often shower and toilet facilities too.
Despite what the name suggests, car drivers can use truck stop facilities and park there overnight if needed. Often truck and rest stops offer free parking but it is always important to check if the stop you want to use has any overnight charges.
Whether you just need a 30-minute power nap or plan to spend the whole night in your car, truck and rest stops are a good option for you to park up and catch some shut-eye.
The majority of states in the US do not prohibit overnight parking at rest and truck stops. However, some states have set time limits that vehicles are allowed to stay parked for.
For example, in the state of California you can only park for 8 hours and in South Dakota commercial vehicles can use the stops for 10 hours but cars are only allowed a 3-hour stay.
When planning your journey, remember to check the rules for the state you plan to stop in (a full list of state laws for truck stops can be found on the Boondocker ‘s Bible website).
Depending on what state you are in, you may not need to stress about the cops telling you to move on while you try to sleep in your car at a truck stop. However, no matter where you are in the country there are some essential precautions you should take to keep yourself safe while sleeping in your car.
Driving when you are tired is very dangerous and it is not worth the risk. Whilst a night in a motel is the best option for sleepy drivers traveling away from home, sometimes a bed for the night isn’t available. If you must sleep in your car at a truck stop or rest stop, it is important that you follow this important safety advice:
It is not nice to plan for the worst-case scenario but if you are spending the night in your car then you are putting yourself at risk. It is important you let a loved one know your location for the night, this way if something happens to you or your car, friends, and family know where you are and can potentially get you help.
There is no denying that sleeping in your car puts you in a vulnerable position. To make yourself as safe as possible, park your car in a spot close to security cameras.
Parking next to visible surveillance cameras will hopefully discourage any criminals from trying to attack you or cause damage to your car. Also, if the worst does happen and you find yourself the victim of a crime, there will likely be video evidence to help convict the perpetrators.
This safety precaution applies for sleeping in your car anywhere, not just in truck stops. If you leave your engine running while your car is stationary and you are asleep, you are putting yourself at risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.
Any undetected leaks from the engine could result in harmful exhaust fumes circulating around the car. Carbon monoxide has no odor and if you inhale it you will quickly be poisoned. Breathing in carbon monoxide can be fatal as you may not realize what is happening before it is too late.
Lock yourself inside your car in order to keep yourself and your belongings as safe as possible while you sleep.
Try not to leave any possessions out in full view of potential thieves. Put your phone, wallet, jewelry, and any other belongings out of sight. Keep your credit cards and any other small valuables – your phone, for example – on your person so you know where they are at all times while you sleep in your car.
If you do find yourself in a situation where someone is trying to attack you, you will fare much better if you have a safety defense device to hand. When you are planning your road trip, if you know you will be spending nights alone in a truck stop, make sure you pack as many gadgets as possible to keep you safe.
Pepper spray can help fend off attackers, as can a stun gun. You may feel safer and have more peace of mind if you also carry a rape alarm, this small device can scare off attackers and alert other people using the rest stop that you are in trouble and need help immediately.
Try and get a good feel of the truck stop before hunkering down for the night. You don’t have to make friends with all the truckers you are sharing the space with but it is a good idea to keep a close eye on any shady characters you may notice.
If you are getting a bad vibe from any other drivers or truckers, drive away and find another rest stop where you feel safe. You don’t have to be constantly on edge, you need your rest after all, but it is important you are aware of the other vehicles and people around you.
If you want a peaceful sleep you are going to need your privacy. Before you get comfortable for your rest, cover the windows with clothes or car blinds that can be attached with suction pads.
Covering the windows will give you privacy from other drivers using the rest stop and will also help to keep the sunlight out if you are trying to have a nap during the day.
Sleeping in the bright lights isn’t always easy but staying overnight in your car in the dark can be dangerous. If the light bothers you remember you can cover your windows and even wear an eye mask if you want to. Sleeping in the dark side of the parking lot is not worth the risk.
Thieves and attackers are more likely to target cars that are out of sight in dimly lit areas. If you park under a streetlamp or near the lights of the gas station, other people in the rest stop will be able to see anyone approaching your car and may even come over to your rescue.
Well-lit areas are often enough of a deterrent for thieves as the risk of getting caught is much higher.
Sleeping in a truck or rest stop is not advisable if you are on your own in a car but it is important to remember that some areas are safer than others. It is much safer for you to pull over and have a nap at a truck stop than it is to keep driving and risk falling asleep behind the wheel.
You can keep yourself as safe as possible by following all of the tips we have shared above and many drivers do spend the night in truck stops without any problems at all.
Different states have different laws on how long you can stay at a truck stop. All rest and truck stops are open 24 hours a day but in some states, there are time limits put in place.
For example, in Florida commercial vehicles are able to use a rest stop for 10 hours but all other vehicles can stay for only 3 hours. Many states have no time limit but it is always important to check before you arrive.
If you drive an RV you can stay overnight at a truck stop unless there are signs up stating overnight parking for RVs is prohibited. If you can not find a campsite for the night, a truck stop may be your only option. Camping is illegal in rest and truck stops but parking overnight is not.
To prevent getting in trouble with the cops for camping, make sure you do not put out any deck chairs, BBQs, or other camping equipment. It is also important to remember that truck stops are primarily for working truckers, you do not want to take up valuable space for these workers if you can help it.
If you need to sleep in your car you can do so in several different places. Anywhere with a 24-hour parking lot is a good option for an hour or two of shut-eye in your backseat. Just be sure to check for signs stating sleeping is not prohibited in these areas.
Walmart parking lots are a good option as they are large and often well-lit. You could also park your car in a casino parking lot, there will likely be security guards nearby and security cameras if you are concerned for your safety.
Drivers can also sleep in their car legally at truck stops and rest stops, just check the state rules on how long you can park there.
You should not sleep in your car at a gas station. It is not safe as there are many cars coming and going and your vehicle will not be safely parked at a gas station.
However, you can park in a parking lot near a gas station, for example at a truck stop or rest stop. Parking near a gas station can be useful as you can get any food and drink supplies you need and the gas station may also have a restroom if you need it.
Wherever you choose to sleep in your car you will be making yourself vulnerable. Unless your car is parked up inside your locked garage, you will never be able to guarantee your safety while sleeping in your car. That being said, you should be fine sleeping in your car in a rest area.
Follow the safety advice we have shared in this article and you will be as safe as possible while sleeping in your car at a rest area.
Yes, you can sleep in a Walmart parking lot. However, if you want to avoid getting into any trouble with the store manager or the cops, it is always best practice to get permission to sleep in your car at Walmart.
If you know you are going to need to sleep in your car for the night and Walmart is your best option, call the store ahead of time to get permission to spend the night there.
You should never sleep in your car at the side of the road. When you are parked near a road, you are putting your life at risk. Cars driving on the road may swerve into your parked car or an accident may happen close by that can cause damage to your parked vehicle.
Parking up on the side of the road to sleep is not a good idea – at best you luckily make it through the night with no mishaps, but at worst a car traveling at speed crashes into you while you sleep.
If you need to sleep in your car, the good news is car drivers can sleep in their vehicle at a truck stop or rest stop. Before sleeping in a truck stop, make sure that you check the state laws for how long you can legally stay in these areas.
Sleeping in your car can be risky, follow all the safety advice in this article to keep yourself as safe as possible. Remember, driving while you are tired is very dangerous and other road users will thank you for keeping everyone safe by pulling into a truck stop for a rest.
