Tips and Tricks on How to Sleep Comfortably in a Car

Some road trips take so long and cover such great distances that you must take breaks every now and then. Or you might find yourself waiting in your vehicle for hours until you can finally depart. No matter the reason, the biological need to rest can lead you to attempt sleeping in your car.

How to Sleep Comfortably in a Car

While your car isn’t exactly a second bedroom, you can safely and comfortably sleep in it. Try the following tips for sleeping in your car:

Find Safe and Legal Parking

You don’t want someone to vandalize or break into your car while sleeping, so find a safe place to park your car where you can sleep undisturbed for several hours.

The best places to park and sleep in your car are shopping malls, places of worship, and residential areas. These locations are usually safe and some don’t even charge a fee for overnight parking. You can also try parking at a gas station.

Other possible places to park and sleep in your car include:

• Cracker Barrel parking lots
• Casino parking lots
• Rentable driveways and parking plots
• Rest stops and truck stops
• Safe parking program areas
• Walmart and Costco parking lots
• Welcome/information centers
• 24-hour gym parking lots

Always ask the people in charge of the area for permission to park and sleep in your car. If they know you’re there, they might be able to send someone to check on you occasionally.

Turn the Engine Off

Before you hit the hay in your car, turn its engine off. Avoid leaving it running while you’re asleep, even for powering the heater on a freezing night.

The engine burns fuel to generate power for the rest of the vehicle. If it runs all night, it can deplete the gas tank, potentially rendering your car unable to reach the nearest gas station.

Additionally, the engine produces toxic emissions, the most dangerous of which is carbon monoxide (CO). Even small amounts of CO are lethal to humans, and the gas is both odorless and invisible. If you keep the engine running while you sleep, CO can enter the cabin interior and pose a significant health risk.

Use the Restroom Beforehand

Before you sleep in your car, visit the nearest restroom. You’re less likely to wake up in the middle of the night if you relieve yourself beforehand.

Gas stations usually have public restrooms. Relieve yourself there before sleeping in your car. You can also buy necessities from their shops.

Make a Comfortable Bed

The quality of the bed plays the biggest role in determining how good your sleep turns out. A cozy bed encourages deep sleep that revitalizes your mind and body. Conversely, an uncomfortable bed makes you even more tired and sore than when you started out.

Fortunately, you can turn any car seat into a comfortable bed. The rear seats are usually best, but you can also use the front passenger seat in cars that lack seats in the back. Generally, you want to leave the driver’s seat alone. You spend far more time in the driver’s seat and might find the chore of readjusting it to your preferred position tiresome.

Recline your chosen seat as flat as it can go. Then, cover it with a blanket or an RV mattress. Whatever cushion you use, choose one that you’re comfortable with. You should probably also bundle up in a blanket.

If you expect a cold night and don’t want to drain the battery by running the heater all night, pack a second blanket in the back of your car. You can also bring warm clothes as sleepwear.

Alternatively, you can use a sleeping bag. Compared to an RV mattress, the bag takes up less space in the back of your car and also offers better insulation than just blankets.

Ensure Sufficient Ventilation

The urge to close the windows before you sleep is understandable. However, resist the temptation because keeping the windows shut eliminates airflow.

Instead, roll the windows down to create openings for fresh air to enter your car. Keep the gap between the window panes and door frames small enough to prevent any attempt to reach inside your car and unlock it.

Some cars feature a sunroof. If your vehicle has one, you can open it part of the way to improve ventilation. Also, an open sunroof is less noticeable than partially rolled-down windows.

Cover the Windows

You can get some privacy while sleeping in your vehicle by drawing covers across the windows. Use window shades or tarps to block the view.

Set the Alarm

While you want to get enough sleep, you also want to avoid oversleeping. Some areas also require you to leave at a specific hour.

Set an alarm to wake you up at the right time. The alarm must make enough noise to rouse you without disturbing other people.

Keep Personal Belongings Nearby

Peace of mind contributes to the quality of your sleep. You might have difficulty sleeping if you worry about something, such as your personal items and valuables.

Always keep your personal belongings within easy reach where you can see them. If you have a secure storage container, move it where you’re sleeping and transfer your valuables into it before locking it.

Bring Sleeping Aids

Not everyone falls asleep quickly. Some people must relax first by reading a book, watching a movie, listening to music, or the like. If you’re one of them, bring some of your favorite sleeping aids if you must sleep in your car.

Bring Other Light Sources

Your car has interior lighting, but you risk discharging the batteries if you leave them on all night. Instead, bring portable light sources like flashlights and lanterns for illumination before and while you sleep in your car. In a pinch or on a whim, you can take these handheld illuminators out of your vehicle.

What’s the Best Position to Sleep in a Car?

The best position for sleeping in your car is lying flat with your head toward the vehicle’s front. It gives you more space since it points you away from the wheel wells in the back.

It’s crucial to flatten the seat you plan to use as a bed. If you lie down and find yourself at an angle that raises your feet over your head, see if you can elevate the front of your car by driving it onto an elevated surface.

Things You Might Need For Sleeping In Your Car

The following are recommended equipment that can make sleeping in your car more comfortable and restful:

• Two blankets
• Camper/RV mattress
• A sleeping bag
• Ear plugs

Getting a good night’s sleep goes a long way in making your day perfect. Hopefully, these tips and tricks on how to sleep in a car can make long trips more comfortable.