The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) has drafted administrative rules that would apply to its rest areas, welcome centers, carpool lots, roadside parks, and scenic turnouts.
MDOT intends to put a cap on how long any vehicle can remain on those properties.
The proposal
MDOT’s draft would allow overnight parking but limit continuous stays to 48 hours. It would prohibit setting up camping gear or otherwise “camping” at those sites and restrict commercial activities without approval. In addition, the proposal would require trash to be deposited properly and ban disruptive behavior and alcohol on the properties.
The rules would cover more than 400 MDOT-managed locations statewide.
Why this change?
Officials say the aim is clear. They intend to keep rest areas safe, sanitary, and available for short-term travel needs. MDOT told reporters it previously relied on internal guidance. However, that lacked formal enforcement power. Staffers and law enforcement have reported people living in vehicles for extended periods at some sites, which complicates cleanup and emergency response. The agency frames the rules as establishing consistent expectations for everybody who uses these facilities.
Critics, advocates, and local news outlets warn that the rules could effectively criminalize people who have nowhere else to go. Homelessness organizations and some community advocates point out that many unhoused people already use rest areas, carpool lots, and similar sites for temporary shelter. If long stays are classified as misdemeanors, violators could face citations, fines, or arrests.
MDOT says it will work with health and human services partners to post resource information, but opponents say enforcement without alternatives risks harm.
For RVers
This change could affect you as an RVer. You can still stop, but your behavior will matter more.
Under MDOT’s proposal, an RVer could park overnight for travel rest, but could not legally treat an MDOT rest area like a campsite for multiple days in a row beyond the 48-hour cap.
Setting up awnings, extending slide outs, or using open fires would also be exempt—except in designated areas. Enforcement approaches and local implementation details will vary, so don’t assume every rest area will be policed the same way.
Virtual hearings
The Michigan DOT has held virtual hearings and opened a public comment period where travelers, advocates, and local officials can submit feedback. Details and official rules are posted on the state site.
If you drive through Michigan frequently, consider attending a hearing or sending a brief, practical comment explaining how you use rest areas, any safety concerns you have, and suggestions that balance traveler needs with the agency’s maintenance goals.
State administrative timelines indicate the department hopes to finalize rules next spring, but public input could shape enforcement specifics or signage and outreach.
You can make your voice heard here. Comments are collected until November 20, 2025.
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RVT1233b
As a resident of Michigan, I am in favor of the rules. Rest areas were never meant to be long term locations. I think 48 hours is very generous. The vast majority of these locations have public toilets (pit toilets for locations off the major highways). I know some RVs’ beds cannot be reached with slides retracted, and if the stop is just for dark hours of one night, willing to bet a slide would be tolerated if not jutting out into the traffic lane.
Sounds very reasonable to me. The longest I’ve spent in a rest area was maybe 10-12 hours. A limit of 48 hours is very generous and if you had a breakdown the officer present would probably overlook a longer stay to facilitate repairs.
That is very generous of MI. I saw what happened in western WA when the rest areas became homeless camps. It wasn’t good and one rest area I recall, was completely shut down.
I don’t have a problem with that. 48 hrs is much longer. They could make it 24 hrs. Anyone stopping to rest for the evening, get a good nights sleep and even fix and eat a breakfast before hitting the road again, would still come in at under 24 hrs.
My wife and I live in Michigan and we use the rest stops when we’re on longer trips. I like the idea of being able to stop overnight (granted, this would probably be in other states, since we live kind of central to most points in the state), but I’d hate to see our rest stops – or any other state’s – turn into homeless encampments!