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Where can you legally sleep in your car?
I’m going on a three-month road trip across the U.S., and I’m pretty excited about it. After doing the math, I figured I could cut down on costs if I slept in my car part of the time. I’m just not sure where I can legally do so. Where can I sleep without getting hassled by Johnny Law or business owners?
Eric Schad · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
As far as state laws go, you can legally sleep in your car anywhere, provided it’s not on private property or prohibited by signage or local law. This is essentially just legal jargon for saying it’s legal to sleep in your car.
However, every state has different laws regarding sleeping in your car, and more specifically, when and where you can sleep in your car. For example:
- 14 states don’t let you sleep overnight in a rest area.
- Some states have designated overnight parking areas.
- Walmart is a famous spot for sleeping in your car, but it’s technically illegal, as it’s private property (although you’re unlikely to be hassled by employees or management).
- Certain cities, counties, and municipalities may ban sleeping in your car within their boundaries. Key West is a notable inclusion on this list.
- Some states have time limits for how long you can park in a rest stop, ranging from three to 24 hours.
Because of the variance of laws, conducting a bit of research on sleeping in your car while you’re planning could save you time, money, and a headache.
Since you’re embarking on a lengthy road trip, do yourself a favor and
pack an emergency kit
. As a fail-safe for any worst-case scenarios, you can also add roadside assistance or towing and labor coverage to your car insurance policy.And if you haven’t done so already, now is the perfect time to review your car insurance policy. If your rate has gone up or you just want to see other prices and insurers available, download the
Jerry
app.Jerry is a licensed insurance broker that will collect personalized 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.
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- Gregory R.
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Jerry partners with more than 50 insurance companies, but our content is independently researched, written, and fact-checked by our team of editors and agents. We aren’t paid for reviews or other content.
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