Can you take a road trip on $500-700? (camping, cost, hotel)

[mlb8251]

My budget is kind of low, since I'm out of work right now. Can you sleep in your car at highway rest areas to save money on hotels?

[harlowvart]

It really depends on the state. Most are posted so you can't sleep there. In my experience, locating free places to sleep means that you spend more in gas than a campsite would cost.

You can get an unlimited Greyhound bus pass based on your budget. You can sleep on the bus (sort of). I traveled the country a lot that way when I was young.

[beachmouse]

If you're enough of an extrovert that the company wouldn't drive you nuts, there's the couchsurfing option:

https://www.couchsurfing.com/


It's the kind of scenario that would drive me nuts, so I supplement my hard cash travel budget with hotel & airline gift cards & points from assorted survey and get-paid-to programs, but it takes time to build up that stash.

[Hemlock140]

Better to sleep in the car at a rest area than to fall asleep at the wheel. I often drive from here in WA to CA and sometimes if leaving in the evening will catch two hours at a rest area near Shasta. I really don't think anyone would are or even notice. You might also try the Walmart Parking lots, near the motor homes already there.

[David223]

There's no way I would sleep in my car in a highway rest area. Too many nuts out there much too dangerous. Basketball great Michael Jordans father was murdered in a highway rest stop. He pulled in to get some sleep and woke while being robbed. He was shot to death. Motel 6 is much safer....

[MrRational]

Originally Posted by mlb8251

Can you sleep in your car at highway rest areas to save money on hotels?

In most states and in most rest areas.
Specifics vary.

[wit-nit]

Rest areas are what rest areas are for. Temporary resting, not camping. I've traveled across country, stopped at rest areas for an hour or 2 then moved on until getting tired again. A few times rested in a shopping mall or WalMart center in a safe area.
It can be done but be aware of your surroundings. Weather makes a difference too. I'd only do it during warm weather periods.

[k350]

It is best to pull into an actual hotel and sleep in the parking lot, a Walmart, or even a busy type truck stop.

[MrRational]

Originally Posted by wit-nit

Rest areas are what rest areas are for.
Temporary resting, not camping.

Who said anything about camping?

I've traveled across country, stopped at rest areas for an hour or 2 then moved on

Good for you. Others will sleep in them.

FWIW I've done a LOT of time on the road. At one point I spent three solid years traveling
between jobs and circumnavigated the US several times doing so out of a small wagon.

No one in their right mind would want to do it every night but for the night or two
it takes to drive between stop points... do so in peace.

In addition to a night in a secure lot you have restrooms and even "family" restrooms
in the newer facilities nice where you can wash up with more privacy ...and warm water.
And there is the free WIFI and the odd electric outlet to plug in a coffee maker too.

After you've washed and shaved and changed your drawers ...have a peaceful nights sleep.
In the morning get dressed and make your coffee... and then get on with your day.
Or go to one of the picnic tables, set up your camp stove and start cooking breakfast.
You do have a cooler with some food in it after all.

mmm bacon or sausage with potato/onion fry up and eggs over easy sound good?
Share it. It's a great way to start conversation with other travelers too.

[beachmouse]

Originally Posted by David223

There's no way I would sleep in my car in a highway rest area. Too many nuts out there much too dangerous. Basketball great Michael Jordans father was murdered in a highway rest stop. He pulled in to get some sleep and woke while being robbed. He was shot to death. Motel 6 is much safer....

Florida has armed guards on the overnight shift at their rest areas. The flip side is that those guards can also enforce the three hour limit on stops at them- a nap for safety purposes when you're having trouble staying awake at the wheel is generally okay with them but they don't want overnighters.