What States is it illegal to sleep in your car? | Detailed Guide

Being a good law-abiding citizen in your own country, city, state, or whether going to another place, it is always a good idea to be aware of the rules and regulations that have to be followed. The concerned authorities usually provide a detailed guideline of the laws that have to be adhered to. For example, with rules regarding traffic and vehicles, there are usually signs and boards put up everywhere on the roads, within the city, and highways to guide. These range from telling us what our speed limits should be to where we can park our vehicles and so on. In short, there are hundreds of rules and regulations implemented by the authorities for the safety and security of its citizens.

It is, however, sometimes not possible to be aware of each and every law. People end up breaking all sorts of traffic and parking Laws due to ignorance. There are a ton of laws, which vary from state to state and city to city. For a person who travels a lot, especially long-distance, it is of immense importance to be acquainted with these rules. We mean you would not want to end up with a parking ticket.

We often take some things to be for granted but are they really? like sleeping in the car for example. It is very common for people to fall asleep in their car, especially if they have been traveling long distances, and are tempted to rest their back and eyes with a quick snooze to get a boost of energy. So, we are going to give you a bit of information on what states is it illegal to sleep in your car? But what if you met an accident while driving or even sleeping? What laws are there to protect your constitutional rights? Know more about them and many others at The Law Advisory.

Is Sleeping in Your Car Illegal in the U.S 

The answer to this is a little vague. Under US federal law, it is not considered illegal to sleep in the car, provided that one is not trespassing or is intoxicated or falling asleep during driving. However, these rules vary in the US. Every state is different and has its own jurisdiction of parking laws. These rules even vary within the state from city to city as they have local ordinances that may or may not consider it a crime to sleep in the car. They even vary on the time allowed and place of parking. Some states have laws that are so stringent that even overnight stays at parking rest stops are prohibited to curb loitering. 

In most states of the US, sleeping in the car is not illegal, provided that the vehicle is parked at a safe place that does not encroach the highway or private property.  One must be really careful not to trespass or that could land them in serious trouble. There are usually signs put up to indicate that certain property or area is prohibited and not to have trespassed. One must also not pick a spot such as an entrance or bus stop or an obvious illegal parking spot. That would seriously lead to an unpleasant knock on your car window and your car being towed away.

Usually, there are designated rest spots, which exist along the main highways or roads, where people can park their cars and take a break or even sleep in the car before they continue on with their journey. These places are equipped with restrooms and vending machines, some may even have relief areas for pets.

While parking at a rest spot it is important to know whether overnight parking is permissible or not, believe it or not in some states it is prohibited to park overnight at rest areas or may have parking limits that may vary from 3hrs to 24 hrs. States like Hawaii do not have rest areas and in states like Georgia that have welcome centers, do not allow overnight parking. It is always a good idea to do a bit of homework on the parking laws before traveling to a different state or city. Some cities across the US have a safe parking lot program with a lot set aside for the homeless people, but that has to be checked up with the local police department of that area or online.

States that Allow or Prohibit Sleeping in Your Car 

Now, coming back to what states is it illegal to sleep in your car?  A few examples of states or cities that allow to park overnight completely or partially are:

1. Alabama
2. Louisiana
3. Alaska
4. Ohio
5. Arizona
6. Maine
7. Michigan
8. Oklahoma
9. Montana
10. Utah

Examples of states that completely prohibit overnight parking are:

1. Colorado
2. Hawaii
3. Tennessee
4. South Carolina
5. North Carolina
6. Virginia
7. Maryland
8. Nebraska

Apart from knowing the states or cities where you can legally sleep in your car,it is also important to know places where cars can be parked safely and or have a bit of privacy.

1. Walmart is an ideal place to park overnight as it allows overnight parking and can be easily found and is located all around the US.

2. Casinos are a great option to park overnight as they are open throughout the night, and they are secure because of the presence of a lot of security officers. Plus, you have access to bathrooms and a place where you can dine.

3. Rest stops are an ideal place to take a nap on a road trip. Some have washroom facilities, vending machines, and relief areas for pets, but be sure to find out if overnight parking is allowed in the state you are in.

4. Welcome Information Center: These places are usually found when you cross over from one state to another, and usually have large parking spaces. But no washroom till the center opens in the morning.

5. BLM Land allows dispersed camping to all for car camping or tent camping for up to 14 days, you can park anywhere apart from the designated campsites. Just be sure to follow the leave no trace policy, which means clean up.

Apart from the above, some Grocery stores, shopping malls, and fast-food outlets also allow you to park and nap for a limited time. By now you must have an idea that all you need to do is before planning a trip just skim through the parking rules and regulations of the state or city you intend to visit.