5 Ways to Stay Warm While Sleeping in Your Car This Winter
If you know me, you know that I am BASIC when it comes to living in my car. Not in the 2022 version of the word where I drink lattes and wear Uggs (which, I mean…there’s nothing wrong with that…), but in the actual definition of the word. I generally do things very simplistically. I have not altered/renovated my car in any way, I do not have to try every new “car life” invention or idea, and I always try to use what I already have in multiple different ways. (For example: I did not purchase window coverings to use when I sleep… I cover my windows with t-shirts that I already owned.)
Staying warm in the winter is no exception. I do not have a portable car heater or an electric blanket, and I do not do anything “fancy” to stay warm. I use what I already own, and make the best of it. And yes, it works for me! I am usually absolutely fine with the techniques that I use!
So here are some of my tips for staying warm when sleeping in your car in the winter.
If possible, go south in the winter! When I am living and sleeping in my car, I basically turn into a bird: I travel north in the summer and south in the winter. That way, the weather is more mild and it’s much easier to sleep!
Blast the heat while you’re driving to your sleeping spot. Have the heat on as much as you can, but once you’re about to fall asleep, shut your car off. Do not sleep with your car running and the heat on. It is NOT safe. However if you wake up in the middle of the night, feel free to put the heat on for a few minutes, and just make sure to shut it back off before you fall asleep again.
Bundle up, and make sure to cover your whole body! This is the time to invest in thick sicks, warm gloves, and even a fleece beanie. You can also wear thermal underwear, layers of pants, and layers of shirts/hoodies. Make sure that every part of your body is covered. I even cover my face with my blanket (I just leave a little room for air flow)!
Make sure you have blankets and/or a zero degree sleeping bag. Even when it gets down to 35 degrees Fahrenheit, I am generally okay wearing pajama pants, a shirt, a hoodie, and thick socks, with two blankets over me while I sleep. Sometimes I’ll double up on the pajama pants, and put on my North Face zip up as well. (My body runs pretty warm. And, 35 degrees outside feels verryyyyy different than 35 degrees in a car.) However, I do have a zero degree sleeping bag for when I’m camping, and if I ended up getting TOO cold in my car. Car electric blankets also exist, but I would personally never trust those.
Get a few hand warming heat packs! Whether you buy electric/reusable or disposable hand warmers, this is a great option to add heat to your hands or any small part of your body. Or, you can fill a hot water bottle with hot water from a gas station and just kind of cuddle it while you fall asleep. Or even use a heat pack that maybe you can heat up in a truck stop microwave. Warning: when purchasing disposable heat packs, please read the instructions. Some are supposed to touch your skin, and some are NOT supposed to touch your skin (and will burn you).
Anyway, that’s really all I do to stay warm when sleeping in my car in the winter! If there is anything else that you do, I’d love to read it in the comments below!