While embarking on a journey to a vacation hot spot can be a relaxing remedy for a busy work week, driving to get there can be daunting. Luckily, there are rest stops along the way to give you a brief break from your travels.
What is a Roadside Rest Stop?
Rest stops are areas on the side of the road that allow weary travels to rest. Many rest stops provide amenities such as vending machines, clean bathrooms, pet areas, playgrounds, picnic tables, recycling areas, visitor information; tourist attractions and events (carnivals, circuses, etc.) maps, and more.
What to Expect at a Rest Stop
When pulling into a rest stop, you can expect ample parking. Each rest stop varies, but most provide a place to park, lush, green grounds to walk around on or at least an open space to stretch.
If you’re traveling during summer months or the holidays, you can expect the rest stop to be busy or occupied.
You can expect easy access to a rest stop. Most roadside rest stops are located just off the expressway or motorway without traveling too far from the highway.
Where Can I Find Rest Stops?
You can find a rest stop by looking for a sign on the side of the highway. These big, blue signs typically say “Rest Area – 1 Mile Ahead”.
To locate rest stops prior to venturing off to your vacation destination, you can access the state Department of Transportation website you’re traveling to and easily find rest stops. Each state’s website varies, but most provided information on where you can find rest stops. Some sites even provide a map for your locating convenience.
Another great way to find a roadside rest stop is by visiting a website created to locate rest stops in your area or downloading an app specifically designed to find rest areas.
Choosing the Right Rest Stop
Choosing the right rest stop is essential. It’s important to know the rest stop risks you’ll be taking if you stop at a particular rest stop. Sometimes, rest stops are located in areas that are not recommended for travelers who are foreign to the area. It’s important to do your research and choose the right rest stop for you.
There are more than 2,000 rest areas and over 5,000 private travel plazas and truck stops across the United States, so your chances of finding a safe one are high. Each rest stop is owned by a state’s Department of Transportation. These rest stops tend to be safer than a truck stop. You can find information about state-owned rest stops on each state’s DOT website.
Author Bio
Thomas Bouve has had an intensive IT career in innovative transportation projects and now works at Rest Stops Ahead. During a 4-year tour of duty in the Navy, LCDR Bouve received critical computer training which he directly applied to various logistics programs. After his military service, Tom was appointed Chief, Research and Analysis Division within the U.S. Department of Transportation.
