You’ve probably invested quite a bit in your car, financially, physically, and even emotionally. So, you want to keep it as snug and safe as possible while you’re away. The question is, how? What can you do with your car when going on vacation?
Vacations – we all love them, don’t we? The only thing that can throw a wrench in your perfectly planned vacation is if you sit around worrying about what’s happening to your car while you’re away. Let’s face it, you don’t want to come back from vacation to find your car all messed up, or even worse, not even there!
To avoid this, you need to make sure your car is safe even when you’re away. The first thing you need to ask yourself is how long you plan to be away. Your options depend on whether you’ll be away for a few days, a week, a month, or more than that. Let’s go over all the options available to keep your car safe while you’re on vacation.
1. Ask your friends or family for help
Leaving your car with a friend or family member is one of the most cost-effective options. If they have a driveway, nothing quite like it! In fact, that’s the best way to get around street parking restrictions. However, if they don’t, it might be quite the hassle for them to keep moving your car around during street cleaning days. So, we don’t really recommend this option if you’re going to be away for more than a week. You might return to find your friends ain’t so friendly anymore.
2. Choose long term car storage
Contrary to popular belief, you actually have a lot of options for long-term automobile storage. Where you choose to store your car depends on your comfort level, vehicle’s cost, and how much you’re prepared to spend. Choose a climate-controlled long-term storage facility for the best results. Also, before you park your car, unhook the battery and get all of your fluids topped off. You could even want to jack up the automobile to relieve pressure on the tires to help them last longer. This option will involve some expense but is a reasonably secure option, especially if you plan to be away for a few months or more.
3. Park your car at an offsite airport parking lot
For obvious reasons, this is our favorite option. But it also is one of the more practical solutions to the question, ‘Where can I park my car for a month? Parking your car in an offsite airport parking lot is cost-effective and saves you the trouble of looking for a cab or Uber/Lyft to drop you off or pick you up. Typically, these offsite airport parking lots are far less expensive than parking at the airport itself. All you need to do is get on the Way.com website or Way app and book yourself an airport parking spot that suits your needs. Both the app and the website have options for you to search by location, parking rates, and distance from the airport. You can also check our reviews from travelers like yourself before you make your decision. Most offsite lots offer free shuttle runs to the airport.
Before we wind up, let’s help you get answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about what to do with your car while you’re on vacation.
Where can I park my car overnight?
That depends on where you are. Several states do not allow parking overnight street parking. Cars parked outside of permitted parking places or overnight may be ticketed and/or towed, depending on which state you are in. You can choose to park in a rental lot, especially one that is fenced and has gated entry, to ensure your car stays safe overnight.
Where can I park my car for a week?
As mentioned above, if you’re going to be away for a short vacation of a week, your best option is airport parking. If you’re looking to save some dollars and more security, you should choose to book an offsite airport parking lot online before you travel.
Where can I park my car for a month?
If your vacation is going to be for a month or more, there are two options for your car. You can either choose a long-term car storage facility near you or choose to park at or near the airport. Parking near the airport will save you time and money on transportation to the airport.
Can I leave my car at the airport?
Yes, of course, you can! Most airports offer long-term car parking for travelers going on vacations. You’ll also find plenty of private parking lots that offer parking and additional amenities like car washes, car detailing, and tire inflation.
Where can I leave my car at the airport?
If you’re going away for a few days, you can leave your car in a long-term parking lot at or near the airport. You can drive up, park your car, get on a shuttle, and catch your flight.
Can I park my car at the airport for a week?
Yes, you can, but make sure you choose a long-term parking lot at or near the airport. In fact, you might want to prioritize parking at an offsite airport parking lot. Otherwise, you might end up paying more for parking than for your flight tickets!
How much is airport parking?
Airport parking can cost you anywhere from $10/day to $70/day. It totally depends on which airport you plan to park at or near. Larger busier airports like LAX, JFK, and Logan have parking lots that are in high demand. Consequently, their prices are higher too. Smaller airports have cheaper parking options.
Check out more blogs on the best parking spots in your city, the most affordable insurance for your car, and top-rated car washes near you.
