Can You Sleep At Rest Stops In Utah? (UPDATED RULES)


Can You Sleep At Rest Stops In utah

Have you ever wondered if you can sleep at rest stops in Utah? Look no more. We´ve got you covered.

If you love your states that have seemingly zero rules about how long you can stay at a rest stop, then Utah is where you need to be. Seriously.

This is one of the best states when it comes to staying at the rest stops. There may be a few limitations in place (we will discuss those soon), but not that many.

Can You Sleep at Rest Stops in Utah?

can you sleep at rest stops in Utah? Yes, there are no issues with you sleeping at a rest stop in Utah. In fact, this is exactly what they were designed for in the first place!

Read also: Where Can You Legally Live in an RV? (Incl. 10 Examples)

How Long Can You Stay at  Rest Stop in Utah?

This is where the rules start to get a little bit tricky.

In theory, there is no limit to how long you can stay at a rest stop in Utah. Even the rules stipulate that you can stay long-term at a rest stop. Although, you will be monitored the whole time.

It seems that the state of Utah has tried to take a far more sensible approach to things than in other states.

While other states are more than happy to have a time limit of a few hours, Utah seems to believe that people should be allowed to stay at the rest stops for as long as it takes them not to be tired.

So, if this takes 24-hours, then it is going to take 24-hours.

Rest assured, you are going to be monitored by staff the entire time that you are at a rest stop in Utah.

However, if you are always giving the impression that you are too tired to move on, then they probably are not going to be moving you on.

Read also: Average RV Park Rates: Nationwide Campgrounds Prices per Night

Are There Other Rules for Staying at the Rest Stop in Utah?

The same rules as other rest stops in the United States apply.

The reason why Utah is so open about how long you can stay at rest stops is down to the fact that they want people to be there when they are tired.

👉 If you are not tired, then you are not allowed to stay there for long periods of time. You can stay there for a short while to take a break from the road, but then you need to be on your merry way pretty quickly.

👉 This does mean that you should only be staying at a rest stop if you can prove that you are tired. If you are sitting in your RV, watching TV, and you have been at the rest stop for hours already, then chances are that you will be asked to leave.

If you are sitting outside of your RV, chatting to people, then chances are that you will be asked to leave.

At no point are you allowed to be camping at a rest stop in Utah. This means no tent or pulling the awning out of your RV. Rest means rest.

👉 You are allowed to leave your vehicle for short periods of time to use the services of a rest stop e.g. to buy food.

However, that is all that you can do. You are not allowed to disappear for hours and hours. Your vehicle will likely to be towed away.

You can cook at rest stops, but you have to use gas to cook. You cannot use an open flame.

👉 Finally, if you end up causing any noise at the rest stop that could actually impact other people from being able to relax and rest, then you will be removed.

When you arrive at a rest stop that you haven’t visited before, then we suggest that you read through the rules. This way, you will know exactly what is expected of you during your stay at the rest stop.

Read also: Can You Sleep In McDonald’s Parking Lot? (The Truth)

What Are the Operating Hours of Rest Stops in Utah?

Rest stops are open 24-hours a day, 7-days a week. Most of them are going to be fully staffed during this time, or at least will have regular patrols.

Are Rest Stops in Utah Monitored?

Yes. Nearly all of the rest stops in Utah will be staffed at all hours of the day. On the off chance that a rest stop in Utah is not staffed, then there will be regular patrols of the area.

Basically, if you are at a rest stop anywhere in the state, there will always be somebody watching you, so it is important that you play by the rules.

Read also: Tips For NON-Truckers: Are Truck Stops Safe for RV’s to Park Overnight?

What Happens if You Break the Rules of Rest Stops in Utah?

You will be asked to leave.

Now, there is some indication that if you break the rules and you are too tired to drive you may not be asked to leave.

However, to be honest with you, the rules are so fair for rest stops in Utah that if you are breaking them, then you are probably going to be capable of driving anyway.

If you refuse to leave the rest stop after you have been asked to leave the rest stop, you will get a criminal citation for trespassing. This could lead to fines, court appearances, and a criminal record.

Read also: Can I Park an RV at Walmart? [Recent Law & Rules]

How Do You Find Rest Stops in Utah?

Rest stops in Utah should be fully signposted throughout the state. They will most likely be alongside main trucking routes i.e. the main roads because this is where the majority of commercial drivers are going to be.

Of course, if you are traveling to Utah, then you can do your research beforehand too. There are plenty of websites online that will contain information about rest stops.

This includes the facilities that may be at certain rest stops. However, don’t take the information that you find online as gospel.

Check out the rest areas in Utah here >> https://www.udot.utah.gov/connect/public/rest-areas/

Use it as a general guide. When you arrive at a rest stop, you shouldn’t be too surprised if the way in which the rest stop works is completely different from what the internet said.

Map Of Rest Areas Near Me

Just follow the link where you can find the map of rest areas in Utah >>

https://www.udot.utah.gov/connect/public/rest-areas/

Utah Overnight Parking and Rest areas Rules

If you are interested in the overnight parking and rest areas rules in Utah, then just follow the link to the Interstate Rest Areas Webpage where you can see the current status.

https://www.interstaterestareas.com/overnight-parking-rules/

Is it Safe to Stay at Rest Stops in Utah?

Yes. In fact, we are willing to argue that it may actually be a lot safer to stay at a rest stop in Utah than a rest stop anywhere else in the United States.

This is because almost all of them will have some sort of staff there throughout the entirety of the day, and all of them get some quite heavy usage. This means that crime levels are already going to be kept to the minimum anyway.

This doesn’t really negate the idea that you will have to do a bit of your own diligence when you are staying at a rest stop.

You can’t always look out for other people to protect you as there will be some risk there. However, you will probably have to do less than at other rest stops in the country.

Read also: Can You Sleep At Rest Stops In Minnesota? [Law & Rules]

Conclusion

Utah allows you to sleep at rest stops, and they don’t even have an upper limit of how long you can stay there (within reason).

If you are an RV user that is exploring the roads of Utah, then you will find that Utah is pretty much one of the most welcoming states in the country. Just make sure that you stick to the other rules.

Mike Gilmour

Hi, I'm Mike, co-founder, and editor of RV and Playa. My passion is traveling (with my RV) and enjoying the day at the beach (Playa)! Well, I originally created this blog as a way to share what I've learned by experimenting with the RV lifestyle, and I want to help others develop in life through new skills and opportunities.

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