Hello.
Can you sleep in the car in these states CA, NV, AZ, NM, TX, UT ?
If yes what kind of places do you recommend for night?
Luk
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Hello.
Can you sleep in the car in these states CA, NV, AZ, NM, TX, UT ?
If yes what kind of places do you recommend for night?
Luk
Hi Luk,Quote:
Originally Posted by Luk
You can sleep in your car in these states as long as you are in a campground.
If you are asking about rest areas, I'm not up on the current states that allow this, but I do not recommend it. It's just not safe.
Utahtea
You also may sleep in your car at a commercial truck stop, with permission.
Welcome to the RTA Forum!
Sleeping in the car itself is not regulated by any state law, where it is safe and legal is another story.
Rest areas are often illegal and always unsafe.
Generally speaking the best place to sleep in your car is a truck stop, where it is well lit and well patroled.
Campgrounds are also a great place to sleep, although they aren't free. But better yet, they are a chance to get out of the car and get a place to sleep where you can actually stretch out and get a good night sleep.
There are people who can sleep in a car, I've done it from time to time, but its not something I would recommend you do more than once in a while when you need a break from the road.
As already mentioned, it is often illegal, and nearly always unsafe. Only sleep in your car in a rest area, if the area is patrolled by guards... such as in FL.
Besides, it can be extremely unwise unless you have proper sleeping facilitities... such the seats removed and a mattress. You simply do not get adequate rest. If it is in an emergency, that's different, but don't plan on doing a roadtrip with sleeping in the car every night. You may live to regret it.
If you have good sleeping facilities in your car, and you are looking for safe places outside of campgrounds, truck stops are your best bet. Most truck stops / travel plazas make room available for RVs, and you just join them. These venues are busy 24 hours a day, and well lit. Let reception know that you will be staying the night. Make sure you return the favour by supporting their business... fill the car, eat in their restaurant, use their showers (fee), etc. If you are trying to cut down on accommodation costs, it is really the only way to go. But, you need to make sure you are comfortable in your vehicle, and get sufficient rest to be alert to face the next day on the road.
To check which truck stops / travel plazas welcome RVs, best invest in this publication.
Lifey
In some cities in California, it is illegal to sleep in the car since you will need to have a special permit to park on the streets, especially between 2 and 6 am. From what I know, you'll need the parking permit if you plan on sleeping in your car in Los Angeles and San Bernardino even in the National Forest areas.
I would never sleep in a car parked on a street anywhere!
When a local car dealership was being built, we started to notice that this same car was parked on our street, night after night. None of our neighbors knew whose car it was, then a few days later, someone noticed that every night, there was a man asleep in the back seat. Evidently, the man was working on the construction site and chose to sleep in his car every evening.
One of the spots he chose to park in, was right in front of a police officer's home. She went out and spoke with him about how that was not very smart, even though our neighborhood is usually safe, all it takes is one crazy person. We noticed after that, he was gone. She later told a neighbor that he said he'd ask to stay with a co-worker. (We also wondered where he was showering! There are no truck stops NEAR here!)
Donna
Over the years, I have traveled over 25k miles, otr, in a car. Over half of these nights, I have slept in my car. Conversion vans to roadsters. My travel vehicle of choice, now, is my Subaru FXP. Tinted glass,comfortable and decent mpgs.
I have never had a problem. I, always, am careful as to where to spend the night. Travel plazas, Super Walmarts are, usually, chosen. I have, briefly, slept at rest areas, as well. I choose well lit, busy
locations.
If I would have had to stay in a motel or pay high camping fees, I wouldn't have been able to make the trip. I call it, "roadtrip on a shoestring". Showers available with hot breakfast. What's not to like? :)
PS Bring a warm sleepingbag, padding, pillow and small cooler.
Thank you very much
Where can I get the special permit, and maybe you know how much does it cost?
The "special permit" isn't a license to sleep in a car, its generally a resident parking pass designed to make sure that only people who live on a street are parking there. So, in other words, you can't get one.
But as has been mentioned, sleeping in a residential area is a very bad idea. In the best case, you'll likely be woken up by a police officer who will tell you to move along. As you can probably imagine, people generally can get concerned when unusual cars are parked in front of their house, and down right angry if someone is inside the car. If you're parked in a neighborhood where people don't care about someone sleeping in front of their house, its probably because there are too many crime issues, and as such, you'd be a perfect target for the next criminal.
Bottom line really is.... if you cannot afford even basic accommodation for at least 50% of your nights, then I am afraid you cannot afford that road trip.
Just like MNSwede, I spend something like half my nights in my car, very comfortably on a mattress. Trying to do a complete trip without paying for any accommodation is unrealistic.
Check out this thread... it may give you some ideas on how to cut down on accommodation costs.
Lifey
.Quote:
Originally Posted by Lifemagician
I set my Subaru up for comfy sleeping and limo tinted the back windows, with removable tint. I had money for gas and $600 spending money. I was gone for 31 days, from MN to AZ in Feb. I slept in my car every day, even when I visited family. Had an awesome time and seen sights, that I never thought I'd ever see. Never had a problem. Rest areas in Arizona DO allow overnight stays. They want you to be well rested. I parked in well lit space and had my cell, security remote and all the facilities that I needed for the night. I, also, always carry my AAA card.
Not much money, never stops me. Where there's a will, there's a way. ;)
It may be legal in AZ to sleep in a rest area, but not necessarily smart. A number of years ago, a family was abducted from a rest area in AZ where they slept ... by some escapees from an Arizona State Prison. Others have been robbed at AZ rest areas, usually at night. It's better to stay at a truck stop than in a rest area.
BTW, many Wal-Marts have found themselves pulling overnight privileges from their parking lots, due to civic and county regulations. Be sure to note any signage about said overnights and "camping".
Donna
Yes. Walmarts in AZ aren't accomodating overnighters, anymore. I found that out, right away, so cross them off your list.
When I return to AZ, I will be a whole lot smarter. ;)