How to Road Trip/ Sleep in Your Car

Sleeping in your vehicle during a long road trip is definitely the cheapest and most fun option. Here is how to travel economically in the safety of your motor carriage. 

• Maintenance
  

Be sure your vehicle is in working order and everything is ship shape. Take it in for an oil change and get it serviced from tires to antifreeze. This is a great opportunity to practice some organization skills. This is going to be your lodging for an indefinite amount of time, you’ll want to keep it feeling like home. Make sure everything has it’s place! 

• Finding a safe place to park for the night
  

Safety is the name of the game. If you’re near a town you’ll want a place that is reasonably well lit but not so much that it will be difficult to sleep. Noise is often a factor near highways, truck stops and gas stations. Here are some great options:  Church parking lots, rest stops away from trucks or on the shoulder of small roads. If parking on a road, make sure you’re not on a blind curve and that there is plenty of room for other cars to pass. 

• Follow your gut
  

If it feels wrong then it is.

• Use restroom before settling in for the night
  

Before you settle in for the night, stop into a gas station and freshen up.

• Carry at least a gallon of water with you at all times
  

It’s especially important in the summer but in general, a gallon of water is always a good idea. 

• Be discrete
  

Like it or not, people will make assumptions if you’re caught sleeping in your vehicle. Most of these assumptions will do nothing to put a damper on your fun but if a criminal assumes that you’re an easy target then you’ll wish you had been more discrete.
           Cover your window with cloth or have your windows tinted.
           Move as little as possible to avoid rocking the vehicle.
           Crack a window to avoid condensation. 

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• Know what direction you’re facing
  

If you want to wake up bright and early, face East, if not face West. 

• Don’t sleep with the car running
  

If it’s cold out you’ll want to warm up the vehicle, but be sure to cut the engine before falling asleep. It is a safety hazard and a waste of money. Pack warmly, have proper winter sleeping gear, sleep in warm, comfortable clothes and hat. 

• Keep hand sanitizer on you
  

If you wear contacts you’ll want to have clean hands at the end of the day. 

• Keep your phone and keys close to you
  

In case of emergency. 

• Be organized
  

This goes with keeping your phone and keys in an easily accessible space. Know where everything in your vehicle is and keep it feeling like home. 

• Dress warmly and have appropriate gear for cold weather
  

See; Don’t sleep with the car running

• Don’t drink alcohol while living in your vehicle
  

Depending on the state, a person can get a DUI just by having their keys inside the vehicle with them while under the influence.  

• Don’t sleep in the drivers seat
  

Muscle memory will tell your body to get sleepy if you make a habit of sleeping where you drive. Move to the passenger or back seat.

• Insurance and registration
  

Because it’s the responsible thing to do. 

• Food
  

Fast food and gas stations are going to be expensive over the duration of your car time. Plan on making stops at grocery stores periodically and have a small cooler to keep things fresh. 

• Permanent address
  

If you’re going to be gone for a very long time or are living out of your vehicle, find a permanent address you can use. A friend, family member or P.O box may do the trick.

• Personal protection
  

Assume the best in people but be prepared to defend yourself. Pepper spray or a knife is enough to keep you safe. Check the laws in your state if you are considering a firearm.

• Shower options
  

Truck stops have showers for around $5. If you are traveling with friends it is easy to get multiple showers for the price of one. After one of you is finished, make sure the door doesn’t close behind you while the other person heads in. Public pools, universities and athletic clubs are decent options. Otherwise baby wipes work in a pinch. 

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Sources:http://www.wikihow.com/Live-in-Your-Car
http://www.carliving.info/parking.htm