When planning an overnight stay at a rest area, it’s important to understand both the rules and the realities of the road.
Most states allow some form of rest period, but outdoor setups like tents, tables, and slide-outs are almost always prohibited—these are rest stops, not campgrounds.
Equally important is being prepared for the environment. From the snow-covered passes of Alaska to the blazing deserts of Arizona, conditions can change fast.
Always carry enough water, insulation for warmth, and protection from extreme heat. Be aware of regional hazards too—hurricanes in the Southeast, tornadoes in the Midwest, and sudden storms or high winds anywhere.
Weather can turn dangerous quickly, especially when you’re sleeping roadside, so preparation is key to staying safe and comfortable.
The following is a list of rest area information for all 50 states. Be sure to double-check current regulations in your area and consider your safety.
Alabama: Overnight stay is not permitted. Rest areas may provide a short period for rest. Call ahead of time to confirm limits.
https://www.dot.state.al.us/welcomeCenters.html
Alaska: It’s recommended to purchase The Mile Post for the best travel information. Conditions are always changing.
Arizona: Overnight rest area stay is permitted.
https://azdot.gov/business/highway-maintenance/rest-areas/rest-area-rules
Arkansas: Check current conditions and call ahead to confirm overnight stay rules.
https://www.idrivearkansas.com
California
You may park for up to 8 hours. Check current conditions.
Colorado
Overnight stay is prohibited at rest areas. However, Colorado Welcome Center – Julesburg allows an overnight stay.
Connecticut
Overnight stay is permitted.
https://portal.ct.gov/dot/travel-gateway/roads-and-highways/rest-areas
Delaware
Allows stay for 6–8 hours. Check with security to see if overnight stay is permitted.
https://deldot.gov/Programs/restareas/index.shtml
Florida
3-hour limit for the public, 10 hours for commercial drivers. Overnight stays are officially not permitted and often enforced.
https://www.fdot.gov/maintenance/rest-area-app/restareainfo.shtm
Georgia
Overnight stay is permitted. Double check signage.
https://www.dot.ga.gov/GDOT/pages/restareaswelcomecenters.aspx
Hawaii
Sleeping in vehicles is prohibited in public areas. No rest stops exist, use campgrounds and private property with permission from the landowner.
Idaho
Up to 10 hours on interstates and 16 on state highways.
https://adminrules.idaho.gov/rules/current/39/390350.pdf
Illinois
Overnight stay is permitted in some areas. Call ahead of time to double check.
https://idot.illinois.gov/travel-information/roadway-information/rest-areas-and-welcome-centers.html
Indiana
Overnight stay is not permitted in most areas. Call ahead of time to double check.
https://www.in.gov/indot/resources/maps/welcome-centers-and-rest-areas
Iowa
Overnight stay is not permitted in most areas. Double check ahead of time with travel information.
https://iowadot.gov/maintenance/rest-areas
Kansas
Overnight stay is permitted in some areas. Call ahead of time to verify.
Kentucky
Overnight stay is permitted in some areas. Call ahead of time to verify.
https://transportation.ky.gov/Documents/RestAreasMap-January%202024.pdf
Louisiana
Overnight stay is permitted. Check current conditions.
https://wwwapps.dotd.la.gov/administration/dotdaz/definition.aspx?termID=267
Maine
Overnight stays are not permitted. There is a 4 hour parking limit for passenger vehicles and a 12 hour limit for commercial vehicles.
https://www.maineturnpike.com/traveler-services/service-plazas
Maryland
Overnight stays are not permitted in most areas. Call ahead of time to verify.
https://roads.maryland.gov/mdotsha/pages/Index.aspx?PageId=250
Massachusetts
Overnight stays are possible at many rest areas, though some restrict to 2 hours. Expect more traffic during peak seasons.
https://www.mass.gov/info-details/service-plaza-locations
Michigan
Overnight stay is possible in some areas. Call ahead of time to verify.
https://www.michigan.gov/mdot/travel/tourists/rest-areas
Minnesota
4 hour limit for non-commercial vehicles and up to 10 hours for commercial vehicles.
https://www.dot.state.mn.us/restareas/index.html
Mississippi
Overnight stay is not permitted.
https://mdot.ms.gov/portal/guidelines_for_rest_areas_and_welcome_centers
Missouri
Overnight stay is permitted in some areas. Call ahead to verify.
https://www.modot.org/missouri-rest-area-guide
Montana
Overnight stay is permitted, up to 12 hours.
https://www.mdt.mt.gov/travinfo/restarea.aspx
Nebraska
Overnight stay is permitted, up to 10 hours.
https://dot.nebraska.gov/media/fgceurxm/rest-areas.pdf
Nevada
Overnight stay is permitted in some areas. Call ahead to verify.
https://www.dot.nv.gov/travel-info/rest-areas-welcome-centers
New Hampshire
Overnight stay is permitted unless posted otherwise. Foliage season brings more traffic, plan ahead.
New Jersey
Overnight stay is permitted in some areas. Call ahead to verify. https://www.nj.gov/transportation/refdata/traffic_orders/rest_stops/
New Mexico
Overnight is permitted in most areas. Double check for closures.
https://www.dot.nm.gov/travel-information/rest-areas
New York
Overnight is permitted in some areas. Call to verify.
https://www.dot.ny.gov/regional-offices/statewide-rest-areas
North Carolina
Overnight stay is not permitted.
https://www.ncdot.gov/travel-maps/traffic-travel/rest-areas/Pages/default.aspx
North Dakota
Overnight stay is not permitted in some areas. Call to verify.
Ohio
Overnight stay is not permitted in some areas. Call to verify.
https://www.transportation.ohio.gov/traveling/rest-areas/rest-areas
Oklahoma
Overnight stay is not permitted in some areas. Call to verify.
Oregon
Overnight stay is permitted in some areas, up to 12 hours permitted.
https://www.tripcheck.com/Pages/Rest-Areas
Pennsylvania
Overnight stay is not permitted in most areas. There are 2 hour limits in some areas.
Rhode Island
Few rest areas with bad experiences and overnight stay are typically not permitted.
South Carolina
Overnight stay is not permitted.
https://www.scdot.org/travel/travel-rest-area.html
South Dakota
Overnight stay is not permitted in some areas. Call ahead to verify.
https://dot.sd.gov/travelers/travelers/rest-areaports-of-entry
Tennessee
Overnight stay is not permitted, up to 2 hours.
https://www.tn.gov/tdot/engineering-operations-division/welcome-center-rest-areas.html
Texas
Overnight stay is permitted.
https://www.txdot.gov/discover/rest-areas-travel-information-centers.html
Utah
Overnight stays are not permitted, but it might be possible for an extended stay with permission from on-site staff.
https://www.udot.utah.gov/connect/public/rest-areas
Vermont
Reports overnight stays are not permitted. Double check by calling to verify.
https://informationcenter.vermont.gov/centers
Virginia
Overnight stay is not permitted.
https://www.vdot.virginia.gov/about/our-system/highways/rest-areas
Washington
Overnight stay is not permitted. up to 8 hours for non-commercial vehicles and up to 11 hours for commercial vehicles.
https://wsdot.wa.gov/travel/roads-bridges/rest-areas
West Virginia
Overnight stays are permitted. No parking is permitted in and around the West Virginia Turnpike’s toll plazas.
https://transportation.wv.gov/Turnpike/travel_resources/safety/Pages/Restrictions-and-Laws.aspx
Wisconsin
Overnight stay is permitted, up.to 24 hours.
https://wisconsindot.gov/Pages/travel/road/rest-areas/default.aspx
Wyoming
Extended rest is permitted. Call ahead of time to verify.
https://www.dot.state.wy.us/files/live/sites/wydot/files/shared/Public Affairs/Rest Areas/2011Web rest area brochure.pdf