One of the primary rules of road tripping is that we should take frequent rest
breaks. The ideal is to make a rest stop every hour, or as close to that
as possible. Everyone should get out of the vehicle and walk or stretch.
Of course, nature calls on some of the rest breaks, so a clean restroom
is also essential.
In all of my travels in America, I've found that most interstate highway rest areas have well maintained restrooms, but failing that, McDonalds' restrooms are always a good choice, and their coffee isn't bad either.
Rest areas on the interstate highways are sometimes a pleasant surprise. In addition to providing restrooms, pet exercise areas and picnic tables, some have been placed in areas of historical or natural interest. For example, the rest area on I-40 about 60 miles east of Amarillo is a Route 66 themed one. It is even built in a 60's period style and has lots of signs and logos from that era. There are sidewalk plaques describing Route 66 history. It's a fun place to stop and take a break and is well worth stopping even if you don't need a rest.
In all of my travels in America, I've found that most interstate highway rest areas have well maintained restrooms, but failing that, McDonalds' restrooms are always a good choice, and their coffee isn't bad either.
Rest areas on the interstate highways are sometimes a pleasant surprise. In addition to providing restrooms, pet exercise areas and picnic tables, some have been placed in areas of historical or natural interest. For example, the rest area on I-40 about 60 miles east of Amarillo is a Route 66 themed one. It is even built in a 60's period style and has lots of signs and logos from that era. There are sidewalk plaques describing Route 66 history. It's a fun place to stop and take a break and is well worth stopping even if you don't need a rest.
This art deco
building is the Route 66 Rest Area on I-40 near Amarillo
Other themed rest areas include one on I-15 just south of Idaho Falls named 'Hell's Half Acre'. It has all facilities, plus a walking trail onto its main feature; a lava bed. I'm not recommending that you skip the side trip to Craters of the Moon west of there, but this is a neat glimpse of the attraction for those who can't spare the time to visit this national monument 40 miles distant.
A rest area built
over a lava field is a cool stopping place
We discovered yet another cool rest area along Utah Highway
6 between Spanish Fork and Price. It is named 'Tie Fork Rest Area' and is
a miniature railroad station and roundhouse complete with a small engine.
The station has vending machines and restrooms, while the roundhouse
contains picnic tables and history signs about the area. We stopped for a
break and spent half an hour there.
How about a
railroad-themed rest area between a real RR and highway?
I really like themed rest areas, as they are so much more
interesting than a drab place to get out of the car and maybe use the restroom.
They're like mini-parks. I only
featured three, but there are a lot of them around the country, especially on
the interstate highways near their historical or natural counterparts that the
locals want you to visit.
