What To Do With Your Car When You Travel
Posted on March 13, 2023
Heading off on vacation is always an exciting prospect. Leaving everyday life behind for a while and doing something new or simply relaxing is high on everyone's list of favourite activities but you also want to make sure everything will be fine at home while you're away. Beside the classic questions of "did I leave the lights on?" and "is the front door locked?" There's the issue of what to do with your car as you set off for new and exciting experiences.
Maybe you're driving to the airport before jetting off to sun, sea and sand away from winter's icy clutches, or maybe you're heading out on a road trip adventure and need to know where you can safely (and legally) sleep in your vehicle. This guide will provide all the answers you need to make informed choices about short- and long-term car storage, as well as giving you a checklist to follow so that your vehicle's in top condition when you return.
Travelling and Sleeping In Your Car
The idea of heading out in your car or truck with everything you need for a comfortable camping experience is certainly an attractive one. No rush hours, music up, taking the scenic route to your destination or simply going wherever the road may take you, taking in the stunning beauty that our continent has to offer. Here’s what all you aspiring road trippers and van lifers need to know.
This kind of driving makes you just about as free as it's possible to be, with relaxed travel deadlines and the ability to go wherever you want, when you want. There's no missing a plane or train and no doing things on anyone else's schedule. Before you drift off to fantasy road trip imagination land we must discuss one of the few restraints on travelling like this: finding a place to legally sleep.
Parking restrictions are your major hurdle here. Obviously if you drive up to a residential street and set up a shanty town out the back of your truck people aren't going to be pleased, but you can usually park overnight as long as there aren't any signs or bylaws expressly forbidding it, and as long as you're respectful about noise, et cetera. It'd be dangerous to pull over for forty winks at the side of the highway, so finding a relatively quiet spot is the order of the day (or night) here.
If you're in a built-up area, experts recommend a quick Google search for "best neighbourhoods in *town*" to make sure you don't end up in a bad area. Ideally you're looking for a residential street with houses on one side, other parked cars to blend in with, and park or forest land on the other side of the road. This will generally afford you a quiet place to rest for the night with the ability to answer should nature call. For more on safe and legal car sleeping see the FAQs below.
Leaving Your Car Safely Behind
Maybe you’re renting a car to travel in, driving yourself to the airport, or leaving town for longer than the average 1-2 week holiday. In all these cases you need to find somewhere to store your ride.
Photo credit: Elizabeth Jamieson
There are a range of options to fit your needs here, including leaving your car with friends or family, keeping it at the rental car lot, renting someone’s garage, longer-term vehicle storage, and off-airport parking lots. Bear in mind that if a rental company lets you leave your car in their lot you’ll probably have to sign a waiver in case of damage. Secure long-term parking may be a better option in this case.
There are a range of options to fit your needs here, including leaving your car with friends or family, keeping it at the rental car lot, renting someone’s garage, longer-term vehicle storage, and off-airport parking lots. Bear in mind that if a rental company lets you leave your car in their lot you’ll probably have to sign a waiver in case of damage. Secure long-term parking may be a better option in this case.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I sleep in my car legally near me?
There are a few options here, including rest areas, campgrounds, truck stops, 24-hour retailers, and private property. With any of these options it’s important to find out ahead of time if they allow travelers to sleep overnight so you’re not rudely awoken by a security guard or police officer.
Where is the safest place to sleep in your car?
As mentioned above, a quiet residential street in a good part of town is probably the safest urban location, while disused logging roads and other out-of-the-way locations are plenty safe if you’re in the countryside. Just try to make sure you’re not trespassing on anyone’s land.
What should you do with your vehicle when you travel?
The main thing is to find somewhere your vehicle will be safe, and secondly to prepare it for an extended period of inactivity if you can’t have someone drive it while you’re away.
What happens to your car if you don’t drive it for a month?
Ideally you should drive your car at least a couple of times a month to warm everything up and prevent common issues like dead batteries and tires that develop flat spots from the weight of the vehicle sitting on one spot for too long. It’s not the end of the world if you don’t drive for a month, but it’s best to go for a medium-length drive including highway speeds to wake up your engine, brakes, transmission, air conditioning and more.
How do you prepare a car for long-term storage?
Mechanically you should top up the gas tank to prevent moisture build-up and consider changing the oil if your car’s going to be sitting for more than a month. Protect the battery by either disconnecting the negative battery cable or using a trickle charger to keep it topped up. Use chocks instead of the parking brake as prolonged contact with the disc can cause pads to stick and avoid flat spots by putting the car on jack stands and removing the wheels.
Give your car a good wash so dirt and grime aren’t left to harm its components then block off rodent entry points like exhausts and intakes with steel wool. Moth balls and peppermint oil can also repel rodents. Finally, cover your car with a weatherproof cover or store it safe and dry indoors.
Can I leave my car at the airport for a month?
You certainly can, but airport parking is expensive. We’d recommend using an off-airport parking lot then taking a cab or shuttle bus to the terminal.
Does Airbnb have car storage facilities?
Airbnb does not have dedicated car storage facilities for you to rent, though Kijiji and a number of other websites feature parking spots and garages for rent.
How much does it cost to store cars for a month?
Searching around the GTA we found car storage for as little as $84/month while storing a larger vehicle can cost as much as $880/month for an enclosed storage unit. It’s really worth shopping around, as we also found a company specializing in storing luxury and exotic cars with care packages including chargers and short indoor drives for $375/month plus tax.
We hope this guide has given you all the information you need to choose the right car storage option so you can have peace of mind knowing your car is warm, dry and safe while you’re away on vacation. Taking a few simple steps can make the difference between rest and stress, so they’re well worth taking. Thanks for reading and happy travels.
-Author Bio-
James Walker is a car nut and motoring writer with a love of all cars fast and slow. He drives a lot, and has been writing about cars for over five years.
