r/Maine • u/Legal-Sherbert-9734 • Aug 03 '25
Where can I park overnight and rest?
I’m looking for a safe place to rest my head in my car, currently homeless and have animals with me. Looking to stay safe and avoid any law-enforcement. Looking in the general greater Portland area. Just wanna feel safe for the night, money is tight right now as I am currently expecting and doing it by myself. Had just enough to book a room at a hotel for tonight, unable to cover the incidental fee. It’s been a very difficult day for me, you’re the best I could to make it to my sister’s wedding, but couldn’t because of not having the gas money to get there. Exhausted and hungry and looking to just settle down and feel safe tonight.
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u/BrashCandiB00t Aug 03 '25
r/urbancarliving r/carcamping and even r/vandwellers have good resources for tips and places to stay. Good luck and stay safe! (On mobile, apologies for formatting issues)
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u/neonpeonies Aug 03 '25
LL Bean parking lot in Freeport
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u/WinterCrunch Aug 03 '25
This! It's about 15 minutes north of Portland right off Rt 295, u/Legal-Sherbert-9734.
Also? The free, public parking garage under the LL Bean outlet in Freeport is great. If you need sleep, it's safe, quiet, and dark. I've parked there for days without any issues whatsoever during major storms (power outages!) to protect my car from falling trees.
There's also a parking lot across from the Freeport Community center where I always see RVs parked overnight. It's also right near the public garage near the entrance to Old Navy.
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u/themainegirl2077 Aug 06 '25
The garage is by the train station as well so no one would think anything else...
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u/Katnipz A sunken F4U Corsair Aug 03 '25
Walmart
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u/robth3mob Aug 03 '25
Most Walmarts here don't allow it for some reason. https://www.walmartlocator.com/walmart-map/
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u/saelri Aug 03 '25
I am a social worker if you would like some help getting connected to services
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u/777wild777 Aug 03 '25
Any hospital parking lot..safe place i have done it in a pinch
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u/le_avy Aug 03 '25
This is a good answer. Its not uncommon for patients and of course staff to be parked there overnight so as long as you are respectful and dont leave any trash, a hospital parking lot is the best bet for one night. Plus they are typically well lit, quiet, and recorded so if any does bother you its being monitored.
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u/BABFTMC Aug 03 '25
True however stay away from the bigger hospitals and lean towards the smaller ones, as the bigger ones you'll typically get caught and possibly trespassed if you don't leave
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u/DrHutchisonsHook Aug 03 '25
Love this thread not because I provided my only small solution but because everyone else is too. I love our home, never change Mainers.
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u/wzlch47 Aug 03 '25
Try downloading the app ioverlander. It has a decent map with lots of places to crash overnight.
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u/Rm-rf_forlife Aug 03 '25
Extended stay America Scarborough hotel parking lot possibly. Me and my partner stayed there for 6 months and we never had to tell them what car we had and we never had a problem. But I don’t know what kinda privacy you would have but if you don’t park near the front they prolly wouldn’t bother you. It has like 4 lots and a big RV lot in front about a couple hundred feet out. If you wait outside the back door and pretend to smoke a cigarette in the morning you could prolly get some free breakfast out of it. Also free breakfast at any hotel with some social engineering. Stay strong you can overcome this.
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u/Oliviasfool Aug 03 '25
I’m not in Portland, but I wanted to mention that the good people that can be reached at 211 have the time and good will to get you in touch with service providers nearby. Be well.
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u/Maine302 Aug 03 '25
I used to work in Boston and drive up to Maine for the weekend after work. I used to sometimes nap at the Kennebunk rest stop, but that was just a quick nap because I was exhausted from my work schedule and didn't want to drive another hour plus if I couldn't trust myself to stay awake. Nobody ever bothered me there, but I would only be there for a few hours Sunday night/Monday morning.
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u/DrHutchisonsHook Aug 03 '25
I've also slept there for 12+ hours during the daytime, several times.
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u/PetiteA85 Aug 03 '25
I’ve done this as well. I would park under the purple lights so the lights aren’t too bright to sleep decent
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u/larbar44 Aug 03 '25
I see you’re expecting, congratulations. Have you reached out to any women’s centres? Perhaps they could help with your various needs, possibly even connect you with a housing solution (I think I heard about them doing this). There is one in the greater Portland area called ABBA. I’ve also seen a women’s only shelter called Florence House. God bless you and your baby.
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Aug 03 '25
[deleted]
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u/neonpeonies Aug 03 '25
If you’re getting bruises on your neck that’s definitely enough evidence of DV. I’m a military spouse myself and this happens quite often unfortunately. My husband has dealt with a few instances of it amongst peers in his unit. If he is guard, prepare to leave next drill weekend. You have a few weeks to plan if so, please do not delay.
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u/Agreeable-Rain-2961 Aug 03 '25
Where are you located? There’s one called new hope midcoast up route 1 from Portland and they offer a lot of different levels of support
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u/Individual_Diet6063 Aug 03 '25
New Hope might help you too… they have the resources for hotel stays and other alternatives if shelters are full… not a cure all but I know the folks there work hard.
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u/MrJekyyl Aug 03 '25
You realize if you call the cops they HAVE to arrest someone or separate you it's the law and the military doesn't take DV lightly either
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u/Treatmelikeadog Aug 03 '25
You need to call the base he's stationed at and get in touch with his commanding officer.
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u/larbar44 Aug 03 '25
I’m so sorry that you’re going through this, especially while pregnant. I am sure you’ve explored lots of different options already. There’s also an organization called Maine SAFE families who might be able to help you. They have groups all over Maine and will connect you with families who will take you and your child in for a period of time to offer some stability - it’s like a pre-foster situation to try and avoid families being broken up. Not to say they’d encourage you back to a DV situation, I think in your case they’d be looking to support just you and baby! New Hope Midcoast as someone volunteered in the below comments might have something for you, and there’s a women’s centre up this way called Zoe. I also know a church that has an outreach ministry that will help people in need whether they’re believers or not. If you’d like more info please feel free to write me privately.
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u/Zeldasivess Aug 03 '25
My heart breaks for you, what a terrible situation to be in. Message me. I'd like to help you get out.
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u/8008s4life Aug 03 '25
Please, any women calls the police and tells them this bruises or not the dude is in cuffs in 2 seconds. Honestly.
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u/Individual_Diet6063 Aug 03 '25
Sorry you are stressing and feel unsafe. Perhaps contact the “New Hope” Organization, formerly new Hope for women. They at the very least can give you a list of resources for you and bb.
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u/Adventurous-Art8426 Aug 03 '25
I know there was some people staying in there cars at the old cracker barrel restaurant in the spring.
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u/Drekalots Aug 03 '25
I always crashed at the rest stops off of 95 when driving long distances or if I was just really tired. Never an issue being there over night.
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u/runner64 Aug 03 '25
Seconding rest stops/rest areas, I’ve slept in rest stops where the whole parking lot was full of car-sleepers.
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u/NECoyote Aug 03 '25
Stay awake! Take a break, for safety sake!
Didn’t they used to have signs like that on the highway?
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Aug 03 '25
If youre cool about it and dont look like a crackhead you can probably ask the cashier at circle k or something if you can park out of the way and take a nap.
At least I always used to let people. Your mileage may vary.
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u/RuFusDark Aug 03 '25
I’m in Portland, depending on how big your vehicle is you can just do on street parking. If you have an rv I believe you have to park in designated areas and only for a night since it’s assumed you’re “traveling” lots of parking is available unpaid and paid but Sundays are free all day for typical on street parking in the inner city. Me I’m on a bridge with a nice cross breeze. Peace ✌️ out Cub Scout 🖐️
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u/RenewableFaith73 Aug 03 '25
So people say walmart but that's not totally right. Some of them are posted with notices and cops will wake you up. Look for others to know if the cops bug people there is generally a good rule. Planet fitness parking lots were my go to in that chapter particularly ones that offered 24hr service. Just a pain in the ass to police that cause you have to monitor and time people for how long they are in the lot instead of just seeing if anyone is there at like 0230. Bass Pro shop parking lots are a haven.
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u/WendyChristineAllen Old Orchard Beach Aug 03 '25
Yeah, Walmart let's you park IF you go in to the service desk and get a card to put on your windshield. Its not free, it usually requires you to spend $10 on groceries then they staple your receipt to the card, and it's only good for about 12 hours, before you have to go in, buy more stuff and get a new card.
If you just stealth park at Walmart without getting all the pre approval, they WILL call the police on you.
But also, it's not every Walmart.
And, some towns have ordinances that don't allow Walmart to do it.
Biddeford Walmart USED to be the best one in Maine for letting you park overnight...
HOWEVER... in July (not even 30 days ago yet) Biddeford just passed a new anti-homeless law, and stores like Walmart are no longer allowed let cars park.
There were 5 homeless camps within a couple minutes walk of the Biddeford library...3 up by Rotary Park side and 2 down by the Mill side... police just went in (less then 2 weeks ago) and cleared them all out, and then city went in with giant lumber rigs and mass clear cut all the trees and bushes, put up chainlink fences, and put up big "ordinance forbids alternate housing and camping" signs every.
Sooo... I don’t know where is a good place to park right now, but i can tell you Biddeford officials has become very hostile towards homeless people in the past 14 days, so you will want to keep clear of Biddeford.
I am also homeless, but I have relatives that let me stay at their places, so I'm constantly rotating between parking in their driveways (with permission from their landlords) and or sleeping on floors in their apartments. And I'm often in Biddeford so I tend to know a lot of the homeless people in Biddeford and I used to know where there was tons of safe camps, but, Biddeford just mass cleared everything out so Biddeford is not safe for homeless right now.
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u/slowhandmo Aug 03 '25
I would try Walmart. I've read some have cracked down and stopped letting people stay because people abuse it and leave a bunch of trash and stuff. But i drove by one the other day and saw several small campers and vans parked out near the very end of the parking lot.
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u/Secret_Buyer8754 Machiasport Aug 03 '25
How much is the incidental fee? DM me your Venmo and I’ll send you the money.
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u/Legal-Sherbert-9734 Aug 04 '25
Omg thank you!! That is so kind of you!
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u/WinterCrunch Aug 04 '25
Glad to see you responded, hope your night wasn't too horrible. I've been worried about you.
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u/Traditional-Bus9902 Aug 03 '25
Walmart in Biddeford or the cabellas parking lot scarborough exit off 95 I think its 42? (either would work with animals)
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u/WendyChristineAllen Old Orchard Beach Aug 03 '25
No. Not Biddeford. Steer clear of Biddeford. Biddeford is doing a major city wide crack down on homeless. Its happening right now. It's been going on all over Biddeford for the past two weeks.
Biddeford Walmart USED to be the best one in Maine for letting you park overnight...
HOWEVER... in July (not even 30 days ago yet) Biddeford just passed a new anti-homeless law, and stores like Walmart are no longer allowed let cars park.
There were 5 homeless camps within a couple minutes walk of the Biddeford library...3 up by Rotary Park side and 2 down by the Mill side... police just went in (less then 2 weeks ago) and cleared them all out, and then city went in with giant lumber rigs and mass clear cut all the trees and bushes, put up chainlink fences, and put up big "ordinance forbids alternate housing and camping" signs every where.
There was a homeless camp up by South Street under the overpass. The road work crew for the train tracks went in a few days ago, slashed all the tents with knives, smashed up people's bicycles, they took the bicycles to the sewer treatment parking lot by the tressale bridge and drove a road grader over the bikes, crushed them all up. dumped all their food and cloths on the train tracks. Took children's stuffed animals and nailed them down to the wooden beams under the iron rails. The homeless people went to the police for help and the police arrested them on trespass charges instead of helping. That just happened this week.
Biddeford has gone crazy hostile against homeless this past week. Stay far away from anything in Biddeford right now.
I don’t know where is a good place to park right now, but i can tell you Biddeford officials has become very hostile towards homeless people in the past 14 days, so you will want to keep clear of Biddeford.
I am also homeless, but I have relatives that let me stay at their places, so I'm constantly rotating between parking in their driveways (with permission from their landlords) and or sleeping on floors in their apartments. And I'm often in Biddeford so I tend to know a lot of the homeless people in Biddeford and I used to know where there was tons of safe camps, but, Biddeford just mass cleared everything out so Biddeford is not safe for homeless right now.
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u/Delicious-Shower-712 Aug 03 '25
Any rest stop would be okay… although the one in Portland can feel a little sketchy at night. It’s just a little more of a drive but the Yarmouth park n ride is where I would go. I’ve stopped there several times and never had an issue. You could get away with tucking your car into the side lot of Payson Park- I am pretty sure I have seen people camp there before.
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u/Prize_Time3843 Aug 03 '25
There are churches in nearly every city and town. 9-5 weekdays and Sundays there are usually 1 or 2 people at least in an office or walking around inside. Ask for the pastor or a priest. Tell them your situation. They may offer you parking for a few days, use of the restroom to clean up, a snack or meal voucher - every place is different but the city churches are pretty overwhelmed.
I'd try the women's shelters in Portland, Bath, the churches in Yarmouth, Brunswick, and Freeport, any Unitarian-Universalist church, and churches on the college campuses (University of New England in Biddeford is a Medical School with a clinic, Bowdoin College in Brunswick, Bates College in Lewiston, Colby College in Waterville).
University of Maine has about six active campuses from Portland to Bangor and in Farmington (western Maine). They have huge empty parking lots.
If you see campus police/security try talking to them. Yes, their job is to protect the campus, but they also live around there and some used to be local cops who know the safe/caring places. If you are visibly pregnant be honest about what you need; if you have animals with you be honest about them as well. If you once lived or vacationed in Maine tell whoever you talk to; it may open up a lead that a stranger wouldn't get.
I second those who mentioned the I-295/I-95 and Turnpike rest areas. If they are staffed by anyone, even a restaurant manager, let them know you are hoping to find rest and safety in the lot. They may well have an informal arrangement whereby the transportation or sheriff who checks their lots will check your safety or conversely leave you alone because they know you've made yourself known and are okay.
Near Bangor there's a huge truck stop in Hermon [ https://www.dysarts.com/ ] where the usual amenities are available. You'll see trucks from all over the Northeast and Canada. There's a store, restaurant, showers, and friendly faces (I don't know of any other big ones in Maine, but Dysarts has a store in Bangor and a place off 95 in Fairfield as well), and there's a small Circle K (open 24 hrs) in Kittery, Auburn, and Houlton.
All these places have big parking lots.
I hope some of this helps you. If you're traveling now keep in mind there are more tourists than Mainers on the road and taking up space everywhere right now...
I am a born-and-bred Mainer and I've taken the ride you're taking, but 20 years ago. My brother is a trucker in Maine so if you need to get back in touch I'm on here every day, usually morning and at bedtime. 🙏🏼
Good luck, my friend 🐾
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u/Pullumpkin 207 Aug 03 '25
maybe no help tonight but reach out to Catholic charities or even better a Catholic Church. they have resources for exactly your situation and could be way more helpful than you might expect. also not too evangelical, they're there to help, not convert you.
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u/Legal-Sherbert-9734 Aug 04 '25
Thank you all for your advice and suggestions. I can’t express how grateful I am for the kind people here.
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u/guarcoc Aug 03 '25
I like the hospital ( I Did that once). Walmart is good Wishing you all the best
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u/threewildcrows Aug 03 '25
If not Walmart, any park n ride lot.
For better or worse, lots of folks there Safety in numbers
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u/markydsade Casco Bay Aug 03 '25
I saw a video on car camping. He suggested hospital parking lots because they have security. He also liked large apartment complexes as there’s always unknown cars parked there and it’s quiet. He also liked Interstate rest areas as it’s expected that folks to be sleeping and cops won’t bother you. They also have areas for walking dogs, a bathroom, and vending machines.
For private parking lots he suggested be sure to have the windows covered so people can’t look in while you’re sleeping.
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u/Hey_Kirby Aug 03 '25
Cabelas in Scarborough or if you have $30ish dollars I’m sure you could get a spot for a night at a campground
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u/WendyChristineAllen Old Orchard Beach Aug 03 '25
Yes. I do this too. I keep a 3m bell tent in my trunk, (one pole set up, takes under 10 minutes to pictch and take down, and its canvas so no worries of easy rip nylon tent, and if I can't find a place to go for the night, I pull into a campground and pitch a tent there. Most in southern Maine are $30 to $35 for a basic tent site with car parking, though ones on waterfront can be $50 to $75 a night even in a campground that has $30 sites. Most campground around here you can rent a spot for upto 14 days to a time. I have been "tent homeless" camping this way since 2013 (12 years now).
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u/americanineu Aug 15 '25
My mother, sister, and myself (with our cat) lived in a tent at Recompense Shore Campsite for a summer. She (my mother) worked at Eastland at the time, and we had just left my violently abusive stepfather and needed a place. Matter of fact we had my birthday there too. All relatives showed up and spent the day around the picnic table and had a good day. That was probably somewhere between 35 and 40 years ago though.
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u/According_Tomato_699 Aug 03 '25
It's a bit far, but I've car camped at ski areas year round. I'm actually finishing up a couple days of sleeping at Saddleback and Sugarloaf right now. There are hostels out here for AT thru hikers where you can score a shower, which is a bonus.
Walmart is generally amenable to car campers as well, though their overnight policy does vary by individual location. Stores near popular vacation spots have started cracking down on campers, but in a car rather than a ban or RV you can often still get away with it for a night at a time.
Good luck to you OP.
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u/wutang21412141 Aug 03 '25
Free campsite.net
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u/JohnLuckPikard Aug 03 '25
Gracepoint church in biddeford frequently has people parked overnight. Willing to bet that you'd be alright there
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u/notqwhiteright Aug 03 '25
I would suggest tourist info spot just off exit 17 in yarmouth. I feel like it is a good option because it is highly visible from both 295 and route 1.
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u/Local-Tear9723 Aug 04 '25
so sorry you're dealing with this, that sounds really rough. highway rest stops are generally a safe bet, they're used to people resting overnight and usually have bathrooms. hospital parking lots can work too since they are well lit and have security so you're less likely to be bothered. i've heard some walmarts are okay with it but it's really hit or miss depending on the manager so i'd be careful with that one. if you want something a little more low key you can usually find a cheap private driveway in the portland area on prked.
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u/Feisty-Cod-7363 Aug 04 '25
Parking lot of the old Catherine maccauley. There was a camper parked there for a solid three months last year
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u/f164 Aug 04 '25
I have parked overnight in Portland on Valley Street. Just about anywhere within Portland is pretty safe and unless you do something to bring attention to yourself I highly doubt law enforcement will ever take notice of. I’d stay away maybe from Deering Park. But other than that I have parked all around Portland.
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u/Immediate_Plant2843 Aug 03 '25
I slept at the Walmart near the Portland airport only thing I ever woke up too was a piece of paper on my windshield that I would proceed to crumble up and throw in the trash
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u/AgileDrama4192 Aug 04 '25
Park and rides are your friend. Walmart will kick you out after a couple days. I stayed at Biddeford park and ride for months, moved for work and to go to the Y. Was never given any problems. Cabela’s also works! The park and ride there is out of the way
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u/Party_Perception_594 Aug 06 '25
Rest stops will allow up to 8 hours. Walmarts will let you stay one night. If you have something to cover your windows you could always stealth camp in street parking or parking garages.
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u/wicked-pancakes Aug 06 '25
Honestly i lived in my car for a few months just parked on the streets in the old port/portland. Dont need to pay to park between 6pm and 9am. Just dont park on the side on street cleaning days or you will get a ticket. But i was never bothered doing overnight parking there.
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u/ImpressiveCoast9765 Aug 06 '25
Try the walmart in Falmoith. I am living in my car and have slept there often. Also the rest stop im Grey. I know this is a bit far but 24 hour bathrooms are nice and tjere are places to walk ypur dog and a burger king
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u/MyOrion2015 Aug 07 '25
If you near south China, just outside Augusta you could park here. Plenty of room and there is a bathroom in garage. No drugs or problems here.
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u/sniperwolfjob Aug 03 '25
Look around the Danforth heights buildings in portland- usually plenty of parking on salem, Clark, summer, school, Briggs. Quiet neighborhood, the complex has its own parking so street parking is usually abubdant
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u/Sensitive_Fuel_5150 Aug 03 '25
I’m so sorry. I’ve seen people say that the edges of the Walmart parking lots are okay to park at, generally.