South Dakota Rest Area Study

[M86]

http://www.sddot.com/transportation/highways/planning/specialstudies/docs/InterstateRestAreaInvestmentStudyFINALReportSeptember2014.pdf

They didn't include all of them... but the study is interesting.  Are Rest Areas going to become extinct?

Fixed link. -Z

[SD Mapman]

Well, with towns with truck stops every hour or so, why do you need rest areas? It'd probably help the state if they pout a convenience store at each of them... as of now the only worthwhile one is Chamberlain, and that only during tourist season.

[Brandon]

Well, with towns with truck stops every hour or so, why do you need rest areas? It'd probably help the state if they pout a convenience store at each of them... as of now the only worthwhile one is Chamberlain, and that only during tourist season.

Why would I want to get off the freeway and stop at a dirty, highly trafficked truck stop where I can easily get into an accident that will leave my car in tatters?  Give me a public rest area any day of the week.

[SD Mapman]

Well, with towns with truck stops every hour or so, why do you need rest areas? It'd probably help the state if they pout a convenience store at each of them... as of now the only worthwhile one is Chamberlain, and that only during tourist season.

Why would I want to get off the freeway and stop at a dirty, highly trafficked truck stop where I can easily get into an accident that will leave my car in tatters?  Give me a public rest area any day of the week.

Hey, our truck stops are nice. (Especially the Flying J's) I will say, though, the Badlands Travel Stop at Exit 152 is pretty sketchy.

[M86]

Well, with towns with truck stops every hour or so, why do you need rest areas? It'd probably help the state if they pout a convenience store at each of them... as of now the only worthwhile one is Chamberlain, and that only during tourist season.

Truck stops every hour or so?  Have you driven I-29 and I-90 in SD?   The Rest Areas are wanted.  I just can't say any more.

[rarnold]

I remember heading across I-90 back in the 1990's, and their weren't a lot of services. Plus, the rest areas provide places for people to get off the highway that aren't on/off ramps, especially in inclement weather situations. I'm not a proponent of building new rest areas, but refurbishing existing rest areas. Iowa is doing a lot of this, for example.

[SD Mapman]

Truck stops every hour or so?  Have you driven I-29 and I-90 in SD?   The Rest Areas are wanted.  I just can't say any more.

Spearfish, Rapid, Wall, Kadoka, Murdo, Chamberlain, Mitchell, and Sioux Falls are all good stopping towns. I don't think I've ever stopped at a rest area when I drive across the state.

[M86]

Truck stops every hour or so?  Have you driven I-29 and I-90 in SD?   The Rest Areas are wanted.  I just can't say any more.

Spearfish, Rapid, Wall, Kadoka, Murdo, Chamberlain, Mitchell, and Sioux Falls are all good stopping towns. I don't think I've ever stopped at a rest area when I drive across the state.

Well, you live in SD, and I used to, and I stopped at Rest Areas often.  For truckers, a Rest Area is ideal... A good place to rest.  Some of the towns that you list don't have true "Truck Stops".   I've driven across the state many times, both north and south, and I'd rather stop at a rest area than venturing into some towns.  I-29 between Brookings and the ND border is barren, except for Watertown and Summit.  These are long stretches.