Most dealerships are closed on Sunday, but a growing number stay open, especially in urban areas and on holiday weekends
Sunday hours at car dealerships vary widely by location, brand, and state law. Some dealerships operate a full eight-hour Sunday shift; others open for just a few hours in the afternoon. Many close entirely. There is no industry standard, and no federal rule requiring or forbidding Sunday sales. Your best approach is to call or check the dealership's website before you go, because assuming a location is open on Sunday will waste a trip.
State laws do impose some limits. A handful of states—including Connecticut, Delaware, and parts of New Jersey—have "blue laws" that restrict car sales on Sunday or require dealerships to close by a certain time. Most states have no such restriction. Even within states that allow Sunday sales, individual dealerships choose their own hours based on local demand, staffing, and business strategy.
Key Takeaways
- Call the dealership directly or check its website for Sunday hours before visiting, because hours vary by location and change seasonally.
- Dealerships in urban areas and suburbs are more likely to be open on Sunday than those in rural regions.
- Some states restrict Sunday car sales or require dealerships to close by a set time; check your state's rules if you are in Connecticut, Delaware, New Jersey, or another state with blue laws.
- Holiday weekends often bring extended hours, so dealerships closed most Sundays may open on Memorial Day weekend, Labor Day weekend, or the Sunday before Thanksgiving.
- Visiting on Sunday may mean longer wait times for test drives and financing conversations because dealerships often staff lightly on that day.
How to find Sunday hours for a specific dealership
The fastest way is to search the dealership's name plus "hours" on Google Maps or the dealership's own website. Google Maps shows current hours and lets you see which days are open. Most major dealership groups—Ford, Toyota, Chevrolet, Honda, and others—list hours on their store locator pages.
If the website does not show Sunday hours clearly, call the dealership's main number. Ask specifically whether they are open on Sunday and what time they close. This also tells you whether a salesperson is available that day, because some dealerships open on Sunday but staff only the service department, not sales.
Do not assume that because one location in a chain is open on Sunday, all locations are. A Toyota dealership in Denver may be open Sunday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., while a Toyota dealership 30 miles away closes at noon on Saturday and does not reopen until Monday.
States with restrictions on Sunday car sales
Connecticut, Delaware, and parts of New Jersey have blue laws that limit Sunday car sales. In Connecticut, dealerships cannot sell cars before 11 a.m. on Sunday. In Delaware, sales are prohibited before noon. New Jersey's rules vary by county—some allow sales all day Sunday, others restrict hours, and a few prohibit Sunday sales entirely.
A few other states have weaker restrictions or grandfather clauses that explore only to certain dealership types or sizes. If you live in or are traveling to a state with a history of blue laws, search "[your state] car sales Sunday hours" or contact your state's attorney general office to confirm current rules.
Even in states without legal restrictions, individual dealerships may choose not to open on Sunday for business reasons. Rural dealerships, family-owned shops, and smaller franchises are more likely to be closed on Sunday than large urban dealerships or megadealer groups.
Why dealership hours vary so much on Sunday
Dealerships make staffing and scheduling decisions based on local foot traffic, competition, and labor costs. In a busy suburban market with multiple dealerships, staying open on Sunday is a way to capture customers who cannot visit during the week. In a smaller town with one dealership, Sunday hours may not justify the payroll.
Some dealerships use Sunday as a light-traffic day to handle administrative work, service appointments, or inventory management rather than sales. Others open only during peak selling seasons—spring and early fall—and close on Sunday during slower months.
Staffing is also a factor. Paying salespeople and finance managers time-and-a-half or double-time on Sunday is expensive. Dealerships that do open on Sunday often staff more lightly than on Saturday, which means longer waits for a salesperson or a test drive.
Holiday weekends and extended Sunday hours
Dealerships that are normally closed on Sunday often open during holiday weekends. Memorial Day weekend, Labor Day weekend, Presidents' Day weekend, and the Sunday before Thanksgiving typically bring extended hours at most locations. Some dealerships advertise special sales events tied to these weekends and staff up accordingly.
If you are shopping during a holiday weekend, call ahead to confirm hours, because some dealerships may open earlier or stay open later than their regular Sunday schedule. Holiday weekends also mean more customers on the lot, so arrive early if you want a test drive without a long wait.
What to expect when you visit on Sunday
Dealerships open on Sunday often have fewer salespeople on the floor than on Saturday. This can mean a longer wait before someone greets you, but it can also mean less pressure and more time to look around without being approached when ready. Financing and paperwork may take longer because the finance manager may be handling multiple customers.
Service departments at dealerships are sometimes open on Sunday even when sales are closed. If you need an oil change, tire rotation, or other routine maintenance, you may be able to schedule that on Sunday even if you cannot buy a car that day.
Bring all documents you will need—driver's license, proof of insurance, trade-in title if you have one, and proof of income or credit pre-approval if you have it. Dealerships may have reduced office staff on Sunday, so having everything ready speeds up the process.
Planning your visit around dealership schedules
If Sunday is your only available day to visit, start by identifying which dealerships in your area are open. Use Google Maps to filter by hours, or call three to five dealerships in your region to ask about Sunday availability. Once you know which ones are open, prioritize based on the vehicles you want to see and the brands you are considering.
Arrive early in the day if possible. Most dealerships that open on Sunday do so at 10 a.m. or 11 a.m., and traffic is lighter in the morning. Afternoon visits, especially after 2 p.m., can mean longer waits for a salesperson or a test drive.
If you are serious about buying, consider visiting on a weekday or Saturday when the dealership is fully staffed. You will have more time with a salesperson, faster access to financing, and a better chance of completing paperwork the same day. Sunday visits work well for browsing, asking questions, and narrowing down your choices before a more detailed visit later.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I buy a car on Sunday if the dealership is open?
Yes, if the dealership is open and has a finance manager on duty. However, some dealerships open on Sunday for browsing and test drives only, with paperwork and financing handled on weekdays. Call ahead to confirm that the dealership can complete a full purchase on Sunday if that is your goal.
Are dealership service departments open on Sunday?
Some are, but not all. Service hours are often different from sales hours. A dealership may be closed for sales on Sunday but open the service bay for oil changes and tire work. Check the dealership's website or call to ask about service hours specifically.
What if I want to trade in my car on Sunday?
Most dealerships can appraise a trade-in on Sunday if sales are open, but the appraisal may be quick and informal. A full trade-in evaluation, including a mechanic's inspection, often happens on a weekday. If your trade-in value is important to your decision, plan to visit on a day when the service department can do a thorough inspection.
Do dealerships have the same prices on Sunday as other days?
Prices are the same, but promotions and incentives may vary. Some dealerships run special weekend sales events that include Sunday, while others do not. Check the dealership's website or ask about current promotions when you call about hours.
Why do some dealerships close earlier on Sunday than Saturday?
Dealerships often close earlier on Sunday because traffic is lighter in the evening and staffing costs are higher. A dealership open 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday may close at 5 p.m. on Sunday to reduce labor costs while still capturing customers who visit during the day.