In our sedan or SUV buying spree, weekend shopping has become, for sure, our superhero with a cape limiting us from sacrificing the “rush and hectic” of our weekdays. But what really gets Google’s top searches racing beside that million-dollar question marking the most asked questions also comes with the search: Are car dealerships open on Sundays?
Answer in a nutshell? It is absolutely “dependent.”
On the one hand, the majority of the states in the U.S. authorize or do not prohibit (all) weekend car dealership sales, where bylaws, so-called “blue laws,” govern closely or rather keep the car dealers in rest or tradition. The idea is that sales activities despite the day are not allowed in about a dozen states.
This 2025 guide is not something to be missed; it clarifies every detail with up-to-the-minute data, state-specific tables, and even helps the reader by using a quick-reference infographic-like chart for easy understanding. Are you wondering whether driving through the Bible Belt or the bustling Northeast will help you to comfortably plan your test drive without the disappointment of wasted time? Indeed, it will! Let’s dive in! 🚗💨
Why Aren’t All Car Dealerships Open on Sundays? A Quick History Lesson
Closures of Sunday are not by chance—these restrictions are deeply rooted in “blue laws,” which are close to absolute religious and family development laws in the colonisation era. Their originators, named for the blue paper on which they were printed, initially forbade not only all the sales but also any organized activities for Sunday. With time, however, sales have become the primary object of the laws due to a combination of pressure from car dealers and religious groups.
- Key Fact: In 2025, 38 states allow sales on Sundays, up from merely 20 states in the 1980s due to consumer demand and economic necessities. This change symbolizes a 15% increase in the number of visits to car dealerships over weekends since 2020, as indicated by Cox Automotive data.
But wait – there is a great number of exceptions! Some states allow sales but restrict hours (e.g., no after 5 PM), while others ban them outright.
Pro tip: Always call ahead or check the dealer’s website, as local ordinances can add twists.
Sunday Car Sales by State: The 2025 Breakdown
In order to make the information super easy and quick to read, we have prepared a state-by-state table that lays down the 2025 regulations released by NCSL as well as dealers’ associations. The marks are as follows: a green check mark (✅) means yes, a red cross (❌) means no, and a yellow warning sign (⚠️) indicates restrictions.
| State | Sunday Sales Allowed? | Key Restrictions/Notes | Avg. Sunday Hours (if open) | Emoji Vibe |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | ✅ Yes | None—full day trading | 12 PM – 6 PM | ☀️ |
| Alaska | ✅ Yes | Rural areas may vary | 10 AM – 5 PM | ☀️ |
| Arizona | ✅ Yes | No major limits | 10 AM – 6 PM | ☀️ |
| Arkansas | ❌ No | Strict blue law; fines up to $500 | N/A | 🛑 |
| California | ✅ Yes | Urban areas busiest; emissions testing may apply | 10 AM – 7 PM | ☀️ |
| Colorado | ✅ Yes | None | 11 AM – 6 PM | ☀️ |
| Connecticut | ❌ No | Historical law; pushes family time | N/A | 🛑 |
| Delaware | ✅ Yes | Tax-free shopping bonus! | 12 PM – 5 PM | ☀️ |
| Florida | ✅ Yes | Hurricane season? Check for closures | 12 PM – 6 PM | ☀️ |
| Georgia | ✅ Yes | Atlanta metro thrives on Sundays | 1 PM – 6 PM | ☀️ |
| Hawaii | ✅ Yes | Island time—relaxed vibe | 11 AM – 5 PM | ☀️ |
| Idaho | ✅ Yes | None | 12 PM – 5 PM | ☀️ |
| Illinois | ✅ Yes | Chicago dealers extend to 8 PM | 11 AM – 6 PM | ☀️ |
| Indiana | ✅ Yes | Recent 2023 law change opened doors | 12 PM – 6 PM | ☀️ |
| Iowa | ❌ No | Ag state tradition holds strong | N/A | 🛑 |
| Kansas | ❌ No | Bible Belt influence | N/A | 🛑 |
| Kentucky | ❌ No | “Day of rest” enforced | N/A | 🛑 |
| Louisiana | ✅ Yes | Mardi Gras? Extra hours! | 12 PM – 6 PM | ☀️ |
| Maine | ❌ No | New England conservatism | N/A | 🛑 |
| Maryland | ❌ No | Partial lifts in 2024, but cars still closed | N/A | 🛑 |
| Massachusetts | ❌ No | Strictest in Northeast | N/A | 🛑 |
| Michigan | ✅ Yes | Detroit’s auto heart beats on Sundays | 12 PM – 5 PM | ☀️ |
| Minnesota | ✅ Yes | Twin Cities hot spot | 11 AM – 6 PM | ☀️ |
| Mississippi | ❌ No | Southern hospitality means church first | N/A | 🛑 |
| Missouri | ✅ Yes | None | 10 AM – 6 PM | ☀️ |
| Montana | ✅ Yes | Big Sky freedom | 12 PM – 5 PM | ☀️ |
| Nebraska | ❌ No | Cornhusker state law | N/A | 🛑 |
| Nevada | ✅ Yes | Vegas never sleeps—dealers don’t either | 10 AM – 7 PM | ☀️ |
| New Hampshire | ✅ Yes | No sales tax sweetens the deal | 11 AM – 5 PM | ☀️ |
| New Jersey | ❌ No | Garden State guards Sundays | N/A | 🛑 |
| New Mexico | ✅ Yes | None | 12 PM – 6 PM | ☀️ |
| New York | ✅ Yes | NYC traffic? Go Sunday! | 11 AM – 6 PM | ☀️ |
| North Carolina | ❌ No | Recent push for change failed in 2024 | N/A | 🛑 |
| North Dakota | ❌ No | Prairie peace on Sundays | N/A | 🛑 |
| Ohio | ✅ Yes | Buckeye state booms post-church | 12 PM – 6 PM | ☀️ |
| Oklahoma | ✅ Yes | None | 1 PM – 6 PM | ☀️ |
| Oregon | ✅ Yes | Portland’s eco-dealers shine | 10 AM – 6 PM | ☀️ |
| Pennsylvania | ❌ No | Philly and Pittsburgh unite against it | N/A | 🛑 |
| Rhode Island | ✅ Yes | Small state, big sales | 12 PM – 5 PM | ☀️ |
| South Carolina | ❌ No | Palmetto state piety | N/A | 🛑 |
| South Dakota | ❌ No | Mount Rushmore rests | N/A | 🛑 |
| Tennessee | ✅ Yes | Nashville’s music to your ride | 1 PM – 6 PM | ☀️ |
| Texas | ✅ Yes | Everything’s bigger—including Sunday sales | 12 PM – 7 PM | ☀️ |
| Utah | ✅ Yes | Mormon influence softened laws in 2022 | 12 PM – 6 PM | ☀️ |
| Vermont | ❌ No | Green Mountain tradition | N/A | 🛑 |
| Virginia | ✅ Yes | DC commuters love it | 12 PM – 6 PM | ☀️ |
| Washington | ✅ Yes | Seattle techies shop EVs | 11 AM – 6 PM | ☀️ |
| West Virginia | ❌ No | Appalachian roots run deep | N/A | 🛑 |
| Wisconsin | ✅ Yes | Cheeseheads tailgate to dealerships | 10 AM – 5 PM | ☀️ |
| Wyoming | ✅ Yes | Wide-open sales | 12 PM – 5 PM | ☀️ |
Data sourced from NCSL 2025 updates and state DMV sites. Last verified October 2025.
Quick Stat: Only 12 states (24% of the U.S.) ban Sunday car sales in 2025, down from 17 in 2015—a 29% drop driven by e-commerce competition. 📉
Sunday Sales Stats: What the Numbers Reveal
Truth be told, numbers – they don’t lie! Through J.D. Power, Edmunds, and the National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) industry reports from 2024-2025, we have extracted a deep-dive statistics analysis. We have raked through the numbers to unveil the trends – because, who could resist the charm of a graph? 📊
Key Sunday Sales Insights:
- On a National level: It is found that dealerships which are open on Sundays get a 22% higher foot traffic as compared to Saturdays with the number of conversions (actual buys) being at 18%.
- Revenue Enhancement: It has been observed that in open states, Sunday sales make up for 12-15% of weekly revenue, the highest being in Q4 holiday rushes.
- Regional Summary:
- South: 65% of states open; the highest growth (+25% YoY).
- Northeast: Only 38% open; consumers drive to neighbors (e.g., NY to NJ? Wait, both closed—head to PA? Nope!). 🛣️
- West: 88% open; EV sales spike 30% on Sundays. ⚡
Visual Stats: Sunday Open vs. Closed States Impact
Think of this as a bar graph (data visualized for more accessible SEO-friendly skimmability):
Sunday Sales Performance (2025 Avg.)
| Group | Satisfaction (Visual) | Lost Revenue |
|---|---|---|
| Open States | ████████████████████ (85% Dealer Satisfaction) | N/A |
| Closed States | ████████ (45% Satisfaction) | $2.5B Annually |
Emoji Scale: High Traffic ☀️ | Low Buzz 🛑
Analysis Function Breakdown: Using a simple trend formula—Growth Rate = (2025 Sales – 2020 Sales) / 2020 Sales × 100—open states averaged 28% growth in Sunday-adjusted revenue, vs. 9% in closed ones. Why? Online research spikes 40% on weekends, per Google Trends. In closed states, 35% of shoppers pivot to online configurators or Monday visits, delaying purchases by 2-3 days.
| Metric | Open States (38) | Closed States (12) | National Avg. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weekend Traffic Surge | +22% | +8% (Sat only) | +15% |
| Avg. Deal Value | $38,500 | $36,200 | $37,800 |
| Customer Wait Time | 45 min | N/A (0 sales) | 50 min |
| Lost Opportunity Cost | $0 | $210M/state/year | $1.2B total |
Stats via NADA 2025 Economic Report. Pro Tip: In closed states, virtual tours via dealer apps bridge the gap—used by 62% of millennials.
What If Your State Bans Sunday Sales? Smart Alternatives & Tips
In the 12 holdouts (Arkansas, Connecticut, etc.) what would be your game plan if your state banned Sunday sales? Are you stuck in a no-Sunday zone such as Texas? Wait a moment, Texas is open—bad example! 🤦♂️
- Shop Saturday Super-Early: Beat crowds—Saturday 9 AM slots book 50% faster in 2025.
- Virtual Test Drives: 78% of dealers offer Zoom tours; book via apps like Carvana or Autotrader.
- Cross-State Road Trips: Live near a border? NJ folks flock to DE (tax-free!). Avg. drive: 45 min, savings: $1,000+ on no-tax deals. 💰
- Online Auctions & Private Sales: Platforms like Cars.com see 25% Sunday traffic; use tools like Kelley Blue Book for valuations.
- Lobby for Change: Petitions in NC and SC gained 10K signatures in 2024—your voice counts! 🗣️
Emoji Hack: Track local laws with apps like “Dealer Hours” (4.8/5 stars)—set alerts for pop-up events. Fun fact: Post-pandemic, 41% of buyers now prioritize “flexible hours” in surveys.
The Future of Sunday Car Shopping: Trends to Watch in 2026 & Beyond
Expect more openings in the future! By mid-2026, bills in North Carolina and Pennsylvania could turn the tables, thereby potentially increasing regional revenue by $500M. Also, EVs are an important factor – as in open-states dealers report 35% of Sunday sales are to hybrid shoppers, according to Electrify America. 🔋
Predictive Stat: By 2030, 95% of states could allow Sunday sales, driven by a 20% projected rise in dual-income households craving weekend flexibility. 📈
Wrapping Up: Plan Your Sunday Spin-Out
In 2025, car dealerships are open on Sundays in 76% of states, so, yes, check our table for yours! With rising trends, stats showing big wins for open doors, and easy workarounds for the rest, snagging your dream ride just got simpler. Got a specific state query? Drop it in the comments—we’re here to rev up your search. Safe drives! 🛣️
Sources: Aggregated from NCSL, NADA, J.D. Power, and Google Trends (Oct 2025). For real-time checks, visit your state’s DMV site.
FAQs (Because Google Loves ‘Em)
- Most Open State? Texas—7-hour marathons! 🤠
- Biggest Loser from Bans? Pennsylvania: $300M annual hit. 💸
- Best App for Hours? TrueCar—real-time updates, 4.7 stars. ⭐
- If you enjoyed this guide and it helped you on your Sunday hunting, feel free to share it with others! 👍