NY to Seattle in Late December

Depending upon conditions, 4-WD will not get you pass the DOT closures (if any happen). Now, 4-WD and snow tires works, or 4-WD and chains, or 2-WD & Chains, but you would be amazed how often SUV's with 4-WD can be found in the ditch...

After driving in virtually all of the lower 48 states, I can count on one hand rest areas where over-night sleeping is allowed. Day-time sleeping (as long as it looks like "resting") is allowed and even encouraged in 99% of the rest stops I have seen.

It would be very helpful to know where you have found these other rest stops that allowed the night-time sleeping.

While I defer to the Editor that the word "many" may have been used out of contex I have found them to exist. I also accept that might not be a place of choice for all. I admit to it being not recently but a few that I can remember (if not the exact spots) is a nice one in Florida (somewhat crowded), Georgia (Patrolled but allowed)and a couple or so I used out in the Western States. I have on more then one occasion seen different rest areas where cars and Tractor Trailers seem bedded down for the night. If not allowed it is usually signed or gated. Even if the alternative is a couple hours it is better then falling asleep at the wheel.

The bias I have observed is against sleeping in passenger vehicles. If the "sleeper" is in a tractor trailer or even a RV -- generally there is no problem with sleeping over-night. But sleeping in a car or light-truck is generally NOT allowed in any state-run rest area after dusk.

Thanks for identifying where you have found 'em. The next time you are out and about on the road -- keep a list -- inquiring minds want to know!

In fact, tractor-trailer operators have a near carte blanche to sleep wherever they feel it is safe to park.

While I agree that enduring a hassle from local law enforcement is better than falling asleep at the wheel -- I can tell you that 99.999%% of law enforcement personnel would prefer that drivers get a motel room if they plan to sleep more than 20 minutes.

Not wishing to monopolize this string and meaning no disrespect to the Editors position or opinion this "inquiring mind" can safely say that I am quite aware of Law Enforcement and Public Safety. That is an astonishing percentage you are using about law enforcement and 20 minutes. A good portion of patrol officers that I would speak with, for various reasons would care less about 20 minutes. I can just as easily say that 100% of the officers I talk to PREFER that no one carries illegal weapons. It isn't going to happen (stopping illegal weapons) and neither is 20 minutes. In the case of being hassiled one needs to be aware that when an officer decides to speak with you for whatever reason he is also making observations for his personal safety and towards Probable Cause. Failing that he may want to act on a reasonable hunch by asking for Consensual Permission to search your car. Denying it can produce further results, especially for young people; a dog, a supervisor, etc. Granting it will definitely produce further results if he finds something. I live in a resort area where the major portion (NOT 99.999%) of youth in vehicle arrests come from minor stops where an officer observes something he shouldn't. Officers in general (more so highway officers) except the fact that they were young poorer travelers once too, and needed rest. More then I have suggested in these forums catching sleep (not winks) in a Rest Area. True that may not be overnight sleeping but it is also more then 20 minutes and I have found it tolerated. I always recommend to young travelers the use of good common sense coupled with courtesy that inquiring officers deserve. It sometimes goes a long way. I still would use an authorized rest stop I was comfortable with if the need arose and it would be for more then 20 minutes.

While a person can "get away" with sleeping in rest areas (mainly because the states' highway patrols maintain less of a presence late at night), it is still most often illegal. One way or the other, plainly stated, the most important issue is it isn't a safe thing to do.

Sleeping in your vehicle you are vulnerable to others whose intentions may not be benevolent. If you are asleep, you do not see the bad guys coming, and just because you are surrounded by other cars when you go to sleep, you may wake up later to find yourselves all alone. Very recently in my state, a young couple was shot to death while sleeping in the back of their pick-up truck, and this is not the first time I have seen that happen.

You can find inexpensive accommodations in most areas (just stay away if it is a place that charges by the hour). Also, I advise you to run a search for American Youth Hostels -- you will find there are several along your route, or close to it. You can typically stay a night at a hostel for less than $25 (sometimes much less) and they have seemed safe to me the few times I have used them. They are communal -- you share dorm-style sleeping accommodations with others, bathrooms, even kitchens.

Hmmm. I would think that you are no longer in your 20's (I haven't been for three decades or so either)

Me thinks Patrol officers are more tolerant of someone in their 50's sleeping than someone in their 20's. Just my personal observations here.

How do I get AAA?

You can find a local office in your phone book -- or just run "AAA" in internet search and follow the links to the "join" section.