It’s Saturday afternoon, and your car just made that ominous noise again. Or perhaps you’ve finally saved enough for a down payment, and you’re itching to test drive that SUV you’ve been eyeing online. But wait—are car dealerships even open today? We’ve all been there, frantically googling local dealership hours only to be met with outdated information or confusing holiday schedules.
In this guide, we’ll tackle that all-too-common confusion about dealership operating hours. Whether you’re in the market for a new vehicle or need urgent service on your current ride, knowing when dealerships swing their doors open (and when they don’t) can save you time, frustration, and potentially even money.
Why does this matter? According to a 2024 J.D. Power study, 68% of car buyers report visiting at least one dealership during their purchasing journey, despite the rise in online car shopping. And timing your visit right can mean the difference between personalized attention from a sales associate or being part of the weekend crowd rush. Let’s dive into everything you need to know about car dealership availability.
Standard Dealership Hours
Most car dealerships across America follow a fairly predictable schedule, but there are some nuances worth noting. Are car dealerships open when you need them? Here’s the typical breakdown:
Weekday Hours
The majority of dealerships operate during standard business hours on weekdays, typically opening their doors around 9:00 AM and closing somewhere between 7:00 PM and 9:00 PM. According to data from the National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA), nearly 94% of franchised dealerships maintain these extended evening hours specifically to accommodate customers who work traditional 9-to-5 jobs.
Many dealerships have found that their busiest times occur between 5:30 PM and 7:30 PM on weekdays—right after the workday ends. Have you noticed how salespeople seem particularly attentive during these hours? That’s because dealerships staff up during these peak times.
Weekend Hours
Here’s where things get interesting. Saturdays are prime time for car dealerships, with most opening around 9:00 AM and closing a bit earlier than weekdays—typically between 6:00 PM and 7:00 PM. A Cox Automotive report from 2023 found that Saturday foot traffic at dealerships is approximately 2.4 times higher than the average weekday.
But what about Sundays? This is when regional differences really come into play. Did you know that 18 states actually have “blue laws” that prohibit car sales on Sundays? Places like Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, Maine, Minnesota, Missouri, Oklahoma, New Jersey, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, and others maintain these restrictions. Even in states without such laws, many dealerships choose to remain closed or operate with limited hours on Sundays—typically from around 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM if they’re open at all.
Sales vs. Service Department Hours
Here’s something that catches many customers off guard: your dealership’s service center and sales department often keep different hours. Imagine showing up at 7:00 AM to drop off your car for service, only to find the sales floor won’t open for another two hours!
Service departments generally open earlier—many starting their day at 7:00 AM to accommodate customers who need to drop off vehicles before work. However, they typically close earlier as well, with most shutting down around 5:00 or 6:00 PM. A survey by Fixed Ops Journal revealed that dealerships that extended their service hours saw an average 22% increase in service appointments, showing just how important accessibility is to customers.
Holiday Closures and Special Hours
Nothing’s worse than driving to a dealership only to find locked doors and empty parking lots because of a holiday you forgot. Are car dealerships open during major holidays? Let’s break it down:
Major Closures
Most car dealerships shut down completely for major federal holidays, including:
- New Year’s Day
- Memorial Day
- Independence Day (July 4th)
- Labor Day
- Thanksgiving Day
- Christmas Day
According to Automotive News, these six holidays see nearly universal closures across the industry, with 98% of dealerships remaining closed. The reason? These are traditionally family-focused holidays, and many states have specific laws prohibiting car sales on these days.
Regional Variations
Local celebrations and state holidays can also affect dealership operations. For example:
- Nevada Day (October 31 in Nevada)
- Patriots’ Day (third Monday in April in Maine and Massachusetts)
- Cesar Chavez Day (March 31 in California and some other states)
- Pioneer Day (July 24 in Utah)
A study from Urban Science found that regional holiday closures can create significant sales variations across markets, sometimes affecting monthly performance metrics by up to 8%. Wonder why your local dealership is randomly closed on a day that seems ordinary to you? It might be a regional observance that’s important to your specific area.
How to Check if a Specific Dealership is Open
In today’s digital age, verifying a dealership’s hours before making the trip is easier than ever. But which method is most reliable? Let’s explore your options:
Official Dealership Websites
The most authoritative source is usually the dealership’s own website. Nearly 89% of franchised dealerships maintain updated hours on their sites, according to a Digital Dealer survey. Most dealerships prominently display their hours on their homepage or in a dedicated “Contact Us” or “Hours & Directions” section.
Pro tip: Look for any banner notifications at the top of the website—these often announce temporary changes to operating hours for holidays or special events. Wouldn’t it be nice if every dealership made this super obvious? Unfortunately, you sometimes need to dig a little.
Google Business Listings
Google My Business listings have become increasingly reliable for real-time information. A 2023 Google report indicated that dealerships update their GMB listings for holiday hours about 2.3 times more frequently than they update their own websites. Plus, Google often prompts businesses to confirm their holiday hours as major holidays approach.
The benefit here is that Google often displays a dealership’s hours directly in search results—no clicking required. Have you noticed those helpful “Open now” or “Closes in 30 minutes” indicators? They can be real time-savers when you’re in a rush. Want to know more, visit our website…
Phone Verification
Sometimes the old ways are the best ways. A quick phone call to the dealership remains one of the most reliable methods to confirm hours, especially around holidays or during unusual circumstances (like pandemic restrictions or severe weather events).
According to a customer satisfaction survey by Maritz Research, 78% of customers who called dealerships to verify hours reported receiving accurate information. The human touch still counts for something, doesn’t it?
Dealership Apps and Online Schedulers
Many larger dealership groups have developed their own apps or online scheduling systems that provide real-time information about operating hours. Ford’s FordPass app, GM’s myChevrolet app, and similar manufacturer-specific applications often include dealership information.
A Cox Automotive study found that dealerships with integrated app systems saw a 34% reduction in missed appointments due to hour confusion. Isn’t it remarkable how technology continues to streamline the car-buying and servicing experience?
The future of dealership hour tracking seems to be heading toward even more automation. Some forward-thinking dealers are implementing AI-based chat systems that can answer hour-related questions instantly, even outside of business hours. According to Automotive Digital Marketing, dealerships using these systems report a 27% increase in after-hours lead capture. The car dealership industry is evolving—perhaps not as quickly as some other retail sectors, but it’s definitely moving forward.
By using a combination of these verification methods, you can ensure you won’t waste a trip to your local dealership. Are car dealerships open when you plan to visit? With these tools at your disposal, you’ll always know the answer before you grab your keys.
Planning Your Dealership Visit
So you’ve confirmed the dealership is open—now what? Timing your visit strategically can make all the difference between a pleasant experience and a frustrating one. Are car dealerships open and ready to give you their full attention at all hours? Not exactly.
Best Times for Personalized Attention
If you’re hoping for the red-carpet treatment, timing is everything. According to a 2023 Automotive Customer Experience Index by JD Power, weekday mornings between 10:00 AM and noon see the lowest foot traffic, with customer-to-salesperson ratios averaging 1:1 compared to weekend afternoons that can see ratios spiking to 4:1 or higher.
Tuesday and Wednesday mornings, specifically, are what industry insiders call the “sweet spot.” A 2024 survey by Automotive Management Online found that customers who visited dealerships during these times reported a 37% higher satisfaction rate with their overall experience. Imagine having the showroom practically to yourself, with sales staff eager to answer every question instead of juggling multiple customers!
But here’s something counterintuitive—the end of the month isn’t always the bargain-hunting paradise people think it is. Sure, salespeople may be pushing to meet quotas, but that pressure works both ways. DealerRater’s consumer studies show that end-of-month visitors reported feeling 22% more rushed during their dealership experience. Is saving a few hundred dollars worth feeling pressured into a decision?
Appointment vs. Walk-in Considerations
The age-old question: should you make an appointment or just show up? While walk-ins are certainly welcome at most dealerships, the data clearly favors scheduling ahead.
A recent CDK Global study revealed that customers with appointments spent an average of 45 minutes less at the dealership compared to walk-in customers. That’s nearly an hour of your life back! Plus, appointment customers reported receiving more thorough vehicle demonstrations and more attentive financing discussions.
“Appointment customers enjoy a 64% higher chance of having their preferred vehicle ready and waiting for them upon arrival,” notes automotive consultant Brian Pasch in his 2023 report on dealership efficiency. “This simple step eliminates the frustrating wait while a salesperson tracks down and preps a vehicle.”
That said, walk-ins have their place too. If you’re just browsing or in the early stages of car shopping, the flexibility of stopping by when dealerships are open and convenient for you has its advantages. Just be prepared for potentially longer wait times, especially during peak hours.
What to Bring When Visiting a Dealership
Nothing derails a dealership visit like realizing you’ve forgotten essential documents. Been there, done that? Let’s make sure it doesn’t happen again.
Essential items include:
- Valid driver’s license (absolutely non-negotiable for test drives)
- Proof of insurance (required by 93% of dealerships before test drives)
- Pre-approval letter if you’ve secured financing elsewhere
- Current vehicle registration if you’re planning to trade in
- A notebook or way to take notes (old-school, but surprisingly effective)
A survey by Kelley Blue Book found that 41% of customers report having to reschedule a test drive or delay purchase decisions because they forgot essential documentation. Don’t be part of that statistic!
Here’s a tidbit that might surprise you: bringing your own bottled water and snacks can be a game-changer. The average dealership visit lasts 3.2 hours from start to finish when making a purchase, according to a Time Management study published in Automotive News. That’s longer than most Hollywood movies! Having water and a small snack keeps hunger pangs from rushing your decision-making process.
Online Alternatives When Dealerships are Closed
It’s 11:00 PM, you’ve just finished researching the perfect car, and you’re excited to take the next step—but are car dealerships open this late? Almost certainly not. Thankfully, the digital revolution has transformed car shopping into a 24/7 affair.
Virtual Showrooms and Online Inventory Browsing
The days of dealerships being completely inaccessible after hours are long gone. Most franchise dealerships now offer comprehensive virtual showrooms that rival the physical experience in many ways.
According to Cox Automotive’s 2024 Digitization of Car Buying Study, 64% of car shoppers now begin their journey online, with the average buyer spending 14.5 hours researching vehicles online before setting foot in a dealership. The most impressive part? About 9.3 of those hours happen outside regular dealership hours.
Virtual showrooms now often include:
- 360-degree exterior and interior views (available at 78% of franchise dealerships)
- Detailed specification comparisons
- Video walkarounds (offered by 61% of dealerships)
- Virtual reality test drives (still emerging but available at 12% of luxury dealerships)
“The online car-shopping experience has evolved from simple inventory listings to immersive digital environments,” explains Jessica Stafford, SVP of Consumer Solutions at Cox Automotive. “Shoppers now expect to get 90% of their questions answered before the dealership even opens its doors.”
After-Hours Contact Options
Just because the physical dealership isn’t open doesn’t mean you can’t get human help. Modern dealerships have expanded their communication channels significantly:
- Live chat options (now available on 83% of dealership websites)
- Texting platforms (offered by 76% of franchise dealers)
- 24/7 call centers (primarily at larger dealer groups)
- Social media messaging (with 59% of dealers promising responses within 4 hours)
A fascinating statistic from a 2023 CDK Global study found that 37% of all car-buying inquiries now occur outside traditional business hours. Even more surprising? Customers who engaged with dealerships during these off-hours reported a 28% higher closing rate. There’s something about that late-night car shopping that leads to commitments!
Digital Reservation Systems for Test Drives
Perhaps the most significant development in bridging the gap between online browsing and physical dealership visits is the advent of digital test drive reservation systems.
TrueCar reports that 77% of franchise dealerships now offer some form of online test drive scheduling, with 29% allowing customers to select specific vehicles from inventory. Some forward-thinking dealers have taken this a step further—offering test drive appointments that begin the moment the dealership opens, allowing customers to maximize their time.
The pandemic accelerated adoption of even more convenient options, with approximately 15% of dealerships now offering some form of test drive delivery service where they’ll bring vehicles to your home or workplace when the dealership reopens.
“The dealerships that recognize modern car shoppers value their time as much as their money are the ones seeing dramatic increases in customer satisfaction,” notes Jeremy Anspach, CEO of PureCars, in a 2024 interview with Automotive News. “The ability to secure a test drive while dealerships are physically closed creates a seamless transition between online research and in-person experience.”
FAQ Section
Are car dealerships open on Sundays?
It depends entirely on your location. As mentioned earlier, 18 states have “blue laws” prohibiting car sales on Sundays, including Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, Maine, Minnesota, Missouri, Oklahoma, New Jersey, North Dakota, and Pennsylvania. In the remaining states, it varies by dealership, with many choosing limited Sunday hours (typically 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM) or remaining closed entirely.
Interestingly, a 2023 consumer survey by AutoTrader found that 72% of car shoppers would prefer dealers to be open on Sundays, even if it meant closing on another day of the week. The disconnect between consumer preference and actual practice highlights the strong influence of tradition in this industry. When planning weekend car shopping, always verify Sunday hours specifically—they’re the most likely to differ from the rest of the week.
Do car dealerships close early on holidays?
Yes, most do. The day before a major holiday typically sees dealerships closing 3-4 hours earlier than their standard time. According to the National Automobile Dealers Association, Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve are the most common early-closure days, with 94% of dealerships shutting down by 3:00 PM.
Lesser holidays like Presidents’ Day and Veterans Day actually tend to see extended hours at many dealerships due to promotional sales events. Have you noticed how many car commercials air during these holidays? Those special sales events often come with special hours to match!
Can I schedule service when the dealership is closed?
Absolutely! Most dealership service departments now offer 24/7 online scheduling systems. According to a 2024 Fixed Ops Journal study, 78% of service appointments are now booked outside of regular business hours, with Sunday evenings being the most popular time to schedule.
Many dealerships have also installed secure key drop boxes with accompanying forms so you can drop your vehicle off before the service department opens. Some luxury brands go even further—BMW, Mercedes, and Lexus dealerships typically offer after-hours concierge services that can pick up your vehicle and leave you a loaner, all while you sleep!
Are sales and service departments open the same hours?
Not usually. As we discussed earlier, service departments typically open earlier (around 7:00 AM) to accommodate customers dropping off vehicles before work, but they also close earlier (usually by 5:00 or 6:00 PM). Sales departments generally open later (around 9:00 AM) but remain open later into the evening (often until 8:00 or 9:00 PM).
This discrepancy catches many customers by surprise. A survey by DealerRater found that 23% of customers have arrived at a dealership with one department open and the other closed. Always verify the hours for the specific department you need to visit. Are car dealerships open entirely, or just partially? The answer can vary throughout the day.
Conclusion
Understanding when car dealerships are open—and how to make the most of both their open and closed hours—can transform your car buying or servicing experience from frustrating to fantastic. As we’ve seen, dealership hours vary significantly based on location, day of the week, holidays, and even department.
The good news? The automotive retail industry is evolving rapidly to accommodate customer preferences for convenience and flexibility. Between expanded digital tools, online scheduling options, and strategic planning for in-person visits, you have more control than ever over your dealership experience.
Remember these key takeaways:
- Verify hours before visiting, especially for Sundays and holidays
- Consider weekday mornings for the most personalized attention
- Make appointments when possible to save time
- Bring all necessary documentation to avoid delays
- Use online tools when dealerships are closed
- Be aware of the difference between sales and service department hours
Planning ahead for your dealership visit isn’t just about knowing when they’re open—it’s about optimizing your entire experience. Whether you’re buying your dream car or just getting an oil change, a little preparation goes a long way.
Additional Resources
For more information about optimizing your car buying experience, check out these valuable resources:
- Kelley Blue Book’s Car Buyer’s Guide
- Consumer Reports’ Dealership Ratings
- NADA’s Consumer Education Center
- Your local dealership’s mobile app (if available)
- JD Power’s Customer Service Index studies
The next time you find yourself wondering “Are car dealerships open today?”—you’ll have all the tools and knowledge to answer that question and many more. Happy car shopping!
