Sleeping in your car doesn’t have to be difficult or unpleasant. It’s also less expensive than staying at a hotel or motel, and it’s a good way to save money on your travel budget. If you’re on a road trip or otherwise have to sleep in your car, there are some best practice you can apply to feel comfortable.
In this guide I’ll show you how to prepare for sleeping in your car, and some suggestions for comfort and keeping clean no matter where you are.
What are the best ways for sleeping in your car?
The best practice for sleeping in your car is to bring a number of bedding items. You should bring a blanket, a pillow, and maybe some ear plugs or noise-cancelling headphones. The following are items that you should bring.
Blanket, pillow and other comfort items
This is your basic setup for sleeping in your car. It may be cold at night and a blanket or warm clothes may keep you snuggly and asleep better. You can also bring pillows which inflate with air, or anything else you might need for a good night’s rest. Also, if you’re sharing a car with other people, everyone might need individual blankets.
Make sure to bring a sleeping bag if it is very cold. Sleeping bags are great because they help keep you warm in the colder weather. A blanket won’t be enough at certain times of the year.
Another sleeping equipment is a sleep mask. Some cars have very bright lights that shine through the windows at night and keep one from sleeping well. In those cases it is best to use sleep masks to cover your eyes. These can be obtained cheaply in any store that sells pillows or bedding.
Ear plugs or noise cancelling headphones
Ear plugs or noise cancelling headphones can be a lifesaver when it comes to sleeping in your car. If you’re parked near an airport, train station or other noisy place, then you should definitely bring them. They’ll help you get the rest you need after a long road trip. Ear plugs are usually cheap and can be bought at any drug store. Noise cancelling headphones are good for sleeping in your car too. These ones work by reducing the background noises, so you can sleep better while on a road trip or other time when you have to sleep in your car!
Air Freshener
Some people like to use air fresheners to keep their space smelling nice. If you’re a fan of lavender or other floral scents, use an air freshener that is lightly scented to give your car a good smell while you sleep in it. You can also buy ones with small amounts of lemon or similar citrusy scent. This will help your car smell better if you’re sharing a car with other people.
A car charger for your phone or tablet
A car charger is a must-have for any person sleeping in their car. Smartphones have a lot of battery power, but they still need to be charged at night. If you forget to charge your phone the night before or can’t find an outlet around, then you’ll definitely want a car charger. Using GPS and driving with navigation on uses even more power. No one wants to be stuck in the middle of nowhere without their maps or navigation functions working!
If you want to know if you can sleep in the car where you have parked, you should read this article about that.
What should you do with your belongings when you are sleeping in your car?
The first thing you should do is lock up all of your valuables and make sure they’re out of sight. Lock any items in the trunk or glove compartment so that a thief doesn’t see them. Then get a good night’s sleep!
Any valuables you can’t leave locked up should be placed in the sleeping bag with you. Do not keep them out of sight, and don’t let others know that you have them . If a thief sees your car has valuable items inside, they may try to break the window or break into your trunk while you’re asleep.
How to keep yourself clean when sleeping in your car?
It’s important to take care of hygiene when sleeping in the car. One way to do this is by bringing a mirror, toothbrush, sanitary napkins, and wet wipes. All of these will help you stay clean while traveling. You should be able to shower at a hotel, motel or other place like a gym or a camping.
Put your dirty clothes and other dirty things in the trunk. Get a plastic trash bag and put all dirty items in it. Use this to clean up any mess that you may have made while eating. This will keep your car clean and fresh, so that you can enjoy sleeping in the car.
The last thing that you need to do is make sure that all necessary toiletries are packed before leaving for your trip. Some examples of these are clean underwear, shampoo, toothpaste, dental floss, mouthwash and flossing products.
How many hours of sleep can I get while in my car?
Most people should be able to get up to 4 hours of good, quality sleep in their car. Some people can actually get a full night’s rest. In some cases you may need to be awake half the night and sleep during the day when it’s cooler outside. There are a few factors that determine how much actual sleep you get. Those include:
- How comfortable your bedding is.
- The temperature of the air inside your car.
- Whether you can get restful sleep with noise nearby, including loud cars or people in other vehicles who may be driving by at night.
Conclusion
Sleeping in your car might seem like a tough thing to do, but it can be very comfortable if you take the right precautions. Just remember to relax, maybe watch a movie or listen to some music, and enjoy yourself while you’re on your road trip. If you follow these tips, then sleeping in a vehicle will be easier and more enjoyable for you and your pet or partner. It’s even possible that you may enjoy sleeping in the car more than you do your own bed.