MileCheckRest areas
Can you sleep at a rest area? Rules by state
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Each state sets its own rest area rules. Below are the states where we confirmed the rule on an official government page. Signs at a rest area can set a different limit.
| State | Short answer |
|---|---|
| Alaska | Yes, up to the time limit posted at that rest stop. |
| Arizona | ADOT sets no time limit, but camping is prohibited. |
| California | Yes, but no more than 8 hours in any 24-hour period. |
| Florida | Only briefly. Cars can stay 3 hours. Commercial drivers can stay 10 hours. |
| Hawaii | Not overnight. Hawaii bans using a vehicle as a place to live or sleep on public property between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m. |
| Idaho | Yes, for up to 10 hours at interstate rest areas and 16 hours on other state highways. |
| Illinois | Only briefly. A stop at an interstate rest area can't exceed 3 hours. |
| Kentucky | Only briefly. Stays are limited to 4 hours in any 24 hours. |
| Maryland | No. Overnight parking is prohibited and visits are limited to 3 hours. |
| Minnesota | Cars can stop for up to 4 hours where posted. Commercial drivers can stay up to 10 hours. |
| Montana | Yes. Overnight parking is allowed for up to 12 hours, in one space. |
| Nebraska | No overnight. Stays are limited to 10 hours and overnight parking is prohibited. |
| Nevada | Yes, within a limit of 18 hours in any 2-week period. |
| New Hampshire | New Hampshire sets no rest area time limit. Tents and sleeping on the ground are banned. |
| North Carolina | No. NCDOT says staying overnight at its rest areas is prohibited. |
| Ohio | You can rest in your vehicle, but don't leave it unattended for 3 hours or more. |
| Oregon | Yes, up to 12 hours in any 24-hour period. |
| Pennsylvania | Only briefly. Stays are limited to 2 hours in a 24-hour period unless posted. |
| South Dakota | Only to rest. Cars can rest up to 3 hours. Commercial drivers up to 10 hours. |
| Tennessee | No. Overnight parking isn't allowed and there's a 2-hour limit. |
| Texas | Yes, up to 24 hours. |
| Utah | UDOT sets no hour limit. Extended stays are allowed and monitored. No overnight camping. |
| Vermont | Vermont sets no time limit, but overnight camping at rest areas is banned. |
| Virginia | No. Overnight parking is not permitted. |
| Washington | Yes, up to 8 hours in any 24-hour period. |
| Wisconsin | Not long-term. Parking over 24 hours, or a shorter posted limit, isn't allowed. |
| British Columbia | No overnight camping. Check posted hours at each rest area. |
States not listed: we haven't confirmed a statewide rule on an official page yet. Read October 15, 2026. Not legal advice.