Are Rest Areas Obsolete?

[The Ghostbuster]

Are Rest Areas obsolete? I've noticed on a few newer long-distance roadways, none have been constructed. Some examples are: Interstate 22 in Mississippi and Alabama (excluding the westbound one just west of the Alabama/Mississippi border) Completed segments of Interstate 49 between Shreveport and Kansas City; Completed segments of future Interstate 57 in Arkansas and Missouri; Interstate 69 between Evansville and Bloomington; and existing and future segments of Interstate 69 and its spurs in Texas (will future Interstate 369 have any?) Existing and future segments of Interstate 99 in Pennsylvania and New York; Even newer long-distance toll roads don't seem to have any. Is the explanation that new roads don't need rest areas like they used to? This is something that has baffled me.

[Roadgeekteen]

They might just be not needed now, maybe they will be added later.

[NWI_Irish96]

Just came back from a New England trip and we used rest areas a few times. Helpful if you need to use a bathroom but don't need gas.

[sprjus4]

Are Rest Areas obsolete? I've noticed on a few newer long-distance roadways, none have been constructed. Some examples are: Interstate 22 in Mississippi and Alabama (excluding the westbound one just west of the Alabama/Mississippi border) Completed segments of Interstate 49 between Shreveport and Kansas City; Completed segments of future Interstate 57 in Arkansas and Missouri; Interstate 69 between Evansville and Bloomington; and existing and future segments of Interstate 69 and its spurs in Texas (will future Interstate 369 have any?) Existing and future segments of Interstate 99 in Pennsylvania and New York; Even newer long-distance toll roads don't seem to have any. Is the explanation that new roads don't need rest areas like they used to? This is something that has baffled me.

I-69 in Texas, or more rather its concurrent US highways, have rest areas.

Both US-77 and US-281 have a rest area for both directions between I-37 and the Valley, and US-59 has one north of Victoria for both directions. There's also one north of Livingston, which is on US-59 north of Houston.

[jp the roadgeek]

They're not required as much on toll roads that have gone AET, since the inconvenience of waiting in a line of traffic at a toll booth on an exit ramp to surrender a ticket and doing the same to re-enter is no longer an issue.

[sprjus4]

They're not required as much on toll roads that have gone AET, since the inconvenience of waiting in a line of traffic at a toll booth on an exit ramp to surrender a ticket and doing the same to re-enter is no longer an issue.

But they're still a double penalty for exiting on some roads, such as DE-1 and US-301 in Delaware.

[TheHighwayMan3561]

I like rest areas, because when you go to a gas station there's an unspoken expectation that you need to buy something especially if it's a mom and pop shop.

[SkyPesos]

I mostly use rest areas for two things:
1) Grab an official state DOT map for my collection.
2) Switch the driving seat with my dad, when one of us needs a rest. It's easier to switch at rest areas than getting off a freeway and doing it at a fast food or gas station.

[Bitmapped]

I tend to use rest areas when I travel if I need somewhere to just use the bathroom or for a short break. They provide a good opportunity to walk around and stretch my legs, which generally isn't possible at gas stations, and when I travel with my dogs, they also allow me to bathroom them more easily than elsewhere.

Ohio has removed some rest areas that were pit toilets (on 2-lane roads) and failed to replace some disturbed by other construction (like I-77 at Dover) but otherwise seems committed to them. They have some newer replacement facilities under construction, and they continue to maintain and upgrade locations that are off Interstates.

West Virginia is also continuing to upgrade and replace their older rest area buildings on Interstates. West Virginia's network is strictly on Interstates.

With the case of newer Interstates, bear in mind that a lot of states generally don't put rest areas on non-Interstate roadways. If the road wasn't built as an Interstate originally (like much of I-99), they may not be there at least initially due to construction cost.

[Bruce]

Some of our rest areas are also scenic viewpoints, which makes them a lot more functional.

[ran4sh]

Are Rest Areas obsolete? I've noticed on a few newer long-distance roadways, none have been constructed. Some examples are: Interstate 22 in Mississippi and Alabama (excluding the westbound one just west of the Alabama/Mississippi border) Completed segments of Interstate 49 between Shreveport and Kansas City; Completed segments of future Interstate 57 in Arkansas and Missouri; Interstate 69 between Evansville and Bloomington; and existing and future segments of Interstate 69 and its spurs in Texas (will future Interstate 369 have any?) Existing and future segments of Interstate 99 in Pennsylvania and New York; Even newer long-distance toll roads don't seem to have any. Is the explanation that new roads don't need rest areas like they used to? This is something that has baffled me.

The explanation is that states are failing to include them on new highways.

Rest areas can only become obsolete if there are substitute locations where a driver can simply park their car and not be expected to make a purchase such as at a convenience store or truck stop.

[hobsini2]

I would say that they are not obsolete yet but in the last 20 years or so, truck stops have become more common at exits. I know along I-90 between Elgin, IL and Madison about a dozen have been built in that time.

[GaryV]

Michigan has removed some rest areas, in particular where a metro area has expanded around it or where the land was needed for a new interchange.  But I'm sure glad we have them in the rural areas.  On I-75 in particular, they are about every 40 or 50 miles, some closer.

When I travel out of state, I notice how few areas there are in some states.  I guess it depends on how much you value your tourist industry.  It seems somewhat hypocritical to me when you put a welcome center rest area near the border of the state, but then don't have any more areas for well over 100 miles.  "Welcome, we're glad you're here.  But now that you're here, we're not going to make things any more comfortable for you."

EDIT:

I would say that are not obsolete yet but in the last 20 years or so, truck stops have become more common at exits.

Not only more common, but many times more acceptable to visit.  I can see that.  I'm just not that comfortable with truck stops yet, because the quality can vary.  More than rest area quality does.

[plain]

I don't think they're obsolete at all. I'm more likely to stop at them versus having to exit and go to a store, unless I'm hungry.

Rest Areas are definitely very useful for truck drivers - they have a place to easily pull off and break without having to navigate an actual exit.

[hobsini2]

Michigan has removed some rest areas, in particular where a metro area has expanded around it or where the land was needed for a new interchange.  But I'm sure glad we have them in the rural areas.  On I-75 in particular, they are about every 40 or 50 miles, some closer.

When I travel out of state, I notice how few areas there are in some states.  I guess it depends on how much you value your tourist industry.  It seems somewhat hypocritical to me when you put a welcome center rest area near the border of the state, but then don't have any more areas for well over 100 miles.  "Welcome, we're glad you're here.  But now that you're here, we're not going to make things any more comfortable for you."

EDIT:

I would say that are not obsolete yet but in the last 20 years or so, truck stops have become more common at exits.

Not only more common, but many times more acceptable to visit.  I can see that.  I'm just not that comfortable with truck stops yet, because the quality can vary.  More than rest area quality does.

Absolutely true about the quality of a truck stop.  For instance, the Iowa 80 Stop west of Davenport is nice and clean and has many choices for fast food. The Pilot truck stop in Minoka, IL, not so much. It has an Arby's though.

[hbelkins]

I was going to say that I'd expect Indiana to build a welcome center on I-69 once the bridge is done, but didn't Indiana recently remove a welcome center on I-64?

Kentucky has been replacing some of its rest areas with new buildings. They did the welcome center on I-65 a few years ago, and I-75 just recently.

Tennessee only recently added welcome centers on I-26 despite that road having had interstate status for years.

If I go into a restaurant or convenience store-truck stop to use the restroom, I feel no obligation to buy anything, unless there's a sign saying "For Paying Customers Only." If people leeching restroom facilities is a problem for these businesses, they can always install pay toilets.

Speaking of, wonder if there are any still in existence?

[ClassicHasClass]

I used to pack a lunch and eat at highway rest stops, a habit I've resumed while driving in COVID times. Easy on, easy off.

[MinecraftNinja]

The NH Liqour Outlet is the best rest area.

[skluth]

I can't imagine rest areas becoming obsolete, though I'm sure a bunch of politicians would love to remove them from their states' budgets. Rest areas are important for a variety of reasons including allowing drivers to take a break from driving, walking the dog(s), and using the toilet. Smart states also include travel information in them to aid travelers and for travelers to create a good impression of the state visited. IMO, states removing rest stops are much the same are car owners who don't change the oil or do other maintenance; I believe the old adage is "Penny wise, pound foolish."

[CtrlAltDel]

I used to pack a lunch and eat at highway rest stops, a habit I've resumed while driving in COVID times. Easy on, easy off.

That's been my strategy on my recent trip. I saved a fortune on restaurants.

[Mapmikey]

I was going to say that I'd expect Indiana to build a welcome center on I-69 once the bridge is done, but didn't Indiana recently remove a welcome center on I-64?

Kentucky has been replacing some of its rest areas with new buildings. They did the welcome center on I-65 a few years ago, and I-75 just recently.

Tennessee only recently added welcome centers on I-26 despite that road having had interstate status for years.

If I go into a restaurant or convenience store-truck stop to use the restroom, I feel no obligation to buy anything, unless there's a sign saying "For Paying Customers Only." If people leeching restroom facilities is a problem for these businesses, they can always install pay toilets.

Speaking of, wonder if there are any still in existence?

Been 30+ years since I've seen one in the US.  They are everywhere in Europe that I've been to.

I have been to Love's truck stops all over the country and have yet to run across a bad restroom for me or my wife.   Don't really recall any bad ones amongst the national chains either.

[ctkatz]

 I think rest areas are being obsoleted rather than are obsolete. I guess they are either too expensive to maintain or they are a victim of budget cuts.  or both.

[SeriesE]

I feel safer going to a rest area than some random gas station in the middle of nowhere.

[texaskdog]

I like stopping at gas stations but sometimes they are handy when you really gotta go jump out of the car and someone has occupied it!

[Roadgeekteen]

I feel safer going to a rest area than some random gas station in the middle of nowhere.

Yeah I feel like remote gas stations are kind of shady.