Is it illegal to sleep in your car?
It can be illegal to sleep in your car depending on the circumstances. Here is everything you need to know about sleeping in your vehicle overnight
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UPDATED: Jun 22, 2022
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Table of Contents
- States have different laws when it comes to sleeping at rest areas and other locations in your vehicle
- You can sleep in your car without any legal issues if you park in a Walmart parking lot or camping area
- There are steps you should take to ensure you’re safe if you choose to sleep in your parked car
Driving long distances or for long periods can be exhausting. While it’s almost always possible to find a hotel to stay in, hotel rooms can be expensive. In this scenario, sleeping in your car sounds like a tempting idea, but it may not be the best idea.
Is sleeping in your car illegal? Just as the minimum car insurance required in each state can vary, rules about sleeping in personal vehicles do too. For example, in certain states, sleeping in your car is illegal, and if you choose to do so, you could end up with a significant fine or worse. However, sleeping in your car in certain areas, like a Walmart parking lot, is legal.
Table of Contents
Is it illegal to sleep in your car?
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If you’re wondering if sleeping in a car is illegal, it all depends on your location. Each state has rules concerning whether parking in a public area and sleeping in your vehicle is prohibited.
The table below shows overnight parking laws in each state.
State State Parking Rules
Alabama -Parking overnight at rest stops is prohibited.
-Parking on highways is not allowed.
-Intoxicated drivers can be arrested for sleeping in their cars.
- Various cities have bans on sleeping in the car.
Alaska -Laws are city-specific.
Arizona -Overnight parking is allowed at rest stops.
-Drivers can be arrested for sleeping in their cars while intoxicated.
Arkansas -Overnight parking at rest stops is allowed.
California -Overnight parking at rest stops is prohibited.
-Overnight parking is only allowed in certain parking lots.
Colorado -Parking overnight at rest stops is prohibited.
-Overnight parking in certain lots is allowed.
-Intoxicated drivers can be arrested for sleeping in their cars.
-Parking on a highway is prohibited.
Connecticut -Parking overnight at a rest stop is prohibited.
Delaware -Parking overnight at a rest stop is prohibited.
Florida -Parking overnight at a rest stop is prohibited.
-Intoxicated drivers can be arrested for sleeping in their cars.
Georgia -Parking overnight at a rest stop is prohibited.
Hawaii -Parking overnight at a rest stop is prohibited.
-Sleeping in your vehicle is prohibited.
-Drivers cannot park overnight on private property without permission.
Idaho -Parking overnight at a rest stop is allowed.
Illinois -Parking overnight at a rest stop is prohibited.
Indiana -Parking overnight at a rest stop is prohibited.
Iowa -Parking overnight at a rest stop is allowed for one night only.
Kansas -Parking overnight at a rest stop is allowed for one night only.
Kentucky -Parking overnight at a rest stop is prohibited.
Louisiana -Parking overnight at a rest stop is prohibited.
Maine -Parking overnight at a rest stop is prohibited.
Maryland -Parking overnight at a rest stop is prohibited.
Massachusetts -Parking overnight at a rest stop is prohibited.
Michigan -Parking overnight at a rest stop is prohibited.
Minnesota -Parking overnight at a rest stop is prohibited.
Missouri -Parking overnight at a rest stop is allowed.
Montana -Parking overnight at a rest stop is allowed.
Nebraska -Parking overnight at a rest stop is prohibited.
Nevada -Parking overnight at a rest stop is allowed.
New Hampshire -Parking overnight at a rest stop is prohibited.
New Jersey -Parking overnight at a rest stop is allowed at some rest stops.
New Mexico -Parking overnight at a rest stop is allowed.
New York -Parking overnight at a rest stop is prohibited.
North Carolina -Parking overnight at a rest stop is prohibited.
North Dakota -Parking overnight at a rest stop is allowed.
Ohio -Parking overnight at a rest stop is prohibited.
Oklahoma -Parking overnight at a rest stop is allowed.
Oregon -Parking overnight at a rest stop is prohibited.
Pennsylvania -Parking overnight at a rest stop is prohibited.
Rhode Island -Parking overnight at a rest stop is prohibited.
South Carolina -Parking overnight at a rest stop is prohibited.
South Dakota -Parking overnight at a rest stop is prohibited.
Tennessee -Parking overnight at a rest stop is prohibited.
Texas -Parking overnight at a rest stop is allowed.
Utah -Parking overnight at a rest stop is prohibited.
Vermont -Parking overnight at a rest stop is prohibited.
Virginia -Parking overnight at a rest stop is prohibited.
Washington -Parking overnight at a rest stop is allowed.
West Virginia -Parking overnight at a rest stop is allowed.
Wisconsin -Parking overnight at a rest stop is prohibited.
Wyoming -Parking overnight at a rest stop is prohibited.
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It is illegal to sleep in a car at a rest area in certain states like Alabama. In fact, people can get arrested if they choose to sleep in their vehicles after drinking too much to drive home. Still, in other states, laws for sleeping in a car vary from one city to another.
If you’re on a road trip or have had a long night of driving, and you wonder if sleeping in your car is illegal, the answer depends on your location. Luckily, sleeping in your car isn’t illegal on a federal level, so you should be able to find a place to sleep in your vehicle without getting into trouble.
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Where is it legal to sleep in your vehicle?
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Usually, it is legal to sleep in your car if you find the right location. If you’re looking for a place to stop and rest in your car, one of the best choices is in a Walmart parking lot. As crazy as it sounds, Walmart stores allow people to park their cars, trucks, vans, and RVs to get some shut-eye without worrying about getting in trouble.
Anyone traveling in their vehicles for long periods, such as on a road trip, will occasionally want a place to stay that allows showering and cooking food. If this is something you’ll want while traveling, you should research different camping options in the area.
While campgrounds charge a fee for admission, the cost is usually much less than staying in a hotel room. In most cases, you’ll have access to a bathhouse and some unique scenery while you’re there.
Is it safe to sleep in my car overnight?
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In terms of safety, sleeping overnight in your vehicle is questionable. First and foremost, sleeping in a car could compromise your security, particularly if you live in a dangerous area or someone breaks into your vehicle.
Additionally, there are plenty of scenarios where the conditions make sleeping in your car dangerous. For example, your body temperature could get too low if it’s too cold. Similarly, if it’s too hot outside, you could be in danger of a heat stroke.
You should always ventilate your vehicle if you plan to sleep in it. Keep windows cracked to get fresh air. Never leave your car running for heat if you’re in your car during a cold night.
Do I need auto insurance to sleep in my car?
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Unless you’re sleeping in your vehicle on your property, you must have your car registration and insurance information when you park somewhere to sleep.
Law enforcement officers may approach you, and police can check your auto insurance. Since you had to drive to the spot where you’re sleeping, you’ll need proper insurance to avoid getting a citation.
The amount of car insurance you need depends on where you live. The table below shows how much car insurance coverage you need in each state.
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States Coverage Types Coverage Limits
Alabama Bodily injury and property damage liability 25/50/25
Alaska Bodily injury and property damage liability 50/100/25
Arizona Bodily injury and property damage liability 15/30/10
Arkansas Bodily injury and property damage liability; personal injury protection 25/50/25
California Bodily injury and property damage liability 15/30/5
Colorado Bodily injury and property damage liability 25/50/15
Connecticut Bodily injury and property damage liability; uninsured/underinsured motorist protection 25/50/20
Delaware Bodily injury and property damage liability; personal injury protection 25/50/10
Washington, D.C. Bodily injury and property damage liability; uninsured/underinsured motorist protection 25/50/10
Florida Property damage liability and personal injury protection 10/20/10
Georgia Bodily injury and property damage liability 25/50/25
Hawaii Bodily injury and property damage liability; personal injury protection 20/40/10
Idaho Bodily injury and property damage liability 25/50/15
Illinois Bodily injury and property damage liability; uninsured/underinsured motorist protection 25/50/20
Indiana Bodily injury and property damage liability 25/50/25
Iowa Bodily injury and property damage liability 20/40/15
Kansas Bodily injury and property damage liability; personal injury protection 25/50/25
Kentucky Bodily injury and property damage liability; personal injury protection; uninsured/underinsured motorist protection 25/50/25
Louisiana Bodily injury and property damage liability 15/30/25
Maine Bodily injury and property damage liability; uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage; medical payments 50/100/25
Maryland Bodily injury and property damage liability; personal injury protection; uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage 30/60/15
Massachusetts Bodily injury and property damage liability; personal injury protection 20/40/5
Michigan Bodily injury and property damage liability; personal injury protection 20/40/10
Minnesota Bodily injury and property damage liability; personal injury protection; uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage 30/60/10
Mississippi Bodily injury and property damage liability 25/50/25
Missouri Bodily injury and property damage liability; uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage 25/50/25
Montana Bodily injury and property damage liability 25/50/20
Nebraska Bodily injury and property damage liability; uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage 25/50/25
Nevada Bodily injury and property damage liability 25/50/20
New Hampshire Financial responsibility only 25/50/25
New Jersey Bodily injury and property damage liability; personal injury protection; uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage 15/30/5
New Mexico Bodily injury and property damage liability 25/50/10
New York Bodily injury and property damage liability; personal injury protection; uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage 25/50/10
North Carolina Bodily injury and property damage liability; uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage 30/60/25
North Dakota Bodily injury and property damage liability; personal injury protection; uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage 25/50/25
Ohio Bodily injury and property damage liability 25/50/25
Oklahoma Bodily injury and property damage liability 25/50/25
Oregon Bodily injury and property damage liability; personal injury protection; uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage 25/50/20
Pennsylvania Bodily injury and property damage liability; personal injury protection 15/30/5
Rhode Island Bodily injury and property damage liability 25/50/25
South Carolina Bodily injury and property damage liability; uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage 25/50/25
South Dakota Bodily injury and property damage liability; uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage 25/50/25
Tennessee Bodily injury and property damage liability 25/50/15
Texas Bodily injury and property damage liability; personal injury protection 30/60/25
Utah Bodily injury and property damage liability; personal injury protection 25/65/15
Vermont Bodily injury and property damage liability; uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage 25/50/10
Virginia Bodily injury and property damage liability; uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage 25/50/20
Washington Bodily injury and property damage liability 25/50/10
West Virginia Bodily injury and property damage liability; uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage 25/50/25
Wisconsin Bodily injury and property damage liability; uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage; medical payments 25/50/10
Wyoming Bodily injury and property damage liability 25/50/20
As you can see, all states require liability auto insurance coverage, and others have additional requirements, like personal injury protection, medical payments, and uninsured motorist coverage.
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Sleeping in Your Vehicle: The Bottom Line
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According to federal laws, it’s not illegal to sleep in your car. However, you can get in trouble for sleeping in your vehicle in certain states, cities, or areas.
You can always park and sleep in a Walmart parking lot or anywhere that allows camping, though you’ll have to pay a fee for a campsite.
Suppose law enforcement officers approach you because it’s illegal to sleep in a vehicle where you parked. In that case, they will likely ask you for your license, registration, and insurance information. Anyone who does not have the proper insurance on their vehicle can get into significant trouble.
Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about auto insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything auto insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by auto insurance experts.
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Written by
Rachel Bodine |
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Reviewed by
Daniel Walker
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