Clearance + restrictionCited official sources
Interstate highways — overnight RV rules at state rest areas
Each state sets its own clock at its highway rest areas. Florida's rule allows three hours for the general public; Washington's statute sets eight hours in any twenty-four; Texas makes a stay over 24 hours an offense where a sign gives notice. Each row is the state's own sentence, read September 25, 2026.
- Tier
- Clearance + restriction
- Sources
- Cited official (.gov / .org)
Can you park an RV overnight at a highway rest area?
It depends on the state. Montana's page allows overnight parking for up to 12 hours; Washington's statute sets eight hours in any twenty-four; Florida's rule permits three hours for the general public.
Fifteen states, in their own words
Nine of the fifteen states put a stay limit or a camping rule into words we could quote; the last line gives the other six reasons. A store or casino lot is private property with its own terms, so it has no row.
Arizona: camping and campfires prohibited; no stay limit given
“The following are prohibited in the rest area … Camping/campfires”
From ADOT's page, read September 25, 2026.
California: a vehicle left over 8 hours can be removed
“…left standing for more than 8 hours within a roadside rest area or viewpoint can be removed.”
From Caltrans's maintenance manual, read September 25, 2026.
“Safety Roadside Rest Areas provide opportunities for travelers to safely stop, stretch, take a nap…”
From Caltrans's rest-area page, read September 25, 2026.
Florida: 3 hours for the public; camping is prohibited
“…permits a period of three hours for the general public…”
“…a period of ten hours for commercial motor vehicle operators subject to hours-of-service regulations.”
From FDOT's rest-area answers, read September 25, 2026.
“Camping is prohibited.”
“Parking for periods greater than three hours is prohibited.”
From FDOT's copy of rule 14-28.002, read September 25, 2026.
Montana: overnight up to 12 hours; no camping
“Overnight parking is allowed but limited to one parking space per vehicle and for a maximum of 12 hours.”
“Camping at Montana rest areas is prohibited.”
From MDT's page, read September 25, 2026.
North Carolina: no tents or camping structures
“It shall be unlawful, within any scenic service overlook, rest area or other designated parking area…”
“…to erect tents, booths, or structures of any kind for camping or any other activity”
From NCDOT's rule sheet, read September 25, 2026.
“North Carolina's highway rest areas offer opportunities for convenient, brief stops…”
From NCDOT's rest-area page, read September 25, 2026.
Oregon: no camping; 12 hours in any 24 at most
“…the following activities are prohibited by Visitors to a Rest Area:”
“Setting up a tent or other structure, camping, or remaining in a Rest Area for more than 12 hours within any 24-hour period.”
From Oregon's rest-area rules (OAR 734-030), read September 25, 2026.
Texas: over 24 hours or a tent is an offense once posted
“A person commits an offense if the person remains at a rest area for longer than 24 hours or erects a tent…”
“…has notice if a sign stating the prohibited activity and penalty is posted on the premises”
From Texas Transportation Code § 545.411, read September 25, 2026.
Utah: posted no overnight camping; longer stays watched
“All rest areas are posted for no overnight camping.”
“However, extended stays are permitted and are monitored by the on-site staff and the Highway Patrol.”
From UDOT's page, read September 25, 2026.
Washington: 8 hours in any 24, campers included; no camping
“…it is unlawful for any person or persons to stop, stand, or park any vehicle, including but not limited to trailers, campers, and motorcycles…”
“…for more than eight hours within a twenty-four hour period, or for any person or persons to camp…”
From RCW 47.38.020, read September 25, 2026.
No quotable rule: Alaska, Colorado, Delaware, Nevada, New Hampshire, New York
- Alaska — not published: no rest-area stay or camping rule on the transportation department's site (Alaska DOT&PF, September 25, 2026).
- Colorado — not published: CDOT's rest-area address now opens the COtrip map, which states no stay or camping rule (CDOT, September 25, 2026).
- Delaware — not published: DelDOT's rest-area page states no stay or camping rule (DelDOT, September 25, 2026).
- Nevada — not yet quoted: NDOT's rest-area page.
- New Hampshire — not yet quoted: NHDOT's visitor page.
- New York — not published: NYSDOT's statewide rest-area page lists the areas but states no stay or camping rule (NYSDOT, September 25, 2026).
Authoritative sources
- Arizona rest-area rules State DOT
- California rest-area rules State DOT
- Florida rest-area rules State DOT
- Montana rest-area rules State DOT
- North Carolina rest-area rules State DOT
- Oregon rest-area rules Government source
- Texas rest-area rules Government source
- Utah rest-area rules State DOT
- Washington rest-area rules Government source
Verify current conditions with state DOT 511 systems before departure. RV restrictions may change. Weather may close roads.
Planning an RV trip along Interstate highways?
Was this guide helpful?