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Is it illegal to sleep in your car in California?
I grew up in San Diego. While I’ve been to other places in the U.S., I’ve never actually explored my home state. I’m planning to road trip across California for two months. To cut costs, I’m going to sleep in my car. Is it legal to sleep in your car in California?
Eric Schad · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
That sounds like an epic road trip! In two months, you can see quite a bit of your home state! Since you want to cut costs, you’ll be pleased to know that it is not illegal to sleep in your car in
California
.However, the state does have two notable laws:
- You can’t sleep or park in a rest area for more than eight hours
- It’s illegal to park on the side of the freeway for sleeping or any other reason other than an emergency
Local law may also impact your ability to sleep in your car. Some cities and counties ban sleeping in your car unless you’re in a designated area. Do some research to find out where you can sleep in your car during your planning phase.
Before you set off on your journey, plan ahead by
packing an emergency kit
and getting roadside assistance or towing and labor coverage
.And if you haven’t done so already, make sure you have a car insurance policy to protect you while you’re cruising around California. If you want to save a bit more money for your trip, shop around for insurance with the
Jerry
app.Jerry is a licensed insurance broker that will collect quotes from top-rated insurers in minutes. After you find a great rate, Jerry can help you buy new insurance and cancel your old policy. Users save an average of $887 per year.
View full answer
- Gregory R.
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