Sometimes you’ve planned to sleep in your car and other times you end up having to whether you wanted to or not. If you know ahead of time that you will be sleeping in your car sometimes, like car camping, then you should factor that in when you purchase or rent a car.
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Minivans
This might come as a surprise but minivans top our list of the best vehicles to sleep in. With most minivans having fold-flat seats it’s super easy to fit up to a queen-size air mattress into the back. How do I know this? I’ve done this many times.
Toyota Sienna
The AWD hybrid version of the Toyota Sienna has a 3500 lb towing capacity and is available as a 7 or 8-passenger seating configuration with a capacious interior for the family and camping gear like tents, coolers, and other outdoor sports equipment. If you have more gear than passengers, the second-row seats are removable and the third row easily folds down for a maximum 150 cubic feet of cargo room. Getting to and from the campsite is easier in the Sienna with the 3.5-liter V6 engine good for 296 horsepower and 263 lb-ft of torque. Available AWD lets you conquer those dirt and gravel roads to get to your campsite with ease.
The second seats do not recline near as much as they should, so those seats are not good for sleeping in. You will definitely want to use the other seats or use an air mattress in the back.
Chrysler Pacifica
The 2022 Chrysler Pacifica has an assortment of standard features, roomy seating, lots of cargo space, a fuel-efficient V6 powertrain, and an optional AWD version.
One of the best features the Chrysler Pacifica offers for sleeping in the car is the “Stow n Go” passenger seats fold down into the floor. This makes for a flat and even surface to pack your gear onto or for an air mattress bed.
The floor of the Pacifica is quite deep which allows it to hold the passenger seats, but that also means there is a removable false bottom near the rear of the van aka extra storage space. This is a great place to store camping equipment or other gear.
SUVs
Massive SUVs are pretty easy to sleep in. Again, like a minivan, there’s just a lot of space in them.
Toyota Sequoia
The 4×4 TRDpro version has a 5.7L V8 which means it is an absolute beast. You will be able to easily camp anywhere in this, even in rough terrain that’s hard to get to. The inside is huge which means several can sleep comfortably inside of it. If you have the seven seater you could lay down on the floor between the middle seats to sleep if you need another spot for someone.
Ford Expedition
The third row is easy to deal with thanks to a power push button, so you can quickly fold it down, blow up on air mattress and throw down some sleeping bags. I know because I once slept in my Ford Explorer while camping at Crater Lake. It has a remote start, a massive sunroof, removable seats, and lots of extra space. Ford Expedition has a powerful twin-turbo EcoBoost V-6 and an easy-to-use infotainment interface. Prices start at $49,625 and the towing capacity ranges between 5,900 to 6,000 lbs.
GMC Yukon
My dad as a Yukon and it’s gigantic inside and out. I’m not sure why anyone needs an SUV that big, but boy is it handy when it comes to camping!
Pickup Trucks
Toyota Tacoma
The Toyota Tacoma has been the best-selling midsize truck in America for many years. The Toyota Tacoma TRDPro has some nice features including the 8″ touch-screen head unit w/Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, a 10-way power drivers seat that gives you slightly more head room, and good-looking LED headlights. This one is in Army Green with 16” wheels. The TRD is only available in double cab with a short bed.
Toyota Tundra
Built on a new fully-boxed chassis and equipped with a new multilink rear suspension, the Tundra offers impressive capability with a maximum tow rating of 12,000 lbs and a max payload of 1,940 pounds. Featuring two new i-Force powertrains, the i-FORCE 3.5L twin-turbo V6 engine and available i-FORCE MAX 3.5L twin-turbo V6 hybrid, the Tundra not only significantly improves performance but both powertrains improve efficiency as well. Maybe the most surprising aspect of the hybrid i-FORCE MAX powertrain is that it is the most powerful of the options, producing 437 hp @ 5,200 rpm and a whopping 583 lb.-ft. of torque and an impressively low 2,400 rpm.
Those looking to camp off the beaten path will appreciate the off-road technology that includes the available Multi-Terrain Select (MTS), Crawl Control (CRAWL), and selectable rear locker. The all-new multimedia system offers a user-friendly experience with new voice-activated technology or via the massive 14-inch touchscreen.
Using sensors and cameras, Tundra’s driver assistance technology helps drivers easily connect a trailer and Straight Path Assist helps keep it in a straight line when backing up. Additional new interior features include a panoramic moonroof, a tailored cabin, the available fan-favorite power vertical rear window, and an available 12.3-inch digital instrument panel for the driver.
You can sleep inside on the back row or throw an air mattress into the bed of the truck and sleep there.
Worst Cars to Sleep In
We do not have a recommendation for the best small car to sleep in for obvious reasons. Who would want to sleep in a small car? Not us!
- Toyota Prius
- Honda Fit
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Pick a Place to Stay
Not everyone wants to camp in a tent. For those that prefer a cabin, we recommend checking out the cabins on VRBO. If you want a glamping experience check out the amazing glamping options on Expedia or visit Tentrr where it’s broken down by state! To find good campgrounds in Europe check out EuroCamp.
Rent an RV
I highly recommend renting an RV instead of buying one. I bought one, only to realize I hated it. RVShare has all kinds of RVs you can rent.
Utilize Our Packing Lists
Get Travel Insurance
Unfortunately, there are a lot of things that can go wrong on any trip. Be prepared for the worst with travel insurance. We use Travelex or Safety Wing (often cheaper).
Book Flights
I use Skyscanner to find flights. I use it so much, I wrote an entire guide to finding cheap flights with Skyscanner! Another site that has good flight deals is Momondo.
Choose Activities and Tours
To find great activities in any area I use Get Your Guide and Viator. If we are visiting a city with lots of popular attractions I always check CityPass and GoCard to see if they have discount cards available. When I want to book a full-on multi-day tour I use TourRadar. They’ve got fantastic weekly deals.
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