Updated at: 27-07-2023 - By: micdot

Affiliate links can be found throughout this piece. A little commission will be paid to me if you purchase something through one of the links. An important skill to learn is how to get a good night’s sleep in the rear of a car. I know what it’s like to be stranded without a place to sleep as a frequent traveler. As a result, I’ve been in a situation where I had to sleep in the car after driving for hours.

In some cases, it may be necessary to sleep in your automobile, and you need to be prepared for this eventuality. We’ll walk you through the steps you need to take to sleep well in the rear or front seat of your automobile in this tutorial.

Why Sleep in The Backseat of Your Car?

It’s a terrible idea to sleep in your car, unless you have an RV or a station wagon. Sleeping in a car is like taking a nap in hell, if you’ve ever done it. Laying over the backset and the seatbelt clasp imprints your soft bits when you recline the front seat. Eventually, sleeping in your car will be the only option.

A campsite or motel may not be an option for you whether you are on a road trip or camping because you do not have the money to pay for them or because you have already booked them. You might also run out of gas or have a mechanical problem out in the middle of nowhere. Perhaps you overestimated the length of the journey; you are exhausted and unable to keep your eyes open? This is just the beginning. As you can see, there are numerous reasons why you can be forced to sleep in the backseat of a car, therefore learning how to do so is critical.

And yeah, when you’re in an unfamiliar sleeping situation, the backseat is usually more comfy than the front.

How To Sleep Comfortably In The Backseat Of A Car

To begin, how well you sleep in a car is mostly determined by the vehicle’s size and your tolerance for uncomfortable environments. In this scenario, comfort isn’t the primary consideration. Health and safety are also important considerations. Some of the most tested and verified strategies for getting a good night’s sleep in a car are outlined below for you.

How To Sleep Comfortably In The Backseat Of A Car

1. Be Prepared

To ensure a good night’s sleep when on a road trip or vacation, you’ll want to pack some carefully chosen clothing. Clothing made from natural fibers such as cotton or linen will keep you cool and dry. In most situations, this is due to the fact that tight clothing can inhibit blood flow, which is a major issue when you’re sleeping in an uncomfortable posture. Comfortable shoes (if possible) should have laces so that you can simply loosen or remove them if you need to sleep in the automobile. Socks assist keep your feet warm and regulate your body temperature when you’re out in the cold in sandals or flip flops, for example.

It’s also a good idea to pack a light blanket in case you get chilly while hiking.

2. Look for a Good Place to Park

The first step in getting a decent night’s sleep in your car while visiting a new city or town is finding a convenient parking spot. The parking lot of a supermarket, a church property, or an upmarket area with no parking restrictions are all good options. Be aware that many places do not allow overnight parking, therefore you should check the local traffic regulations before parking to avoid your vehicle being towed or receiving a fine.. At this point, you’re probably in the middle of nothing. Make sure you don’t just stop and fall asleep. In order to minimize accidents or problems, park your vehicle in a less obvious location, such as a designated rest stop or a quiet residential neighborhood.

The majority of the time, it’s also not a good idea to park on a hill. Instead, you’ll want to find a spot that is as flat as possible so that you can have a good night’s sleep. It’s also wise to look elsewhere if you feel unsafe or uneasy in the location you’ve selected to visit. Any danger is avoided by not sleeping in a hazardous place. You can use applications like Hipcamp and AllStays to identify places where you can park legally if you can’t find anyplace else. It’s important to know where you’re at all times. Among the other things to keep in mind before you ultimately fall asleep on the road:
Prevent Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

Putting your car in neutral before going to bed is critical.
Regardless of the temperature, you should never sleep with your car’s engine running since carbon monoxide poisoning is extremely dangerous and can be fatal in a matter of seconds. You can get a good night’s sleep, but you can’t do it while the engine is running. Being a little less comfortable here equates to being a lot healthier and more alive. Assuming this is something you’ve already been aware of, it’s worth saying again: Before you go to sleep, make sure all the car doors are locked.

The sunroof and windows are the same. To avoid the potential for a sauna-like effect, I recommend that you leave one of them slightly cracked. Keep one of the automobile windows slightly open if the weather is extremely chilly. The best way to avoid condensation is to leave a window open, which may seem illogical. I’m sure you don’t want to become wet and chilly as a result of condensation. Again, in extremely cold weather, it may be essential to wake up and warm up the automobile every couple of hours.

Besides them, you’ll also want to store your car keys in a safe and secure location and make sure that your valuables are well hidden. Finally, the most important thing you can do to keep your car from overheating on a hot sunny day is to park it under shade. Hot automobiles can be deadly. The findings of an Injury Facts study show:
Over the past two decades, nearly every state has had at least one death due to children being left in a hot car. In 2018, 53 children lost their lives in this manner, and the number of deaths rose to 52 in 2019. When parking in a strange city, be extra cautious of your immediate surroundings.

3. Cover the car windows

You can cover the windows of your vehicle with anything, such as your old clothes, to avoid being disturbed by beggars or pedestrians, or just to avoid being woken up by the early morning sun. Being caught sleeping in a car in public could get you into problems or draw unwanted attention, so this will assist to improve your privacy and security as well.

4. Create a space to sleep

There isn’t much space in cars, so sleeping comfortably might be difficult. This is especially true if your vehicle is small. Your height is also a factor. Even though this essay is focused on how to sleep comfortably in the back of a car, if your vehicle is small it may be best to stay in the front seat and recline the seat as far as possible to your preference. The back seat of a larger vehicle, like a medium-sized sedan or SUV, should be able to serve as an adequate bed. When it comes to buying an air mattress for your automobile, there are plenty of options available. If you’re used to sleeping on your side, you’ll be able to acquire a rather comfortable and flatbed to sleep on. It’s also possible to double the size of your car if you have a station wagon with folding back seats. In the meantime, lay a sleeping mattress on the floor and fall asleep.

As an additional precaution, you should also use something like extra clothing to smooth out any uneven areas beneath your mat. You’ve just created a transportable bedroom for yourself that is both safe and comfortable. When sleeping in the backseat of a car without the use of a car air mattress, there are a few things you should know:
Keep your head off the door so you don’t wake up with a hurting head or miss out on any sleep.

This is the best posture for sleeping in a car, and the one I use the most. You simply rest your elbow on a flat surface and your head on the top of it to achieve this position. Make sure the middle seat’s armrest is lowered so that you can change your position during the voyage. You may not want to lay your head on your hand for the entire duration, so get cushions. You’ll be able to sleep better in the backseat if you have a pillow. A neck pillow might help you sleep with your head tilted back. It may seem apparent, yet I’ve seen individuals make the mistake of looking directly into the sun. Getting a good night’s sleep can be disrupted by the sun’s beams. If you’re not the driver, but nevertheless want to nap in the backseat while the car is moving, follow these guidelines. Every sort of distraction must be eliminated in order to focus on the task at hand. On the road, distractions can take on a variety of forms and materials. It might be anything from a lovely vista to a truck’s blaring honk, depending on what you’re looking for.

How to Sleep in a Car: What to Buy to Comfortably Sleep in Your Car - Thrillist

It doesn’t matter how the distraction occurs, as long as you can’t sleep while traveling, it’s not going to help.

5. Block every form of distraction

It’s easy – just bring a sleep mask and noise-canceling headphones with you.The best sleep masks are those made of silk or memory foam since they can readily conform  to the curve of your face and cover your eyes while blocking out light. Once you’ve successfully eliminated all visible distractions, the following step is to eliminate all audible distractions..

Wearing earplugs that block out ambient sound is one option, but you can also use earphones and a soothing playlist to aid with sleep. Alternatively, you might use applications that include sleep-inducing routines and soothing music. The stories and soundtracks on Headspace, for example, are designed to help you relax and de-stress. Both Noisli and Slumber have distinct white noise recordings, but Slumber also has guided sleep meditations. In the past, I’ve found that listening to calming music before bedtime helped me fall asleep faster and more easily.

6. Create a serene environment

As soon as we walk inside the bedroom, our minds are automatically programmed to feel sleepy because it’s associated with sleep. Even if you can’t transport your bedroom into the car, you can still set the mood to induce sleepiness.

For example, lavender or patchouli-scented car fresheners have been shown to induce sleep. However, if you’re not traveling alone and don’t want the car to be filled with scents, dabbing some scented essential oil on your pulse points is an excellent alternative. A sit-up pillow is also required. It’ll keep your muscles from cramping and help you keep a better posture. Your car needs to be able to fit a sit-up pillow, so make sure it’s big enough. Besides that, you should try to keep the temperature of the car consistent. The ideal temperature for sleeping is between 67 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit. It’s best not to leave the windows open while driving, as this has a negative impact on both the quality of the air and the temperature.

7. Ensure supplies are nearby

There are few things worse than waking up in the middle of the night looking for food and water while driving. Because of this, it’s important to make sure you have everything you might possibly need close at hand. This includes things like your phone, a water bottle, a torch, and your keys. Next, you’ll be able to relax and have a peaceful night’s sleep in your car.

Sleeping in the Front Seat of a Car Vs the Backseat

To help you decide whether to sleep in the front or back of the car, here are a few factors to keep in mind. To begin, everyone’s preference is different; some people prefer to sleep in the backseat while others prefer the front. However, most people feel that the backseat of a moving car is the best location to sleep because you’ll be far enough away from the driver’s seat to avoid noise and any disruptions, especially when the car is in motion.

If you don’t have a good rapport with the driver, the backseat provides greater seclusion, allowing you to get a decent night’s sleep. However, in many situations, nothing beats the view from the front seat. The following are some of the benefits of sleeping in the front seat of a car:
Sunshades are incorporated into the front seats.

Seats in the front of the vehicle can recline, allowing you greater leeway in your stance. You’ll be able to operate the vehicle’s controls more easily (you can change the volume on the sound system and adjust the car temperature) In addition, the jump seat offers additional legroom, allowing you to relax and be more comfortable. The backseat, though, is where I prefer to sleep if the car is crammed and I’m looking for a spot to rest my head for the night. The following are some of the related posts:

What Is The Legality Of Sleeping In Your Car?

In North Carolina, is it illegal to sleep in your vehicle?

In Tennessee, is it against the law to sleep in your vehicle?

In Texas, is it against the law to sleep in your vehicle?

Are you breaking the law in Virginia if you sleep in your car?

Is It Possible to Sleep in a Roll-Up Windowed Car?

My car’s air conditioning is on, but can I still sleep in it?

Conclusion

Hopefully, you’ve learned how to get a good night’s sleep in the rear of a car. To put everything you’ve learned here into practice, put it to the test and observe what happens. It’s fantastic if you’re able to sleep soundly in your car. Not having enough room isn’t an issue, so take what you can get. When it comes to sleep quality and comfort, your car will never be able to take the place of your bed. If you ever find yourself in the middle of nowhere, all you need is a place to retreat to and some peaceful time to yourself.

3 Ways to Make a Bed in Your Car - wikiHow