The disappearing roadside rest area...

[deathtopumpkins]

I'm on the fence, personally.  The distances in CT don't necessarily justify having the rest areas.   But having spent innumerable hours on those roads late at night, the rest areas at least provided me with someplace I was actually allowed to nap if need be. 

I would agree with you, with the exception of the one on I-84 east of Hartford. That stretch of the interstate is very boring and fairly desolate. It's a nice easy restroom / leg-stretching break between the commercial development around Hartford and the service plazas on the Mass Pike.

I agree, but with a large 24-hour truck stop/"travel plaza" one exit east, it's arguably the most redundant.

I'd hardly call it redundant. I'd much rather stop at a cutsey little rest area with clean bathrooms and free maps that's right on the interstate than some truck stop, though I'll concede to most people it makes no difference.

[Pete from Boston]

I'm on the fence, personally.  The distances in CT don't necessarily justify having the rest areas.   But having spent innumerable hours on those roads late at night, the rest areas at least provided me with someplace I was actually allowed to nap if need be. 

I would agree with you, with the exception of the one on I-84 east of Hartford. That stretch of the interstate is very boring and fairly desolate. It's a nice easy restroom / leg-stretching break between the commercial development around Hartford and the service plazas on the Mass Pike.

I agree, but with a large 24-hour truck stop/"travel plaza" one exit east, it's arguably the most redundant.

I'd hardly call it redundant. I'd much rather stop at a cutsey little rest area with clean bathrooms and free maps that's right on the interstate than some truck stop, though I'll concede to most people it makes no difference.

Redundant in that it does not provide a service otherwise unavailable (free maps aside).  If the truck stop (open since 1996) were there at the time, the rest area would likely not be built.

Those on 91 are a little less clear to me.  I doubt there was as much development along the highway in North Haven or Meriden when they were built, but at least the southbound one would seem redundant with Connecticut Turnpike facilities close by.   

[deathtopumpkins]

I'm on the fence, personally.  The distances in CT don't necessarily justify having the rest areas.   But having spent innumerable hours on those roads late at night, the rest areas at least provided me with someplace I was actually allowed to nap if need be. 

I would agree with you, with the exception of the one on I-84 east of Hartford. That stretch of the interstate is very boring and fairly desolate. It's a nice easy restroom / leg-stretching break between the commercial development around Hartford and the service plazas on the Mass Pike.

I agree, but with a large 24-hour truck stop/"travel plaza" one exit east, it's arguably the most redundant.

I'd hardly call it redundant. I'd much rather stop at a cutsey little rest area with clean bathrooms and free maps that's right on the interstate than some truck stop, though I'll concede to most people it makes no difference.

Redundant in that it does not provide a service otherwise unavailable (free maps aside).  If the truck stop (open since 1996) were there at the time, the rest area would likely not be built.

Those on 91 are a little less clear to me.  I doubt there was as much development along the highway in North Haven or Meriden when they were built, but at least the southbound one would seem redundant with Connecticut Turnpike facilities close by.

I meant it was not redundant in that the quality and accessibility are different. Sure, both establishments have restrooms, but the similarities stop there.

[Pete from Boston]

I meant it was not redundant in that the quality and accessibility are different. Sure, both establishments have restrooms, but the similarities stop there.

I hear you, but even that is debatable.  I do find the state rest area more convenient, but honestly, if they are going to keep them open they really could stand to spend a few bucks on sprucing up a little.  The bathroom fixtures are on their last legs, and the ventilation in there can be abysmal.  On a recent trip all men's room traffic was redirected to the port-a-potties, and on another whatever desperate soap replacement they used late at night smelled indescribably bad.

[SteveG1988]

I-295 used to have two north of burlington NJ, between Burlington and Florence NJ. the building got tore down and now it seems to be a NJDOT staging area for repaving. Maybe someone in the know *cough* Steve A. *cough* could chime in on if this is going to dissapear permamentaly, or if it will be rebuilt

[briantroutman]

Back in the 70s, and probably for sometime after, the Pennsylvania Turnpike had a LOT of roadside picnic areas.  Most if not all were west of Harrisburg, IIRC.  All they seemed to have was a picnic bench or two, a brick/stone barbecue, and a garbage can.  There was a small space off the turnpike shoulder to park, and the picnic areas were identified by a small sign with a tree and picnic table pictogram with the number of feet ahead and/or an arrow pointing.

I think the parking areas for some of these old picnic areas were paved and enlarged, possibly as breakdown areas for trucks?

Yes–I don't recall seeing the barbecues (as PA has in the state parks) but the PTC had these simple picnic areas scattered about the older and more rural sections of the PA Turnpike, especially along the 1940-1951 sections from western PA through Valley Forge. Many were still around as late as the mid 2000s when I was in the Harrisburg area. I don't recall seeing them in Bucks County or along the NE Extension, but they might have been there as well.

I haven't been driving the PA Turnpike as much in recent years, but I believe these picnic areas have been steadily disappearing. I have seen places were picnic tables were removed, the wide shoulder repaved, and a vivid sideline painted with signs indicating "TRUCKS PARK BEHIND LINE".

My guess is that the picnic areas had become so infrequently used by motorists and so frequently overrun with truckers sleeping overnight that the PTC decided to make it official. They were a throwback to an earlier era when people weren't as hurried or as willing to spend money on dining out. And an era when traffic was much lighter–when the prospect of cars routinely accelerating from a dead stop on the shoulder wasn't seen as significant safety hazard. I've read that in the '40s, people used to picnic in the median, which is crazy.

But the picnic areas were pretty cool for roadgeeks, though–a lunch on the ROW.

[Brandon]

My guess is that the picnic areas had become so infrequently used by motorists and so frequently overrun with truckers sleeping overnight that the PTC decided to make it official. They were a throwback to an earlier era when people weren't as hurried or as willing to spend money on dining out. And an era when traffic was much lighter–when the prospect of cars routinely accelerating from a dead stop on the shoulder wasn't seen as significant safety hazard. I've read that in the '40s, people used to picnic in the median, which is crazy.

But the picnic areas were pretty cool for roadgeeks, though–a lunch on the ROW.

It was only in the early 1940s when they picnicked in the median due to lack of traffic.  The gasoline rationing and the 35 mph speed limit (national) during the war had more than a little to do with it.

[1995hoo]

In the same vein, the PTC still plans to remove the famous steps in New Baltimore leading up to St. John the Baptist Catholic Church. (I say "still" because they've had it in the plans for a while but they keep postponing it.)

[Alps]

I-295 used to have two north of burlington NJ, between Burlington and Florence NJ. the building got tore down and now it seems to be a NJDOT staging area for repaving. Maybe someone in the know *cough* Steve A. *cough* could chime in on if this is going to dissapear permamentaly, or if it will be rebuilt

Who do you think I work for, exactly? Hint: not NJDOT.

[Scott5114]

Picnic tables are really only useful if you're going to go through the trouble to make food at home and pack it with you. If you're buying food on the road, most restaurants are going to have a dining room, so why not eat there? If you do have food and try to eat a picnic table, it's still too impractical to bother.

Scott:  I've had occasions where it was a nice day and the restaurant I stopped at didn't have outdoor seating, so I'd stop at a park or picnic area or whatnot to enjoy lunch/dinner outside.

You're going to have to deal with insects while you're eating, but in this part of the country, the worse problem will be the wind trying to blow things around while you're trying to eat (including trying to blow dirt onto your food).

Oh no!  Someone might have to deal with...the outdoors! The horror!

As an aside, you've never gone camping, have you?

I have gone camping. But if you want to go camping, you go camping. If I'm on a road trip I don't want to pretend I'm camping and pick bugs out of my sandwich. I think enough people probably feel the same way that the picnic tables are probably not worth the money the state spends building and administering them.

I doubt you have had to try to eat outdoors in Oklahoma wind. 30 mph+ is a common occurrence here. It's a challenge.

[texaskdog]

It's one of those things I used to like and now I prefer stopping at large truckstops.  something they put a bunch of money into just before they were rendered osbsolete.  I remember when they put the emergency call boxes every half mile on 35 north of Saint Paul, right before everyone got their own phones.  I wonder if they are still there.

[froggie]

I doubt you have had to try to eat outdoors in Oklahoma wind. 30 mph+ is a common occurrence here. It's a challenge.

Oklahoma, no.  Texas Panhandle, yes.  There's a neat rest area with a decent view on I-40...don't remember offhand where, but want to say it's somewhere near MM 120, give or take 10.

[Brandon]

It's one of those things I used to like and now I prefer stopping at large truckstops.  something they put a bunch of money into just before they were rendered osbsolete.  I remember when they put the emergency call boxes every half mile on 35 north of Saint Paul, right before everyone got their own phones.  I wonder if they are still there.

I hate stopping at large truck stops other than for fuel, and only if the fuel is cheap at that.  Too much commercial crap to walk past to try to find and then get to the washrooms.

[texaskdog]

It's one of those things I used to like and now I prefer stopping at large truckstops.  something they put a bunch of money into just before they were rendered osbsolete.  I remember when they put the emergency call boxes every half mile on 35 north of Saint Paul, right before everyone got their own phones.  I wonder if they are still there.

I hate stopping at large truck stops other than for fuel, and only if the fuel is cheap at that.  Too much commercial crap to walk past to try to find and then get to the washrooms.

I like to stop at gas stations to get a drink but got tired of the small one with small bathroom that were usually occupied, and nothing worth buying.

[agentsteel53]

I don't like the bathrooms where they make you beg for the key.

that's just demeaning to all parties concerned.

[Pete from Boston]

When Irving had their bluecanoe stores, I remember going extea exits to use theirs, they were so well kept.  Not so the Circle-K replacements.  Clean bathrooms go a long way toward my likelihood to stop someplace, public or private. 

[Laura]

If I'm alone, I'd rather nap/sleep at a truck stop or 24 hour gas station/ fast food/ store. If I'm with someone, I'd rather sleep at a rest area. Much quieter and much less light pollution.

That said, I stayed (with Mike) at a Connecticut rest stop a couple of weeks ago. It was lovely and surprisingly good sleep. Glad it was still there.

[Alps]

If I'm alone, I'd rather nap/sleep at a truck stop or 24 hour gas station/ fast food/ store. If I'm with someone, I'd rather sleep at a rest area. Much quieter and much less light pollution.

That said, I stayed (with Mike) at a Connecticut rest stop a couple of weeks ago. It was lovely and surprisingly good sleep. Glad it was still there.

I prefer sleeping in a hotel parking lot. There are so many other plates from all over around that no one will pay me a second thought, and it's very quiet at night.

[roadman65]

I actually been finding Wal Mart Stores to be like rest areas, as you can get out and stretch your legs while you pick up some food and travel items.  Even the photo department is a cool place to make photos or discs so you can clear up your sd card. While you accomplish that, you have something to gauge your time.

Matter of fact, in Texarkana while I was waiting for my photos to be processed, I drove around the area taking pictures of the roads.   The whole hour was used wisely, as while I was taking care of one thing, another one was.

Also, many Wal Marts have grocery stores within so you can stock up and not have to worry about buying junk food on the road later.

[texaskdog]

I actually been finding Wal Mart Stores to be like rest areas, as you can get out and stretch your legs while you pick up some food and travel items.  Even the photo department is a cool place to make photos or discs so you can clear up your sd card. While you accomplish that, you have something to gauge your time.

Matter of fact, in Texarkana while I was waiting for my photos to be processed, I drove around the area taking pictures of the roads.   The whole hour was used wisely, as while I was taking care of one thing, another one was.

Also, many Wal Marts have grocery stores within so you can stock up and not have to worry about buying junk food on the road later.

True. McDonald is one of my favorite non-gas stations.  Usually decent sized bathrooms, in and out quickly, and you don't feel like you need to buy anything.

[Mdcastle]

The callboxes in Minnesota have been gone for many  years, they were sold to the state of Louisiana.

It's interesting that Minnesota built a new rest area with pit toilets in the late 1990s on US 52 south of Rochester.

[Laura]

If I'm alone, I'd rather nap/sleep at a truck stop or 24 hour gas station/ fast food/ store. If I'm with someone, I'd rather sleep at a rest area. Much quieter and much less light pollution.

That said, I stayed (with Mike) at a Connecticut rest stop a couple of weeks ago. It was lovely and surprisingly good sleep. Glad it was still there.

I prefer sleeping in a hotel parking lot. There are so many other plates from all over around that no one will pay me a second thought, and it's very quiet at night.

I never thought about staying in a hotel parking lot. You've never been bothered there? I guess I assumed a manager would come outside and either ask me to get a room or to go elsewhere.

[roadman65]

In Orlando, Florida, you cannot get away with sleeping in hotel parking lots as many hotels have a security checkpoint to pass to enter the facility.   In many cases your plate number is recorded if you are not a guest, so on patrol they will spot your car and then take action.

At one time Wal Mart was letting people sleep at night  in campers at one of their Kissimmee stores and got in big trouble for doing so by local government officials.

If you really do not want to spend money for a hotel, then pick a rest area.  Here in the south, you will not be hassled at all if its in a rural area.  In fact I slept overnight at an I-10 rest area in Mississippi and at another time in Florida.  Both times I was not given any problems there as well as a third time I did it along US 231 north of Troy, AL at an interstate type of rest facility along that non freeway type of road.

Then you do have some KOAs along interstates that charge $8 (at least the one near Valdosta, GA did) for a tent side, that if you have a van or SUV could use.  I do not know for sure if they would frown upon a car being used, but I would imagine that 8 bucks is 8 bucks no matter where it attained from.  Plus you can shower and have use of the wash houses as well for more than less than a standard hotel or motel charges for a whole room.

[Alps]

If I'm alone, I'd rather nap/sleep at a truck stop or 24 hour gas station/ fast food/ store. If I'm with someone, I'd rather sleep at a rest area. Much quieter and much less light pollution.

That said, I stayed (with Mike) at a Connecticut rest stop a couple of weeks ago. It was lovely and surprisingly good sleep. Glad it was still there.

I prefer sleeping in a hotel parking lot. There are so many other plates from all over around that no one will pay me a second thought, and it's very quiet at night.

I never thought about staying in a hotel parking lot. You've never been bothered there? I guess I assumed a manager would come outside and either ask me to get a room or to go elsewhere.

Maybe I've just picked wisely, but you'd have to probably go to a luxury hotel to be bothered (or be in a bad area, which is not somewhere I'd want to sleep). On my last trip I slept on a side street in Vancouver because the hotel lots were small and required passing the lobby, and I'd already been in each lobby by that point.

[hbelkins]

Kentucky has a law limiting rest area stops to four hours. I don't know how stringently this is enforced, however, since a lot of trucks will stop at rest areas. Kentucky also has some "rest haven" areas at truck weigh stations where truckers are allowed to stop and sleep for their designated off-duty periods.

Why would local governments object to campers parking at Walmart? If the occupants become customers by going in and buying something, wouldn't they be entitled to stay there as long as they wished? Walmart does have sort of an unofficial policy of letting RVers stop for the night since it builds goodwill and encourages patronage of their stores. I heard once that Kmart has the opposite policy. Might be one reason Walmart is going strong and Kmart is struggling.