Is It Illegal to Sleep in Your Car at a Maine Rest Stop?

Sometimes you’ve got to do what you’ve got to do, and in Maine, when the Sandman calls, where is it legal to answer?

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In Maine, we know how to 'rough it,' we’re not a picky bunch. Us Mainers can catch some Z's without all of the fancy accommodations. We understand the importance of a good night's sleep, especially when traveling or when we’re out on the road, away from home.

But where can you rest without breaking the bank or, more importantly, breaking the law?

Maine's rest areas offer a safe and convenient place for highway travelers to take a break during their trip. These roadside facilities, maintained by the Maine Department of Transportation, typically provide parking and may include picnic areas and other amenities.

With all of that being said, if you’re planning on stopping at a specific spot, it's a good idea to have an alternate rest stop in mind just in case, as suggested by MaineRestAreas.com. Some rest areas may be closed for maintenance.

While they're great for resting, can you actually sleep at these rest areas?

According to Smart Financial, an insurance resource website, in Maine, there is no general law that bans sleeping in your car, giving the following provisions about Maine’s car sleeping laws, saying that it’s allowed if the car or vehicle is 10 feet from other vehicles and is clearly visible to oncoming traffic.

Additionally, sleeping in your vehicle is not allowed on limited-access highways that prohibit parking on traffic lanes, deceleration lanes, acceleration lanes, bridges, and the left shoulder.

With all of these provisions in mind, rest stops in Maine are a viable option for sleeping, or, well, ‘rest’ in your car.