North Dakota Laws: Is Sleeping in Your Car Legal?

If you've ever been on a long road trip and started to feel your eyes get heavy, you may have thought that it's best to pull over somewhere and take a nap. Maybe you're on your lunch break and need a little snooze after stuffing your face. Or, worst-case scenario, you've fallen on tough times and have no other option but to sleep in the one thing you have: your car.

The question I have to ask here is whether or not it's legal to sleep in your car. I'm sure a few moments of rest is fine, but what about overnight?

Why Would It Be Illegal?

If you're wondering why sleeping in a car you paid for might be illegal, that's fair. According to SmartFinancial.com, it comes down to trespassing. You certainly are allowed to sleep in your car, but it's about parking on someone else's property.

Generally, there is no Federal or state law that specifically says you can't sleep in your car, though there are some cities in the country that have made it a "Loitering" crime, according to the source.

Rest Areas

According to BoonDockersBible.com, some states' rest areas have rules on this. You may notice signs posted, indicating you are not permitted to "Lodge overnight" at the stop. State Highway Patrol officers are reportedly monitoring this.

North Dakota

According to the source, that in our state, rest areas are said to be the best places to sleep in your car if you need to. Other areas where you may get away with it include state parks and campgrounds. That's not to say a trooper won't tap on your window and give you a bit of a nudge.

According to SmartFinancial.com, Fargo Walmart stores allow you to park in their lots overnight and even park your RV there with permission.

The one thing you REALLY can't do and could get into trouble for is sleeping in your car while intoxicated. That is illegal in North Dakota and may very well get you a DUI.