One of the biggest questions I get asked is “where do you sleep?”, so here’s a list of the places that we slept for free while on our trip! Rule of thumb is if there’s a sign that says “No Overnight Parking” then you probably shouldn’t park there! And make sure you’re parking somewhere you feel safe!
1.Pilot Travel Centers
Our favorite spot to sleep at night was at Pilot Travel Centers! There’s usually designated overnight parking spots, or just large parking lots, where you can get away from the store and rest without people walking by your car while you sleep. Many locations also have showers that you can pay for, and clean bathrooms that are perfect for when you wake up in the morning and go to sleep at night. Most of them have good wifi and large food selection. Favorite part about Pilot is that you can wake up and not have to go to another location to get a hot coffee first thing in the morning.
At Pilot’s you’re allowed to park overnight and being open 24/7 made me feel safer having people around.
2.Maverick Convenience Stores
Mavericks were our second choice for a good place to sleep at night. Like Pilot they have clean bathrooms (not showers), hot food and coffee, wifi, and usually a designated overnight parking lot. The overnight lots are generally meant for trucks, which can be very loud at night, but it’s not likely that anyone will say something to you if you’re parking in a car like we did.
At most Mavericks you’re allowed to park overnight and being open 24/7 made me feel safer having people around.
3.Welcome Centers/Rest Stops
Rest stops and welcome centers are really hit and miss depending on the state and the center’s location. Most are open 24/7 which gives you access to bathrooms, but while some have food service, some have vending machines, and some don’t have either. The cleanliness of the rest stops is hit or miss as well, and they’re usually very close to the highway which is pretty loud for sleeping conditions.
You’re allowed to park overnight at rest stops, but depending on the stop usually there aren’t workers so it can be a bit more sketchy.
4.Any 24/7 gas station
This isn’t the most ideal place to stay for the night, but there are bathrooms, usually not the cleanest, and food. It’s usually pretty noisy and busy so not the best sleeping conditions.
It does make me feel safer though with more people around, but technically I don’t think you’re allowed to sleep in their lots.
5.Walmarts
When it comes to Walmart, generally they aren’t the best places to park for the night. Most have signs that say you can’t, but we used an online source to find out which ones we could park at. Check that out here. Make sure you park towards the back of the lot to be out of the way, but it is usually very well lit and busier than you would think 24/7. There are bathrooms, though maybe not the best. And you can buy food though you usually can’t prepare the food.
Generally, if you are able to park at a Walmart it can make you feel safer with the lights and the people around, but isn’t the best for a good night’s sleep.
6.McDonald’s parking lots
Technically you’re not allowed to park overnight in McDonald’s parking lots, but it can be an option. Some of them are open 24/7, they have food and bathrooms, but you have to be discreet about the fact that you’re staying there overnight. Most will have signs posted if you aren’t supposed to park there overnight.
7. Dispersed Camping
The great thing about Dispersed Camping is that it can be a true camping experience. We were able to cook using our stove and sit outside in the middle of nowhere and enjoy nature. It was super quiet and super dark, perfect for sleeping.
The downsides to dispersed camping are that there are no bathrooms, no quick food options, and usually no one else in sight. Being so off the grid can be a bit scary but chances are no one is going to bother you except some animals wanting your food.
Keep in my that there are specific places that you can camp for free. Mostly in National Forests and land designated by the Bureau of Land Management. We used Campendium to find our dispersed camping spots! You can’t make reservations so it’s first come first serve!