Car shade guide
Which side of a car should I sit on to avoid sunlight?
As a passenger, choose the side expected to receive less direct sunlight over your route. The shady side of a car changes with the road direction, departure time, season, and location. ShadySide compares the driving route with the sun’s position to help you choose before setting off.
Check my car route in ShadySideHow to check car passenger shade
- Open the journey planner before travelling and select Other, the option with the car icon.
- Enter your start and destination, choosing the matching location suggestions.
- Choose Now for a car journey leaving at the current time.
- Review the mapped driving route. Select the route you will take if alternatives are available, then read its recommended side.
In the current planner, Other uses car routing. These steps describe a journey leaving now. The estimate describes the left or right side facing the direction of travel, rather than the driver or passenger side, which differs between countries.
Morning and evening sun on a car journey
On a straight northbound road, low morning sun toward the east is usually on the right, making the left a useful first choice for shade. In the evening, sun toward the west often makes the right side better. Southbound travel reverses those sides. These are rough orientation checks; the exact sun bearing depends on the date, latitude, and time.
On east–west roads, the sun may be nearer the windscreen or rear window, and this shortcut cannot reliably choose a side. Turns, bends, and a long travel time can shift sunlight between windows. ShadySide uses the route rather than just a straight line between your start and destination. Calculate a return journey separately when you are ready to leave, with the locations swapped.
What a car shade estimate can tell you
The recommendation compares expected direct sunlight on each side over the journey. It does not model your exact car, its window shapes, a panoramic roof, window tint, or every roadside tree and building. Clouds, traffic delays, and detours can change what you experience. A better side overall may still be sunny on some sections.
Shade advice is a comfort estimate, not a cabin-temperature or UV-protection measurement. Choose among the passenger seats appropriate for your journey and use permitted window shades as needed. Plan before departure or have a passenger check the route; the driver should keep attention on driving.
More shade planning help
Read how ShadySide estimates sunlight or the shade planning FAQ. Taking public transport? See the bus shade guide and the train shade guide.