Hospital parking tip. I’m a medical device rep and I spent many nights sleeping in the parking lot. Order a cheap set of scrubs. They are like pajamas so you can sleep in them. In the very rare chance security checks on you, if they see the scrubs they will pass you by.
Good to know! I spent the night in a hospital parking lot then went back a week later. 30 minutes after I got there security showed up. I am thinking my phone was reflecting off my windows
I slept in a hospital parking lot once. Took my husband to the ER. They were going to be running a lot of tests and I was tired. They didn't have a place where I could really get some sleep, so I went out to the car and took a nap.
Agreed. I would add auto repair places like Firestone. A car in the lot at 0300 will just look like a car left overnight waiting for repairs. I saw a 'homeless' woman do this for years in Austin. She had a nice van and a membership to the gym right there. At night she would sometimes park at the Firestone. She had a good job, but preferred to live this way. She told me she had tons of money because she was saving so much this way. If a winter storm came she just went to a motel for a few days. She just lived simply and was happy. And as a Texan, she was also armed and ready to defend herself.
Walmart,, hotels, have security that 😢😢😮Ran us off. Gyms also are on big lots,,again. GUARDS NOW WILL STICK THEIR HEADS AND CHECK ALL CARS. THEY RAN US OFF 😢
My wife and I were traveling from Indiana to Shenandoah National Park, VA. We stopped for gas in Beckley, WV and the cashier let us know the Cracker Barrel next door let RV's and campers park in their lot. There were like 8 big spaces for RV's so we pulled in at about 10:30 pm and slept in our camper. The lot was lit up decently and we had our CCW's with us. We got up just before the Cracker Barrel opened so we waited and got breakfast before heading out. We felt it was the right thing to do for using their lot and restrooms.
I pulled the best one while traveling. I went to a Sheriffs Department in Arkansas and simply told them that I was too tired to drive, couldn't find a hotel room at 2 am and asked if I could sleep there for a couple of hours. They gladly obliged much to my surprise. No questions asked. 😂
Buccee's does NOT allow sleeping in cars/campers. You'd think you could get away with it because their parking lots are massive. Security drives around looking for cars that are parked for an extended period. A 2 hour cat nap ... maybe. Many hotels have Security doing the same. That's why they ask for your vehicle info when you check in. My favorites are anyplace that's open 24/7; primarily for accessibility to a clean bathroom. Just look for signs that say 'no overnight parking".
When I had to sleep in my car from no money or traveling across states. IT was easier to sleep in the day, work or drive at night. Night time people and businesses, police, theives are looking for a car out of place. But during day time it's easy to go to a parking lot in the shade and sleep undisturbed.
I did this for 3 years as a hotel night auditor. The main issue was summer; it is almost impossible to survive in the heat during the daytime. Any solution to effectively overcome the heat makes too much noise and blows your stealth.
The truck stop one is tricky. People have caused issues there. I lived out of my car November and December of last year and rotated between 3 truck stops. Things went well the first 2 weeks, but then some people in campers decided to argue at a TA truck stop so the security made ALL of us leave. The guard then told me that, technically, he is supposed to kick people without CDLs off the lot after 4 hours but was not enforcing it until the argument happened. Truck stops are becoming less and less friendly for people without CDLs.
As an ex driver throwing out tired drivers is a big liability issue, what happens if you fall asleep 200 yards down the road. Your next of kin will own them.
I lived in a station wagon for three or four years. I had a membership in a gym, but one night I slept in their lot and had someone come out and order me to leave. Truck stops are good usually, industrial areas are good, and rest stops. At one point I had a little camp trailer and parked it in a industrial area that didn't have buildings yet in most of the lots. It is best not to park right in front of an active business. In the LA area there are swap or flea markets that are open every day of the week. People sleep in their vehicles overnight in a line to get an unused space the next morning. I made a living selling at them so it was a natural for me, sellers look after each other, and you could stay in the line and then "change your mind" about a space the next morning.
When i was a college kid traveling in the early 1980's...i used to plan my long travel trips from state to state...to run into state colleges....where i could bed down in the student housing recreation -TV quarters sofa on the quietest building and floor i could find...and take showers in the communal bathrooms...then onto the next free college student building. When you're a young good-looking guy...nobody questions if you belong there. It was fun scoping out all the student buildings and which floor i liked best...i even made some friends...felt at home. I imagine you cannot do that today...they lock all the student doors now w/ access cards. Years ago, college buildings were free hotels for young people traveling.
Put a smile on my face for the hospital parking lot option! I meet a buddy of mine at a large local hospital near north of us….he parks his car and we head down south about 5 hrs worth of driving to go see another buddy of ours. We do this this every note and then to catch up as a small group of friends. By the time we get back to the hospital…it’s like 15 hrs later….. nobody ever said anything about his car being there as, as we know, there are many cars usually at a hospital and a lot of folks even stay over night with a loved one at the hospital. They have security monitor the parking lots but I would think you could actually keep a vehicle there for at least a week before they might even pay any attention to you. Good spot.
But his car DIDN'T HAVE SOMEONE SLEEPING IN IT. No wonder they didn't bother with it. If you'd been sleeping in it, it would have been a different ballgame.
During tough part in a marriage, I parked near apartment complexes that had parking on the street. Nobody keeps track of who is coming/going, and I would move it a little. This was a minivan with removable seats, and could be kept private with a fake floor situation. Putting clipboards and hard hats on the dashboard would work at hotel parking lots.
Back in the 90s, when I would travel with a shell on the back of a PU. I would park near an apartment complex at about 10 pm. Out of state plates are common at transient apts.
Consider a YMCA membership and toss a sticker on your car. You can go into any YMCA as a guest member for around $5 and use the facilities…gym, pool, locker rooms and showers.
I had a 3 month stint back in 2004 where I had to live in my car and finding a place to park for the night was a bit tricky for sure. I parked at a hotel parking lot for a few nights then a security guard ran me off. I eventually found a couple of apartment complexes and used those pretty much the rest of the time. It sucked though and I hope I never have to go through anything like that again.
So much here isn't quite right, at least east of the Mississippi. Many Walmarts do not allow overnight parking or camping and have signs posted indicating this. Even those without signs may not allow overnighting. Best this to do is go in the store and ask the management; sometimes they'll make an exception and et you stay a night and even if not, they're a local so they might be able to tell you where to go. Walmarts are also not very safe anymore. Also avoid malls even if they've got 24-hour stores as those are often high-crime areas. Many truck stops have a 'no cars or campers' policy, again usually posted on signs so look for those. If you do sleep at one, give thought to the trucks and don't park where you may get in their way and spend some money there so you can show the receipt and not look lime you're bumming. Tops is don't PO any trucker, because if they report you for anything you'll be gone. Many highway rest stops have stay-time limits posted which are enforced. Sometimes these policies are just that one and sometimes state-wide. Again they're not always safe either. The better hotels usually have a security guard onsite or someone in management watching the lot comparing license plate numbers to their registered guest list, and this is very common in tourist areas where hotel room prices are overpriced. If you do a hotel lot, don't park within sight of the office or close enough to the dumpster for employees to discover you. BLM/ National Forests may have numerous kinds of restrictions involved or almost none. Usually it relates to where you're allowed to 'camp' and if they have a designated campground you're usually restricted to that which will be booked full months ahead of time in good-weather seasons. Especially out west, be sure if there are any restrictions on fires, as the fine for screwing up with that will be big. Best to ask at the Ranger station as thus is Federal court stuff if it goes that far. Pretty much the whole state of California is off-limits to this except in the more remote locations, and the places where this is enforced will haul you off to jail instead of asking you to move on. Same thing near Vegas and Reno or any high-tourist areas, and most big cities with homeless problems too. In those places you'd better have a site where you're allowed and welcome even if you have to pay for it. Top tip is to look and be respectful and friendly to whoever controls things, because in many places you're actually trespassing to stay overnight uninvited. That can get you hauled off to jail and your car impounded too- you ain't saving diddly if that happens. You need to know what will make you stand out and what will get you caught quickly if you do free overnighting in random places; you've got to 'fly under the radar' or do the 'gray-man' thing and not be noticed at all. That requires a deeper understanding of the situation than most people have as the people who will be looking for you (including criminals) know how to spot anyone who doesn't belong. There is much better advice than is given here on YT if you know which channels to watch, but you'll have to find them on your own. Sorry if that offends you but once a method becomes widely known and used it gets looked for and banned and then both you and these people who are actually living that life lose out. If you're truly that interested in this then you'll do your own research and find the best ways to succeed. It can be done.
Well said ! You're exactly right ! Living in your car nowadays is not simple . Police will notice you & do a welfare check on you with flash lights , even where you're allowed to park overnight .
Thanks for the video. I haven't seen a Walmart open 24 hours in several years. If I found one, I'd agree that parking there all night would be a good idea. I've slept at truck stops a bit on long trips. Often, I try to set my schedule so that I'm stopping at five or six in the morning and sleeping for just five or six hours. That makes me look like a tired driver catching a nap and not someone trying to find a camping spot for free. I always try to buy stuff in the truck stop before I go. Right now, I'm wearing a T-shirt that I bought in a truck stop after napping for a bit. I understand that rest areas can be a riskier choice. I've never been bothered at a rest area, but I know that some of them are dangerous. I generally try to keep my rest area naps to an hour or two, and I often try to take those naps during the day. I live next to BLM land, and I feel pretty safe here. I'm less confident about advising people to camp on just any BLM land. The likelihood is very high that no one will even notice that one is camping on BLM land. The problem is that if the wrong person notices, then help will never arrive.
I've stayed a many Walmart parking lots and have had no problem. They usually have security personnel driving around the lot at night if they are NOT "24 hours". Of course you have to call them before you do just to check if they allow over night parking. Many Walmarts do not!
@@badguy1481 Walmart in Calif will get those vacuum trucks cleaning the parking lots and they have a great time revving up their trucks as they pass around you at 0300 in the morning.
Set up your car so you can run the engine for heat/ac without any exterior lights, always park pointed at the open exit and always sleep with the keys in the ignition... finally have a way to block all the windows so people can't see in...
I agree, he’s obviously a sack of hammers that knows nothing or he’s completely useless and trying to bullshit the population.I mean this guy is a bestseller 😂😂😂😂…or a best in class bullshitter.
My pickup has an insulated shell and a bed and shelving that I built out for very cozy sleeping. I use it extensively for solo fly-fishing trips in the mountains, but I have used it for several cross-country trips to visit family. I don’t like to stay in Walmart parking lots that others like, but I have stayed in hotel parking lots occasionally and truck stops primarily. Problem with truck stops is that they are very bright and noisy, but convenient because of 24hr restaurants and showers as you mentioned.
I used to work at Bucees. It is NOT a truck stop. They do not allow semis. Also if you are going to sleep there in parking lot you need to notify management.
No camping at rest stops, doesn't state no sleeping or resting. In my past, I've never known a police officer whom would ticket somebody resting or sleeping in their car at a rest stop. However, repetitively sleeping at a rest stop (eg. every night) is a different matter, as the driver is likely not driving to/fro destinations. On the flip, could always explain when questioned, making a long trip to/fro a destination, with no reasonable means of having a hotel/motel room, due to timing, etc. Rest area sleeping gets more common within rural areas, if there's rest areas available. Stay safe while driving, if tired, pull-off at a rest area and get some sleep!
@@rogerxxxxxxx There's usually a time limit at rest stops- often two hours. That's enough time for a fatigued driver to rest enough to safely go on for a while. If you 'get the knock' for overstaying, they'll usually let you move on if you explain that you only intended to catnap and just didn't wake up when your phone alarm clock went off. Apologize nicely and say you're late now and ask them if you can please move on, and they'll usually let you.
@@P_RO_ So it's OK for forcing a tired driver to return to the roadway, because they're traveling to/fro long distances? Until very recently, I do not know of one police officer enforcing such a ridiculous practice. As such, causing a fear from being cited for practicing safe driving habits. I've heard and seen of a two hour rule before at some places, however I now suspect the rule is usually enforced by private property folks with no government authority or experience, for forcing tired drivers back onto the streets. Most of the times, the limits are due to preventing people from camping, or making a home at the rest areas. Funny, you're last sentence there assumes the person is a police officer arresting for humanly sleeping/resting. Reminds me of Mr. Beans, arresting (black) people for "walking all over the place!" Probably the only time people get harassed by police at rest stops, are usually when they're doing something wrong, such as drugs, parked incorrectly, etc... Most times, they're just checking to make sure you're OK, especially more likely nowadays due to Fentanyl drug over dosing. Sometimes the time limit is possibly due to a smaller rest area or past repetitive incidents, only encouraging people to move on and prevent people from loitering and preventing those really tired from resting. I have never been consulted during my many travels during my past 20-30 years, for sleeping at an assigned rest area. Checking one Internet site neighbor.com, seems Pennsylvania is the only State with a two hour rule, likely for more rural rest areas versus rest service areas, but likely often ignored, likely the two hour is en-stated for mitigating elevated/not-monitored increase criminal activity. One or two States have a four to eight hour limits, but most US States have reasonable 8-12/24 hour limits. If a person is abiding by law or innocent, they should be able to get the rest they need/require, and I've never set an alarm clock at rest areas. Sorry for the lengthy reply, just trying to clarify the two hour limit is largely dumb, and people shouldn't have to try sleeping in fear of "getting the knock" at a window, if they're law abiding.
In Florida personal vehicles such as cars, SUVs, and pickup trucks are legally allowed 3 hours a day. Semis can stay 10 hours a day at a rest stop. However that law is not really enforced at a couple i visit. In 8 months i have been told that I can only stay 3 hours once. However I rarely use them a lot.
We slept in a Florida rest area on I-10 a few years ago. Security guard said it was ok. Lighted picnic tables and plenty of empty spaces. Not bad for a quick 5 or 6 hours and get up and brush your teeth, wash your face and explore the panhandle on a quick leg of our road trip.Didnt stick around for the free orange juice we had beaches to see LoL
My son is frugal beyond belief. He has a 24 hour gym membership. Free showers. He traveled a lot on business. Would sleep in the car. All the saved money went into investments. I am now older and do little traveling. However, I don't want to pay anything for a hotel when traveling: 1. you research and time your travel and when you sleep. 2. you can take a refreshing nap or sleep a couple of hours in all the places he references and be safer doing it in the daytime than at night. I can't drive nonstop between Los Angeles and Las Vegas. This is exactly what I do. When I was younger, I used to take the Greyhound Bus and sleep. 3. There are companies that make a living giving you a free bus ride to a casino where you must gamble and then drive you back, sometimes for free. If you like to gamble, sleep and not pay for a hotel, it is an option.
Nap during rush hour! 3 years in an RV taught me that all cops approve of people getting off the road during rush hour. 3 to 7 is a good chunk of time to get a decent nap in. I had a sign I placed in the window. "Only parking here to avoid rush hour." Never got ejected.
18 yrs old, 1982. My friends and I did our graduation excursion through a few states and spent most nights sleeping in the car in church parking lots. One night driving through L.A., we put our sleeping bags on the back lawn. The police saw us and checked our I.D.s and said "no problem, just make sure you are gone early in the morning." It was a Saturday night. Unfortunately kids today don't have police so nice as they used to be.
That’s crap. I used to protect the homeless and overnighters when I was on the job and most if not all my active duty partners do. There will always be one or two who make it look bad for all of us.
I would NEVER sleep in my car at a Rest Stop, ever, patrolled or not. You would be safer pulling over on the side of the road for heavens sake! This is one of the WORST places to pull over and sleep in your car. This was hammered into me by my US Marine dad trucker!
The last few times I slept in my car, it was in front of the house or at the office. I was having a gall stone attack (it's removed now so no longer a problem). Nothing was at all comfortable, but the driver's seat in my car was the best I could find.
I slept in the front passenger's seat when I was road tripping. Got to like the semi-reclined position so much I wanted to replicate it when I returned home. Bought an electric recliner armchair - perfect. 😌 And when there's noise around, I put on industrial earmuffs, which you can't do lying down. This has been a lifesaver.
That's why I NEVER buy a car with a trunk. Made that mistake with my very first car in 1991. Get a vehicle that has no trunk, like a hatchback car, any suv, any van or minivan. Pickup trucks are ok, but you'd need a camper shell. You want the most space in your vehicle, which is a 90 degree angle box. Car makers make it streamline, beautiful with curves & lines. This unfortunately removes your needed space. So buy any vehicle where the passenger compartment closely resemble a box. The closer to a box it resembles, the more space you have.
@@michaelgray42 Where I live, one is unlikely to be harassed for sleeping in the driver's seat. Maybe if you are not a local and are parked in some place you should not be. At home, I live in a community of about 30 people in 50 square miles. It is very rare for the sheriff's deputies to drive the mile from the nearest highway to the house. Also, at the office, there are no police and it is patrolled by the sheriff's department. Being a local who is not a trouble maker, the most they would do is just check to make sure I'm okay. Over the years, we have had a small number of people who died from heart attacks sitting in their vehicles.
If I put up a tent in Commifornia I couldn't sleep anyway because there are vagabonds, thieves, and rapists that would break-in. Not safe. There's nowhere to go. And it's a matter of time before security notices
@@IbelongtoJesus. Sorry to hear that. At least you realize it’s Commifornia. You’re welcome to join us in the free state of Ohio. I live in a rural area that does not even have police. Been here 60 years only complaint would be winters can be rough. Oh yeah, the cost of living has to be half of what you are paying.
@@ARedMotorcycle Some fool will take you up on that dare, and if you were there illegally you may find yourself in the deepest poop you can imagine. I'm not saying don't be ready to protect yourself, just don't have that kind of attitude because if things go sour the teeth you will feel biting you in your butt will be your own.
*You can also camp in ANY Cracker Barrel parking lot in the entire USA as they welcome campers. I run a multi state vending route and am on the road for weeks at a time and this is where I’ve found the cleanest, safest, and quietest areas to sleep in.*
I pull a boat and have stayed at half of the places mentioned. Always scope it out first. Take care of a Personal Care needs before arriving. Cover boat. I use room darkening cloths hung inside windows so Folks cannot see in. Pull in. Lock up. Climb into cot in rear that has all bedding already set up. Keep key fob, variable illuminating flashlight, water bottle and pee bottle nearby. In an Emergency, hit your key fob Alarm. Always be gone by 7:00am. I have asked for permission to park and sleep overnight at some places (restaurants and large sporting goods stores) and they have said ‘yes” and told me what area I should park at. Always buy a meal or something prior to asking for easier approval.
Have a "briefcase" full of your handmade stuff and give them a "sales pitch". Offer them a "1 time" super - duper discount! Because you couldn't find space in the swapmeet parking lot.
I agree with 9 of your recommendations. Number 7 (WalMart) seems sketchy to me. I've been to WalMart's after midnight and it's an entirely different class of clientele.
From past experience. If you want to overnight at a rest area or truck stop you have to "check in" early. The popular ones on the main highways (I10 or I40) are "all booked up" by 4 PM local time.
Years ago I had problems with overnight sleeping in my camper van, so I parked close to the PD HQ parking lot. I got hassled a lot by the Sunnyvale PD so I figured out what cops do when they report in for work. They park their private car in the parking lot and then they fan out to their assigned areas and always away from the HQ area.
Those who are looking for it know how to spot vans, box trucks, and trailers being used as campers. They only go unnoticed by the average person who doesn't care anyway.
Went to Houston to pick my sons up at the airport. I stopped in a parking lot hotel to google map the airport and security rolled up on a golf cart asked if I was a guest, told them no I was checking my GPS, was told only guests were allowed and had to leave. Be aware of your surroundings always
If security at a Hotel checks on you - tell them you are visiting a "friend". When they ask what room? - Tell them it's "ILLEGAL" to give out ANY personal info! Worth a try.
@@davesanders9203 I would strongly advise against that. Never go out of your way to be confrontational since a Rent a Cop is merely doing their job. Invite the Security person to help you since you are new in town and lost.
A lot of hotels are giving you a parking slip for the window or asking what you drive make and models and tag numbers and giving a list to the security guards and they will give you the knock to leave if you're not on it. Buc-ee's is not a truck stop they do not allow overnight parking. A lot of Walmarts will not allow you to park in their parking lots anymore overnight. I'm just someone who travels alot.
Spent a lot of nights sleeping in my car after my divorce. I was working five jobs and had been evicted from my home by my ex. It was so frequent that the local PD in the city I would use as my parking lot all got to know me by name and eventually left me alone once they knew I wasn't some drunk passed out in the driver's seat. Those were some rough days. I later got a job for a law enforcement agency there, and they would reminisce with me of the days I would be passed out in an abandoned gas station parking lot. Haha.
I would assume that you would show some empathy for others who have hit on hard times. Would you be able to advise an "overnighter" on where they could go to be safe and unobtrusive as possible?
@@StinkyGringo All our trips are scheduled days in advance. We don't schedule last minute. We sometimes have several hours in between trips or if we're doing a Wine or Brewery Tour or some type of medical appointment, we're on the clock waiting for several hours and we can pretty much do whatever we want. If nothing is scheduled, then yes, I get paid to sit around. Took people to a ballgame recently and we parked in the garage and I bought a ticket and I got paid quite well to watch a ballgame.
Well, I don't know where you're getting the idea that it's a young person's game. Over the last 10 years there's been a rise on senior citizens having to move into their vehicles and trying to go to warmer climates to survive. We're going to have a depression. You're going to see a whole lot more people living in their cars.
Airport long term parking isn't bad. A friend of mine slept in do-it-yourself carwashes. They, usually, have big garage doors to close, and no one comes around in the middle of the night.
@@IbelongtoJesus. I've known too many women living on the run, and they all did the best they could, with the situations they were in. And, the same terrible things that can happen to women, can happen to men, just as easily. When your life takes a dark turn, you live how you have to, and deal with the bad as best you can. I sincerely hope you never have to live on the run, it's not a good time, but if you do, "cannot" is not a word that should be in your vocabulary. You'd be surprised by what you CAN do, when life let's you down. BTW, even for a man, being on your own, in an inhospitable place, is terrifying. Being "brave" is just accepting the situation you are in, and dealing with it, until you can find a way out of it. Trust me, it's very frightening. But, where there's life, there's hope. Take care!
Eleven, a cemetery, they are quiet and dark. The bad guys probably don't prowl cemeteries. Often the cops and local security teams won't enter a cemetery at 3am, so you can get some sleep and the dearly departed don't give a damn because they are dead. When I drove cab on the "graveyard shift" the 3am - 5 am hours were usually slow, so a nap with the dead, was a great relief.
@@davesanders9203I'd worry more about protecting myself than someone else who doesn't care about me. Those rules are made up by people who could care less.
The 24/7 gym membership is a great tip. I came up with that solution a few years ago; really makes a difference when you're free camping, to have that access to showers etc. And I could keep my training up! Some had lots which were suitable to park in, but many were too small & too busy - people coming in up until around midnite and then starting again around 5am, means you don't have much of a sleeping window.
@@danielploy9143 The gym chain I use has private showers at all their branches, and usually several private full bathrooms. I've never been to a gym where the showers are open. But that is common at swimming pools, which is my other tip for a place to get an affordable shower in a pinch. 😉
@@danielploy9143 Private showers, often full private bathrooms - you can get some personal grooming done. 😁 Though I would aim to do that outside of busy hours, and usually just one thing a time; like shave one day, clipper my head another day, etc. I've only seen open showers at public swimming pools. Which is another place you can get a shower in a pinch. 😉
@@bearcubdaycare - It's not Walmart. The "No overnight parking" ordinance was most likely sponsored and pushed by a local RV park to FORCE business their way. Walmart doesn't care unless you appear to be homesteading (putting out slides, awnings, BBQ, etc.).
Great vid Jason! Got the brain fluid moving! Had actually USED a couple of those. Yes, here on the East Coast we have National Forests all over. KEEP EM COMING!!! m
Except in Miami, FL. They know people park there, catch their free shuttle bus to the dock for the cruise ship. So either you pay a fee or be a guest there, which they then give you a parking pass to display on your dash. No pass, your car gets towed.
I was gonna type "Hospital Parking Lots" but you beat me to the punch. Also, unless I missed it, Cracker Barrel restaurant lots. Be sure to ask first because some may have city restrictions placed on them forbidding overnights. Same for Walmart Parking lots and/or Home Depots. Always ask first. On trips I use my "Harvest Host" membership to schedule one nighters at winneries, brewries, churches, watever. They require you buy something for 20$'s. There is also a membership they offer which allows one to stay in a private home's driveway...for free. Both these memberships required one to contact the owners first, via internet, and await a response and confirmation.
Excellent list of places to sleep. Years ago was driving, was gonna stop at a rest area. I had bad gut feelings about it -drove around and found myself sleeping overnight in a hospital parking lot… Is a great idea for somewhere safe. I personally am not a fan of sleeping overnight and rest areas, unless I am in an RV.
Not all Walmarts permit it, because of municipal regulations, some cannot accept RVs or overnight cars, but there is always one Walmart about 15-20 minutes away that accomdates. Usually if you see Rvs, you know that you can park there.
@@paulc4209 I've been run out of the WalMarts in Las Vegas twice. Starting about 10 years ago, but Las Vegas only appreciates to high-rollers. They didn't bother the people next to me in the quarter-million dollar RV's.
I moved back to Columbus Ga to where I ets from the Army back some yrs ago and with limited money finding an apartment was a nogo as I had found a job but didn't have a place to live I slept at a rest stop for 2 weeks until I found an apartment. I had no troubles
I used to work security for a Las Vegas strip hotel. It’s either going to be too hot or too cold to sleep without the engine running. We had bicycle patrols that would spot you fairly quickly. The policy was no sleeping in cars. If you appeared sober we would tell you to either go inside or leave. If you didn’t appear sober we would tell you to go inside and walk around for a while. Maybe get something to eat. Either way it’s not a good place because you’re not going to get any rest.
Who has time to sleep when you are in SinCity. 😂😂😂😂😂 Last time I was in Vagas I noticed signs in the casinos that sleeping and loitering was not permitted .
I’m a photographer who travels on multi-week roadtrips and camps out in my 4Runner most nights. Many of the places you listed are non-starters. Walmart is not friendly for overnight parking anymore in most of the US. Too many RVer’s trashed the lots, so Walmart nixed that. Hotel lots will get you busted in most places. A few states allow overnight parking in rest areas, but most don’t and they do enforce the rules. Sometimes Planet Fitness type places can work, but if they share a parking lot with other businesses, there will be security and they will run you off. Parking garages are good with caveats. Never stay in an underground lot. Poor ventilation will make you miserable. Regardless of where you plan to try this, you need blackout shades so no one knows you’re in there.
Many local city ordinances prompted by the Hotels and Chambers of Commerce groups push the city to enact ordinances that restrict overnight parking, esp. Walmart parking lots.
Not all Walmarts allow overnight parking. I had my 5th wheel (hooked to my truck), parked while I went grocery shopping for my next week’s groceries. When I came out security was by my truck waiting for me to tell me, I couldn’t stay over night. I explained, I was just shopping and after putting my groceries away I would be on my way. He told me, more and more Walmart’s are not allowing it anymore. So, check with the Walmart before setting up for the night.
the good ole Holiday Inn ! I would ask IF I could sleep in my car in the parking lot due to lack of $$$ ? 4 out of 5 times - they told me i could use the washroom and gave me the towels and soap to clean up and if I had a swim suit - I could use the swimming pool !
I'm retired nowadays, so I enjoy traveling and doing some landscape photography and painting etc... So I spend a lot of time camping in my E350 Van. Places he missed, 24 hour restaurants, Car dealerships, Auto Repair shops, grocery stores, home Depot, Menards, Lowes etc... Strip Malls, Apartments, Casinos, construction sites, hospitals and lastly if you have the guts police parking lots ! Places to never ever park for the night. Playgrounds, schools of any kind, fire Department parking Lots, Residential neighborhoods, anywhere inside a city limit in the U.S.. You can end up towed even with you in the vehicle and they will rape you for money to get your vehicle back from their impound lot !
Great suggestions if you live in a chill area. Here in the Boston area 1/2 of your suggestions would certainly catch the attention of the local police. Whether they would let you stay would be a coin toss. Even the Walmarts up here don't allow overnighting.
If you’re in the south and areas where they have restaurants, I’ve slept at waffle House parking lots. I wasn’t bothered, but I made sure I parked away from the front door so actual customers would have a close parking space
Great tips...a few I would not have thought of and good to know however, personally I would never sleep in a rest stop or a parking garage as those are both high crime areas
My Walmarts aren't open 24 hours. Other videos claim that Walmart doesn't allow overnighting anymore. Some stealth car campers still try it in their videos.
One time while driving through Nevada at night I decided I needed to stop. There was only 1 town, and the hotel was full. It was just too bright in town, so I drove out of town and found a gravel road. Drove down that for 20 minutes and slept there. Nice and dark in the middle of nowhere. The only bad part was in the the morning I had to go #2. I won't get into that.
Jason, with your primary residence locked up tight/secured would you do a video on how you handle an emergency escape, e.g. fire. I tend to be security conscious so I have multiple locks on my doors, windows locked with a brace in the window frame. I've wondered, what if.... then I thought, I wonder how Jason handles/plans for that.
I live in Southern Oregon, and if you're looking for a free overnight, most of these suggestions would get you run off. Nearly every place has lot security who are on the look out for "campers." The large truck stops or designated rest areas are going to be your best bet.
I would also say to travel after hours, the roads are clear a safer. I travel from 9pm to 5am just for the window I'm looking for when I reach my destination.
Regarding the truck stops - especially you are a single woman - be extremely careful. Women are targets of dangerous long haul truckers. My dad was told by a trucker at a truck stop to not let my mom “out of his sight!” It was a very strong warning.
FYI, Buc-ee’s is NOT a truck stop; they actually prohibit trucks (tractor trailers, that is, obviously not pickup trucks). They don’t have the kind of life support facilities truck stops have. For example, they don’t have showers. If you want the cleanest restrooms on the interstate, head for the nearest Buc-ee’s - just don’t expect showers.
Churches will call the cops. I have heard of it. The golden rule of sleeping in your car is pull in, go straight to sleep, and leave early. Don't get out of your vehicle. Don't reorganize your stuff in the car. Do your nightly ablutions elsewhere. Your sleep spot is for sleep. Also, Buccees will ruin you off. They do not allow overnight parking.
Okay Truck stops are dangerous for a woman by herself, and I'm in Commifornia. Most of the places here you mention to park are not okay. The police check everywhere, and my car looks homeless.
I was going to post that also. That would be my last choice. Lots of women get picked up there and do not return. There are a lot of truck driver murderers. 😢
@@CroisMoi… I doubt there are ‘a lot’ of trucker\murderers, but admit it can be dangerous for a woman traveling solo these days if she doesn’t practice situational awareness. Side point: There are numerous woman who are truckers and many others are veterans. My son in law is a trucker owner\operator and a retired US Marine. He travels with a small puppy. 😂
24 hour stores, neighborhoods where most people park in the street, driveways where the house is for sale, hospitals, airports, truck stops, motels, paid parking lots...many others.
Ukw bro, saying this as an atheist ⚛️, u make religious people look really wonderful & awesome, I grew up knowing Christians, Jesus believers, all other religious people as scumbags, & lowlifes, who use Jesus as something to hide behind, to to bad shit to people, or to commit crime & be forgiven for it, they also abused of me badly in every way as a child, wch is wht made me atheist ⚛️, but u bro, u really do make religious people shine bro, I am very happy I subscribed to ur company spy & survival, & even bought the app.! Thank u for everything jason ur really a model american!!😀🫡
A claim doesn’t make one a Christian.. “salvation is of the Lord”. -Jonah. Don’t forfeit your own salvation due to people making Jesus look bad. He is good!
The best place to spend the night for safety is a cemetery parking lot for obvious reasons. Violent people don't like being near the cemetery because they know their time is ending.
Buckees does not allow overnight parking. No overnight RVs or cars. Semi trucks, non corporate buses, etc are completely prohibited from their property at all hours Walmarts are no longer open 24 hours. The employees know whose car does not belong. It is also sometimes illegal to overnight in [a growing number of] many cities. Fines are levied against the property owner, so if they know you are sleeping in their parking lot they trespass you.
I have a van and I've parked at hundreds of rest stops across this great country for over the past 60 years and never once did I have a bad encounter. I have found out that Americans are the friendliest people in the world and 99% of them, cops included, are willing to help a fellow traveller. Here's the irony: the more upscale a neighborhood is, the more unfriendly it is, as a rule.
My favorites have maybe 2 or 3 other vehicles there most of the night. Usually just a couple trucks on the other side of the area. Sometimes we are the only ones there. Almost like a private park. LoL
If staying overnight in Utah, be sure you are not ina FLDS town... Women disappear and are later rescued from Short Creek ,married to a Bishop with 16 other wives.
Hospital parking tip. I’m a medical device rep and I spent many nights sleeping in the parking lot. Order a cheap set of scrubs. They are like pajamas so you can sleep in them. In the very rare chance security checks on you, if they see the scrubs they will pass you by.
@@Medevicerep brilliant!
Good to know! I spent the night in a hospital parking lot then went back a week later. 30 minutes after I got there security showed up. I am thinking my phone was reflecting off my windows
Hospitals usually have good cafeterias, too.
I slept in a hospital parking lot once. Took my husband to the ER. They were going to be running a lot of tests and I was tired. They didn't have a place where I could really get some sleep, so I went out to the car and took a nap.
So smart!
Agreed. I would add auto repair places like Firestone. A car in the lot at 0300 will just look like a car left overnight waiting for repairs. I saw a 'homeless' woman do this for years in Austin. She had a nice van and a membership to the gym right there. At night she would sometimes park at the Firestone. She had a good job, but preferred to live this way. She told me she had tons of money because she was saving so much this way. If a winter storm came she just went to a motel for a few days. She just lived simply and was happy. And as a Texan, she was also armed and ready to defend herself.
smart. but would be smarter if she just found a good man to marry. bonus would be she would have children and grandkids.
What was her occupation?
Commifornia isn't same as Texas.
@@cagneybillingsley2165🤮🤮🤮
Walmart,, hotels, have security that 😢😢😮Ran us off. Gyms also are on big lots,,again. GUARDS NOW WILL STICK THEIR HEADS AND CHECK ALL CARS. THEY RAN US OFF 😢
1. Hotel Parking Lots
2. 24-hour Gyms
3. Church Parking Lots
4. Truck Stops (nicer and larger)
5. Rest Stops
6. BLM Land
7. Walmart Parking Lot
8. Renting a Spot
9. Parking Garage
10. Hospital Parking Lots
Most of these spots prohibit overnight parking .
My wife and I were traveling from Indiana to Shenandoah National Park, VA. We stopped for gas in Beckley, WV and the cashier let us know the Cracker Barrel next door let RV's and campers park in their lot. There were like 8 big spaces for RV's so we pulled in at about 10:30 pm and slept in our camper. The lot was lit up decently and we had our CCW's with us. We got up just before the Cracker Barrel opened so we waited and got breakfast before heading out. We felt it was the right thing to do for using their lot and restrooms.
I pulled the best one while traveling. I went to a Sheriffs Department in Arkansas and simply told them that I was too tired to drive, couldn't find a hotel room at 2 am and asked if I could sleep there for a couple of hours. They gladly obliged much to my surprise. No questions asked. 😂
Your lucky. If they were bored, they would have investigated you and if you didn't like it, they would have charged you with a crime.
@@NotAffiliated In Arkansas, they leave Louisiana boys alone. 😂
Actually a public street out front of, or the overflow part of police departments are some of the best spots.
@@NotAffiliatedyou should be fine tho….protected by your tinfoil hat
@@garywheeler2055MAGA
Buccee's does NOT allow sleeping in cars/campers. You'd think you could get away with it because their parking lots are massive. Security drives around looking for cars that are parked for an extended period. A 2 hour cat nap ... maybe.
Many hotels have Security doing the same. That's why they ask for your vehicle info when you check in.
My favorites are anyplace that's open 24/7; primarily for accessibility to a clean bathroom. Just look for signs that say 'no overnight parking".
And they also do not ever allow trucks, Buccee's hates trucks.
Did 2 hours at several Buckees.
Good points. Thanks.
When I had to sleep in my car from no money or traveling across states. IT was easier to sleep in the day, work or drive at night. Night time people and businesses, police, theives are looking for a car out of place. But during day time it's easy to go to a parking lot in the shade and sleep undisturbed.
this is next level smart... also I will add that travelling at night is so much better with no traffic
Good point. I've used that same idea several times. Also the driving is much easier, fewer cars on the road, although a lot of trucks.
GREAT IDEA
@@jamesbarrick3403 More drunks on the road at night.
I did this for 3 years as a hotel night auditor. The main issue was summer; it is almost impossible to survive in the heat during the daytime. Any solution to effectively overcome the heat makes too much noise and blows your stealth.
The truck stop one is tricky. People have caused issues there. I lived out of my car November and December of last year and rotated between 3 truck stops. Things went well the first 2 weeks, but then some people in campers decided to argue at a TA truck stop so the security made ALL of us leave. The guard then told me that, technically, he is supposed to kick people without CDLs off the lot after 4 hours but was not enforcing it until the argument happened. Truck stops are becoming less and less friendly for people without CDLs.
A few people ruin it for others.
Trucks are noisy af anyway.
@@BWater-yq3jx Headphone & earplugs???
As an ex driver throwing out tired drivers is a big liability issue, what happens if you fall asleep 200 yards down the road. Your next of kin will own them.
Not Bucc-ee’s. They don’t permit this.
I lived in a station wagon for three or four years. I had a membership in a gym, but one night I slept in their lot and had someone come out and order me to leave. Truck stops are good usually, industrial areas are good, and rest stops. At one point I had a little camp trailer and parked it in a industrial area that didn't have buildings yet in most of the lots. It is best not to park right in front of an active business. In the LA area there are swap or flea markets that are open every day of the week. People sleep in their vehicles overnight in a line to get an unused space the next morning. I made a living selling at them so it was a natural for me, sellers look after each other, and you could stay in the line and then "change your mind" about a space the next morning.
When i was a college kid traveling in the early 1980's...i used to plan my long travel trips from state to state...to run into state colleges....where i could bed down in the student housing recreation -TV quarters sofa on the quietest building and floor i could find...and take showers in the communal bathrooms...then onto the next free college student building. When you're a young good-looking guy...nobody questions if you belong there. It was fun scoping out all the student buildings and which floor i liked best...i even made some friends...felt at home. I imagine you cannot do that today...they lock all the student doors now w/ access cards. Years ago, college buildings were free hotels for young people traveling.
Put a smile on my face for the hospital parking lot option! I meet a buddy of mine at a large local hospital near north of us….he parks his car and we head down south about 5 hrs worth of driving to go see another buddy of ours. We do this this every note and then to catch up as a small group of friends. By the time we get back to the hospital…it’s like 15 hrs later….. nobody ever said anything about his car being there as, as we know, there are many cars usually at a hospital and a lot of folks even stay over night with a loved one at the hospital. They have security monitor the parking lots but I would think you could actually keep a vehicle there for at least a week before they might even pay any attention to you. Good spot.
caution hospitals often charge parking these days, especially in cities. as a RN we pay parking to go-to work!
But his car DIDN'T HAVE SOMEONE SLEEPING IN IT. No wonder they didn't bother with it. If you'd been sleeping in it, it would have been a different ballgame.
My car sat in a hospital parking lot for a few days.
But then again, I was in the hospital and they knew it was there.
During tough part in a marriage, I parked near apartment complexes that had parking on the street. Nobody keeps track of who is coming/going, and I would move it a little. This was a minivan with removable seats, and could be kept private with a fake floor situation. Putting clipboards and hard hats on the dashboard would work at hotel parking lots.
Back in the 90s, when I would travel with a shell on the back of a PU. I would park near an apartment complex at about 10 pm. Out of state plates are common at transient apts.
Consider a YMCA membership and toss a sticker on your car. You can go into any YMCA as a guest member for around $5 and use the facilities…gym, pool, locker rooms and showers.
Where do you live that YMCA is so cheap? Last I checked ymca was way over $100.
@@jpjp9111 The guest pass for visitors outside their home YMCA is $5-10. Yes, the monthly fee is around $70.
YMCA's have hours, 24 hour gyms let you pee at 3am.
You can get anything there, that a man would want-----LOL.
@@jpjp9111 Yeah, when I was a kid we had a family membership. As an adult with kids I looked into it and said no way at those prices!
I had a 3 month stint back in 2004 where I had to live in my car and finding a place to park for the night was a bit tricky for sure. I parked at a hotel parking lot for a few nights then a security guard ran me off. I eventually found a couple of apartment complexes and used those pretty much the rest of the time. It sucked though and I hope I never have to go through anything like that again.
Lived on a boat for years, a gym is good for showers like you said, it's good for working out and it's good for information from locals.
The gym is a great place to get quests from NPCs
@@pentalwaywhat is that???
Cabela's allows travels to overnight in their parking lots, and so does Cracker Barrel.
not all Cabela's do
Not one near me
Same as Walmarts; each location varies so look for signs or ask store management.
@@P_RO_ Not in Commifornia
Grow up@@IbelongtoJesus.
So much here isn't quite right, at least east of the Mississippi. Many Walmarts do not allow overnight parking or camping and have signs posted indicating this. Even those without signs may not allow overnighting. Best this to do is go in the store and ask the management; sometimes they'll make an exception and et you stay a night and even if not, they're a local so they might be able to tell you where to go. Walmarts are also not very safe anymore. Also avoid malls even if they've got 24-hour stores as those are often high-crime areas.
Many truck stops have a 'no cars or campers' policy, again usually posted on signs so look for those. If you do sleep at one, give thought to the trucks and don't park where you may get in their way and spend some money there so you can show the receipt and not look lime you're bumming. Tops is don't PO any trucker, because if they report you for anything you'll be gone.
Many highway rest stops have stay-time limits posted which are enforced. Sometimes these policies are just that one and sometimes state-wide. Again they're not always safe either.
The better hotels usually have a security guard onsite or someone in management watching the lot comparing license plate numbers to their registered guest list, and this is very common in tourist areas where hotel room prices are overpriced. If you do a hotel lot, don't park within sight of the office or close enough to the dumpster for employees to discover you.
BLM/ National Forests may have numerous kinds of restrictions involved or almost none. Usually it relates to where you're allowed to 'camp' and if they have a designated campground you're usually restricted to that which will be booked full months ahead of time in good-weather seasons. Especially out west, be sure if there are any restrictions on fires, as the fine for screwing up with that will be big. Best to ask at the Ranger station as thus is Federal court stuff if it goes that far. Pretty much the whole state of California is off-limits to this except in the more remote locations, and the places where this is enforced will haul you off to jail instead of asking you to move on. Same thing near Vegas and Reno or any high-tourist areas, and most big cities with homeless problems too. In those places you'd better have a site where you're allowed and welcome even if you have to pay for it.
Top tip is to look and be respectful and friendly to whoever controls things, because in many places you're actually trespassing to stay overnight uninvited. That can get you hauled off to jail and your car impounded too- you ain't saving diddly if that happens. You need to know what will make you stand out and what will get you caught quickly if you do free overnighting in random places; you've got to 'fly under the radar' or do the 'gray-man' thing and not be noticed at all. That requires a deeper understanding of the situation than most people have as the people who will be looking for you (including criminals) know how to spot anyone who doesn't belong. There is much better advice than is given here on YT if you know which channels to watch, but you'll have to find them on your own. Sorry if that offends you but once a method becomes widely known and used it gets looked for and banned and then both you and these people who are actually living that life lose out. If you're truly that interested in this then you'll do your own research and find the best ways to succeed. It can be done.
Well said ! You're exactly right ! Living in your car nowadays is not simple . Police will notice you & do a welfare check on you with flash lights , even where you're allowed to park overnight .
1️⃣ hotel 🏨
2️⃣ hospital 🏥
3️⃣ churches ⛪
4️⃣ leaving from California to either Texas, Utah, Florida . Thanks, Mr Jason great YT👨💻
Thanks for the video.
I haven't seen a Walmart open 24 hours in several years. If I found one, I'd agree that parking there all night would be a good idea.
I've slept at truck stops a bit on long trips. Often, I try to set my schedule so that I'm stopping at five or six in the morning and sleeping for just five or six hours. That makes me look like a tired driver catching a nap and not someone trying to find a camping spot for free. I always try to buy stuff in the truck stop before I go. Right now, I'm wearing a T-shirt that I bought in a truck stop after napping for a bit.
I understand that rest areas can be a riskier choice. I've never been bothered at a rest area, but I know that some of them are dangerous. I generally try to keep my rest area naps to an hour or two, and I often try to take those naps during the day.
I live next to BLM land, and I feel pretty safe here. I'm less confident about advising people to camp on just any BLM land. The likelihood is very high that no one will even notice that one is camping on BLM land. The problem is that if the wrong person notices, then help will never arrive.
I'm white and a female. Doubt that would work for me
@@IbelongtoJesus. I'm saddened that we live in a world where that's a problem for you.
I've stayed a many Walmart parking lots and have had no problem. They usually have security personnel driving around the lot at night if they are NOT "24 hours". Of course you have to call them before you do just to check if they allow over night parking. Many Walmarts do not!
@@badguy1481 Walmart in Calif will get those vacuum trucks cleaning the parking lots and they have a great time revving up their trucks as they pass around you at 0300 in the morning.
@IbelongtoJesus. Same. I traveled alone in my RV for years. I had a Big Black Dog. For some reason, they scare people more? I slept without fear.
Set up your car so you can run the engine for heat/ac without any exterior lights, always park pointed at the open exit and always sleep with the keys in the ignition... finally have a way to block all the windows so people can't see in...
Well said
I agree, he’s obviously a sack of hammers that knows nothing or he’s completely useless and trying to bullshit the population.I mean this guy is a bestseller 😂😂😂😂…or a best in class bullshitter.
More and more seniors are living in their vehicles now because cost of living is so high,hard to keep up on social security.
very true. The state parks, national forests have volunteer positions for seniors who want to be camp hosts in exchange for free camp site
@@cindylong624 thanks,thats good to know
@@cindylong624this both makes me happy and breaks my heart!!! 💔
My pickup has an insulated shell and a bed and shelving that I built out for very cozy sleeping. I use it extensively for solo fly-fishing trips in the mountains, but I have used it for several cross-country trips to visit family. I don’t like to stay in Walmart parking lots that others like, but I have stayed in hotel parking lots occasionally and truck stops primarily. Problem with truck stops is that they are very bright and noisy, but convenient because of 24hr restaurants and showers as you mentioned.
Some trucks leave their engines on and if there's little wind, you will get a good dose of diesel fumes.
I used to work at Bucees. It is NOT a truck stop. They do not allow semis. Also if you are going to sleep there in parking lot you need to notify management.
Not in Commifornia
I am 75 and have been homeless since my 72nd birthday,most of what you say is true but I still prefer to live out of town
Prayers.❤
Be careful with rest stops, many have signs no camping or staying overnight. Yes I've seen some iffy ones myself.
No camping at rest stops, doesn't state no sleeping or resting. In my past, I've never known a police officer whom would ticket somebody resting or sleeping in their car at a rest stop. However, repetitively sleeping at a rest stop (eg. every night) is a different matter, as the driver is likely not driving to/fro destinations. On the flip, could always explain when questioned, making a long trip to/fro a destination, with no reasonable means of having a hotel/motel room, due to timing, etc. Rest area sleeping gets more common within rural areas, if there's rest areas available. Stay safe while driving, if tired, pull-off at a rest area and get some sleep!
@@rogerxxxxxxx There's usually a time limit at rest stops- often two hours. That's enough time for a fatigued driver to rest enough to safely go on for a while. If you 'get the knock' for overstaying, they'll usually let you move on if you explain that you only intended to catnap and just didn't wake up when your phone alarm clock went off. Apologize nicely and say you're late now and ask them if you can please move on, and they'll usually let you.
@@P_RO_ So it's OK for forcing a tired driver to return to the roadway, because they're traveling to/fro long distances? Until very recently, I do not know of one police officer enforcing such a ridiculous practice. As such, causing a fear from being cited for practicing safe driving habits. I've heard and seen of a two hour rule before at some places, however I now suspect the rule is usually enforced by private property folks with no government authority or experience, for forcing tired drivers back onto the streets. Most of the times, the limits are due to preventing people from camping, or making a home at the rest areas. Funny, you're last sentence there assumes the person is a police officer arresting for humanly sleeping/resting. Reminds me of Mr. Beans, arresting (black) people for "walking all over the place!" Probably the only time people get harassed by police at rest stops, are usually when they're doing something wrong, such as drugs, parked incorrectly, etc... Most times, they're just checking to make sure you're OK, especially more likely nowadays due to Fentanyl drug over dosing. Sometimes the time limit is possibly due to a smaller rest area or past repetitive incidents, only encouraging people to move on and prevent people from loitering and preventing those really tired from resting. I have never been consulted during my many travels during my past 20-30 years, for sleeping at an assigned rest area. Checking one Internet site neighbor.com, seems Pennsylvania is the only State with a two hour rule, likely for more rural rest areas versus rest service areas, but likely often ignored, likely the two hour is en-stated for mitigating elevated/not-monitored increase criminal activity. One or two States have a four to eight hour limits, but most US States have reasonable 8-12/24 hour limits. If a person is abiding by law or innocent, they should be able to get the rest they need/require, and I've never set an alarm clock at rest areas. Sorry for the lengthy reply, just trying to clarify the two hour limit is largely dumb, and people shouldn't have to try sleeping in fear of "getting the knock" at a window, if they're law abiding.
In Florida personal vehicles such as cars, SUVs, and pickup trucks are legally allowed 3 hours a day. Semis can stay 10 hours a day at a rest stop. However that law is not really enforced at a couple i visit. In 8 months i have been told that I can only stay 3 hours once. However I rarely use them a lot.
We slept in a Florida rest area on I-10 a few years ago. Security guard said it was ok. Lighted picnic tables and plenty of empty spaces. Not bad for a quick 5 or 6 hours and get up and brush your teeth, wash your face and explore the panhandle on a quick leg of our road trip.Didnt stick around for the free orange juice we had beaches to see LoL
My son is frugal beyond belief. He has a 24 hour gym membership. Free showers. He traveled a lot on business. Would sleep in the car. All the saved money went into investments.
I am now older and do little traveling. However, I don't want to pay anything for a hotel when traveling:
1. you research and time your travel and when you sleep.
2. you can take a refreshing nap or sleep a couple of hours in all the places he references and be safer doing it in the daytime than at night. I can't drive nonstop between Los Angeles and Las Vegas. This is exactly what I do. When I was younger, I used to take the Greyhound Bus and sleep.
3. There are companies that make a living giving you a free bus ride to a casino where you must gamble and then drive you back, sometimes for free. If you like to gamble, sleep and not pay for a hotel, it is an option.
Nap during rush hour! 3 years in an RV taught me that all cops approve of people getting off the road during rush hour. 3 to 7 is a good chunk of time to get a decent nap in.
I had a sign I placed in the window. "Only parking here to avoid rush hour." Never got ejected.
18 yrs old, 1982. My friends and I did our graduation excursion through a few states and spent most nights sleeping in the car in church parking lots. One night driving through L.A., we put our sleeping bags on the back lawn. The police saw us and checked our I.D.s and said "no problem, just make sure you are gone early in the morning." It was a Saturday night. Unfortunately kids today don't have police so nice as they used to be.
That’s crap. I used to protect the homeless and overnighters when I was on the job and most if not all my active duty partners do. There will always be one or two who make it look bad for all of us.
@@OFCbigduke613one or two? Lmao. Spend a few hours on TH-cam.
kids today aren't as respectful as kids in the 80s
I would NEVER sleep in my car at a Rest Stop, ever, patrolled or not. You would be safer pulling over on the side of the road for heavens sake! This is one of the WORST places to pull over and sleep in your car. This was hammered into me by my US Marine dad trucker!
The last few times I slept in my car, it was in front of the house or at the office.
I was having a gall stone attack (it's removed now so no longer a problem). Nothing was at all comfortable, but the driver's seat in my car was the best I could find.
I slept in the front passenger's seat when I was road tripping.
Got to like the semi-reclined position so much I wanted to replicate it when I returned home.
Bought an electric recliner armchair - perfect. 😌
And when there's noise around, I put on industrial earmuffs, which you can't do lying down.
This has been a lifesaver.
That's why I NEVER buy a car with a trunk. Made that mistake with my very first car in 1991. Get a vehicle that has no trunk, like a hatchback car, any suv, any van or minivan. Pickup trucks are ok, but you'd need a camper shell. You want the most space in your vehicle, which is a 90 degree angle box. Car makers make it streamline, beautiful with curves & lines. This unfortunately removes your needed space. So buy any vehicle where the passenger compartment closely resemble a box. The closer to a box it resembles, the more space you have.
Don't sleep in driver's seat. Many states consider that being in control of vehicle. Good way to get harassed by Police.
@@michaelgray42 Where I live, one is unlikely to be harassed for sleeping in the driver's seat. Maybe if you are not a local and are parked in some place you should not be.
At home, I live in a community of about 30 people in 50 square miles. It is very rare for the sheriff's deputies to drive the mile from the nearest highway to the house.
Also, at the office, there are no police and it is patrolled by the sheriff's department. Being a local who is not a trouble maker, the most they would do is just check to make sure I'm okay. Over the years, we have had a small number of people who died from heart attacks sitting in their vehicles.
@@Vagabond_Etranger
Literally room to breathe.
In my younger years I kept a plastic tarp in my trunk. It turns any picnic table into a tent.
If I put up a tent in Commifornia I couldn't sleep anyway because there are vagabonds, thieves, and rapists that would break-in.
Not safe. There's nowhere to go. And it's a matter of time before security notices
@IbelongtoJesus. I wouldn't be able to sleep, but I'd rest with my piece ready to go. I dare someone to try.
@@IbelongtoJesus. Sorry to hear that. At least you realize it’s Commifornia. You’re welcome to join us in the free state of Ohio. I live in a rural area that does not even have police. Been here 60 years only complaint would be winters can be rough. Oh yeah, the cost of living has to be half of what you are paying.
@@ARedMotorcycle Some fool will take you up on that dare, and if you were there illegally you may find yourself in the deepest poop you can imagine. I'm not saying don't be ready to protect yourself, just don't have that kind of attitude because if things go sour the teeth you will feel biting you in your butt will be your own.
*You can also camp in ANY Cracker Barrel parking lot in the entire USA as they welcome campers. I run a multi state vending route and am on the road for weeks at a time and this is where I’ve found the cleanest, safest, and quietest areas to sleep in.*
I pull a boat and have stayed at half of the places mentioned. Always scope it out first. Take care of a Personal Care needs before arriving. Cover boat.
I use room darkening cloths hung inside windows so Folks cannot see in.
Pull in. Lock up. Climb into cot in rear that has all bedding already set up.
Keep key fob, variable illuminating flashlight, water bottle and pee bottle nearby.
In an Emergency, hit your key fob Alarm.
Always be gone by 7:00am.
I have asked for permission to park and sleep overnight at some places (restaurants and large sporting goods stores) and they have said ‘yes” and told me what area I should park at. Always buy a meal or something prior to asking for easier approval.
I think I speak for everyone when I say you should trim up that foam between the doors 😄
😊😊😊😊
What's up with that? 😮
@@valeriekehrt7566 some cia secret squirel foam
It's probably some sort of booby trap for intruders!
sad thing is, society is getting more and MORE NOSEY. not because they're concerned for your "Safety", they must Know your Buisness😒
ikr, I have a real dislike of people minding my business.
In fact I'll often challenge them directly, it pisses me off that much.
🤬
Ask them if they know that to you they are as interesting as a pail of spit.
Especially Karens they stick their witch noses everywhere
Have a "briefcase" full of your handmade stuff and give them a "sales pitch".
Offer them a "1 time" super - duper discount! Because you couldn't find space in the swapmeet parking lot.
Keep JW material handy, and practice your spiel. 😅
slight detail: Buc-ee's doesn't allow Big Trucks (Semis), only cars. Not officially a 'truck stop'.
My favorites used to be Pilot/Flying J
The other truck stops are Petro, Love's & T/A.
@@Vagabond_EtrangerTits & Ass?
I agree with 9 of your recommendations. Number 7 (WalMart) seems sketchy to me. I've been to WalMart's after midnight and it's an entirely different class of clientele.
From past experience. If you want to overnight at a rest area or truck stop you have to "check in" early. The popular ones on the main highways (I10 or I40) are "all booked up" by 4 PM local time.
True.
I also park on the street near a law enforcement station.
Years ago I had problems with overnight sleeping in my camper van, so I parked close to the PD HQ parking lot. I got hassled a lot by the Sunnyvale PD so I figured out what cops do when they report in for work. They park their private car in the parking lot and then they fan out to their assigned areas and always away from the HQ area.
There are cool videos of folks converting box trucks into covert campers.
Those who are looking for it know how to spot vans, box trucks, and trailers being used as campers. They only go unnoticed by the average person who doesn't care anyway.
Went to Houston to pick my sons up at the airport. I stopped in a parking lot hotel to google map the airport and security rolled up on a golf cart asked if I was a guest, told them no I was checking my GPS, was told only guests were allowed and had to leave. Be aware of your surroundings always
If security at a Hotel checks on you - tell them you are visiting a "friend". When they ask what room? - Tell them it's "ILLEGAL" to give out ANY personal info! Worth a try.
@@davesanders9203 I would strongly advise against that. Never go out of your way to be confrontational since a Rent a Cop is merely doing their job. Invite the Security person to help you since you are new in town and lost.
A lot of hotels are giving you a parking slip for the window or asking what you drive make and models and tag numbers and giving a list to the security guards and they will give you the knock to leave if you're not on it. Buc-ee's is not a truck stop they do not allow overnight parking. A lot of Walmarts will not allow you to park in their parking lots anymore overnight. I'm just someone who travels alot.
Spent a lot of nights sleeping in my car after my divorce. I was working five jobs and had been evicted from my home by my ex. It was so frequent that the local PD in the city I would use as my parking lot all got to know me by name and eventually left me alone once they knew I wasn't some drunk passed out in the driver's seat. Those were some rough days. I later got a job for a law enforcement agency there, and they would reminisce with me of the days I would be passed out in an abandoned gas station parking lot. Haha.
I would assume that you would show some empathy for others who have hit on hard times. Would you be able to advise an "overnighter" on where they could go to be safe and unobtrusive as possible?
I'm going through a divorce right now siting in my car thinking where I'm going to park to sleep tonight.
Life is hard
Good to know. I work for a limo company and I have a lot of early days, so I'm always looking for a safe space to take a nap.
You mean you sleep on the job, effectively stealing your pay. Unbelievable that you have no shame about this.
@@StinkyGringouh,,,, they get breaks you know
@@StinkyGringo All our trips are scheduled days in advance. We don't schedule last minute. We sometimes have several hours in between trips or if we're doing a Wine or Brewery Tour or some type of medical appointment, we're on the clock waiting for several hours and we can pretty much do whatever we want. If nothing is scheduled, then yes, I get paid to sit around. Took people to a ballgame recently and we parked in the garage and I bought a ticket and I got paid quite well to watch a ballgame.
@StinkyGringo unbelievable you have no shame about your false comment.
@@jamesengland7461 - Not a false comment, he just dumb.
Many Walmarts have started PROHIBITING overnite parking. I was almost towed at the Port Richey, FL Walmart.
Walmart and Target are definitely NOT the same thing. Your wife is right on this one.
Agreed!!
Well, I don't know where you're getting the idea that it's a young person's game. Over the last 10 years there's been a rise on senior citizens having to move into their vehicles and trying to go to warmer climates to survive. We're going to have a depression. You're going to see a whole lot more people living in their cars.
He's speaking generally.
THE STRUGGLE IS REAL
Airport long term parking isn't bad. A friend of mine slept in do-it-yourself carwashes. They, usually, have big garage doors to close, and no one comes around in the middle of the night.
Guys can be more brave to be in an isolated area, but as a woman I cannot
@@IbelongtoJesus. I've known too many women living on the run, and they all did the best they could, with the situations they were in.
And, the same terrible things that can happen to women, can happen to men, just as easily. When your life takes a dark turn, you live how you have to, and deal with the bad as best you can. I sincerely hope you never have to live on the run, it's not a good time, but if you do, "cannot" is not a word that should be in your vocabulary. You'd be surprised by what you CAN do, when life let's you down. BTW, even for a man, being on your own, in an inhospitable place, is terrifying. Being "brave" is just accepting the situation you are in, and dealing with it, until you can find a way out of it. Trust me, it's very frightening. But, where there's life, there's hope. Take care!
Eleven, a cemetery, they are quiet and dark. The bad guys probably don't prowl cemeteries. Often the cops and local security teams won't enter a cemetery at 3am, so you can get some sleep and the dearly departed don't give a damn because they are dead. When I drove cab on the "graveyard shift" the 3am - 5 am hours were usually slow, so a nap with the dead, was a great relief.
Arming yourself will up your safety factor wherever you are.
Or get you arrested in the wrong city. Know the laws.
I would'nt reccomend this in Cali or other "Commie' state.
Pepper spray or bear spray might be better.
@@elund408 SO! If you get to live so what! even if it is in a commie state!
@@davesanders9203I'd worry more about protecting myself than someone else who doesn't care about me. Those rules are made up by people who could care less.
Or a big dog.
The 24/7 gym membership is a great tip.
I came up with that solution a few years ago; really makes a difference when you're free camping, to have that access to showers etc. And I could keep my training up!
Some had lots which were suitable to park in, but many were too small & too busy - people coming in up until around midnite and then starting again around 5am, means you don't have much of a sleeping window.
They don't have 24/7 anything now, since covid, not in Commifornia
@@IbelongtoJesus.
Really? Wow.
I'm in Australia, btw.
The gym showers, are they 1 person style or open room style like middle and high school?
@@danielploy9143
The gym chain I use has private showers at all their branches, and usually several private full bathrooms.
I've never been to a gym where the showers are open.
But that is common at swimming pools, which is my other tip for a place to get an affordable shower in a pinch. 😉
@@danielploy9143
Private showers, often full private bathrooms - you can get some personal grooming done. 😁
Though I would aim to do that outside of busy hours, and usually just one thing a time; like shave one day, clipper my head another day, etc.
I've only seen open showers at public swimming pools. Which is another place you can get a shower in a pinch. 😉
Since 2020 things have changed and many Walmarts don't allow overnight parking and will have you towed.
The one in my small city doesn't allow it; a city ordinance forbids it. There may be such ordinances other places.
@@bearcubdaycare - It's not Walmart. The "No overnight parking" ordinance was most likely sponsored and pushed by a local RV park to FORCE business their way. Walmart doesn't care unless you appear to be homesteading (putting out slides, awnings, BBQ, etc.).
Right. They now have a pesky security car with irritating flashing lights all night., and they ticket your car,for knock on your window
As they should. Walmart parking lots should not be used as campgrounds.
My walmart closes fron midnight to 6 am
Great vid Jason! Got the brain fluid moving! Had actually USED a couple of those. Yes, here on the East Coast we have National Forests all over. KEEP EM COMING!!! m
Not in Commifornia
once again, good info. And I always use a hotel lot, before a rest area.
Except in Miami, FL. They know people park there, catch their free shuttle bus to the dock for the cruise ship. So either you pay a fee or be a guest there, which they then give you a parking pass to display on your dash. No pass, your car gets towed.
@@Vagabond_Etranger - Yeah, hotel parking in a big city can cost as much as a campsite.
Excellent video Jason, i was thinking a hospital or walmart lot. God bless you Jason and your family. Stay safe.
I was gonna type "Hospital Parking Lots" but you beat me to the punch. Also, unless I missed it, Cracker Barrel restaurant lots. Be sure to ask first because some may have city restrictions placed on them forbidding overnights. Same for Walmart Parking lots and/or Home Depots. Always ask first. On trips I use my "Harvest Host" membership to schedule one nighters at winneries, brewries, churches, watever. They require you buy something for 20$'s. There is also a membership they offer which allows one to stay in a private home's driveway...for free. Both these memberships required one to contact the owners first, via internet, and await a response and confirmation.
The target and Walmart comparison with your wife is so 100% true 👍
That's husband "trade craft " stuff for sure......
Where the hell was this video when I needed it 6 years ago?
Not made yet
@@mikerose189 b r i l l i a n t
Excellent list of places to sleep. Years ago was driving, was gonna stop at a rest area. I had bad gut feelings about it -drove around and found myself sleeping overnight in a hospital parking lot… Is a great idea for somewhere safe.
I personally am not a fan of sleeping overnight and rest areas, unless I am in an RV.
Not all Walmarts permit it, because of municipal regulations, some cannot accept RVs or overnight cars, but there is always one Walmart about 15-20 minutes away that accomdates. Usually if you see Rvs, you know that you can park there.
Actually they'll run off cars, but if you're in a $450K RV they won't hassle you.
Not anymore, at least in Commifornia for cars
@@goldfieldgary two years i was able to sleep in my car at Walmarts in Maine.
@@paulc4209 I've been run out of the WalMarts in Las Vegas twice. Starting about 10 years ago, but Las Vegas only appreciates to high-rollers. They didn't bother the people next to me in the quarter-million dollar RV's.
It's also up to the store management; Walmart corporate policy now allows them to decide as long as they're within the local laws.
3:24 "My wife wants to make sure we get mowed down by some semi." You are fricken hilarious Jason!
Glad you enjoyed!
I moved back to Columbus Ga to where I ets from the Army back some yrs ago and with limited money finding an apartment was a nogo as I had found a job but didn't have a place to live I slept at a rest stop for 2 weeks until I found an apartment. I had no troubles
Thanks for sharing 🇺🇸
I used to work security for a Las Vegas strip hotel.
It’s either going to be too hot or too cold to sleep without the engine running.
We had bicycle patrols that would spot you fairly quickly.
The policy was no sleeping in cars.
If you appeared sober we would tell you to either go inside or leave.
If you didn’t appear sober we would tell you to go inside and walk around for a while. Maybe get something to eat.
Either way it’s not a good place because you’re not going to get any rest.
Not in las Vegas
Who has time to sleep when you are in SinCity.
😂😂😂😂😂
Last time I was in Vagas I noticed signs in the casinos that sleeping and loitering was not permitted .
I’m a photographer who travels on multi-week roadtrips and camps out in my 4Runner most nights.
Many of the places you listed are non-starters. Walmart is not friendly for overnight parking anymore in most of the US. Too many RVer’s trashed the lots, so Walmart nixed that. Hotel lots will get you busted in most places. A few states allow overnight parking in rest areas, but most don’t and they do enforce the rules. Sometimes Planet Fitness type places can work, but if they share a parking lot with other businesses, there will be security and they will run you off. Parking garages are good with caveats. Never stay in an underground lot. Poor ventilation will make you miserable.
Regardless of where you plan to try this, you need blackout shades so no one knows you’re in there.
Many local city ordinances prompted by the Hotels and Chambers of Commerce groups push the city to enact ordinances that restrict overnight parking, esp. Walmart parking lots.
There’s a homeless shelter next to the Walmart here in Wetaskiwin Alberta where I live and that is a very dangerous place to park overnight
Canadia has homeless people?!?!?!?
Not all Walmarts allow overnight parking. I had my 5th wheel (hooked to my truck), parked while I went grocery shopping for my next week’s groceries. When I came out security was by my truck waiting for me to tell me, I couldn’t stay over night. I explained, I was just shopping and after putting my groceries away I would be on my way. He told me, more and more Walmart’s are not allowing it anymore. So, check with the Walmart before setting up for the night.
the good ole Holiday Inn ! I would ask IF I could sleep in my car in the parking lot due to lack of $$$ ? 4 out of 5 times - they told me i could use the washroom and gave me the towels and soap to clean up and if I had a swim suit - I could use the swimming pool !
I'd add casinos, Denny's, cracker barrel, gas station, Amazon warehouse, any quiet street
I'm retired nowadays, so I enjoy traveling and doing some landscape photography and painting etc... So I spend a lot of time camping in my E350 Van. Places he missed, 24 hour restaurants, Car dealerships, Auto Repair shops, grocery stores, home Depot, Menards, Lowes etc... Strip Malls, Apartments, Casinos, construction sites, hospitals and lastly if you have the guts police parking lots !
Places to never ever park for the night. Playgrounds, schools of any kind, fire Department parking Lots, Residential neighborhoods, anywhere inside a city limit in the U.S.. You can end up towed even with you in the vehicle and they will rape you for money to get your vehicle back from their impound lot !
Great suggestions if you live in a chill area. Here in the Boston area 1/2 of your suggestions would certainly catch the attention of the local police. Whether they would let you stay would be a coin toss. Even the Walmarts up here don't allow overnighting.
Same in Commifornia. Your treated like a criminal
If you’re in the south and areas where they have restaurants, I’ve slept at waffle House parking lots. I wasn’t bothered, but I made sure I parked away from the front door so actual customers would have a close parking space
Great tips...a few I would not have thought of and good to know however, personally I would never sleep in a rest stop or a parking garage as those are both high crime areas
My Walmarts aren't open 24 hours. Other videos claim that Walmart doesn't allow overnighting anymore. Some stealth car campers still try it in their videos.
One time while driving through Nevada at night I decided I needed to stop. There was only 1 town, and the hotel was full. It was just too bright in town, so I drove out of town and found a gravel road. Drove down that for 20 minutes and slept there. Nice and dark in the middle of nowhere. The only bad part was in the the morning I had to go #2. I won't get into that.
Jason, with your primary residence locked up tight/secured would you do a video on how you handle an emergency escape, e.g. fire.
I tend to be security conscious so I have multiple locks on my doors, windows locked with a brace in the window frame. I've wondered, what if.... then I thought, I wonder how Jason handles/plans for that.
I live in Southern Oregon, and if you're looking for a free overnight, most of these suggestions would get you run off. Nearly every place has lot security who are on the look out for "campers." The large truck stops or designated rest areas are going to be your best bet.
" I think every one of my kids thought it was a good idea to be born at 1AM" 🤣 I only have a couple sons but yes I can relate
Finally, a useful video on TH-cam!
Here in Myrtle Beach the motels give you a hang tag to hang on your mirror. No tag, get towed.
@JasonHanson. Buccee’s don’t have showers. However, your info is great, and I learned a lot.
Hospital parking garages are great 👍
As long they don't have security guard casing 24.7
@@OutWestRedDirt No problem. "My kid's up there. He's sleeping so I am taking a quick break to get some sleep myself"
Some great hospitals are unfortunately located in very sketchy areas.
@@brucesmith9144 I’m in Dallas and we have tons of hospitals in great parts of town. Many in the suburbs
@@katherineb.3140 that’s good. Check out where good hospitals like Temple University in Philadelphia are located. Not a particularly good area.
There is no safe place to sleep in your vehicle. There is always a risk.
I agree. Especially now that so many illegals have come in and criminals.
There is always a risk no matter how you live. Someone can break into a house, apartment, etc.
Especially from the police.
BE HOLY
BE HOLY
I would also say to travel after hours, the roads are clear a safer. I travel from 9pm to 5am just for the window I'm looking for when I reach my destination.
Hotel parking lots are my favorite. Truck stops are also great.
Regarding the truck stops - especially you are a single woman - be extremely careful. Women are targets of dangerous long haul truckers. My dad was told by a trucker at a truck stop to not let my mom “out of his sight!” It was a very strong warning.
Thanks for the great content Jason. You are crushing it with the good videos!
You have a great sense of humor! Tongue-n-cheek.😊
most walmarts have not been 24hr since 2021
Exactly- talk about lack of situational awareness, lol!!
Since March 2020.
@@danielschannel5680 right, but at what time lol
Learned a few new places. But I have stayed in many.
Unfortunately, Walmart is not always available. I know in Colorado Springs doesn't let. I'm in Montana now, and you can't do it here either.
FYI, Buc-ee’s is NOT a truck stop; they actually prohibit trucks (tractor trailers, that is, obviously not pickup trucks).
They don’t have the kind of life support facilities truck stops have. For example, they don’t have showers.
If you want the cleanest restrooms on the interstate, head for the nearest Buc-ee’s - just don’t expect showers.
Churches will call the cops. I have heard of it.
The golden rule of sleeping in your car is pull in, go straight to sleep, and leave early. Don't get out of your vehicle. Don't reorganize your stuff in the car. Do your nightly ablutions elsewhere. Your sleep spot is for sleep.
Also, Buccees will ruin you off. They do not allow overnight parking.
Okay Truck stops are dangerous for a woman by herself, and I'm in Commifornia. Most of the places here you mention to park are not okay. The police check everywhere, and my car looks homeless.
😂
I was going to post that also. That would be my last choice. Lots of women get picked up there and do not return. There are a lot of truck driver murderers. 😢
@@CroisMoi… I doubt there are ‘a lot’ of trucker\murderers, but admit it can be dangerous for a woman traveling solo these days if she doesn’t practice situational awareness. Side point: There are numerous woman who are truckers and many others are veterans. My son in law is a trucker owner\operator and a retired US Marine. He travels with a small puppy. 😂
@@wingandhogLook up truck driver serial killers. You will be surprised.
@@hollybarnes842 …. I know there have been a few. No argument. But not ‘all’ or ‘most’ or even ‘a lot’ of truckers fit that category.
24 hour stores, neighborhoods where most people park in the street, driveways where the house is for sale, hospitals, airports, truck stops, motels, paid parking lots...many others.
Ukw bro, saying this as an atheist ⚛️, u make religious people look really wonderful & awesome, I grew up knowing Christians, Jesus believers, all other religious people as scumbags, & lowlifes, who use Jesus as something to hide behind, to to bad shit to people, or to commit crime & be forgiven for it, they also abused of me badly in every way as a child, wch is wht made me atheist ⚛️, but u bro, u really do make religious people shine bro, I am very happy I subscribed to ur company spy & survival, & even bought the app.! Thank u for everything jason ur really a model american!!😀🫡
I’m glad you’re here 🇺🇸
A claim doesn’t make one a Christian.. “salvation is of the Lord”. -Jonah. Don’t forfeit your own salvation due to people making Jesus look bad. He is good!
The best place to spend the night for safety is a cemetery parking lot for obvious reasons.
Violent people don't like being near the cemetery because they know their time is ending.
That's where hookers take their clients.
Buckees does not allow overnight parking. No overnight RVs or cars. Semi trucks, non corporate buses, etc are completely prohibited from their property at all hours
Walmarts are no longer open 24 hours. The employees know whose car does not belong. It is also sometimes illegal to overnight in [a growing number of] many cities. Fines are levied against the property owner, so if they know you are sleeping in their parking lot they trespass you.
I don't agree with parking garages or rest stops but the rest are good.
I disagree whole heartedly with sleeping at a rest stop. You can find the nicest one around. There will be multiple seedy creepers there.
Especially for a woman by herself
Many of them wearing badges
I have a van and I've parked at hundreds of rest stops across this great country for over the past 60 years and never once did I have a bad encounter. I have found out that Americans are the friendliest people in the world and 99% of them, cops included, are willing to help a fellow traveller. Here's the irony: the more upscale a neighborhood is, the more unfriendly it is, as a rule.
@@murrayhill9000Yes, true. They don't want you parking on their public streets, and they don't want you visiting their public parks!
My favorites have maybe 2 or 3 other vehicles there most of the night. Usually just a couple trucks on the other side of the area. Sometimes we are the only ones there. Almost like a private park. LoL
If staying overnight in Utah, be sure you are not ina FLDS town... Women disappear and are later rescued from Short Creek ,married to a Bishop with 16 other wives.
What is FLDS?
@@jordanwhite5470 Fundamentalist Latter Day Saints, they still adhere to polygamy.
OMG! Gross😮