Sleeping in your car in South Carolina falls into a legal gray area that requires close attention to location-specific rules and local enforcement. There is no single state law explicitly stating that sleeping in your car is illegal across South Carolina. However, several important regulations and common practices affect drivers who wish to rest overnight in their vehicles.
At state-operated highway rest areas, the South Carolina Department of Transportation does not specifically allow overnight parking or camping. Signs at rest stops frequently prohibit “overnight parking,” yet the intention of these rest areas is to provide a safe place for motorists to rest if they are too tired to drive. While there is no official maximum time limit posted, travelers can generally stay as long as is reasonably necessary to rest up, which may in practice mean several hours or enough time to ensure safety before returning to the road. Technically, spending an entire night at a rest stop could invite a warning or a request from security staff or law enforcement to move along, particularly if it appears you are camping rather than just resting. Enforcement in these areas often depends on the discretion of security personnel, and at times contracted security and state troopers may patrol to ensure compliance.
In urban and residential areas, the regulations become more restrictive. City ordinances throughout much of South Carolina ban overnight parking on public streets or in municipal lots unless specifically designated otherwise. For example, some parking regulations explicitly prohibit vehicles from being parked overnight, and certain neighborhood or business districts may tow or ticket vehicles left for long periods, particularly if sleeping in the vehicle draws attention. Parking on private property without the owner’s consent is strictly prohibited and may result in enforcement action or towing. Some cities and college campuses enforce curfews on parking facility use as well, making it illegal to leave your car overnight in garages or student lots.
If you need to sleep in your vehicle, commercial truck stops can offer a more permissive environment. These locations, often found near interstates or major highways, are open 24 hours and offer amenities for drivers to rest. While their formal policies may be aimed primarily at truckers, many truck stops also allow passengers or tourists to park overnight as long as they do not take up space designated for commercial vehicles. To avoid problems, it is advisable to check in with management or staff for permission and to be considerate of posted rules.
Parking at state parks or campgrounds generally requires a permit or payment and is designated for patrons who are actively renting a site; roadside parking and unauthorized use of campsites is typically prohibited. Beach communities, such as Surfside Beach, have additional restrictions, including paid parking only in designated locations and strict prohibitions on parking close to intersections, fire hydrants, or private property without consent.
The key element throughout South Carolina is local discretion and the purpose of your stop. Law enforcement is more likely to intervene if you appear to be camping, have set up bedding visible from outside the vehicle, or if your car is parked in an area where overnight activity is prohibited. Simply sleeping for a short period to stave off driver fatigue, without drawing attention or breaking posted rules, is generally tolerated in rest areas and truck stops.
If you do choose to sleep in your car, minimize your risk by selecting locations that are open 24 hours, checking with property owners or staff when possible, and avoiding residential neighborhoods or places with posted prohibitions. Always obey local ordinances, pay attention to signage, and prioritize safety and respect for the property and community. The bottom line: sleeping in your car is not broadly illegal in South Carolina, but can easily violate local rules or attract unwanted attention if not done with care and awareness.
Sources
[1] https://www.boondockersbible.com/learn/south-carolina-rest-area-rules/
[2] https://www.directauto.com/learning-center/driving-laws-and-safety/where-why-its-illegal-to-sleep-in-your-car
[3] https://law.justia.com/codes/south-carolina/title-59/chapter-67/section-59-67-300/
[4] https://landline.media/magazine/no-overnight-parking-at-state-rest-areas/
[5] https://www.surfsidebeach.org/202/Parking
