The Best Car Sleeping Accessories for Bunking in Your Vehicle

Time to go on an adventure?

Frankly, we love the idea! Going out into nature is a great way to recharge, and road trips are the best. I’m sure you’ll agree.

So picture this…

Your road trip has been going great. Delightful music. Top-notch company. Your day on the open road has been a blast… There’s just one small issue. It’s late and you can’t find a decent hotel.

All you see are neon signs flashing “no vacancy.”

Panic creeps in. What will you do? You can’t possibly sleep in your car, right? What will you do for the bathroom? Is it even safe? Won’t stagecoach bandits ransack you? 

Relax. 

Sleeping in your car can be a great experience, especially if you carefully consider certain things (like the right gear). 

Allow us to convince you for a moment. Here's what this article covers:

Who wants to pay $100 to 150 per night for a run-down motel when you can just pull over and get some shut-eye instead?

That’s money you can spend on the most essential financial investment money can buy… fun!

(Our accountant disagrees with that sentiment, but what does he know?)

Once you find a safe (and legal!) place to park, car camping is often way easier than pitching a tent or checking into a motel. 

Car camping is an art. (With the right car sleeping gear, you could be the next Picasso.) Once you’ve had some practice, it allows for open and spontaneous adventures without excessive planning.

You won’t be assaulted by bedbugs from the hotel mattress, either.

We aren’t heathens. We love a good lie-in, too. But while you’re on a road trip, doesn’t it make sense to make the most of your day by waking up at sunrise (preferably with coffee)?

If you were in a motel, the curtains would be firmly closed and you’d risk waking up at noon, missing some great time on the road.

So, hopefully we’ve convinced you that sleeping in your car isn’t the end of the world. We must admit though that there’s a sliiight problem.

It can be a bit of a rough ride. 

Wind noise can keep you up. And sleeping using the headrest can make your neck stiff. The list goes on.

If you don’t plan ahead and get the right gear, your night could become a frustrating fiasco. 

And it usually boils down to three main culprits.

Wouldn’t it be nice if you could just pull up anywhere, close those baby blues, and become a resident of Nodland without a problem?

Unfortunately, Mother Nature often has other plans in store for us that stop us from resting peacefully.

There are three saboteurs prowling around the camp, and it’s time to make like a hunter and track them down.

As we’re sure you’re aware, getting into a comfy position can be a challenge. Honestly, has anyone in the history of people ever gotten decent shut-eye resting their head on the window without a cushion?

And not to be a downer, but while we’re on the subject, your sleeping position can contribute to neck pain, back pain, achiness, headaches and joint problems.⁽³⁾

You deserve way better!

Whether you’re trying to get an en-route snooze in between games of eye-spy (people still play that, right?) or turning your vehicle into your campsite for the night, comfort (and the gear that goes with it) is king.

Camping in nature is great — but it can be pretty scary to your brain. Researchers have noted that people often sleep worse the first night in a new location. 

They call this phenomenon the “First Night Effect.”⁽¹⁾

Camping in your car, especially if you haven’t done it much, can easily trigger the first-night effect.

The sound of a fox rustling around in the underbrush or an inconsiderate owl hooting away might be all it takes to steal you from your slumber.

Exposure to light can hinder your transitions between sleep cycles and reduce your quality of sleep.⁽²⁾

The light from the clock or the flashing of the dashboard might seem harmless, but these can make it harder for you to fall (and stay) asleep.

Oh and don’t get us started on the moon. Turning werewolf for the night is most certainly not a great way to get a solid 8 hours.

It isn’t just the light in your car that can cause problems. The slightest bit of light in your bedroom might seem innocuous but can make it hard for your body to switch off. 

To enjoy a dark bedroom at night, check out this article: How To Make Your Bedroom Darker.

Now that we’ve identified the three saboteurs, let's check out the best car sleep gear to help you banish them for good!

Best For:

• Light sleepers

• The unfortunate souls who have a snoring partner

• Wind noise whilst driving

• Blocking out the sound of a screaming lynx (it’s terrifying)

Let us set the scene. You’re camping in your car, all cozy and warm.

Then, your partner begins to snore at a decibel level previously thought impossible by modern humans. 

You begin to populate your mind with a list of your partner's best attributes and remind yourself of why you’re together, which works wonders to assuage your frustration. 

But then, at precisely this moment, a bat begins to screech right overhead.

What to do?

Luckily, you remembered to stash a pack of these earplugs for your road trip to save your sanity and relationship. Plus, they’re under $10 for 10 pairs.

They’re cheaper than a marriage counselor and much more comfortable. 

With these protecting your consciousness from the chaotic sounds of life, you drift away without a care in the world. 

Just ask Scott:

"These earplugs are made of soft foam so they don't cause any discomfort and pain when wearing them."  - Scott

Thanks, Scott!

Now you’ve got your earplugs, here’s sleep gear to take care of unwanted light and form a combo that’ll knock you right out!

Best For:

• Tossing & turning

• Fidgety sleepers

• Olympic level snoozing

• Sensory deprivation

Are you ready to go commando?

Nope, not that kind of commando (although there are a bunch of health benefits of doing so)⁽⁴⁾. We’re talking about the type of spec ops level slumber that allows you to grab 40 winks anywhere.

I’m sure that, despite his Vietnam flashbacks, even Rambo could get some pretty good shut-eye (you have seen the movie, right?) when he wanted to. Despite being a grizzled war hero, we’re confident he would have jumped for joy if presented with Manta Sleep Mask PRO.

And for good reason. This thing is the real deal. (If you sleep on your side, this is the kind of sleep gear you need.)

We hope you’re not afraid of the dark, though. These give you 100% total blackout and are perfect for side sleepers with their C-shaped eyecup design.

The best sleep mask for side sleeping is also perfect for resting your head during long drives! (As long as you’re not driving.)

Oh, speaking of long drives…

Best For:

• Those long drives that don’t seem to end

• Neck yoga enthusiasts

• Snoozing as a co-pilot (but shouldn’t you be in charge of the music?)

Did you know that neck yoga is a thing? 

It’s true…. Okay, you got us. We made it up. But on the road, your neck can feel the burn when you’re trying to nap using those headrests.

So why not give your neck a rest? Let yourself sleep really well instead with an inflatable travel pillow.

Here’s where the best travel pillow on the market comes in. We welcome you to blow it up in two breaths and try out the four different resting positions. 

Whether on a long drive or snoozing after a day hike, this has got you comfortably covered. (In the world of travel and sleep gear, it's one of the most versatile.)

Here’s another accessory that will knock your socks off. Actually, that’s not a good idea. Sleeping with your socks on actually helps.⁽⁵⁾

But anyway…

Best For:

• Not being blinded by those brutal LED headlights

• Night driving

• Late-night YouTube binges (we don’t judge!)

Falling asleep in your car can be a challenge. 

Not only are you in an unfamiliar environment with all kinds of new sights and sounds, but you might also still be tempted to have a late-night YouTube binge (how does 4G still work out here?) before your slumber time.

We aren’t judging, but this isn't a great idea if you want to rest well.

Not only are all the meme compilations and fail videos mentally stimulating, but the blue light from the screen also disrupts your circadian rhythm which helps your body know when it’s time to sleep.⁽⁶⁾

Want to indulge in a cheeky scrolling session without the adverse effects? Then, wear one of the best blue-light-blocking glasses out there. 

These block the blue light that disrupts your body's release of melatonin, a hormone that tells your body when it’s time to go to sleep and when to get up.

They would look great on you, too (nobody is immune to flattery).

Best For:

• Not alerting the coyotes as to your whereabouts

• A healthy relationship

Imagine being locked in a confined space (like an old Ford Fiesta on a camping site) with someone who snores so hard it startles your dead great-grandmother.

If you’re fortunate enough to be the snorer in the relationship, you won’t ever have to experience this. There’s a slight downside, though (aside from your partner's sleep deprivation). 

Snoring can keep you from getting truly restful sleep. And that’s where the best nose vents come in handy.

People who snore can wake themselves up throughout the night, without even realizing it. These disruptions can add up over time, and if you often wake up still feeling tired or groggy, you’re probably experiencing poor sleep quality.⁽⁷⁾

Snoring could be the reason, and it’s totally worth addressing.

Now that you’re equipped with the top sleep products money can buy, here’s some help for when you need to camp out in your car (or any other vehicle).

When you’re out on the open road for days, it helps to be well-supplied. Getting caught without travel snacks is a fate we wouldn’t wish upon anyone.

Here’s the essential gear you need to keep in your car:

• Toilet paper

• Water

• Cereal bars

• Flashlight

• A large blanket (preferably military wool)

• First aid kit

• A fully-charged power bank

You may never use this gear, but as every Grandma on earth says, it’s better to have it and not need it than not have it. 

Breathing all night in your car will fog up the windows. You'll wake up covered in condensation (it’s the worst).

For that reason, ventilation is key. Make sure you open a window wide enough to let fresh air inside. Use a soft mesh or tape to cover the opening to avoid bugs and other unwelcome critters.

Just make sure you stay nice and warm!

It’s unpleasant to wake up to a curious hiker leering at you. 

If you don’t have tinted windows, a great solution for a feeling of privacy is to create some DIY curtains⁽⁸⁾ that block light and vision from the backseat. 

You could even buy ready-made ones that help turn your motor into a cozy bird's nest. If you add the drinks, snacks, books, and fairy lights, you’ll be the envy of city dwellers everywhere!

For some, the risk of getting caught is exhilarating.

But when you’re trying to rest, it can be anxiety-inducing. Finding a safe and legal location to rest your head for the night is essential. 

When looking for a place to snooze, avoid stopping by the side of the road. Instead, look for supermarket car parks, Welcome Information Centers, city street parking and rest stops. 

We hope we’ve made your experience more comfortable. And that’s whether it’s a planned adventure or you’re simply caught without a place to rest.

We’re confident that, armed with the tips mentioned above and the right car sleeping products, you can rest soundly in the comfort of your vehicle.

Just remember to get your 40 winks.