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Is sleeping at Ohio rest centers legal? Here’s what state law says

Ohio rest center
Ohio rest center Ohio DOT

If you’ve been on the road all night, it can get hard to keep your eyes open. If you’re too tired to drive, finding somewhere to take a nap might be the only option, but where should you go?

There are plenty of rest centers along the Interstate, so maybe you could take one there?

Well, let’s check to see if that’s legal first:

Is sleeping at a rest center in Ohio legal?

Yes, it is legal.

According to Ohio state law, the things that are prohibited at rest centers are: camping, using firearms, alcohol, parking on the grass, littering, using grills, disposing of trash and leaving your vehicle unattended. Sleeping is actually not listed.

“Our rest stops give travelers, truck drivers, and families a safe place to rest, which can increase focus and safety when they get back on the road,” said Gov. Mike DeWine.

Currently, Ohio has over 50 rest centers, but DeWine said he wants to add 36 new ones by the end of 2026.

Rest centers are across U.S. 30, I-71 and I-90 in Ohio covering Allen, Belmont, Harrison, Medina and more counties.

What do you think about this story? Let me know in the comments or email me at cmadden@mcclatchy.com

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Chelsea Madden
The Telegraph
Chelsea is a service journalism reporter who began working for McClatchy in 2022. She was born and raised in Middle Georgia and lives in Forsyth. She attended Wesleyan College for undergrad and a few years after that, went to SCAD for an MFA in writing. Outside of work, Chelsea likes to watch Netflix, read books in the thriller genre and chase her toddler around.