It’s a busy time of year for travel, and all that coming and going can get exhausting.
A record 82 million Americans were expected to travel for the Thanksgiving holiday, according to AAA’s holiday travel forecast for 2025. That’s an increase of 1.6 million from 2024. And nearly 90% of them, about 73 million people, were expected to travel by car.
The Christmas season may set travel records this year, too. With all the long-distance driving wearing out families heading to Grandma’s for the holidays, people may wonder: Is it legal to sleep at rest areas in Ohio?
Here’s what Ohio law has to say.
Can I sleep in my car in Ohio?
Yes. Ohio law does not prevent people from sleeping in their vehicles, according to Schuerger Shunnarah Trial Attorneys in Toledo. As long as it’s in a public parking lot. However, local laws may vary so you may want to plan ahead and research the community where you plan to stop.
Even if you aren’t breaking any laws, police may check on you if you’re sleeping in the car, according to Schuerger Shunnarah, out of concern for the occupants’ safety.
Can I sleep in my car at an Ohio rest area?
Yes. The section of Ohio Revised Code that regulates use of rest areas doesn’t forbid you from sleeping in your car.
Ohio law does specifically forbid camping at Ohio rest areas, as well as leaving your vehicle unattended for more than three hours and parking on the grass, among others.
The Ohio Turnpike takes it a step further, offering hookups for RVs and travel trailers at eight service plazas.
Can I get a ticket for sleeping in my car in Ohio?
Yes. While there’s no statewide law against it, you can be ticketed for sleeping in your car if that community has regulations against it.
Can I be arrested for DUI or OVI if I’m sleeping in my car?
Yes, you can be arrested for driving under the influence if found sleeping in your car in certain situations, according to Dayton law firm Suhre & Associates. Examples mentioned include falling asleep while the car is running in a parking lot, or passing out at a drive-thru or at an intersection. These situations are more likely if you’ve been drinking and are sleeping it off in your vehicle.
Where in Ohio can I sleep in my car?
You’re allowed to sleep in your car:
Is it legal to sleep in my car in Kentucky?
Yes, you are permitted to sleep in your car in Kentucky. State statute 511.110, titled “Unlawful camping,” states that the law is not meant to “prevent a person from sleeping temporarily in his or her vehicle parked lawfully on a public road, street, or parking lot, where the sleeping and parking of the vehicle at the location occur for less than 12 hours.”
The law also states that it’s not meant to “prohibit the use of recreational camping areas, rest areas, or other properties that are specifically designated for purposes of resting or sleeping.”
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Is it legal to sleep at an Ohio rest area? What the law says
Reporting by Chad Murphy, Columbus Dispatch / The Columbus Dispatch
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