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How do you safely sleep in your car?
I’m heading down from Kansas City to Dallas for grad school. Because I’m a college student, I have little money. Therefore, I want to sleep in my car overnight to cut costs. How can I safely sleep in my car on a road trip?
Eric Schad · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
Congrats on your acceptance to grad school! Sleeping in your car can certainly save you money, but safety is a main concern. To sleep safely in your car, follow these tips:
- Text your location to a loved one.
- Bring blankets and pillows so you’re warm and comfortable.
- Don’t open your window more than about a half-inch to an inch. You can get a bit of ventilation while also keeping thieves away.
- Avoid parking on the side of the road or on highway onramps and offramps.
- Turn the engine off and remove the key from the ignition. If you don’t, you risk killing the battery, running out of gas, or even poisoning yourself with carbon monoxide fumes.
If you aren’t sure where to sleep overnight, try a few of these options:
- Well-lit parking lots of closed businesses, such as Walmart; you may have to leave if requested by an employee
- Truck stops
- Gas stations
- Rest areas
Your route through Missouri, Oklahoma, and
Texas
provides plenty of rest stops along the way, which is probably the best option. Sleeping overnight at rest areas in any of these states is legal, so you shouldn’t feel nervous staying overnight if you follow the safety tips listed above.Once you arrive in Texas, you may want to switch your car insurance policy, depending on how long you’re going to reside in Texas and if you’ll return home. The best place to start is with the
Jerry
app.Jerry is a licensed insurance broker that will collect quotes from over 50 top-rated insurers in minutes. After you find a great rate, Jerry can help you buy new insurance and cancel your old policy. Users save an average of $887 per year.
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- Gregory R.
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