The invention relates to a method for the optimized use of a parking area. Each vehicle that should be parked in the parking area is assigned a parking space, wherein the vehicles head toward the respective assigned parking spaces, in particular autonomously. Furthermore, vehicles can perform a change of parking space in order to enable improved use of the available parking area or faster availability of the vehicle, whereby optimized use of the parking area is achieved overall. According to the invention, an available range of the vehicles is first determined, and the assignment of the parking space and/or a possible change of parking space is made dependent on the available range of the individual vehicles. The available range of a vehicle is described in particular by means of a remaining fuel amount or a state of charge of the vehicle.