All A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
Reviews

7 Safe Places to Sleep in Your Car

Rest stops are one of the safest places to spend a night in a car legally if your state allows it.

7 Safe Places to Sleep in Your Car

Sleeping in your car becomes inevitable when you are on a long trip and on a low budget to afford a hotel room to settle in for the night. Hence, your next option is sleeping in your car.

However, sleeping in the car to pass the night usually comes with safety challenges, especially in areas you haven’t been to prior to this stranded night.

Hence, it becomes essential to know safe places to park and sleep in your car.

Here are seven safe places to sleep in your car:

1Walmart

Walmart

If you have seen campervans and RVs permanently set up in Walmart, you are likely to ask how they managed to get there. This is because the law makes it legal to do so. Virtually every state in the USA allows its residents to sleep in their cars at any Walmart parking lots.

Gladly, Walmarts are not hard to find and are safe in every state in the USA. This gives you the relief that you can park your car and sleep inside it without any authority knocking on your car window to challenge you.

Parking and sleeping in your car in a Walmart has many advantages, such as access to a well-lit parking space, provision of security, and availability of bathrooms to use.

However, sleeping in your car at a Walmart parking lot comes with the disadvantage of having to wake up early so customers won’t disturb you.

2Casino’s

Casino’s

Another safe place to sleep in your car is the Casino. These places are well lit in with optimal security to keep you and your items secure.

Though there is no evidence that all casinos allow folks to park and sleep in their cars overnight, many in Las Vegas allow people to pass the night in their cars. If you do not know if the one you have just found gives such permission, you can ask from people around or their workers.

One factor that gives the impression that you will be allowed to sleep in your car in a casino is that most of their customers spend the night with them and sleep in their cars overnight.

3Rest Stops

Rest Stops

There are chances that you have passed many rest stops when driving. You can leverage these stops when looking for somewhere to sleep at night.

All states allow travelers to stop at rest stops and sleep in their cars. Besides this, these places are safe without the fear of intruders coming to disturb you. Also, there are bathrooms to use, and if you are lucky, you may meet a volunteer who may offer to serve tea the next morning.

4Welcome Information Centers

Welcome Information Centers

A welcome information center is usually located at every state line. You can utilize their parking lots to your advantage by parking there and set your bed in your car to keep you for the night.

One reason you are likely to like this place is the privacy you get, as not everyone thinks of going there to sleep in their car. Another advantage of using this place is that you will have the opportunity to meet their staff from whom you can learn more about the area.

5Bureau of Land Management’s Land

Bureau of Land Management’s Land

The Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) land has space for people to park their cars and sleep. The space is large enough that you can pitch your tent without any caution from the authority.

Using this land is not only safe but also free to use. However, it is demanded of you to pack all your items and leave no traces after using the land. Violating this law may get you into trouble with the authority.

6Shopping Malls’ and Grocery Stores’ Parking Lots

Shopping Malls’ and Grocery Stores’ Parking Lots

Virtually all shopping malls and grocery stores have parking lots. You can locate one around where the night meets you. These lots, like other places on the list, are safe to park and sleep. One of the advantages of using any of these places is how you can use their bathroom in the morning to freshen up. Also, there are many of them around you that you can easily find one.

However, it is worth noting that not all these places allow people to park and sleep in their cars overnight.

7City Street Parking

City Street Parking

Another place to consider when looking for a safe place to sleep in your car is a city street parking.

However, while this is free to use, it is crucial to ensure that there is adequate security in the place.

Also, ensure that it is legal to use the particular city street parking you are about to rest for the night, as not all states allow sleeping in the car at a city street parking.

The Bottom Line

If you are on a low budget to afford a hotel where you can sleep for the night to continue your journey the next morning, looking for a free and safe place to sleep is essential. Here are seven safe places to sleep in your car.

RELATED: 10 Safety Tips for Sleeping in Your Car

References
[1] ^ Finder.com: Is it Illegal to Sleep in your Car? (Sleeping in your car Laws by State)
You May Also Like
5 Tips for Sleeping in Your Car in Summer
Is it Illegal to Sleep in Your Car Drunk?
5 Safety Tips for Babies Sleeping in Car Seats
10 Safety Tips for Sleeping in Your Car
Rank Company Country
#1 Volkswagen logoVolkswagen Germany
#2 Toyota logoToyota Japan
#3 Honda logoStellantis Netherlands
#4 Mercedes-Benz Group logoMercedes-Benz Group Germany
#5 Ford logoFord Motor United States
Rank Company Country
#1 Michelin logoMichelin France
#2 Bridgestone logoBridgestone Japan
#3 Continental logoContinental Germany
#4 Goodyear logoGoodyear United States
#5 Sumitomo logoSumitomo Japan