Long road trips call for ample amounts of rest. Coming across a rest stop on your journey may seem like the obvious answer when planning where to spend the night. After all, it is the most affordable option, and it’s right there (no hotel reservation required).
However, depending on what state you are traveling through, you could be out of luck–as some rest stops don’t permit overnight parking. These rest stops are only intended to be rest areas for drivers needing a few hours of shut-eye (not a full eight hours).
If you are traveling in your car or RV and heading out on a long trip, we will answer all your questions before you pull into a rest stop–only to have to turn around.
Can You Sleep at a Rest Stop?
Sleeping overnight at a rest stop in an RV or a vehicle is permitted in some states, but regulations and parking time limits are typically set. For example, California allows up to eight hours of rest time, whereas Colorado and Virginia prohibit overnight parking at rest stops entirely.
States That Allow Sleeping Overnight in Rest Stops
The majority of states allow drivers to sleep overnight at rest stops. However, it is imperative that you check local restrictions or any signs posted at the rest stop. There are almost always time limits of one night or 8-12 hours.
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California: Drivers are subject to an 8-hour limit within any 24-hour period.
- Connecticut
- Delaware: Limited to 8 hours at Route 13 rest area; I-95 Welcome Center allows overnight stays.
- Georgia
- Idaho: 10-hour limit on interstates; 16-hour limit on state highways.
- Indiana
- Iowa: Drivers are allowed to park overnight for less than 24 hours.
- Kansas: Drivers must abide by the 24-hour limit; many rest areas have RV loops.
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Michigan
- Minnesota: Drivers are subject to a 4-hour limit for rest areas; overnight parking is only allowed at travel information centers.
- Mississippi: Drivers are permitted to rest for an 8-hour continuous period limit.
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oregon: Drivers are restricted to a 12-hour limit within any 24-hour period.
- Pennsylvania: 2-hour limit at rest areas; 24-hour limit at service plazas on the turnpike.
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah: Allowed with some restrictions; no camping.
- Vermont
- Washington: 8-hour limit within any 24-hour period.
- West Virginia: Overnight parking is permitted in the areas designated areas for RVs at travel plazas.
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Even though these states permit overnight parking at rest stops, it is vital to know the specific rules and limitations in each location.
States with Restrictions on Overnight Parking
Certain states enforce more stringent rules regarding overnight parking at rest stops. For instance, the following states prohibit overnight parking in rest areas:
- Colorado
- Florida: 3-hour stay limit.
- Hawaii
- Illinois: 3-hour stay limit.
- Maryland
- North Carolina
- South Carolina
- Virginia
Additionally, some states completely ban sleeping at rest areas to prevent misuse and ensure safety. Remember that camping (i.e., setting up outdoor amenities) is usually prohibited even in states that allow overnight parking.
This distinction helps manage the rest area’s resources (electricity, water, etc.) and maintains a steady flow of traffic so that campers don’t hog the rest area’s limited parking spaces.
Remember: overnight camping and resting overnight are really two different things.
Understanding Overnight Parking vs. Camping
One of the first things to understand is the difference between overnight parking and camping. Overnight parking entails staying inside your vehicle without setting up any outdoor amenities. This means no chairs, tables, grills, or tents should be outside your vehicle.
You’re simply using the parking space to get some rest before continuing your journey.
Camping, on the other hand, is a more elaborate setup. When you camp, you might:
- Level your RV
- Set up a grill
- Put out lawn chairs
- Extend awnings
- Set up the portable generator to charge batteries
Essentially, camping in a rest area means you’re turning the spot into a temporary home. Therefore, you need amenities that go beyond just parking for the night. This activity is generally prohibited at most rest stops.
Common Questions About Sleeping at Rest Stops
Even when you know a state allows you to stay overnight in your car or RV, you may want to clarify what you’re permitted to do in these parking spaces.
The biggest concern for most RV travelers is legality. As long as you follow time and location restrictions, most states allow you to sleep for one night. Just look for signs posted in and around the rest area building, and you can also check the website of the rest stop if there is one.
Ultimately, the amount of time you can sleep in a rest area varies depending on that particular location’s specific rules and regulations. Most do not allow extended stays.
Another concern travelers have is safety. Many RVers report that sleeping overnight at rest stops is generally safe, but it’s important to trust your instincts. If a location feels unsafe, it’s best to move on to the next rest area or find an alternative place to park.
Overnight parking at rest areas serves an important purpose by helping to keep drowsy drivers off the road. Drowsy driving is a significant risk factor, accounting for about 100,000 crashes each year.
How to Find Suitable Rest Stops for Overnight Parking
Most rest stops have signs posted that indicate whether sleeping is permitted. These signs are typically easy to spot and provide clear guidance on the rest area’s policies.
When planning in detail or spending extended periods on the road, tools like Roadtrippers Premium can be worth the money. This app and website allow you to locate rest areas and other locations that accommodate RVs for overnight stays.
Welcome centers, visitor centers, and service plazas can be good overnight parking options. The great thing about these locations is they often have on-site staff who are ready to help you if you are a tired driver.
Another option to consider is highway rest stops, also known as truck stops (different than a traditional rest stop). These locations are generally open 24 hours a day and offer facilities like showers, food, and fuel.
However, be mindful of the spaces reserved for truckers, as they have strict regulations on their rest periods and need these areas more than RV or car travelers.
Best Practices for Overnight Parking at Rest Stops
Once you know you can park overnight, here are some other things to keep in mind.
- Choose a rest area with good lighting and 24-hour security if possible
- Avoid spots that are reserved for truck drivers
- Use Reflectix in your windows to block out light
- Bring earplugs or a white noise machine to drown out any remaining sounds. However, you won’t want to block out 100% of the noise for safety reasons.
- Staying hitched and keeping all slide-ins in place is also wise, as it allows for a quicker departure in an emergency situation.
Summary
When you have made your way back home, you’ll need a place to store your RV or travel vehicle.
If you don’t have the space or the proper accommodations at your home, consider Neighbor. Neighbor is a peer-to-peer RV and vehicle storage marketplace where you can store your RV in your very own neighborhood. Bonus: Neighbor hosts are pre-screened and offer RV storage that’s up to 50% cheaper than traditional options.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can You Sleep at Rest Stops in the US?
In the US, staying overnight to sleep at a rest stop is legal in most states. However, check local restrictions before sleeping in a parking area.
Can You Stay Overnight in CA at Rest Stops?
California rest stops allow for up to 8 hours of parking at a time.
Is It Okay to Sleep at Truck Stops?
Some truck stops allow parking by vehicles and RVs but only in designated areas.
Can you sleep in Virginia rest areas?
No, Virginia rest areas do not allow sleeping.
Is It Illegal to Sleep in Your Car USA?
In some states, sleeping in your car is illegal. However, most rest areas do allow sleeping in cars or RVs, but you must check local regulations and signs.
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