Imagine this: You’re in the midst of a five-day road trip through middle America. As the sun sets and your eyes get droopy, you realize you’d better stop for the night.
Unfortunately, finding a place for your respite isn’t as easy as you’d hoped. Motels flash “No Vacancy” at every truck stop and small town, mocking your exhaustion and forcing you to move on.
Panic sets in. What are you going to do? You know you’re too tired to keep driving. You might have to face sleeping in your car instead of a hotel!
Should You Sleep in the Car?
As you ponder the dilemma, questions course through your brain. What will you do for a bathroom? Is it even safe? Where should you pull over?
Relax.
Sleeping In Your Car Instead of a Hotel
Sleeping in your car during a road trip isn’t the end of the world.
In fact, there are so many pluses to car camping that some folks don’t even plan for hotels! I took an entire road trip from Los Angeles through Arizona to Utah, sleeping in my car the entire way, and it was epic! I still rate it as one of the best trips I’ve ever taken, and most of that is due to sleeping in the car instead of a hotel.
Of course, there are obvious limitations, but I think the benefits far outweigh the costs.
How Do You Sleep In Your Car on a Road Trip?
The novelty throws people off. What do you mean, sleep in the car? How do I even do that?
Once the initial shock wears off, you realize that car camping is a lot simpler than it seems. You find a spot, park, and sleep!
However, there are a few critical items to consider before embarking on this type of adventure.
Vital Considerations for Car Camping
First and foremost, you must think safety. Cars are easy targets for break-ins, and nefarious actors may be lurking in dark, abandoned places. That’s why we recommend truck stops, which are usually well-lit, operate 24/7, and host many other travelers doing the same thing.
Next, consider comfort. A bed is obviously more comfortable than a car, but if you plan ahead and bring enough gear (like cozy pillows, blankets, and cushions), you will barely notice the difference.
Finally, think about hygiene. The bathroom is the biggest benefit of checking into a hotel. Most cars aren’t as well-equipped. However, if you stay near a truck stop, you’ll have a bathroom just a few steps away (and many offer showers too!). You should also bring some wet wipes for a quick refresh while on the road.
For more details, check out our instructional article outlining the best tips for sleeping in the car, but remember, the small limitations don’t compare to the massive benefits.
Top Reasons To Sleep in Your Car During a Road Trip
Explore the top five reasons why sleeping in your car is vastly superior to checking into a motel, despite the considerations above.
Why not try it on for size?
Reason 1: Save a Ton of Money
With increased gas prices, you may be looking to save cash wherever you can on your road trip. Even subpar motels charge $100-150 per night, a cost that can quickly eat away at your budget.
You can avoid spending the money if you sleep in the car.
Most of the time, you can find a free place to sleep in your car overnight. Look for truck stops and Walmart parking lots – these places usually host weary travelers trying to find a few hours of shut-eye.
In a pinch, you can sleep in a hotel parking lot or even on the street in a decent neighborhood, but check the signs first and make sure you’re allowed to park. You don’t want your sleep interrupted by a cop or tow truck.
A middle-of-the-road option is to sleep in your car at a campground. Small campsites are typically cheaper than motels and offer an additional layer of security.
Reason 2: It’s SOOO Easy
Sleeping in the car is a lot easier than checking into a hotel or setting up a campsite.
Campsites are cheaper than hotels, but they take a lot of work. You must set up the tent, stake it, and prepare everything for the evening unless you opt to sleep in the car anyway. Still, you have to check in and out with an attendant.
Even checking into a hotel can be a hassle. You must wait for the overnight attendant, get the keys, find the room, and check the bed before nestling in for the night.
If you sleep in the car, once you find a safe, legal place to park, all you have to do is crawl into your bed. There are no forms to fill out, no lines, no tents to set up, and no beds to check for bedbugs (a major bonus!).
When you’re exhausted after a long day of driving, the simplicity of just going to sleep can’t be overstated.
Reason 3: Wake Up Time!
It is not easy to oversleep in the car.
Whenever I sleep in my car on a road trip, I wake up when the first rays of sunshine alight upon my face. The early wake-up gave me a head start on the day, allowing me to jam more fun in and get to my final destination faster. I was up so early that I was even able to fit a side-trip to Zion into my itinerary!
Sleeping in the car also limits your pack-up time. When at a hotel, you need to gather all your belongings, double-check to make sure you didn’t mess anything up, and waste time at check-out.
You already have everything you need in the car, so you can just pull out and be on your way.
Reason 4: Pet Friendly
Have you ever had to move across the US with pets? Although there are usually some pet-friendly hotels along your route, many will frown upon hosting more than two animals for a night.
You can’t leave your dogs and cats in the car without you, but you can sleep in the car with them.
When I moved across the country, I spent the nights in my car because I couldn’t find a hotel that would allow me to bring the cats inside.
Staying in the car with them gave me enough sleep to continue on my path and ensured they were safe all night long.
The Ultimate Reason to Sleep in Your Car: Freedom
Imagine not being glued to an itinerary. Envision not having to get to that pre-booked room or campsite. Think about how it would feel to be able to stop wherever you want and be able to change your plans at a moment’s notice.
Imagine being free.
Experiencing this liberty makes car camping’s small discomforts barely noticeable. Forget modern conventions and allow yourself to explore the world at your own pace.
Sleep in the car on your next road trip and go where the wind takes you.
thanks for your advice.will give this a try touring scotland.