Never sleep within 500 ft of a residence, school, or daycare.
In many cities, this is illegal, with laws specifically prohibiting sleeping or using a vehicle as a residence within a specific timeframe, in some cases between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m.
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These laws even apply to public property, so it’s important to know local laws regarding vehicular sleeping.
Also, never sleep in a residential, hospital, gym, church, or business parking lot without permission. This can result in a fine or jail time, with trespassing being only one of the many offenses that you can be charged with.
Know where you can sleep so you don’t break the law.
Here are 32 safe, legal, and free places to sleep in a car when homeless:
32) CITY-DESIGNATED PARKING ZONES
Also sometimes referred to as safe parking programs, city-designated parking zones are areas appointed by city officials for homeless people in cars to sleep safely and without getting a ticket.
When I was homeless in a van in West Los Angeles, a city-designated parking zone existed near me. It was a response by local governments to deal with the rising homelessness pandemic, and it was in a parking lot of a local park.
The city-designated parking zone was a parking lot enclosed by a fence with a security guard at its entrance. He or she watched over us while we slept, and it made everyone feel safe.
The way it worked was at around 9 p.m., the security guard came on site and opened up a tall, steel fence. You pulled your car into its entrance and the guard took down your name and license plate but didn’t check whether your vehicle was registered or insured. He or she then assigned you a parking spot.
The rules were pretty basic, once you came in you couldn’t go out, and when you were awoken you had to leave, which I think was at 6:00 a.m.
This program was great because you always knew at the end of the night that you had a safe, legal parking space to crash.
In most cities, however, from my experience, city-designated parking zones are rare.
Nonetheless, it may be worth asking a local city official if a safe parking program exists in your area.
To do so, find a local government official to contact, or google “city designated parking zones for homeless people near me.”
31) A GARAGE OF A FRIEND OR FAMILY MEMBER
According to Road Trip Expert, when granted permission, no federal laws exist against sleeping in a vehicle on private property (1).
Thus, if your good friend or family member will allow it, so long as no city ordinances prohibit it, from a legal perspective, a garage is great.
A garage is also one of the safest places to sleep because, in a locked car in a locked garage, no axe murderers can get to you, lol, (at least not without hacking their way through the aluminum garage door, which would probably wake you up first.)
So another safe, free, and legal place to sleep in a car when homeless is the garage of a friend or family member.
30) A DISPERSED CAMPSITE
If you live near a forest, a dispersed camping zone is another great option.
These are designated areas in national forests located outside of traditional campsites, and are 100% free and legal!
The way it works when you are homeless is that you park at a specific location for up to 16 days, and then after that, you move up the road at least five to ten miles to another site. You do this because, if you don’t, park rangers issue you a ticket. They usually make a record of when you come and when you go, so they know when you are supposed to leave.
Keep in mind, however, that at a dispersed campsite, no amenities are provided. These spots are only trees and rocks. Literally, just you, your car, and nothing more. No bathrooms are provided to you, no place to get water and no place to get food either.
So be sure you go prepared.
Bring plenty of food and water and a working cell phone. A cell phone will be especially important in the event of a medical emergency.
To find a dispersed camping site near you, use the USDA service center locator to find a local phone number to talk to someone about where to go, or google “dispersed camping zones near me.”
29) TRADITIONAL CAMPSITES
When sleeping in a car for weeks on end, many homeless people prefer traditional campsites over-dispersed ones because traditional ones have amenities.
Traditional campsites provide nearby bathrooms, fire pits, and barbecues. They are also usually located near a large lake or river and are often closer than dispersed campsites to a main road.
The only downside to traditional sites is they usually cost money, though if you’re lucky, you might be able to find one free on freecampsites.net.
To find even more traditional campsites near you, search for campgrounds on AllStays, or try downloading one of the many campsite locator apps:
- Campspot mobile app for Android,
- iOverlander mobile app for iOS,
- iOverlander mobile app for Android,
- Dyrt mobile app for iOS,
- Dyrt mobile app for Android.
28) A DRIVEWAY OF A FRIEND OR FAMILY MEMBER
Like garages, a driveway of a family member or friend is also a good option because, where city laws permit it, for it to be legal, all you need is permission from the person who owns the driveway.
If it’s a caring family member or friend, then getting permission can be easy.
To persuade a friend or family member to allow you to sleep in your car in their driveway, assure them that you won’t be a nuisance.
The three most common reasons why they may object to it are that (1) they don’t want the neighbors to see someone sleeping in their driveway, (2) they don’t want to be constantly bothered by you using their bathroom or raiding their refrigerator, and (3) they don’t want you blocking their car when they have to get up and go to work.
Thus, to overcome their objections, promise them that you will only park in their driveway late at night, that you won’t come in and out, that it’ll be like you are not even there, and that you’ll be up and gone by sunrise, or before they go to work, (whichever comes first.)
Like garages, driveways are also private property so they are 100% legal, so long as city laws don’t condemn it.
27) A WALMART PARKING LOT
If a garage or driveway of a caring family member or friend is not an option, another safe, free, and legal place to sleep in a car is in a Walmart parking lot.
According to the Walmart FAQ (13), parking in store parking lots is allowed at some locations, but only with permission from the store manager. The store manager decides based on the availability of parking spaces and laws bounding that particular store about whether or not to allow it.
While Walmart’s answer on the FAQ does not refer to cars specifically, (the question that it answers is about RVs,) cars are probably welcome too. Just make sure that when you speak to a store manager you specify that you’re in a car (if you are.)
If they do allow it, only park there late at night, use their restroom only once per day, and leave early in the morning. Since Walmart does not intend its parking lot to be a campground, it’s better to spend your days somewhere else rather than to risk getting eighty-sixed for good.
To find the nearest location, use the Walmart store locator, or Google “closest Walmart near me.”
26) REST STOPS
Rest stops are also excellent places to sleep because, so long as signs don’t indicate otherwise, sleeping overnight in a car at them is legal. Many also have security guards on site, so doing so at them is safe.
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Just make sure that you do not stay longer than the signs permit.
Security or law enforcement officers do patrol rest stops, and many keep track of who’s coming and going and when.
But with that said, sleeping at rest stops is great because they’re one of the few places where motorists are explicitly permitted to sleep.
To find a rest stop near you, google “closest rest stops near me.”
25) A SAM’S CLUB PARKING LOT
Since Walmart and Sam’s Club are owned by the same company, it should come as no surprise that, like Walmart, at some locations, Sam’s Club also allows overnight parking.
According to Sam’s Club’s help center (14), permission to park overnight is granted at some stores, but not others due to local zoning laws prohibiting sleeping in a vehicle in some areas.
Therefore, before you sleep there, verify with the Sam’s Club’s store manager that the particular location that you plan to sleep at is permissible. Also, make sure that you clarify that you’re in a car. The website clearly states RVs are allowed, but does not refer to any other motor vehicle type.
Failure to get permission from the store manager, warns the Sam’s Club website, can result in your vehicle getting towed at your own expense.
To find a location near you, use the Sam’s Club store locator, or google “closest Sam’s Club near me.”
24) A CABELA’S PARKING LOT
Cabela’s is an American retail chain that specializes in outdoor sporting goods and accessories. They sell products related to camping, fishing, and hunting, products like guns and tents.
Although no corporate policy exists that specifically indicates that the company permits sleeping in a vehicle in Cabela store parking lots, according to BeginRV, most Cabella stores allow it (2), at least for RVs, given that it is legal in the city in which you do it.
To see if a Cabela’s exists near you, use the Cabela’s store locator, or google “closest Cabela’s near me.”
23) A CRACKER BARREL PARKING LOT
Cracker Barrel is a chain of Southern country-themed restaurants and stores based in the U.S. It offers delicious, homestyle-cooked Southern meals, and a variety of retail stores decorated with Southern American culture.
Cracker Barrel also allows motorists to sleep in their parking lots (3), though doing so is only legal if specific permission is obtained from the store manager.
To see if a location exists near you, use the Cracker Barrel store locator, or google “closest Cracker Barrel near me.”
22) A CAMPING WORLD PARKING LOT
Camping World is a chain of stores in the United States that sells off-road recreational vehicles and camping supplies.
According to Boondockers Bible, many Camping World locations allow overnight parking (4). To ensure that the location near you does, ask the store manager. Some locations allow it, some don’t.
To find a Camping World phone number or location near you, use the Camping World locator, or google “closest Camping World to my location.”
21) A HOME DEPOT PARKING LOT
Home Depot is a home improvement store with over 2,000 stores across the U.S., Mexico, and Canada.
Many Home Depots also allow overnight parking, suggests Outdoors Nomad (5), but permission is contingent on approval from the store manager.
To find a location near you, use the Home Depot store finder, or google “closest Home Depot near me.”
20) A PLANET FITNESS PARKING LOT
Planet Fitness is a 24-hour gym and fitness club with many locations nationwide.
In the article, “My Experience “Living” at Planet Fitness,” Prius for Two discusses their experience with being homeless, and why sleeping in a car in a Planet Fitness parking lot is great because the membership is cheap and doing so provides a place to shower and sleep (11).
Though as it is with most businesses, sleeping on private property without permission is illegal, it might be worth asking the gym manager if you can.
To find a location near you, use the Planet Fitness gym locator or google “closest Planet Fitness near me.”
19) A LOWES PARKING LOT
Lowe’s is another chain of improvement stores located in the United States, Canada, and Mexico that allows overnight parking (6).
But like anywhere else, it is best to gain approval from the store manager before sleeping in a car in their store parking lot.
To find the nearest location, use the Lowe’s store locator or google “closest Lowe’s near me.”
18) A MENARDS PARKING LOTS
Menards is a chain of home improvement stores located in the northern Midwest.
So if you’re looking for a place to sleep in a vehicle in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, West Virginia, Wisconsin, or Wyoming, try Menards.
According to Campnado, Menards allows overnight parking (7), but, as always, make sure you ask the company before doing so.
To find a location near you, use the Menards store locator, or google “closest Menards to my location.”
17) A COSTCO PARKING LOT
Costco is a chain of wholesale membership warehouses headquartered in the United States that serves communities in the U.S., Australia, Canada, China, France, and elsewhere.
Crashing overnight in a Costco parking lot is also permitted by most store managers (8).
To find a Costco near you, use the Costco warehouse locator or google “closest Costco near me.”
16) AN ANYTIME FITNESS PARKING LOT
Anytime Fitness is a 24-hour fitness club with over 5,000 locations in over 50 countries worldwide.
This can be a good place to sleep overnight in a car too, says Maureen from Stromads (9), because if you have a membership, you could also use their restroom, and while you’re there, take a shower. Just be sure to get permission.
To find a location near you, use the Anytime Fitness gym locator, or google “closest Anytime Fitness near me.”
15) A LOVE’S PARKING LOT
Love’s is a chain of travel stops and country stores spread across 41 countries in the United States.
Many allow overnight parking (11), but not all. So it’s best to call ahead and make sure that they allow cars to sleep there too. Some are designed specifically for RVs.
To find a Love’s location near you, use Love’s location finder or google “closest Love’s near me.”
14) A 24-HOUR FITNESS PARKING LOT
24-hour Fitness is also a 24-hour fitness club with many locations nationwide.
Providing the same benefits as sleeping in a car in an Anytime Fitness parking lot, at 24-hour fitness, you could wake up in the morning and use their restroom and take a shower provided that you have a membership at their location. According to Drivin’ & Vibin’, some locations allow it and others do not (10). So it’s important to get permission from the store manager beforehand.
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To find a 24-hour Fitness near you, use the 24-hour Fitness gym locator, or google “closest 24-hour Fitness location to me.”
13) A KMART PARKING LOT
Kmart is a corporation that sells low-priced clothing, electronics, toys, and more.
According to the Burlington Free Press, some locations have signs that say “no overnight parking” (12), but some locations do not.
A spokesman for Kmart told reporters that the landlord of each store “determines rules regarding overnight parking,” so this is another case where it’s important to ask the store manager whether overnight parking is allowed.
To find a location near you, use the Kmart store locator, or google “closest Kmarts near me.”
12) A SEARS PARKING LOT
Sears is an American retailer that sells appliances, tools, clothing, mattresses, and more.
Many stores also allow parking lots overnight (5), but whether or not it is legal at the specific location in your area depends on local laws and permission from the property owner.
To find a location near you, use the Sears store locator, or google “closest Sears to my location.”
11) A TRACTOR SUPPLY PARKING LOT
Tractor Supply is an American retailer that sells farm supplies like animal feed, clothing, tools, and fencing.
Many locations also allow people to sleep in cars in their parking lots, and so long as you have permission, it is legal.
To find one near you, use the Tractor Supply Company locator, or google “closest Tractor Supply Company near me.”
OTHER PLACES TO SLEEP IN A CAR IF YOU ARE HOMELESS
Probably the two places you should never park and sleep are hospital parking lots and apartment complexes. These will always be private property, and to do so, you’ll seldom be granted permission unless, of course, you are a visitor of a resident, customer, or tenant.
But many other places to sleep in a vehicle exist.
These are places that, in comparison to the other spots mentioned, you are less likely to get permission for, but can still prove useful, since according to many homeless people who have lived in cars before, their owners sometimes allow it.
So here are 10 other places you might try sleeping in a car when homeless:
10) truck stops
A truck stop is a rest stop for oversized trucks. Though these are not generally intended for cars, some are.
To find a truck stop near you, google “closest truck stops near me.”
9) welcome centers
A welcome center is a rest stop and gift shop located on state lines. On the off chance that you were somewhere near a bordering state, try a welcome center.
One can be found by googling “closest welcome center near me.”
8) parking garages
Parking garages exist in almost every city in town, small or big, and are often open 24 hours a day.
The only downside is that you typically have to pay an hourly fee to be at one. But if you’re willing to pay a few extra dollars to park and crash for the night, try a parking garage.
A parking garage can be found by using the Parkopedia’s parking garage locator, or googling “closest parking garage near me.”
7) casinos
Casinos are another great place to park and catch some z’s, but they’re not located everywhere, so whether or not you can sleep in one’s parking lot depends on where you are. If you by chance just happen to be near a casino, try it.
Most are open 24 hours and allow overnight parking. Though to be there legally, you’d have to get permission, and to get it without losing some money is going to be difficult.
But it may be worth a shot.
To find a casino near you, google “closest casinos near me.”
6) residential neighborhoods
Residential neighborhoods are often the first place we think about parking and sleeping, but they’re also the most likely to be illegal.
No cities have laws against it, even if they are more liberal about vehicular sleeping and other areas.
Nonetheless, if you do your research and find that no city laws prohibit it, why not pull over and sleep in a residential neighborhood?
They are practically everywhere so you won’t have to go far.
5) church parking lots
Many religious institutions, in compliance with a request from God, help homeless people.
Because they know that many unsheltered people in cars have nowhere to legally sleep, many churches parking lots allow vehicular sleeping. You need only to obtain permission beforehand.
To find a church near you, google “closest churches near me.”
4) other gym company parking lots
In previous sections, this article suggested that Planet Fitness, 24 Hour Fitness, and Anytime Fitness sometimes may grant permission for overnight parking. But many other gym companies may do so as well. To find out, all you have to do is ask.
To locate more gyms near you, google “gyms or fitness centers near me.”
3) other home improvement store parking lots
Similarly, home improvement stores other than Home Depot, and Lowe’s, that were not mentioned in this article, like gyms, may grant overnight parking.
To find other home improvement stores near you, google “closest home improvement stores near me.
2) industrial areas
Industrial areas are large city blocks, sometimes miles of B2B businesses, that are primarily that and maybe a recreational park.
No residencies, apartment complexes, or stores usually exist in these areas. These are areas where you often see company vans and big wheelers parked on the side of the road, primarily belonging to the local businesses, but sometimes to out-of-towners too.
If it is legal to park and sleep in one of these in your city, try an industrial area.
One can be found by simply driving around and looking for areas with big tall warehouses and company vehicles parked on the side of the streets.
1) city streets
The final place to legally sleep in a car when homeless, if city laws don’t prohibit it, is plain, old, city streets.
Anywhere that is not in front of a business or residence and that is at least 500 feet from a school, daycare, or home, might be illegal since no federal laws exist against it.
Source: https://t-tees.com
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