A method is provided for determining a vehicle path for autonomously parallel parking a vehicle in a space between a first object and a second object. A distance is remotely sensed between the first object and the second object. A determination is made whether the distance is sufficient to parallel park the vehicle between. A first position to initiate a parallel parking maneuver is determined. A second position within the available parking space corresponding to an end position of the vehicle path is determined. A first arc shaped trajectory of travel is determined between the first position and an intermediate position, and a second arc shaped trajectory of travel is determined between the second position and the intermediate position. The first arc shaped trajectory is complementary to the second arc shaped trajectory for forming a clothoid which provides a smoothed rearward steering maneuver between the first position to the second position.