There are instances when you want to sleep in the back seat of your car. During a long overnight road trip, you may not be able to find a place in any hotel/motel, compelling you to adjust in your car.
Or you have over-driven and want to refresh yourself by having a power nap. Or, your journey stalls due to a car breakdown at any odd place at a late hour at night, and you have to wait till morning to get a car mechanic.
In this article, I am going to reveal how to sleep comfortably in the back seat of a car. I have done it multiple times in my own car, so I believe I am quite expert to write about this topic, help you master this art as well.
There may be many situations other than these where you have no option but to sleep in your car.
No second opinion about the uncomfortable situation of sleeping in the car, but thankfully there are a few ways to make you sleep comfortably in the back seat of your vehicle.
Keeping comfortable loose-fitting cotton clothes, a car mattress, a few pillows, a blanket, etc., will suffice to make your sleep comfortable. Having a portable noise device or earplugs will prevent outside noise to some extent. Also, it’s advisable to have some gaps when you slide up the windows to allow proper ventilation. That means do not entirely cover up the windows with window glasses.
Our thorough research on this topic will help you understand how to sleep comfortably in the back seat of a car. We have covered various factors that will help you sleep comfortably in your car’s back seat.
Let’s have a look at them one by one.
Contents
How to Sleep Comfortably in the Back Seat of a car (Step by Step Guide)
It isn’t hard to learn how to sleep comfortably in the back seat of a car. However, you must a few things in your mind in order to do it safely. If you follow these steps properly, then it won’t land you to any unwanted mess.
Park Safe and Sound in a Legal Point
Here are a few valid points to consider before you spot a place to park your car.
The best places to park your vehicle are:
- A premier community with no parking prohibitions.
- The car parking area of a superstore/mall.
- The campus of a church.
You may be aware of the parking restrictions in the concerned area. If not, get that information beforehand. Else you may end up paying a hefty fine and, in the worst case, getting your car towed.
Find an obscure or general rest stop. Ensure you park your vehicle away from the main roads and entrances/exits of buildings. It will help to prevent disturbances to the locals and mainly mishaps.
Do not park your vehicle in an area with an abrupt slope. To sleep comfortably, always find a flat surface to park your car.
A few apps available today will eliminate all the worries of finding a good parking spot lawfully. Your ultimate goal should be finding a good, secure place to park your vehicle, and all legally.
Check For AC valve
You might not know that the same AC that is good when the car is running is an unhealthy option when the vehicle is stationary. You might plan to put the AC on while you sleep in the back seat of your car, especially during hot weather, but that is a bad idea.
An AC working in a stationary car may be the reason for carbon monoxide toxicity. Any leaks in the exhaust or AC may lead to slippage of carbon monoxide gas in your vehicle.
You may not know carbon monoxide has occupied every space of your vehicle since it’s colorless and odorless, and casual breathing may be fatal to your health. In addition, it’s risky to keep the engine working when you are asleep. In addition, if you keep your AC on, the car battery may drain significantly.
Get some Ventilation
Securing by closing all doors and windows by pulling up the glass is ideal for protection. But you also have to have some ventilation for fresh air exchange. Keep a gap of one inch at least at one window by not fully closing it. It will allow ventilation and prevent the building up of condensation in your car.
Cover the Windows
Car glasses are transparent, and you have to make sure to protect your privacy. To do that, you can cover your windows with clothes or coverings. It will help to secure your privacy. In addition, you can save yourself from the bright glare of the sunlight in the morning, which may likely disturb your sleep.
Prepare your comfortable sleeping space
You need to create a relaxing sleeping space to have a comfortable sleep. You can procure sleeping pads and or air beds from local stores. These are designed dedicatedly for use on the back seats of bigger cars. If the case of a small car, you can recline the front seats and join the back seats if there’s a provision for doing so.
Since you use blankets and pillows at home, you will need that in your car too. Since there’s no option to leave the AC off while sleeping in the car, be prepared with an appropriate dress that will be comfortable.
Never sleep by bracing your head against the car door or window. It may strain your shoulders and neck. You can rest your head on your hand or a pillow.
Come Prepared with the right Bedding
Ensure you equip yourself with all the sleeping provisions before your travel. Remember to have a wash bag, wet tissues, and paper soaps to freshen up whenever you need them. Having a flashlight is a good idea. In addition, having extra clothes will help you if the night goes chilly.
Avoid distractions: Use any eye mask or earplugs
You may get distracted while trying to sleep in the back seat of your car. Therefore, it’s essential to block the noises or flashes coming from the outside.
You can block the flashes by wearing an eye mask. And can block the noises by putting on headphones. In the case of having an afternoon nap, park your car in a way that will prevent the sunlight from striking your face.
Keep Some bug-repellent Handy
Since you will be parking yourself at a strange place, you may not be aware of the little friends called bugs that may disturb your sleep. Some of them may be hazardous too. Therefore, it’s essential to have a bug-repellant spray that you can spread around your car to keep them away.
In addition, you can procure gel-based skin-friendly bug repellant to apply on your body to prevent any insect from biting you.
Protect your valuables
Sleeping in your car, and that too in an unknown area is risky, and you should take that seriously. Thieves may target your car, looking to have a hand on any valuables with you and in the car. Locking your car and hiding the keys is the basic thing you can do.
Keeping your phone, gadgets, wallets and other valuables hidden someplace away is the one thing you can do to prevent anyone from thieving them. In addition, you can have a gadget creating alarm sounds handy.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is sleeping in a car warmer than a tent?
Yes, due to the inbuilt insulation of a car, you will feel a car warmer than a tent.
Is it safe to sleep in a car in the garage?
Yes, if you take the necessary safety precautions, it is safe to sleep in a car. It’s essential to turn off the engine and allow sufficient ventilation.
How to sleep comfortably in a moving car?
You can sleep comfortably in a moving car by tilting the seat back and sitting in a position that supports your head appropriately. Keep the seatbelts on, wear a comfortable dress and keep the temperature cool enough.
Conclusion:
There are instances when you have no option than sleeping in your car. The ideal place to sleep in the car is in the back seat. And the good news is, with a few things, you can make a nice cozy place to get comfortable there to have a sound sleep.
Equip yourself with extra loose-fitting clothes and pillows/mattresses/blankets to make a comfortable place in your car. Keeping the engine off is mandatory when you sleep. Have at least one window open with a minimum gap of 1 inch to get fresh air from the outside.
Block the outer light flashes and noise by putting on an eye mask and headphones. Take care of your valuables by hiding them out of sight and keep emergency contact numbers and a sound buzzer handy.
