Make sure you bring enough bedding to accommodate your passengers, especially if they are children. If you are taking a road trip with another person and plan on taking turns driving, you could bring one set of pillows and blankets to save on room space inside the car. Be sure to pack these items inside the car and not in the trunk or on the roof. You may get sleepy earlier than you anticipated, and it’s helpful not to have to leave the car when conditions outside aren’t great. A weighted blanket can be extra comfy in the car, as long as it doesn’t make you too hot. [2] X Expert Source Alex Dimitriu, MDSleep Medicine & Psychiatry Professional Expert Interview. 16 October 2019. If you don’t have room for a pillow, clothes stuffed into a sleeping bag can work in a pinch.

Sleeping pads and mattresses are optional, but they’ll make a long road trip feel a little more like home. If you can lay the seats down in the back of your car, you can probably fit a small sleeping pad in it. If you have a truck, you can put a mattress in the truck bed instead of the cab.

For example, if you enjoy reading before bed, bring a book and book light so you can read before falling asleep. Music is helpful here, but don’t rely on your car stereo. Bring an mp3 player and headphones so that you can still relax to music with the car off before you go to sleep.

If you don’t have any dedicated window coverings, large T-shirts and towels can work just as well. Bring along some clothespins or tape to attach the covers. If you’ve forgotten, you can simply close the doors on the cover you’re using with it slightly above the door frame; it will hang, caught between the door and the car.

You should never sleep on the side of the road or the highway, since that can be dangerous (and it might get you a ticket). Park somewhere reasonably well-lit. Though it might seem counterintuitive to trying to sleep, it’s best for your safety to park in a lot with plenty of light. Having a restroom nearby can be super helpful, especially for late-night bathroom trips.

Even if you’re just going to use the dome light really quick, it’s not worth the risk. You can use the flashlight on your phone, too.

If you don’t have a mattress or a sleeping pad, that’s okay too. You can either recline your seat all the way back or spread out on the back seat as much as you can. If your back seats fold down, you can spread your mattress out on top of them to lay completely flat. Or, if you have a truck bed with a camping shell, you can use that instead.

If it’s really going to get cold, try turning the car on periodically throughout the night to use the heat. You can turn on your car once or twice an hour for 10 minutes at a time without draining the battery. [10] X Research source And, as long as your tailpipe is clear and you’re not parked indoors, you don’t need to worry about CO2 buildup. [11] X Trustworthy Source Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services Go to source If you’re having trouble falling asleep, try hugging a hot water bottle to stay warm.

If you were fortunate enough to stop at a rest stop, take the time to have a shower and brush your teeth at their facilities. Keep some bottled water handy. You can use it in a pinch to wash your face or brush your teeth.

If you can’t recline, use a pillow to cushion your head and lean against the window. Or, if the back seat is free, spread out as much as you can while keeping your seatbelt on.

If taking off your shoes isn’t an option, unlace them slightly to make them a bit looser.

If you don’t have a sleep mask handy, try pulling a beanie or a hat over your eyes instead. Or, grab a pair of sunglasses to block out the light while looking stylish.

If you don’t have ear plugs, headphones work well too!