Since humans are creatures of habit. We all generally tend to stop at the same places on our trips.
From KC to Delaware. I always stopped in Effingham IL, Richmond IN, Wheeling WV and yes that dang Breezewood.
From Louisville to Delaware. I stop in Charleston WV, Morgantown WV and just over the Bay Bridge.
Since I have a fear of flight. I always drive long trips. In the Navy I had to take the flights to get to ships. Now I have a choice and choose the drives.
Kids live in Delaware with the _______.
From North Carolina to West Monroe, LA, I usually tried to stop in North Augusta, SC, Douglasville, GA (if I was going to stop for the night), and Tuscaloosa, AL. I would also try to briefly stop in every state welcome center along the way.
We tend to make the same couple of long-distance trips every year, and I always plan stops ahead of time to yield roughly equal segments of drive time. What this means is that we very frequently stop in exactly the same places for at least most of the stops.
Wichita to/from the Twin Cities (a): Ottawa (KS), Cameron (MO), Johnston/Ankeny (IA), Clear Lake (IA).
Wichita to/from the Twin Cities (b): Gardner (KS), Bethany (MO), Ames (IA), Albert Lea (MN).
Wichita to Parras, México: Okla. City (OK), Gainesville (TX), Bellmead/Waco (TX), Selma (TX), Motel in Pearsall (TX), the border (duh), Escobedo/Monterrey (NL).
Parras to Wichita: As far as we can get before a coffee drinker has to go pee (Coah/NL), Sabinas Hgo. service area (NL), the border (duh), Lytle (TX), Red Lobster in San Marcos (TX) and motel nearby (trying Kyle, TX, next year), West (TX), Gainesville (TX), Okla. City (OK).
For trips of 300 miles or less, we just pick somewhere near the midpoint or do it all in one shot. For example, driving from Wichita to Branson, we might stop in Parsons or near Pittsburg, or we might just drive the whole way without stopping (except for maybe a pee or diaper changing stop).
Salinas to LA: A stop at Lost Hills on I-5 at 46 to get gas.
Salinas to Phoenix: Lost Hills, a stop somewhere between the Grapevine and I-10 (along I-210), and stop in Blythe along I-10.
The stop sign two blocks from home.
Quote from: NE2 on December 08, 2012, 03:43:59 PM
The stop sign two blocks from home.
I often just do a slow roll through the stop sign two blocks from my house.
San Jose to Las Vegas...
* I-5 and CA-46 near Lost Hills for breakfast
* Barstow Station (I-15 and Main Street) for a snack and bathroom break
San Jose to Reno...
* Ikeda's (near I-80 and Forresthill Rd)
If I take US 460 to Hampton Roads, I stop at one of the gas stations just west of the Suffolk bypass.
It's been awhile since I've been to Atlanta, but when I'm there I always stop at the Varsity.
If I go straight down I-95 to Florida nowadays I stop in Florence for lunch and gas. That's getting close to the car's range limit as it is–furthest I've ever made it in this car is 455 miles and I like to stop when I have a selection of gas stations lest I get stuck with no premium gas. Going north to Montreal I always stop at the same Sunoco just off the Northway near Albany for the same reason. (I forget the exit number but would know if I looked at a map).
When I was a kid we usually stopped at the Town and Country Diner in Bordentown, NJ, en route to or from Brooklyn (we'd take I-295 to US-130 to the diner, then connect to I-195 to the Turnpike; reverse that going south.....at the time my father didnt know how easy it is/was to get to Exit 7 on the Turnpike from Bordentown).
Quoteand yes that dang Breezewood.
Which means you are contributing to the problem.
When I was stationed in DC, I would often stop at the Sheetz in Haymarket on my westward trips. My Vermont trips usually involved gas stops at the Rutters on North Hills St in York, PA and an Irving station right off I-91 in Springfield, VT (could usually make it between the two on one tank of gas). After getting an iPad and the Gas Buddy app, these stops became less often (but did not end entirely).
Now that I'm in Norfolk, I haven't had time or opportunity to create a new set of places I'll always stop, save perhaps the Wawa right off I-495/US 13 in Wilmington, DE.
On the several occasions I've driven through Nebraska on I-80, if I arrived in Omaha in late afternoon or early evening, I stopped there for a steak dinner (different restaurant each time). My usual summer road trip attire is T-shirts, shorts, and flip-flops, but I change into something dressier for those restaurants, which I rarely do on any other occasion.
Heading out of the DC area toward westbound I-70, I usually stop at the scenic view on I-270 just south of Frederick. Easy-off, easy-on rest area (no facilities, but I usually don't need them so soon after leaving home), a good place to mount the radar detector I'm not allowed to use in Virginia.
San Jose to Vancouver:
- Anderson, CA (CA-273)
- Cottage Grove, OR
Seattle to Vancouver:
Davenport to/from Peoria, IL: If at all, Knoxville is a good halfway point.
Davenport to Lansing, MI: Usually the rest area before Joliet, the Pilot in Burns Harbor, IN, and the rest area in Battle Creek.
Lansing back to Davenport: Indiana welcome center, food somewhere near Joliet.
Quote from: Sanctimoniously on December 08, 2012, 12:41:14 PM
From North Carolina to West Monroe, LA, I usually tried to stop in North Augusta, SC, Douglasville, GA (if I was going to stop for the night), and Tuscaloosa, AL. I would also try to briefly stop in every state welcome center along the way.
What on earth is there in West Monroe? Just kidding...
From Monroe to Baton Rouge, I ALWAYS stop at Johnny's Pizza in Winnsboro, and McDonald's in Natchez.
Alexandria to Baton Rouge consists of stopping at Race Trac in Opelousas (HUGE selection of foods and sodas) and the McDonald's where La 415 meets I-10.
Lafayette to New Orleans has me stopping in Patterson for Sonic, and fuel in Houma, without fail.
I make frequent trips from Lincoln, NE to the Springfield, MO area to visit family. When I go, I nearly always stop either in St. Joseph or Platte City, MO for gas and food.
Whenever I drive the interstate between here in the Omaha area and NE Illinois (I don't think Chicagoland should include DeKalb County, home of various people I know), the one sure place I stop at, assuming I stick to the interstate the whole time, is the Iowa 80 truck stop. Other than that, the only sure thing I do is stop at a rest area to pick up an official state map. Of course, I don't always stick to the interstate, especially if it's back to Omaha.
Going up to various SW Minnesota relatives, it's always Sioux City.
As for gas, my car tells me when it's running low, so it's always the next exit with a gas station. As for eating, it's usually Subway unless it's somewhere with Jimmy Johns. I typically avoid fastfood hamburger joints. No one makes good hamburgers.
QuoteI typically avoid fastfood hamburger joints. No one makes good hamburgers.
Five Guys hasn't infiltrated that far west yet?
From Columbus to Coldwater, MI, Ed and I always stop in Fort Wayne at the Fazoli's (Stellhorn & Maplecrest), because it's the last one we go by of that chain which we enjoy.
When I'm in Cincinnati for work, if I'm hungry and heading back towards Columbus, I stop at the Arby's on Montgomery Rd near Silverton because they have an affordable 9-piece mozzarella sticks which I've found nowhere else.
I frequently make trips from home in Petersburg, MI to Parkersburg, WV. I make stops in Upper Sandusky, OH and Nelsonville, OH, because we carry 3 kids with us. If their bladders are really bad, we also have to stop in the Delaware/Columbus area, much to my disdain, being a native of Ann Arbor. :-D
Quote from: ShawnP on December 08, 2012, 12:29:59 PM
Kids live in Delaware with the _______.
Screen door factory?
Quote from: mcdonaat on December 08, 2012, 10:22:21 PM
What on earth is there in West Monroe?
My hometown.
And Johnny's Pizza.
I haven't done the trip more than two or three times, but my stepmom's family is from Oklahoma so I've gone along on trips with her and my dad. From Williams, AZ we usually stop somewhere around Gallup/Grants, Albequerque, the fireworks factory east of Albequerque, Tucumcari, Amarillo, and OKC. In terms of specific places, every single time I've gone I have mandated a stop in Amarillo at Braum's. It is sooooo tasty! The burger and fries are good on their own, but their shakes/malts are a must buy!
Quote from: froggie on December 08, 2012, 07:24:14 PM
Quoteand yes that dang Breezewood.
Which means you are contributing to the problem.
Absolutely correct.
Businesses at Breezewood and its evil and corrupt Pennsylvania Turnpike brethren (Somerset, Bedford, Carlisle, Pocono, Wyoming Valley) should be boycotted by all patrons of the Turnpike.
Headed south from Maryland on I-95, I have always liked the Waffle House in Selma, North Carolina (Exit 97) - located on Industrial Drive (good street name for a Waffle House) south of U.S. 70.
Further south, I like to buy fuel for my truck at the Sam's Club on Dawn Drive in Lumberton, N.C. (Exit 22).
Quote from: cpzilliacus on December 09, 2012, 03:24:47 PM
Businesses at Breezewood and its evil and corrupt Pennsylvania Turnpike brethren (Somerset, Bedford, Carlisle, Pocono, Wyoming Valley) should be boycotted by all patrons of the Turnpike.
If for no other reason than that gas prices are generally inflated in such locales thanks to having a captive audience.
Quote from: froggie on December 09, 2012, 08:27:29 AM
Five Guys hasn't infiltrated that far west yet?
Five Guys has made its way to California. I know of two locations. One in Sunnyvale, CA (El Camino and Sunnyvale Ave - near the haunted Toys R Us) and one in Fremont, CA (Auto Mall and I-880). Burgers are pretty good but their fries are little on the dark side.
Edit to correct spelling error... "they're" vs "their"... ugh! :banghead:
Quote from: myosh_tino on December 09, 2012, 07:49:08 PM
Quote from: froggie on December 09, 2012, 08:27:29 AM
Five Guys hasn't infiltrated that far west yet?
Five Guys has made its way to California. I know of two locations. One in Sunnyvale, CA (El Camino and Sunnyvale Ave - near the haunted Toys R Us) and one in Fremont, CA (Auto Mall and I-880). Burgers are pretty good but they're fries are little on the dark side.
But In-N-Out® (http://www.in-n-out.com/) has not made its way to the Atlantic Coast.
Quote from: cpzilliacus on December 09, 2012, 03:24:47 PM
Quote from: froggie on December 08, 2012, 07:24:14 PM
Quoteand yes that dang Breezewood.
Which means you are contributing to the problem.
Absolutely correct.
Businesses at Breezewood and its evil and corrupt Pennsylvania Turnpike brethren (Somerset, Bedford, Carlisle, Pocono, Wyoming Valley) should be boycotted by all patrons of the Turnpike.
I boycott the Turnpike itself when traveling to Buffalo NY, which involves MD I-70 to PA I-99. Take US-30 between Breezewood and Bedford, actually it's a decent 4-lane highway and timewise things are about equal. Also, unlike the Turnpike, US-30 connects directly to US-220/I-99.
Quote from: Beltway on December 09, 2012, 08:45:01 PM
I boycott the Turnpike itself when traveling to Buffalo NY, which involves MD I-70 to PA I-99. Take US-30 between Breezewood and Bedford, actually it's a decent 4-lane highway and timewise things are about equal. Also, unlike the Turnpike, US-30 connects directly to US-220/I-99.
I have never done that (I've always had a destination much further west than Bedford), though some folks have insisted that U.S. 30 is not that much slower than the E-W mainline of the Turnpike from Breezewood to Pittsburgh.
Your point about U.S. 30 connecting directly to the U.S. 220 is correct.
Quote from: cpzilliacus on December 09, 2012, 09:49:44 PM
Quote from: Beltway on December 09, 2012, 08:45:01 PM
I boycott the Turnpike itself when traveling to Buffalo NY, which involves MD I-70 to PA I-99. Take US-30 between Breezewood and Bedford, actually it's a decent 4-lane highway and timewise things are about equal. Also, unlike the Turnpike, US-30 connects directly to US-220/I-99.
I have never done that (I've always had a destination much further west than Bedford), though some folks have insisted that U.S. 30 is not that much slower than the E-W mainline of the Turnpike from Breezewood to Pittsburgh.
Your point about U.S. 30 connecting directly to the U.S. 220 is correct.
This is interesting, since I seem to recall hearing somewhere that the parts of 30 in central/western PA that closely parallel the turnpike have low speed limits and lots of cops in order to discourage shunpiking. Is that not true?
Quote from: Duke87 on December 09, 2012, 09:57:12 PM
Quote from: cpzilliacus on December 09, 2012, 09:49:44 PM
Quote from: Beltway on December 09, 2012, 08:45:01 PM
I boycott the Turnpike itself when traveling to Buffalo NY, which involves MD I-70 to PA I-99. Take US-30 between Breezewood and Bedford, actually it's a decent 4-lane highway and timewise things are about equal. Also, unlike the Turnpike, US-30 connects directly to US-220/I-99.
I have never done that (I've always had a destination much further west than Bedford), though some folks have insisted that U.S. 30 is not that much slower than the E-W mainline of the Turnpike from Breezewood to Pittsburgh.
Your point about U.S. 30 connecting directly to the U.S. 220 is correct.
This is interesting, since I seem to recall hearing somewhere that the parts of 30 in central/western PA that closely parallel the turnpike have low speed limits and lots of cops in order to discourage shunpiking. Is that not true?
But does the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission fund the local cops in order to do the discouraging? I was not able to glean anything from PTC Budget that would indicate that it funds such activities. There is obviously a large line item for Pennsylvania State Police, but that money is presumably not to fund anti-shunpiking activities.
Having traveled all of US 30 in PA, the only segment of it I will ever travel again for any length is starting with where it meets I-376 and heading west. I have had enough bad experiences being stuck on the rest of it behind all manner of slow moving vehicles that I have foresworn it as a corridor of any use.
Quote from: Duke87 on December 09, 2012, 09:57:12 PM
Quote from: cpzilliacus on December 09, 2012, 09:49:44 PM
Quote from: Beltway on December 09, 2012, 08:45:01 PM
I boycott the Turnpike itself when traveling to Buffalo NY, which involves MD I-70 to PA I-99. Take US-30 between Breezewood and Bedford, actually it's a decent 4-lane highway and timewise things are about equal. Also, unlike the Turnpike, US-30 connects directly to US-220/I-99.
I have never done that (I've always had a destination much further west than Bedford), though some folks have insisted that U.S. 30 is not that much slower than the E-W mainline of the Turnpike from Breezewood to Pittsburgh.
Your point about U.S. 30 connecting directly to the U.S. 220 is correct.
This is interesting, since I seem to recall hearing somewhere that the parts of 30 in central/western PA that closely parallel the turnpike have low speed limits and lots of cops in order to discourage shunpiking. Is that not true?
That section between Breezewood and Bedford, has 45 to 55 mph speed limits, and I don't recall seeing a cop in at least 20 usages of that section.
Quote from: pianocello on December 08, 2012, 10:02:13 PM
Davenport to/from Peoria, IL: If at all, Knoxville is a good halfway point.
Davenport to Lansing, MI: Usually the rest area before Joliet, the Pilot in Burns Harbor, IN, and the rest area in Battle Creek.
Lansing back to Davenport: Indiana welcome center, food somewhere near Joliet.
I also used to always stop at that Pilot whenever I'd drive from the Detroit area to Chicago.
Heading down south, I always make a stop at the High Peaks rest area, and usually at least one of the parking area's along the Northway. If I continue down on the Thruway, I usually stop at the New Baltimore service area; if I take the Taconic Parkway, one of the parking areas.
Heading out west, the Bainsville service area and tourist information centre is a very frequent one.
Heading out east, I often grab a poutine at Fromagerie Lemaire on A-20 near Drummondville.
Going up north, it's the Porte du Nord service area on A-15, either for a breakfast or for a lunch at their McDonald's.
Another frequent stop for me is exit 55 on A-10, they've got a bunch of decent restaurants there, and gas too. And old sings to boot.
I often stop in Cicero, NY for the cheap gas. Many road trips in north/central NY also involve a stop at Jreck subs for lunch. And for some reason, I've stopped at the McDonalds in Lowville every time I've been in that town.
In the past, the Warners service area of the Thruway was a frequent stop.
Quote from: froggie on December 08, 2012, 07:24:14 PM
Quoteand yes that dang Breezewood.
Which means you are contributing to the problem.
Haha yes.
Pittsburgh to DC (and vice versa) is the only route I drive frequently enough to have "places I always stop." I've reached the point where I almost exclusively take U.S. 219/I-68 between Pittsburgh and DC, if only to avoid that outpost of hell in central Pennsylvania called Breezewood. It also saves a few bucks on the Turnpike, and there are lots of neat places to stop along the way. I try to switch it up, but my favorites/most repeat visits are the Ice Cream Station in Berlin, PA, El Canelo in Frostburg, and Bulls & Bears or the Rhubarb House in Hagerstown.
Going further east via the Turnpike, I like to stop in Carlisle for food that's better than the Turnpike rest stop fast food chains.
Chapel Hill NC to Augusta GA: The Fazoli's in Columbia SC. We don't have Fazoli's in either the Triangle or Augusta anymore.
Every welcome center to get the latest state highway map.
Quote from: cpzilliacus on December 09, 2012, 09:49:44 PM
I have never done that (I've always had a destination much further west than Bedford), though some folks have insisted that U.S. 30 is not that much slower than the E-W mainline of the Turnpike from Breezewood to Pittsburgh.
The friends I rode to Chincoteage, VA with (from Pittsburgh) this past summer opted to take US-30 (though using the TPK to Irwin first) to Breezewood. Not sure if avoiding tolls was the primary motivating factor or not. I know the ladyfriend (I was with an engaged couple) drove the first shift to Breezewood, and talked about how she hated the Turnpike. The trip home was just a reverse route, using US-30 again.
It wasn't too bad for most of the trip heading to the beach. It was pretty early ( ~7:00am) when we were in Irwin, so we got a lot of green lights. Though we did end up following some slow-pokes west of Bedford.
Coming home was a bit different. It was about late afternoon on Saturday, more traffic, more "reds", and it took a good bit longer.
I wasn't in a hurry, so I didn't mind checking out some stretches roads I hadn't been on in years. But if I were driving, I doubt I'd do that again, and just shell out for tolls and just take the Turnpike. Though I sometimes take PA-51/US-40/I-68 (would probably start adding Tpk-43 into that now that it's done from the South Hills to Uniontown) when heading in that direction (Baltimore/DC/Eastern Shore).
As per the topic. Growing up I can say a stop @ McDonald's in Breezewood on the way to Ocean City was a tradition for quite a few years.
Also, some friends and I had a good 7 year run of trips down to Louisville for Lebowskifests, and part of that tradition was stopping at the USA Steak Buffet in Cambridge, OH for dinner on the way down.
Quote from: Mr_Northside on December 10, 2012, 06:29:22 PM
Also, some friends and I had a good 7 year run of trips down to Louisville for Lebowskifests, and part of that tradition was stopping at the USA Steak Buffet in Cambridge, OH for dinner on the way down.
Respect for the Lebowskifest road trips. :)
Between Milwaukee and the Northwoods, I usually stop at the Fleet Farm in Stevens Point. It's about half way and there's tons of 'guy shit' to look at while you stretch your legs. Half the time I need live bait anyway, so might as well have a pit stop at the "Man's Mall". Plus you get 4 cents a gallon off with a purchase and free popcorn with a fill up.
Between Milwaukee and Madison, it's Johnson Creek every time. Pine Cone Travel Center has the best heat lamp grill in the state. And they've got some great bakery items. I can't resist getting a cow cookie. Or a Brewers/Badgers/Packers cookie. And talk about EZ In, EZ Out for westbound travelers! (There's a RIRO driveway on the split-diamond connector road.) Hell I stop there when I don't need anything.
When I was a kid, living in Muncie, IN, we were always heading up to Lake Erie on vacation or to Cleveland to visit relatives. We often stopped at Wilson's in Findlay for hamburgs and frosted malts. When we didn't stop, I was known to throw a fit.
When my daughter went to grad school at the U. of Findlay years later, I had to take her and her roommates to Wilson's. It brought back great memories, and the girls said that food was great. I suspect they were just being polite.
When I drive from Phoenix to Los Angeles, I always stop in Quartzsite, Arizona to fill up the tank before crossing into California with its more expensive gas.
on a typical San Diego to San Francisco run, I find myself hitting the 76 gas station at the Patterson Pass exit off I-580 at least once per trip, if not twice.
heading to Phoenix, I get gas in Yuma at the Chevron immediately off the US-95 southbound exit.
If taking the kid(s) to Disney World, we usually stop somewhere (McDonald's/Burger King) on FL 70 between the Turnpike and I-95. Gas is also cheaper than back home or on the Turnpike rest areas, so if we started with a half-tank of fuel, we'll fill up at one of the 5-6 gas stations along that route. Typically, we hit the Three Lakes Plaza on the Turnpike for a break if nobody needed anything on that mile-long stretch of 70.
I seem to wind up quite a bit at that Chevron at FL 84 and CR 951, at the western end of Alligator Alley. There's only one gas station along that 86 mile route.
Quick Trip just south of the airport in Atlanta, on GA 139. Huge convenience store and gas station for refilling the rental car.
The Wawa off Exit 6A (US 130) of the NJ Turnpike PA Turnpike Extension is a common stop for my father and I when we do SEPTA station photography trips.
Any trip into Northeastern PA and central PA usually requires an obligatory Sheetz stop.
Quote from: froggie on December 09, 2012, 08:27:29 AM
QuoteI typically avoid fastfood hamburger joints. No one makes good hamburgers.
Five Guys hasn't infiltrated that far west yet?
Actually, Five Guys is here in the Omaha area, and more specifically here in Papillion, they have one, but I've never taken the time to go there. I'll have to check it out.
Actually, I can't say no one make good hamburgers in the fast food realm. Here in the Omaha area (but only in the Omaha area), I like Don and Millie's, but I'm not sure even Lincoln has one of them.
Quote from: DandyDan on December 09, 2012, 04:01:36 AM
Whenever I drive the interstate between here in the Omaha area and NE Illinois, the one sure place I stop at is the Iowa 80 truck stop.
Funny, I was just about to ask if anyone always stopped there, and then I read your post. Cheers!
-When going between Albany, NY and home, there is a small restaurant along NY 199 east of Rhinebeck called the "Fork in the Road." It's just off the Taconic State Parkway, so we stop here from time to time when heading home.
-The TravelCenters of America off I-84 exit 71 near Willington, CT is one stop we make occasionally when heading up New England way.
-Heading up to Maine, the New Hampshire Liquor Store along I-95 in Hampton is a place my parents like to stop to get cheap liquor for the upcoming vacation. When heading to Lake Winnipesaukee, the liquore store along I-93 in Hooksett is another store we like to stop.
West: In and Out Burger
NE: White Castle
A lot of you travelers are always stopping at the Flying J off Exit 2C of I-295 in NJ, as it's the last easy-off, easy-on gas station before leaving NJ. Gas typically is more expensive in Delaware, Maryland and Virginia, so people like to fill up here. In order to avoid the gas lines, I generally hit up the RV lanes and just fill it up myself. (Interestingly at this station, there are no 'Full Serve' signs whatsoever, and they generally are very willing to let people pump their own gas.)
I just took a trip without stopping at any of the places I frequent on trips to the northeast. No stop at the Sheetz at Milton, WV or Weston, WV.
I did stop at the Speedway at Grayson, Ky. on the way home. It's usually a good place to get gas and stop for the facilities on my way home from a northeast trip if I opt to use KY 7 south from I-64 instead of US 23.
Quote from: cpzilliacus on December 09, 2012, 03:24:47 PM
Quote from: froggie on December 08, 2012, 07:24:14 PM
Quoteand yes that dang Breezewood.
Which means you are contributing to the problem.
Absolutely correct.
Businesses at Breezewood and its evil and corrupt Pennsylvania Turnpike brethren (Somerset, Bedford, Carlisle, Pocono, Wyoming Valley) should be boycotted by all patrons of the Turnpike.
Breezewood's only convenient if you are traveling on I-70. It's not convenient at all for straight-through traffic on I-76.
Bedford's handy for I-99-to-Turnpike connections, with the Sheetz there.
Quote
Various comments about US 30 in Pennsylvania
On my recent trip, I drove north from the Cumberland, Md. area on MD 36/MD 35/PA 96. This runs into PA 31 and then eventually US 30. I opted for US 30 east from the Bedford area to Breezewood, then I took the Turnpike eastward (no stop in Breezewood). This section of US 30 was four lanes and not terribly congested. There has been a lot of construction work done on US 30 to improve it between Bedford and Breezewood. So it was a viable alternative for me, plus it got me off the Turnpike for awhile.
My fiancee has family in Ohio, so on our trips back to PA, we tend to stop at the Quaker Steak and Lube right off I-70 in that Cabella's Megacomplex near Wheeling, WV. It's really the only chance I get to have it, since until they recently opened one in Brick, NJ, the nearest one was almost 2.5 hours away.
When we used to make our annual trip to Savannah, TN (my father's hometown) for the family reunion, we always make the same two stops. The first one was the Shell gas station in Greenwood, IN. We considered Indianapolis to be the first milestone in our 580-mile journey, so we chose a stop south of the city and stuck to it.
The second stop is the Shell in Bowling Green, KY. That's our break for gas and food, and the last stop before we hit our destination.
When I drove out on my own, I used a very gas-friendly vehicle, so I'd go to Bowling Green from Gary in one shot. Going home, I'd go to Greenwood from Savannah in one shot.
When headed from Baton Rouge to Monroe, I ALWAYS stop at the natural springs northwest of Sicily Island. I always bring a plastic crate with four empty milk jugs, to store the water. The same could be said going from Monroe to Bernice, along La 2.
Whataburger in Shreveport, on any trip to Texas.
Quote
On my recent trip, I drove north from the Cumberland, Md. area on MD 36/MD 35/PA 96. This runs into PA 31 and then eventually US 30. I opted for US 30 east from the Bedford area to Breezewood, then I took the Turnpike eastward (no stop in Breezewood). This section of US 30 was four lanes and not terribly congested. There has been a lot of construction work done on US 30 to improve it between Bedford and Breezewood. So it was a viable alternative for me, plus it got me off the Turnpike for awhile.
Speaking of PA 31, I'm from the Harrisburg area. Anytime going west I will use 76 to Breezewood, and then 30 to 31. You can get back on at Donegal, or if you're going to that blasted section of 70 west of New Stanton, follow 31 to 70. (I have used 30 from Gettysburg, York or Chambersburg to Breezewood, and do take it about 20% of the time)
From Breezewood, 30 is 55 and four lanes except for a 2-mile 45 zone leading up to the light with PA 326 (businesses on either side.) I have only seen a few police, they tend to hang out 2 miles west of Breezewood right after the Juniata river crossing WB.
31 is alot of 55, except in town Somerset and a few 40/45 zones here and there. 31 is also very pretty.
I've done the Cumberland-36-35-96 option which is nice and follows the CSX/Amtrak tracks. Depending on your direction of travel (like Harrisburg to Morgantown, got sick of 81) you can use 220 from Bedford to Cumberland as well. One big long 55 zone.
For places I always stop (from Harrisburg, PA):
North on US 15 to NY - Dandy Mart, Lawrenceville (literally feet before the NY border on former 15)
North on I-81: Sheetz, PA 309 BUS, Wilkes-Barre and/or Shell/Arby's, Exit 100, Pine Grove
Heading on I-78: Wawa, PA 100 @ Schantz Rd, Allentown (Fogelsville?)
Finger Lakes Area: Watkins Glen and also Dandy Mart, NY 414 @ Tichenor Rd, Hector
South on I-81: Sonic, US 50, Winchester and/or Sheetz, Exit 263 (I have to drive
all 0.39 miles of VA 292 each time.)
I-68: Pilot @ US 219/Exit 22, Maryland
I-76 Turnpike: Sideling Hill Plaza, MP 172, W and E bound
US 422 to Reading: Wawa, US 422, West Lawn
Towards Washington DC: Washingtonian Center, I-370 at I-270. (I always take the Red Line from Shady Grove into DC)
Anywhere involving Philly: Harrisburg Amtrak Station :D
I-88/I-39/Rochelle, IL: Rochelle Railroad Park
Chicago area: Chicago. Also Oak Brook Center.
When I visit my mom in Springfield, MO , I always stop at Breadsmith and bring home a couple loaves of bread (my dad got me addicted years ago). Also Hy-Vee for their gourmet cheese ;)
If I'm in southern Louisiana, I'm prowling the stores for Cajun Andouille (Savoie's seems to be the best).
I'm always looking for local beers at the liquor store no matter where I stop.
Oh, and the local pizza or bbq joints :)
-Heavener, OK, at the Finish Line gas station because they have excellent chicken strips
-Sallisaw, OK, because it's halfway between Tulsa and Mena
-The service plaza on the Muskogee Turnpike north (west) of Muskogee. They have really good frozen Cokes there
Whenever I'm headed south (i.e. out of state), Kelso WA always summons me off the freeway. Not always for the same reason though -- could be gas, could be fast food (at a variety of different restaurants), could be supplies at Safeway/Target... whatever it is, I almost always stop in at least one direction.
Smokey Point rest area, too, if I don't feel like holding my bladder for another hour.
Whenever going north of Los Angeles, I prefer the "half star jewel of the Grapevine", the Gorman Travelodge. From it's attached Sizzler to the adjacent Carl's Junior, the Travelodge have an ecclectic atmosphere that just makes me want to lie down in the parking lot and have some trace my outline in chalk. My first stay there was in 2003, and the lobby done up in an early 1960's El Cid look, with a sweeping staircase with every 3rd banninster upright being a halberd head, overdone oil paintings of conquistadors all over the place and courteous helpful management stuff all behind 4 inches of bulletproof glass. Enjoying guest amenities like the big screen TV with no batteries in the remote, blood red shag carpeting and large luxurious bathrooms with big old style bathtubs with all the fixtures missing their hot water handles, and balconies with decks you can put a foot through, the $45/night with the 10th night free is not to be missed.
When I was living in Greenwood, SC, whenever I headed home to Louisiana or was coming back, I always stopped at the QuikTrip on Riverside Parkway in Lawrenceville - just off Ga. 316 - to gas up and eat. I LOOOOOOOOVED that store. Then further along the trip, I either stopped in Meridian or Laurel.
Now, whenever I go to Jackson, Miss., if I go up LA 25/MS27/US98/I-55, I always stop in either McComb or Brookhaven to gas up or eat. In McComb, I usually eat at Golden Coral, while it's the Dairy Queen in Brookhaven. Coming home, I get food at the Krystal on Siwell Road off I-55 in Byram. If I was using LA 25/MS27/US98/MS35/US49, I stop at Hardee's in Columbia (and gas up too) or stop in Magee at KFC and hit the buffets.
During my internship, I usually stopped in Sayre, PA for gas while driving between Rochester, NY and Sidney, NY. The way NY 17 dips into PA is a very handy way to avoid paying the higher NY gas tax.
From SoCal to Vegas (or vice versa), I always stop at the Bun Boy in Baker.
From Denver to points west (usually Vegas or SoCal), I always stop at the rest area on I-70 at the San Rafael Swell, especially if it's close to sunset. Good picture taking.
I've moved from Denver to Portland and from Portland back to Denver, and both times, ended up at the Carl's Jr at the truck stop in Burley, ID (near the I-84/I-86 split). Also at the rest area near Meacham, OR at the top of the Blue Mtn Summit.
Back in my younger days, I had a (freeway legal) scooter that I would always take on road trips, and several times went from Orange County to the Round Table Pizza on Main St in Hesperia.
When driving to school in Macomb, IL, I would frequently stop in Rock Falls on I-88 due to their wide selection of fast food choices.
My wife and I will always make to stop at every state welcome center/rest area. So, we've hit just about every welcome center along I-95 from NJ down to FL, including the SC Welcome center just south of Lake Marion in SC, which is at the 100 mile marker. We always stop at the PA rest area on I-95, just south of the Scudders Falls Bridge, whenever we head out to Allentown, PA.
Manistee to Allendale and points south: If I stop, I usually stop at the gas station off Exit 154 on US-31 at Pentwater. It normally has the cheapest gas around and the convenience store is really nice.
Manistee to Cadillac and points east: If I stop, it's usually at the gas station at the corner of M-55 and M-37. It's also a nice station out in the middle of nowhere.
When I make my (mostly) annual trip west to Altoona (PA) for railfanning, my first stop is normally the rest area on I-84 in West Willington (CT) for a bathroom break, to get a large soda from the vending machine, and (if I don't already have one) for a current CT highway map.
Likewise, when I'm heading up to Maine to go browsing in antique shops, my first stop is normally the rest area on I-95 in Kittery for the same reasons - bathroom, soda, and (if I don't already have one) a current ME highway map.
As far as local places go, there's a diner in Palmer, MA (the name escapes me at the moment) that we always stop at when my friends and I are in the area railfanning.
For me, no Notre Dame weekend football road trip is complete without a meal at Perkins, on SR 933 just north of the Indiana Toll Road (Exit 77).
That Perkins was my favorite when for my daughter and her rommates, when they attended Saint Mary's. It was also the closest restaurant to campus--not a small thing.
Couple places come to mind for me...
When I was a kid, and my love for roads was in its infancy, my family would always stop at the Wendy's in Laurenburg, NC on the way to the beach (Winston-Salem-Sunset Beach). That Wendy's has since been torn down, but rebuilt across the street, located on 401/501 Business off of US 74 (what is now By-Pass and Future I-74).
Now that I live near Jacksonville NC, when I travel to and from Winston to visit family and friends I always enjoy the good gas prices and food at Sheetz at Exit 154 off of I-85/40 in Mebane, NC
Quote from: Kacie Jane on December 13, 2012, 08:02:52 PM
Whenever I'm headed south (i.e. out of state), Kelso WA always summons me off the freeway. Not always for the same reason though -- could be gas, could be fast food (at a variety of different restaurants), could be supplies at Safeway/Target... whatever it is, I almost always stop in at least one direction.
Last Burgerville on the way north to Seattle...or first one on the way south to Portland...
When traveling west, I seem to always hit the Sidling Hill Service area on the PA Turnpike. No specific reason other than it's just the right area for a bathroom break, gas and lunch/soda or whatever.
Heading south, I usually try to find one of the southern-most Wawas below Richmond, again for fuel or lunch.
Other than that, I don't usually have any specific stops, although I will try to hit up some of the national chains that aren't in my local area. Sonny's BBQ (my wife's favorite from her childhood), In-&-Out, Jack in the Box, etc. Sonic used to be on that list, but there are a few locations in NJ now (which, of course now that they are convenient, I rarely stop at).
A few for me (and my family):
Bell's Greek Pizza, East Lansing, MI (this might make a good roadgeek meet location for a Capital Area meet)
Rocky Rococo Pan Pizza when in Wisconsin (various locations, but most often by East Towne Mall, Madison)
Sweetwater's Donuts, Battle Creek, MI
Finley's in Michigan's Lower Peninsula (various locations - Kalamazoo, Lansing)
Quote from: Brandon on January 18, 2013, 10:54:54 AM
Bell's Greek Pizza, East Lansing, MI (this might make a good roadgeek meet location for a Capital Area meet)
+1
We moved from Nashville, Tennessee to Newark, Delaware in 1982, but made several trips back to Nashville in the next several years (usually for Christmas). We usually stopped at the Taste-Freez in Blacksburg, Virginia (then Exit 37 on I-81) and usually stopped for gas at the Strawberry Plains Pike exit on I-40 east of Knoxville - at first the Pilot station on the south side, and later the Amoco station on the north side.
We usually went west every other summer through 1982, and then again in 1988) and generally took the same routes, and stopped at the same places. I'll have to think about where exactly and come back to this thread.
When travelling from Dayton, OH to points east on I-70, the "I have to go to the bathroom"s seem to begin around Zanesville. Exit 160 seems to be the popular choice for a comfort stations. Formerly, the exit just said "Airport" (Zanesville Municipal), but now it reads "Airport Rd. Sonora Rd." There's a "Holidome" there which I think is now a Ramada, and once upon a time there was a Howard Johnson's restaurant.
One I just realized yesterday: Whenever I come back home via I-83 from Baltimore/southern PA (the route being 83-30-222-78 with slight variations), I always stop at the Rutter's between 83 and 30. I'll use yesterday as an example: it was 9 PM, perfect time for a late dinner and to pick up half a sandwich for the next day's lunch. Also, coincidentally, my gas gauge was nearing empty at the time, and it has about the cheapest gas that I'd seen in my travels (NC, VA, MD, NJ, PA, WV).
Quote from: 1995hoo on December 08, 2012, 06:36:53 PM
It's been awhile since I've been to Atlanta, but when I'm there I always stop at the Varsity.
If I go straight down I-95 to Florida nowadays I stop in Florence for lunch and gas. That's getting close to the car's range limit as it is–furthest I've ever made it in this car is 455 miles and I like to stop when I have a selection of gas stations lest I get stuck with no premium gas. Going north to Montreal I always stop at the same Sunoco just off the Northway near Albany for the same reason. (I forget the exit number but would know if I looked at a map).
When I was a kid we usually stopped at the Town and Country Diner in Bordentown, NJ, en route to or from Brooklyn (we'd take I-295 to US-130 to the diner, then connect to I-195 to the Turnpike; reverse that going south.....at the time my father didnt know how easy it is/was to get to Exit 7 on the Turnpike from Bordentown).
Yes, the Town and Country, on the east side of 130. What a great place to eat that used to be. It has been many years, but always was a great stop!
I'm becoming a huge fan of the many craft breweries that are popping up all over, and always try to make a stop at a new brewpub a priority when traveling.
Some recent stops/great beers I've happened upon in recent travels.
Bend, OR - Bought a house up there in the past year, and am in love with Deschutes and especially one called Ten Barrel Brewing.
Ashland, OR - Standing Stone Brewing Co.
Chico, CA - Sierra Nevada Brewery and Taproom
San Francisco - 21st Amendment Brewing
Closer to home, old Orange Brewing in Orange, CA is really awesome.
This summer, we're going to make a trek to Seattle to explore the San Juan Islands and take a ferry to Victoria, BC. If anybody knows a good brew stop in Washington state, I'm all ears!
PS - Don't drink (too much) and drive, kids.
Quote from: nwi_navigator_1181 on December 12, 2012, 02:42:08 PM
When we used to make our annual trip to Savannah, TN (my father's hometown) for the family reunion, we always make the same two stops. The first one was the Shell gas station in Greenwood, IN. We considered Indianapolis to be the first milestone in our 580-mile journey, so we chose a stop south of the city and stuck to it.
The second stop is the Shell in Bowling Green, KY. That's our break for gas and food, and the last stop before we hit our destination.
When I drove out on my own, I used a very gas-friendly vehicle, so I'd go to Bowling Green from Gary in one shot. Going home, I'd go to Greenwood from Savannah in one shot.
As someone who travels between Louisville and Indy a lot, I can tell you that gas is Seymour is generally 20+ cents cheaper than in Greenwood.
Quote from: OCGuy81 on March 12, 2013, 09:59:28 AM
This summer, we're going to make a trek to Seattle to explore the San Juan Islands and take a ferry to Victoria, BC. If anybody knows a good brew stop in Washington state, I'm all ears!
Well, I see you've discovered what the state of Oregon has to offer (no mention of Ninkasi???), and you'll find Washington to be much the same. Unfortunately, my knowledge is mainly north of Seattle, so I'll be of little help to you if you're stopping your trek at the ferry terminal. I know there's at least one or two good ones in Olympia, but I'm blanking on the names. In Seattle, Pyramid (in Sodo by the stadiums) would definitely be worth it, Hale's not so much.
If you do plan on trekking further north (and for ones that are a bit micro-er)...
- Diamond Knot in Mukilteo or Camano Island -- especially if you're an IPA fan, their Industrial is amazing
- Rockfish Grill/Anacortes Brewery -- the food is nearly as good as the beer
- The entire city of Bellingham. Boundary Bay is the oldest, most famous, and probably still the best -- although in danger of being passed by Kulshan -- but there's at least four, and you can't go wrong with any of them (although I've heard horror stories re: the service at Chuckanut's restaurant). Unfortunately, if you come during the summer, you'll miss out on Boundary's Cabin Fever, their winter ale.
Quote from: Kacie Jane on March 12, 2013, 02:31:36 PMBoundary Bay is the oldest, most famous, and probably still the best
for sure. I once drove to Seattle just to pick up a few cases of their Scotch Ale.
Quote from: OCGuy81 on March 12, 2013, 09:59:28 AM
I'm becoming a huge fan of the many craft breweries that are popping up all over, and always try to make a stop at a new brewpub a priority when traveling.
Some recent stops/great beers I've happened upon in recent travels.
Chico, CA - Sierra Nevada Brewery and Taproom
Truvelo likes that one! He was over visiting Arizona from England and we were together in Globe and he had a couple of bottles of that one. The Chico, Calif. caught my eye because my brother lives not far from there.
Quote from: hm insulators on March 12, 2013, 04:19:19 PM
Quote from: OCGuy81 on March 12, 2013, 09:59:28 AM
I'm becoming a huge fan of the many craft breweries that are popping up all over, and always try to make a stop at a new brewpub a priority when traveling.
Some recent stops/great beers I've happened upon in recent travels.
Chico, CA - Sierra Nevada Brewery and Taproom
Truvelo likes that one! He was over visiting Arizona from England and we were together in Globe and he had a couple of bottles of that one. The Chico, Calif. caught my eye because my brother lives not far from there.
here I thought Sierra Nevada was generally well-known. maybe it's just southwest distribution? I drink their Torpedo IPA pretty regularly.
I as well seek out microbreweries while on the road. I think the most out-of-the-way one I sampled was a place in Puerto Natales, Chile, who made a damn good American-style red ale.
Quote from: agentsteel53 on March 12, 2013, 04:31:54 PMhere I thought Sierra Nevada was generally well-known. maybe it's just southwest distribution? I drink their Torpedo IPA pretty regularly.
Definitely big in the northwest as well. According to Wikipedia,, Sierra Nevada Pale Ale is the second best-selling microbrew in the U.S. (Sam Adams Boston Lager is first.) So they can't be that small.
Sierra Nevada is very easy to find throughout the the U.S.
Wish the same could be said for Anderson Valley...
Quote(no mention of Ninkasi???)
Ninkasi is pretty good as well, but I still maintain that my favorite in Oregon, so far, is 10 Barrel. To be fair, I feel I've barely scratched the surface of Oregon brewpubs.
Thanks for all the suggestions on the Washington breweries, I look forward to trying some, and getting a growler or two.
Just found another one that I plan to visit in the near future. I have a cousin graduating from Linfield (McMinnville, OR) in May, and looked up one there called Golden Valley Brewing that is getting great reviews on its pale ale. Should be fun.
Cheers!
perhaps this should be shunted and moved to off-topic, as I love beer, but not here to talk about it.
Generally when I travel I don't have too many "regular" places I like to stop. I'm one of those people who likes to mix things up a bit and stop at different places when I'm taking the same trip again and again. However, I do have a couple of Michigan examples that come to mind:
1. When I was in my early teens and my parents took me from our Detroit-area home to Interlochen, Michigan (near Traverse City) for arts camp in the summer, we always stopped at one of the fast-food joints right off U.S. 10 in Clare. Plus, we always would stop at the Welcome Center along U.S. 127.
2. Over the last few years I've had several opportunities to drive to northern Michigan from Grand Rapids for some mini-vacations. It seems like I always end up stopping at the Gaylord exit off I-75 for food. In fact, just a few months ago when my significant other and I were heading up to Sault Ste. Marie for (and heading back home from) our New Year's trip, we stopped at Gaylord both times - for lunch on the way up and then again for lunch on the way back. Different restaurants of course.
There have been so many times over the past 10 years that I've driven across the Lower Peninsula on I-96 and have stopped in places like Portland, Lansing, Fowlerville, and other cities, but I usually like to pick different restaurants.
Even though it was a few miles off my I-70 route, I seldom missed a chance to eat at Russell's Restaurant in Salina, KS (I-135/Crawford exit.) I haven't been there in several years, but everything used to be extraordinary. The prices were good, and they had a full blown bakery attached to it. Worth the trip, although, it may not be what it once was, as so many places have declined...
Quote from: djsinco on March 15, 2013, 03:00:05 AM
Even though it was a few miles off my I-70 route, I seldom missed a chance to eat at Russell's Restaurant in Salina, KS (I-135/Crawford exit.) I haven't been there in several years, but everything used to be extraordinary. The prices were good, and they had a full blown bakery attached to it. Worth the trip, although, it may not be what it once was, as so many places have declined...
I remember that place, too, but I haven't been there in several years. My "must-do" stop in Salina is the Cozy Inn.
Quote from: apeman33 on March 17, 2013, 01:23:47 AM
Quote from: djsinco on March 15, 2013, 03:00:05 AM
Even though it was a few miles off my I-70 route, I seldom missed a chance to eat at Russell's Restaurant in Salina, KS (I-135/Crawford exit.) I haven't been there in several years, but everything used to be extraordinary. The prices were good, and they had a full blown bakery attached to it. Worth the trip, although, it may not be what it once was, as so many places have declined...
I remember that place, too, but I haven't been there in several years. My "must-do" stop in Salina is the Cozy Inn.
I will have to remember that one, thanks!
I always stop at Schat's Bakkery in Bishop, California on US 395 when I go through there. Mmm.... Cheese Bread!