Overnighting in big-box parking lots has long been part of the road-tripper and RV playbook. Costco, with its sprawling lots, late hours, and fuel stations, looks like an obvious candidate when you need a safe, level place to sleep between destinations.

Yet the rules around parking overnight at Costco are far from universal, and misunderstanding them can lead to a midnight knock on the door, a ticket, or even a tow. That uncertainty is part of how using Costco for road trips and van life actually works in practice, rather than a guaranteed amenity you can rely on everywhere.

Costco’s Unwritten Reality: No Single National Rule

Unlike a campground or a highway rest area, Costco is a private retailer that designs its parking for active shoppers, not overnight guests. Costco does not publish a clear, nationwide “Yes, you may camp here” policy. Instead, what you find in practice is a patchwork of local decisions made at the store level, filtered through city ordinances and shopping center leases.

Some locations informally tolerate one-night RV stays. Others prohibit it outright and post “No Overnight Parking” signs that security and local police do enforce.

Travel and RV resources in 2024 and 2025 consistently describe Costco as a “sometimes” option rather than a guaranteed overnight haven. Articles and guides aimed at RVers emphasize that Costco managers have substantial discretion and that conditions can change quickly if a store has problems with litter, long-term squatters, or complaints from nearby businesses.

What worked for you on a cross-country trip two years ago might not be acceptable today, even at the same store.

This store-by-store landscape means you should never assume that parking overnight at Costco is a right or a standard benefit of membership. At best, it is a courtesy extended on a limited, case-by-case basis. Treating it that way, and behaving as a guest rather than an entitled customer, is the starting point for keeping this option open for future travelers.

The biggest factor shaping overnight parking at Costco parking lots is not Costco itself, but local law. Many American cities, especially in the West and along the coasts, now regulate or ban sleeping in vehicles in commercial lots.

Some codes target so-called urban camping; others are aimed at managing homelessness, traffic, or public safety. Where those ordinances exist, a store manager may have no legal ability to say yes, even if they are personally sympathetic.

Municipal codes often prohibit overnight occupancy of vehicles on private retail property, or limit it to strictly defined time windows. Enforcement varies; in some towns it is driven by complaints from nearby residents or businesses, in others by routine police patrols.

For a visitor, the challenge is that you may not see anything obvious from the driver’s seat. The only visible sign of a local ban might be a small “No Overnight Parking” notice at the lot entrance that references a city code.

Shopping center leases and insurance policies also play a major role. Many Costco stores do not own their entire parking field outright, but share it with adjacent retailers. Landlords and property managers may restrict any kind of overnight stay to limit liability.

Security firms hired to patrol those properties are instructed to move vehicles along, regardless of what any one store manager might informally prefer. This is why some RVers report being welcomed by a manager in the afternoon only to receive a visit from security or local police late at night.

For travelers, the takeaway is that permission has layers. Even if Costco’s on-duty manager says yes, that yes exists within the boundaries of local ordinances and property rules. If an officer or security guard later instructs you to leave, you should comply immediately and courteously. Arguing that “the manager said it was fine” will not change the legal framework governing the lot.

What Costco Typically Allows: The Emerging Norms

Despite the complexities, a clear pattern has emerged around the type of overnight stays that tend to be tolerated at friendly Costco locations. First, they are short. The unwritten norm is a single overnight stay, generally no more than about 12 hours, framed as a convenient stop between travel days rather than an extended campout. Arriving late in the evening and leaving early in the morning is the accepted rhythm.

Second, they are low impact. Guides aimed at RVers describe Costco lots that allow overnight parking as “no-frills” spots: no hookups, no water, no dump stations. You are expected to be fully self-contained. That means carrying your own water, handling your own power, and absolutely never dumping gray or black water in the parking lot. Noise is another concern.

Because many locations are close to residential neighborhoods, running a loud generator at night can trigger complaints and spoil things for everyone.

Third, they are discreet. Even when a manager gives the nod, Costco does not intend its lots to become de facto campgrounds. Travelers are expected to park on the far edges of the lot or in any zone specifically indicated by the manager, away from entrances, gas pumps, and primary customer flow.

Slide-outs, awnings, camp chairs, outdoor cooking setups, and fire pits all fall into the category of “camping behavior” that pushes a stay beyond what most locations are willing to tolerate.

Finally, they are reciprocal. RV- and van-life communities consistently emphasize the importance of supporting any store that lets you spend the night. Stocking up on groceries, filling your tank at the Costco fuel station, or grabbing dinner from the food court sends the message that the arrangement is mutually beneficial rather than one-sided.

Some recent commentary suggests that managers may be especially receptive to overnight requests from active Costco members, although membership is not legally required just to occupy a parking space.

How to Ask for Permission the Right Way

At a friendly Costco, your overnight stay begins long before you pull the handbrake. The most reliable way to secure permission is to call the store directly earlier in the day and ask to speak with a manager, not just the front desk or a random employee.

When you reach a manager, keep the request simple: explain that you are traveling through, that you are self-contained, and that you are asking permission for a single, quiet overnight stay in the far part of the lot.

Being specific matters. Mention that you will arrive late, depart early, will not set up outside equipment, and will not leave trash. This gives the manager confidence that you understand the unwritten etiquette. If the answer is no, thank them and move on without argument. Pressuring or debating managers who say no is one of the quickest ways to push a store from “occasionally tolerant” to “absolutely not.”

If the manager grants permission, take note of any conditions they mention. They may direct you to a particular corner of the lot, warn you about nightly deliveries, or mention that a security firm may swing by overnight.

Once you arrive, it is wise to pop inside briefly to introduce yourself in person if the store is still open. That way, whoever is on duty can associate your vehicle with a polite conversation rather than a mysterious rig that appeared after dark.

Travelers who prefer to plan several days ahead often supplement these phone calls with trip-planning apps dedicated to overnight parking. While user reports in these tools can alert you to locations that have allowed RVs in the recent past, they are not a substitute for direct permission. Store policies evolve, local ordinances shift, and the only reliable yes is the one you receive from that day’s manager.

Safety, Comfort, and Etiquette in the Lot

Even when an overnight stay at Costco is allowed, safety should remain central to your decision. Well-lit lots with visible security cameras and regular patrols offer peace of mind, but they also mean your activities are more visible.

Parking on the outer fringes where trucks and RVs sometimes congregate can reduce your impact on day-to-day shoppers while giving you some comfortable distance from light poles and cart corrals.

Inside your RV or vehicle, treat the night as a quiet rest stop rather than a social occasion. Keep lights as low as practical, draw curtains, and avoid opening and closing doors repeatedly.

If you are in a smaller vehicle or campervan, be aware that some locations explicitly differentiate between large RVs and people sleeping in cars, largely because of local regulations targeting vehicle-based homelessness. In practice, the same one-night, low-impact expectations apply.

Lone travelers and those unfamiliar with an area should trust their instincts. If a lot feels poorly lit, deserted, or actively used by people loitering, it may be wiser to move on to a 24-hour truck stop, a staffed travel plaza, or a formal campground. While RV-centric sources often describe Costco as comparably safe among free parking options, it is still a public commercial space with all the unpredictability that implies.

Finally, consider your morning exit. Costco parking lots can fill rapidly around opening, especially on weekends and in urban locations. Positioning your rig in a way that lets you pull straight out without complex maneuvers avoids blocking customer traffic at precisely the time the store is earning its daily revenue.

Leaving early also minimizes the chance that a daytime manager or security guard who was not part of the original permission conversation questions your presence.

Alternatives When Costco Is a “No”

Even careful planners will sometimes find that the nearest Costco cannot host them overnight. In 2026, this is not unusual. Nationwide, the broader trend is toward tighter restrictions on overnight parking at big-box retailers.

Walmart, historically the poster child for free overnight RV parking, now allows it at only a portion of its locations. Entire cities and counties have moved to restrict commercial-lot camping, citing congestion, complaints, and concerns about long-term encampments.

When Costco is off the table, your next best options usually fall into three categories: other private businesses, travel plazas and truck stops, and formal campgrounds or public lands.

Some national chains such as home improvement stores, outdoor retailers, and certain family restaurants may allow discreet, one-night parking in some locations, again subject to local law and manager discretion. The rule is the same everywhere: never assume, always ask.

Truck stops and travel plazas, particularly those designed with RVs in mind, are often the most straightforward alternative. Many operate 24 hours, offer clearly marked RV or oversized-vehicle spaces, and do not require permission for a short rest, although some now offer paid, reservable spots with hookups for those who want more comfort. Noise from idling trucks is often higher than at Costco, but so is the sense of activity and surveillance.

Campgrounds and public recreation areas remain the gold standard in terms of legality and amenities. If you know that an urban Costco is unlikely to be hospitable, it can be worth planning your day around reaching a nearby state park, commercial RV park, or forest service campground. As more large retailers tighten up overnight policies, these traditional camping options are once again becoming the backbone of long-distance road travel.

Ethical Impact: Keeping the Door Open for Future Travelers

Whether you personally rely on Costco overnighting or not, your choices on the road contribute to the broader culture that determines whether this option survives.

Travelers who spill gray water in flower beds, leave trash in shopping carts, run generators under bedroom windows, or linger for several nights create problems that managers eventually address with blanket bans. Conversely, a pattern of respectful, low-visibility overnight stays makes it easier for sympathetic managers to continue quietly saying yes.

In recent years, many veteran RVers have begun openly questioning whether big-box overnights should be treated as a standard budget strategy rather than an emergency fallback.

As more parking lots fill with long-term vehicle dwellers, some in obvious distress, the line between recreational travel and survival living has blurred. That reality is front-of-mind for store security and local officials, and it influences how your rig is perceived when you roll in after dark.

For those who do choose to overnight at Costco when allowed, a simple ethic helps: leave the space better than you found it, spend some money at the business, and never overstay.

Doing so respects not only the store and its neighbors, but also the entire community of road travelers who may arrive tomorrow hoping for the same quiet corner of asphalt and a few hours of uninterrupted sleep.

The Takeaway

So, can you park overnight at Costco while traveling? In 2026, the realistic answer is “sometimes, with permission, and only under the right conditions.” There is no national green light that guarantees you a place to sleep in every Costco lot from Seattle to Miami. Instead, there is a shifting mosaic of local ordinances, property rules, and manager discretion that you must navigate thoughtfully.

If you are considering an overnight at Costco, plan as you would for any other form of urban boondocking. Research local law, use up-to-date RV apps as a starting point, then pick up the phone and ask directly.

Be prepared for a no and have a backup plan that might include a truck stop, campground, or alternative retailer. If you do receive a yes, keep your footprint small, your stay brief, and your gratitude obvious at the register.

For road-trippers and full-time RVers who approach it with respect, a Costco overnight can be a useful, occasionally lifesaving tool on a long route. Used carelessly, it is a privilege that can disappear overnight.

Understanding the nuances, honoring the rules, and thinking beyond your own rig are the keys to ensuring that both you and the travelers who follow can occasionally find safe harbor among the bulk groceries and shopping carts.

FAQ

Q1: Is overnight parking at Costco officially allowed nationwide?
Overnight parking at Costco is not governed by a single nationwide policy. Some locations permit one-night stays at the manager’s discretion, while others prohibit it entirely due to local ordinances or property rules. You must confirm with each individual store.

Q2: Do I need a Costco membership to sleep in the parking lot?
You do not legally need a membership just to occupy a parking space, but some reports suggest managers may be more receptive to overnight requests from active members who also plan to shop or fuel up. Regardless, permission is always required on a store-by-store basis.

Q3: How do I find out if a specific Costco allows overnight RV parking?
The most reliable method is to call the store directly on the day you plan to stay and ask to speak with a manager. Supplement that with recent entries in RV and travel apps, but treat those user reports only as background, not as a guarantee.

Q4: If the manager says yes, can local police still ask me to leave?
Yes. Store permission does not override city or county laws. If a local ordinance prohibits sleeping in vehicles on commercial lots, police or security may instruct you to move even if the store was initially supportive. In that situation, you should leave promptly and politely.

Q5: What kind of behavior is considered unacceptable when overnighting at Costco?
Unacceptable behavior includes setting up chairs, grills, or awnings; running a loud generator; occupying multiple spaces without need; dumping any kind of waste; or staying more than a single night. Anything that resembles camping rather than simple parking is likely to cause problems.

Q6: Is it safe to sleep at Costco compared with other free options?
Safety varies by location. Many Costco lots are well lit and periodically patrolled, which can feel secure, but they are still public commercial spaces. In some areas, a staffed truck stop or a formal campground may offer a higher level of perceived safety and services.

Q7: Can I park overnight at Costco in a car or van, not an RV?
Policies usually do not distinguish between vehicle types, but some communities have stricter views on people sleeping in cars or vans because of broader concerns about long-term vehicle dwelling. Always ask the manager, follow the same low-impact rules, and be prepared for increased scrutiny.

Q8: How long is it acceptable to stay if I am allowed to park overnight?
The accepted norm is one night, generally within a 12-hour window. Arrive later in the evening and depart early in the morning, avoiding any impression that you are using the lot as a multi-day campsite or semi-permanent base.

Q9: What should I do if I get a late-night knock from security or police?
Stay calm, be polite, and cooperate fully. Explain that you believed you had permission if that is true, apologize for any misunderstanding, and move your vehicle as instructed. Arguing or refusing to leave can lead to citations, towing, and stricter policies that affect future travelers.

Q10: What are the best alternatives if Costco does not allow overnight parking?
If Costco is not an option, consider other big-box retailers, certain restaurants, or outdoor stores that sometimes permit one-night parking, always with prior permission. Truck stops, travel plazas with RV amenities, commercial RV parks, and public campgrounds or rest areas are also common alternatives for an overnight stay.