In West Virginia, it is legal to sleep in your car at rest areas, welcome centers, and turnpike travel plazas. The West Virginia Department of Transportation (WVDOT) and the West Virginia Parkways Authority (WVPA) do not have rules prohibiting overnight parking or sleeping in vehicles at these locations. In fact, they encourage drivers to rest in their vehicles if needed rather than sleeping elsewhere in the open or inside buildings. There is no stated maximum time limit for staying at rest areas, and camping is allowed but generally limited to the use of on-site facilities like picnic tables and should not involve extended setups or drawing undue attention after sunset.
Overnight parking is permitted in designated areas for large vehicles like RVs and campers at turnpike travel plazas and rest areas. However, parking is prohibited near toll plazas and in areas reserved for oversized loads. While sleeping in your car is allowed in these public rest stops, local ordinances or private property rules may differ, so outside of these designated rest areas, rules can vary.
At places like universities or municipal parking areas in West Virginia, overnight parking or sleeping in vehicles may be restricted and can lead to citations or fines if rules are violated. For example, parking violations at West Virginia University include a $20 fine for overnight parking violations.
If you are considering sleeping in your car in West Virginia, doing so at state rest areas, turnpike travel plazas, or welcome centers is legal and generally accepted. It is advisable to remain discrete, use only designated parking spaces, and avoid prolonged camping activities outside your vehicle. Outside of these state-managed areas, be sure to check local rules and private property regulations to avoid fines or enforcement actions.
Sources
[1] https://www.boondockersbible.com/learn/west-virginia-rest-area-rules/
[2] https://transportation.wvu.edu/parking/parking-compliance-rules-and-regulations
[3] https://www.neighbor.com/storage-blog/can-you-sleep-at-a-rest-stop/
[4] https://transportation.wv.gov/Turnpike/travel_resources/safety/Pages/Restrictions-and-Laws.aspx
[5] https://www.reddit.com/r/WestVirginia/comments/jku5te/is_it_legal_to_park_at_a_welcome_center_rest_stop/
