Road trips allow you to see the beauty of the open highway and visit bucket-list landmarks across the country. But long days behind the wheel can take a toll, leaving drivers exhausted by nighttime. Fortunately, parking to sleep in your car or RV allows you to rest up safely without spending money on motels. But policies on overnight parking vary between locations. So can you actually stay overnight in a Target store‘s parking area?
As a retail management professional and avid traveler, I‘ve done extensive research to provideCONSUMERs with authoritative guidance on this question. In this detailed article, I‘ll share:
- The legality and risks of sleeping in vehicles
- Tips for getting Target‘s permission to park overnight
- How to sleep comfortably and securely in your parked car
- Alternate overnight parking options for CONSUMERs
- Key benefits of taking regular rest breaks while driving
Let‘s start by examining the laws around overnight parking and sleeping in cars.
The Legality of Sleeping in Your Vehicle
Sleeping in a safely parked vehicle is legal across most of the United States. I consulted several government legal resources to confirm the typical regulations:
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ABA Journal – Cities Restrict Living in Cars, SUVs: Provides examples of various city regulations, most prohibit only camping long-term in vehicles. Short 1-2 night stays are generally allowed.
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NCSL – Safe Parking Programs: Discusses legal protections some states now provide specifically for homeless individuals sleeping in cars, emphasizes it‘s typically legal.
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DMV.org – Is it Illegal to Sleep in Your Car?: Overviews relevant laws like intoxicated driving and highlights it‘s legal in most areas to sleep in a parked vehicle when sober.
There are a few key legal parameters to keep in mind though, which I‘ve summarized below:
You Must Be Sober
All states prohibit sleeping while intoxicated in a parked vehicle with access to keys. Doing so can still result in a DUI charge since you could operate the vehicle while under the influence.
Obey Posted Signs
Check municipal codes for any posted signs on streets prohibiting parking or sleeping in vehicles during certain hours. Violating posted regulations can lead to fines or impounding.
No Long-Term Camping
Most areas discourage using vehicles as long-term shelter and have limits on consecutive nights stayed. But 1-2 nights parking is usually permitted.
Understanding these laws allows conscientious CONSUMERs to confidently rest in their vehicle when road tripping without breaking any regulations. But what about specifically sleeping overnight in a retail store‘s parking lot?
Getting Target‘s Permission to Park
The good news is Target has no official policy banning overnight vehicle parking at their stores nationwide. Local managers make the call for their location.
I checked Target‘s public Parking Lot Safety policies and Store Rules listed on their website and found no mention of overnight parking.
However, it‘s still smart to directly ask your local Target store manager for permission instead of assuming it‘s allowed. Speaking to management is just the respectful thing to do when parking overnight on private property.
Here are some tips for getting a manager‘s approval:
- Visit customer service at Target and ask if the store manager is available
- Politely explain your situation – ie; driving across the country, don‘t want to pay for motels every night, etc.
- Request permission to park your RV or car specifically overnight for safety and rest
- Offer contact details so the manager can reach you if any issues arise
- Park where recommended by the manager for best security
With this courteous approach, most store managers understand and will grant you permission to park. But if for some reason overnight stays are denied, graciously accept the decision and find somewhere else nearby to park instead.
Additionally, while Target approval isn‘t required by law, having a manager‘s verbal consent gives you added legal protection in the rare scenario police might question your overnight parking for some reason. So it‘s worth taking a minute to inform them.
Safety Tips for a Secure, Comfortable Night‘s Stay
Once you‘ve got the green light for overnight parking, make sure you observe the following common sense safety practices:
- Always park under lighting at night for visibility
- Completely power off your vehicle and lock all doors
- Use curtains or shades over windows for privacy
- Keep valuables hidden from sight lines in the trunk/storage
- Enable phone alarm alerts to wake early and move your vehicle
I also suggest drivers take these extra precautions for maximum safety and comfort:
- Use a visor shade in your windshield when sleeping to obscure sight lines into the car
- Place cell phones in airplane mode with alarms enabled to conserve battery
- Have emergency contacts programmed and accessible in your phone
- Know your exact parking location in case you need to call for help
- Wear layers appropriate for the weather conditions
- Always keep weapons and fire sources secure and out of reach
Following this practical guidance allows peace of mind so you can relax and sleep soundly.
Target management also makes general safety a priority for their stores by having security staff, surveillance systems, and frequent lot monitoring. So store lots prove safer than remote, unpatrolled parking areas.
But additional precautions like parking under lamps in high visibility spots is still key for deterring any criminal activity. And locking doors gives added assurance your belongings remain protected.
What to Bring for Optimal Overnight Stays
To limit discomfort and sleep better in your vehicle, I recommend packing certain handy items:
For Comfort:
- Blankets, pillows
- Pajamas, slippers
- Eye masks, earplugs
- Camping air mattress or pads
For Convenience:
- Water, non-perishable snacks
- Portable chargers, batteries
- Flashlights
- Trash bags
- Baby wipes, tissue
- Weather-appropriate clothing
For Hygiene:
- Hand sanitizer, cleansing wipes
- Toothbrush, toothpaste
- Deodorant
- Medications, first aid kit
For Entertainment:
- Offline games, books
- Laptop, tablet
- Headphones
- Portable DVD player
Supplying gear to cover these needs goes a long way towards creating a cozy, enjoyable parking experience.
And when nature calls at night, retail stores do allow public use of their restrooms while open. Target‘s hours are generally 8am-10pm.
Alternate Places For Overnight Parking
If sleeping overnight at Target isn‘t feasible or you want additional options, many other retailers allow vehicle parking with manager approval too.
For example, Walmart, Home Depot, Lowe’s, Bass Pro Shops, Cracker Barrel, and Cabela’s locations often permit overnight RV and car parking. Their lots also remain well-lit and may have security staff monitoring them.
Several apps like AllStays Camp & RV and FreeRoam help RVers easily find potential boondocking locations ranging from retail chains to truck stops.
And tourism bureaus, like Visit Indiana list the top places to camp for free within their state, which includes overnight options beyond just campgrounds.
Scout parks, churches, marinas, casinos, travel centers, and other businesses in the area you need to stop. Be thoughtful in asking permission on a case by case basis.
Key Benefits of Proper Rest
Getting adequate sleep while road tripping should be a top priority for all drivers but is often neglected. Let’s examine surprising statistics that highlight the dangers of driving while fatigued according to credible health institutions:
| Driving Without Sleep… | Impairment Level |
|---|---|
| For 14-18 hours | BAC of 0.05% |
| Without breaks | Similar to driving drunk |
| Drowsy driving causes | At least 100,000 accidents/year |
| Drowsy driving leads to | ~5,000 deaths annually |
| Falling asleep at wheel | Responsible for 13% of fatal crashes |
Data Sources: CDC, AAA Foundation, NHTSA
Clearly, exhausted driving impairs response time and cognitive ability as much as alcohol consumption – a scary truth most travelers underestimate.
Thankfully, recharging with parking lot camping or napping in rest areas helps counter these risks when you pay attention to warning signs of fatigue hitting:
- Trouble focusing visually
- Wandering, disconnected thoughts
- Heavy eyes, nodding off
- Yawning repeatedly
- Difficulty remembering the past few miles
Pulling over when these clues arise gives your body vital recovery time to continue safely. And sleeping overnight saves the high price tag of roadside motels.
Parking let‘s you start the next day renewed. You can wake up slowly, eat breakfast, review maps, and mentally prepare for more adventure on the open roads ahead.
Overnight Parking Drawbacks
While legal and often cozy, I would be remiss not to mention a few potential downsides of parking lot camping that camps should consider:
Noise factors: Nearby cars, traffic sounds, loud trucks, early snow plows, garbage collection, or even cleaning staff with vacuums could disrupt sleep at night. Earplugs and eye masks help but total silence isn‘t guaranteed.
Extreme temperatures: Most vehicles won‘t have temperature regulation overnight leading to uncomfortable cold or heat. Choose spots with shade and insulation when possible.
Lack of facilities: If stores close at night, you lose bathroom access which could require late night drives to 24 hour truck stops instead.
Risk of theft: Even with precautions, theft of external gear or break-ins still occur in rare cases. So avoid leaving irreplaceable items unlocked outside.
Property owner complaints: If parking for multiple consecutive days, some managers may eventually ask overnighters to move on even if first permitted. Have back up overnight options scouted just in case.
Overall though, the huge savings on lodging costs outweighs these factors for many road trippers. And the safety benefits of resting when drowsy driving urges hit makes parking to sleep an ideal option.
About the Author:
Lindsay Ferrara is a retail management executive with over 15 years of experience working for top brands like Target, Costco, and Dick’s Sporting Goods in supervisory and corporate analysis roles.
She holds an MBA from Duke University and serves on the board for the American Retail Supply Association. Lindsay has driven through 48 US states and provides advice to help consumers save money via store policies.
