Busy schedules and long days can be overwhelming, and many people overextend themselves between work, errands and travel. As a result, it’s not uncommon to feel your eyelids drooping behind the wheel after a long day or a night with little sleep.
“Drowsy driving causes thousands of crashes every year and it is entirely preventable,” Thruway Authority Executive Director Frank G. Hoare said in a news release. “Before you get behind the wheel, make sure you get the sleep you need to stay alert and drive safely.”
There are plenty of places to pull over and rest if needed – but can you actually nap at a rest area in New York? Here’s what’s allowed, and what’s not, at New York rest stops under state law, according to the New York Department of Transportation.
What does NY state law say about sleeping in your car?
New York state law differentiates between two types of drivers in New York: commercial and non-commercial.
Commercial drivers are permitted to park overnight for up to 10 hours in New York state Thruway service areas. The rules are different, however, for non-commercial drivers. According to state law, non-commercial drivers can park overnight for up to three hours at a Thruway service or rest area.
Can a driver sleep at a Thruway rest stop?
Travel plazas and rest areas on the New York state Thruway are not designed for long-term parking or multiple-day stays, a Thruway Authority spokesperson said.
Motorists, however, are allowed to sleep in their cars at Thruway service areas. There is no time limit on resting/sleeping in a vehicle during a trip on the Thruway, officials said.
That said, vehicles cannot be left unattended in Thruway service areas for more than four hours. If that happens the vehicle may be towed.
Where are Thruway service centers and rest areas located?
As of the fall, the Thruway’s $450 million renovation project of its 27 service centers has been completed. Those dedicated travel plazas all have restrooms, gas, free WiFi and a 24-hour Applegreen convenience store and will have at least four universal fast-charging stations. Restaurant options vary by location.
For more on the service center locations go to thruway.ny.gov/travelers/travelplazas/index.cgi
New York also has 12 parking/rest areas (pull-offs) and three welcome centers along the Thruway. These offer a place for weary drivers to leave the highway and take a moment. Several offer public restrooms but most do not.
Other busy roads, including Interstate 81, also have rest areas by the highway that include parking and public rest rooms. Some even have a playground and operational vending machines.
What stores allow you to sleep in the parking lot?
Truck stops and camp sites are typical go-to stops when you need to sleep in your car. But some stores may allow you to nap in the parking lot. If you do decide to go this route, you should ask ahead of time to make sure it’s all right. That being said, some stores have historically been popular with car campers:
Contributing: USA Today Network
This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Can you sleep in your car at a NY Thruway rest stop?
Reporting by Victoria E. Freile, New York Connect Team / Rockland/Westchester Journal News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
