Some states allow weary travelers to sleep in their vehicles as long as needed; others place a time limit on how long you should stay. Time limits are not generally strictly enforced unless there is reason to believe the rules are being abused.
Camping is not permitted in any rest area. Camping is generally defined as setting up a tent or sleeping outside of your vehicle. Sleeping in your RV is not considered camping. There are, however, some rest areas in Oregon and Montana that provide access to a state park or national forest in which camping is permitted. Also, overnight RV parking spaces are available in service areas along Ohio’s turnpike; a small fee is charged.
If you have specific questions regarding rest area usage rules, please contact the state’s DOT office; don’t contact us as we cannot assist you.
Below is a summary of each state’s rule regarding overnight parking. For a more in-depth analysis of overnight parking at rest areas, refer to the following article on RV Hive.
Page Last Updated: September 23, 2019
Alabama
- No overnight parking or camping.
Arizona
- Overnight parking permitted; no camping.
Arkansas
- Overnight parking for safety reasons only; no camping
California
- There is an 8-hour stay limit. No overnight parking or camping.
Colorado
- No overnight parking or camping.
Connecticut
- No overnight parking or camping.
Delaware
- There is a 4-hour stay limit. No overnight parking or camping.
Florida
- There is a 3-hour stay limit. No overnight parking or camping.
Georgia
- No overnight parking or camping.
Idaho
- There is a 10-hour stay limit. Overnight parking permitted. No camping or sleeping outside of vehicle.
Illinois
- There is a 3-hour stay limit. No overnight parking or camping.
Indiana
- No overnight parking or camping.
Iowa
- Overnight parking is limited to one night with extenuating circumstances; no camping or sleeping outside of vehicle.
Kansas
- Overnight parking is limited to one night; no camping.
Kentucky
- There is a 4-hour stay limit. No overnight parking or camping.
Louisiana
- No overnight parking or camping.
Maine
- No overnight parking or camping.
Maryland
- There is a 3-hour stay limit. No overnight parking or camping.
Massachusetts
- No overnight parking or camping.
Michigan
- There is a 4-hour stay limit. No overnight parking or camping.
Minnesota
- There is a 4-hour stay limit. No overnight parking or camping.
Mississippi
- Overnight parking permitted; no camping.
Missouri
- Overnight parking permitted. No camping or sleeping outside of vehicle.
Montana
- Overnight parking permitted. No camping or sleeping outside of vehicle.
Nebraska
- There is a 10-hour stay limit. No overnight parking or camping.
Nevada
- There is a 24-hour stay limit. Overnight parking or camping permitted.
New Hampshire
- There is a 4-hour stay limit unless emergency conditions exist. No overnight parking or camping.
New Jersey
- Limited overnight parking; no camping.
New Mexico
- There is a 24-hour stay limit. Overnight parking permitted. No camping or sleeping outside of vehicle.
New York
- There is a 3-hour stay limit (4 hours on the Thruway). No overnight parking or camping.
North Carolina
- There is a 4-hour stay limit. No overnight parking or camping.
North Dakota
- Overnight parking allowed; no camping.
Ohio
- There is a 3-hour stay limit. No overnight parking or camping is allowed. Overnight RV parking permitted in some areas along the Ohio Turnpike.
Oklahoma
- Overnight parking permitted; no camping.
Oregon
- There is a 12-hour stay limit. Overnight parking permitted; no camping.
Pennsylvania
- There is a 2-hour stay limit unless otherwise posted. No overnight parking or camping.
Rhode Island
- Overnight parking permitted; no camping.
South Carolina
- No overnight parking or camping.
South Dakota
- There is a 4-hour stay limit. No overnight parking or camping.
Tennessee
- There is a 2-hour stay limit. No overnight parking or camping.
Texas
- There is a 24-hour stay limit. Overnight parking permitted; no camping.
Utah
- No overnight camping. Extended stays are permitted and are monitored by the on-site staff and the Highway Patrol.
Vermont
- No overnight parking or camping.
Virginia
- No overnight parking or camping.
Washington
- There is an 8-hour stay limit. Overnight parking permitted. No camping or sleeping outside of vehicle.
West Virginia
- Overnight parking allowed; no camping.
Wisconsin
- No overnight parking or camping.
Wyoming
- Camping is prohibited at rest areas, but drivers who need rest to safely continue their travels can sleep in their vehicles in the parking lots. The National Sleep Foundation recommends a nap of 15-20 minutes to improve alertness and driving skills. If you need more than a nap, you can sleep in your vehicle for a longer period, but don’t pitch a tent, extend your RV’s slideouts or otherwise set up for an extended stay.
IF THEY RECIEVE FEDERAL MONIES THEY SHOULD “ALL” ALLOW AN OVERNIGHT REST.
Rest areas are managed by each state’s Department of Transportation. I’m uncertain whether federal money is provided to the states for the maintenance and day-to-day operations.
Well 2/3rds of the country don’t allow overnights. I find that sad.
Tomorrow, we’ll be heading out on our 4th trip xc with our camper since covid hit. Before that, the 4 of us – 2 humans, 2 dogs – were stopping at hotels. Campgrounds are expensive for the few hours and our small needs, plus not safe covid-wise in our minds. I discovered this site by happy accident and it’s been so helpful. We’ve been staying in rest areas, service plazas, and once by happenstance, a tree-lined Walmart parking lot. Truckers have been respectful, as we have been to them by not taking away parking space from them. No one has ever hassled us as we’ve stayed overnight. Some city parks have water/elec hookups for rvs for a small fee ~$12.
I’ve found you can often sleep in your vehicle overnight with no hassles — regardless of state limits. However, overly-restrictive rules give LEOs a basis to harass you if they feel like it. That’s not right. Law-abiding citizens should be left alone if they get tired and fall asleep in a rest stop during a long drive.
Thank you for the information on this website.
Im ok
Well if the rules allow LEOs to “harass” you as you call it then you are not law abiding in that situation are you? your desires are not above the rules or the function of LEOs.
LEO’s if they have any brains at all, would feel like they need to protect and serve,, and kicking a tired driver out of a rest area, needs a life.
Been traveling an sleep in rest stops for years, never knew rules an never was bothered. With covid situation, I haven’t travelled but I would think if you keep low profile you’d be ok
Search the boondocking videos. In Nevada there are places that help houseless, not homeless people with a place to receive mail so you can have a drivers license. Need to check states in youtube videos ,cheaper living. Bushcraft has some interesting ideas.
I would bet you ANYTHING that the ultra-short time limits some states have is because of pressure from the hotel/motel industry in that state–they’d rather have somebody rent a room for $100 or more instead of them catching a few Zs in a rest stop!
It’s more about crime and prostitution prevention than anything.
My wife and I are homeless. I got injured and was unable to return to work. My wife lost her job due to Covid. We lost our apartment and had to put all our furniture in storage. We bought a 1991 Chevy conversion van. She looks beat up but her engine is completely sound, 86,000 original miles. She was in storage for 13 years. We’re barely getting by on unemployment.
Anyways, living in California, homeless and in your vehicle is an absolute nightmare. All the campsites have been closed due to restrictions we are forced to find spots to park in and sleep. Sleeping in your car in California is illegal. We have been rousted by local authorities and received several citations. There’s only one rest spot in our area. There’s an eight hour limit but our van is recognizable, and CHP know we frequent the spot. We have spent many nervous sleepless nights waiting for them to knock on the window. I feel ashamed because it’s people like us that cause the state to make rules such as “no overnight parking.” We just really are trying to get back on our feet but it is a struggle. I want to apologize to all my countrymen, I love this country and I love to travel we appreciate rests spots and places that are peaceful. But somethings got to change for those who have fallen.
So sorry to hear your story. Exceptions should be made. If I were the CHP I wouldn’t have the heart to knock on your door and make you leave. I hope your luck and opportunities turn for the better soon.
William Shatner, the famous actor, lived in his car for three months after “Star Trek” was canceled. The CHP should leave people alone who aren’t hurting anyone. Shame on them!
Mr Broken,
I read about your situation and want you to know that someone as far away as Georgia cares about you in his praying for you and your wife. I pray that God blesses you through this trial and that you both move closer to Him.
Please know that He will never abandon you if you call out to Him!
Move to Slab City, no more hassle.
So, in California you can’t sleep in your car, but it is okay (not enforced) to sleep on the concrete under an overpass or bridge. Sounds about right.
This is so sad.The system was broken before the Pandemic and now it is even worse.I am sorry you are going though this. By the grace of God, I still have work and still have a place to live.
God bless you and your wife, I hope things get better for you very soon!
I’m very sorry for your situation, you are not alone.
You might consider leaving CA. selling your stored stuff. Get SD residency for tags DL etc. Nearly all banks use online apps , so access to your $ should be easy.
Not sure if you are on assistance of any kind. If you are maybe moving your residency to SD will open up assistance there.
You and your wife have a tough row to hoe, yet have the blessing of your camper van. One thing for sure , it sounds like you are stuck in a vicious circle where you are. Even if you have to drive in short distances, getting away from where you are might open doors for you.
You could consider asking for help at food banks along the way, I have no idea of their rules, but it is worth asking. Churches also .
There is always something good in the bad things that happens to us.
May GOD bless you and your wife with wisdom and fortitude to step out and find a better life.
Your wife should be easily employable now, but if not and you are disabled SSI is $841 a month. What has to change is you. Only two states are more expensive to live in than California making so many homeless it is impeding the quiet enjoyment of public spaces. There are still places in the Midwest where one can rent an efficiency apartment with utilities included for $500 a month. SNAP food assistance supplement estimate for two is $319 a month with those parameters.
I have recently (2020) stayed overnight in rest stops in AZ, UT, NV, CA, OR, WA and UT in my truck camper. Regardless of the posted overnight rules I never had a problem.
Now wa postex 4 hr and even 1 hr stay limit no 8 hr spots wtf
I agree with here these time limits seem a bit too much! I personally never heard of these time limits. do rest areas post them somewhere??? I always thought rest areas were for those who are traveling to stop for bathroom, picnic eat, stretch and sleep. open 24/7 so what ever time you need you take. Seriously think these time limits are crazy and simply stupid taking into consideration what I thought they are meant for.
I agree so much. I think the “no overnight parking” and a lot of the time limits are totally ridiculous. What are rest stops for ? They are for weary travelers to pull off into a safe location and get the rest they need to continue their journey. No wonder there’s so many people who drive tired and risk falling asleep at the wheel. I’ll remember not to travel through the states that have ridiculous rules for rest stops.
It sounds like a system that is about to shut down. Don’t be surprised if you see a chain across the gate of a lot of these rest stops this time next year. This sounds similar to the death rattle of a lot of retail establishments; all the amenities disappear one-by-one until one day, the place suddenly folds. The restrictive time limits are probably designed to motivate people to zoom right through their state to an adjacent state, if said people are unwilling (or unable) to rent a motel room. I wonder if anybody makes a connection between otherwise sober people swerving off the road (or into oncoming traffic) and the general lack of usable rest areas? It might make an interesting correlational study.
I thought so too, but maybe there were people who Abused it as usual, and then Rules Change and is Not good for a lot of good people who need it, a lot of times there are those parasites of Society that ruin it for everyone else.
I’ve traveled back n forth from coast to coast in the 90’s and we slept at most rest-stops, larger well lite gas stations, nicer hotel and mall parking lots in some cases. Never had an issue back then. However, I would always drive straight through to Florida, once leaving Texas because interstate 10 is better to drive during the day. I’m about to become a traveler again and see the country, so this site has been very helpful. Thanks Admin!
Quiet, peaceful place to stop with lots of spaces dedicated to RV parking. Green space was a bonus for dog walking, and ample trash cans to dispose of waste. Oh and the best part is a separate “big truck “ parking area. Thanks Cabela’s your store is awesome!
We’ve only slept in rest areas one time in the spring of 2019. We were in Texas headed for Arizona. A high wind advisory was issued for 40-60mph winds starting in 12 hours with even higher winds in a western TX state park where we were planning to spend the night. Our NM stop was Rockhound state park which has exposed sites on the side of a hill/small mountain.
So we drove straight through for 26 hours to outrun the wind which was moving west from central TX to CA. We stopped to sleep several times for 2-3 hours at rest areas in NM and AZ. We tried to find spots between two trucks to help block the wind.
We managed to get to Phoenix several hours before the wind hit there.
Very helpful. Thank You.
Most states are more concerned about hotels and campgrounds losing money than you saving yours.
Money or life??
There is a 10-hour stay limit. No overnight parking or camping. – does not make sense! so 10-hour stay only during the day???? It is overnight most of us want.
Seems biased against us that travel on motorcycles.
How do you sleep “in” a Harley?
I have an artificial leg and have to take it off for even short naps.
Might have to consult the Americans With Disabilities Act.
You need to address your concern with the individual State Department of Transportation office. This site only provides information about the location of rest areas. We are not associated with any official DOT office.
Bull crap!! This is America. We pay federal taxes and deserve the most from our country. Hey real administrator.
If you have issues regarding each state’s overnight parking rules, you’ll need to contact the DOT office of each state. This website is not a DOT office and cannot address such concerns.
These seem harsh and archaic.
I’ve been in so many rest areas through out life, if you are tired, sleep, then leave.
I believe they just don”t want you there for a day or two.
I would think taking a break/overnight sleep amongst the truckers doing the same thing would be accepted anywhere. After all it is a “rest stop”
Well said!
WTF is up with Tennessee’s 2 hr max??? That’s just plain mean – not even enough to seriously get in a nap by the time you use the restroom and settle in for a tiny nap (need to allow time to figure out proper ventilation for the climate, block out light sources, etc.). Nonsense and just asking for fatigue-related accidents. Do some science based studies, Tennessee.
When we move to TN next year, we will set them straight! LOLZ.
LOL
I stated 1 for 12 hours in Tennessee last night no issues no problems
Wisconsin?
We slept overnight in our car overnight abou 7 hours . It was great no one bothered us but on state list it On internet stated no overNight parking but we needed sleep . At that time did not know rules. Liked it because we had 24 access to restrooms etc..
Jdaisy,
I seriously think that is because Stupid People used to get drunk and Go there, to Rest Stop, well, to act Stupid and mess it up for the travelers and sleepers who just needed to stay there for rest and relaxation before taking the road again.
I would think that if you’re tired and need about six hours sleep to continue your journey most officials if not all would not bother you in your car or a camper while you’re getting your rest to move on in the morning? I have experienced this to be true in most rest stops I have stopped in for a quick 6 hours of sleep.