Completely full roadside rest area

[y_p_w]

Just wondering if anyone has ever planned a stop and just couldn't .

There's one of the few rest areas left around here near Vallejo, CA. It's only southbound going towards San Francisco and on Presidents Day we just needed to use the bathroom and my wife wanted some water (it was in our trunk) but when we got there there was almost zero parking. All the parking on the on ramp where trucks are allowed couldn't accommodate another truck. However, the uneven parking meant maybe a few cars could park between the trucks, which isn't illegal. Some trucks were parked on the opposite side of the on-ramp which I'm sure isn't allowed when there are no parking signs. Every single car space was full (except one disabled parking space) and there were some cars parked in red zones. And I even saw one driver ready for the off ramp just make an illegal U turn to go back since he saw someone leaving.

 

[user52165]

CA is the worst state in the nation for rest stops.

 

[DustyHHZ]

Yes, the personnel is so rude in such places...

 

[ZZman]

Michigan has pretty decent ones.

 

[Kira]

Interesting post. I just surveyed the family and one person has a recollection of one rest stop being impossibly full somewhere in New England.

I've never seen a "brimmed" rest stop.

 

[Leo99]

I've noticed people spend way too much time at the rest stop. It's weird. It's almost like some folks destination is the rest stop itself.

 

[y_p_w]

Originally Posted by Leo99
I've noticed people spend way too much time at the rest stop. It's weird. It's almost like some folks destination is the rest stop itself.

It's legal to sleep in a car at one. And truck drivers with sleepers obviously do.

But this one I saw is in an area where there's no shortage of places to stop. I think it's popular with truckers because there aren't any truck stops where one can park and sleep here.

 

[Lyman]

North Bound I5 at San Onfre. The worst rest stop ever. All the people headed from Mexico to L.A. for work stop here and sleep the early morning hours away. I stop here about once a month. Luckily I drive a truck and there is a place to park 90% of the time. One time I was there right after an ICE raid and the place had emptied out pretty nicely. I guess some of them didn't want to meet ICE.

 

[Wolf359]

Originally Posted by Kira
Interesting post. I just surveyed the family and one person has a recollection of one rest stop being impossibly full somewhere in New England.

I've never seen a "brimmed" rest stop.


I don't know what you mean by brimmed. I thought this thread might be about rest areas where the facilities are full. That is, there's plenty of parking, but the porta potties would be a different story. I'd describe it but once I did, you wouldn't be able to unsee this post.

 

[researcher]

Originally Posted by y_p_w

It's legal to sleep in a car at one. And truck drivers with sleepers obviously do.

But this one I saw is in an area where there's no shortage of places to stop. I think it's popular with truckers because there aren't any truck stops where one can park and sleep here.


Not illegal in Michigan. Michigan has actually setup part of their system, to let truckers know what rest stops have open parking/how many spaces available. Sorry your state wants truckers to keep driving all night and not give them a place to sleep. Safer!

 

[researcher]

Originally Posted by ZZman
Michigan has pretty decent ones.


I agree with you ZZman! Michigan has refurbished/redesigned almost all of their rest stops! Very nice now! I usually don't stop at them, but was curious.. They were VERY clean! The urinals were gravity fed, no need to flush. Found that kinda unique. They also have awesome vending machines (geek in me)!! Ice cream vending.. oh I don't need to go anywhere else! lol

 

[PimTac]

There is one rest stop on the California side of the Siskyous Pass that is a real park. It has a creek running through it and lots of grass and paths to walk around on. I can't remember the exact location but I think it's just south of the CA Inspection checkpoint.

Up here in WA, choose your rest stops wisely. Some are notorious for activities that are not family friendly.


Edit to add: the rest stop I mentioned in the first paragraph is near Yreka.

 

[zorobabel]

To top it off, some rest areas close for the winter.

 

[zzyzzx]

Rest stops in MD, DE, and NJ are all very nice. Not too sure about PA since the only one that I have ever stopped at was the welcome center on I83.

 

[Delta]

Originally Posted by zzyzzx
Rest stops in MD, DE, and NJ are all very nice. Not too sure about PA since the only one that I have ever stopped at was the welcome center on I83.


Rest stops along regular routes in PA (Interstates 81,80,79,etc...) are usually for the most part nasty and crowded. They're just bathrooms with some vending machines. You're typically on your own driving rural routes through the state, most times if bad enough you're going off in the woods somewhere. I typically stuck to stopping at a truck stop unless it was an emergency. Now along the Turnpike (I-76) all the rest stops are large, clean, and have plenty of amenities. But it is a toll road so you would expect that.

The only clean "bathroom" rest stop I've come across in PA is driving Southbound on 15 after crossing back in from New York (Corning Region). It's situated on a lookout and the view is pretty good. I've traveled all over this state and could tell some stories, but definitely not the place for it here, lol.

 

[Leo99]

Originally Posted by y_p_w
Originally Posted by Leo99
I've noticed people spend way too much time at the rest stop. It's weird. It's almost like some folks destination is the rest stop itself.

It's legal to sleep in a car at one. And truck drivers with sleepers obviously do.

But this one I saw is in an area where there's no shortage of places to stop. I think it's popular with truckers because there aren't any truck stops where one can park and sleep here.


There is a very popular parking lot along the highway near me. It's a parking lot for a scenic view but there's a lot more people in the parking lot across the street than are at the actual scenic view. I think there are things going on there.

 

[CKN]

California has 38 million people. When I visit my son in So. Cal-there are lines when ever you go out. Fast food, Walmart, other retail establishments, you stand in lines. Why should "rest stops" be any different?

 

[Andrew1972]

Originally Posted by Leo99
I've noticed people spend way too much time at the rest stop. It's weird. It's almost like some folks destination is the rest stop itself.


I am one of those people. I use the rest stop as place to work a bit on their wifi get a cup of coffee and some of them have great seating for it. I get paid hourly and find it a decent way to break up a longer trip.

 

[StevieC]

Originally Posted by CKN
California has 38 million people. When I visit my son in So. Cal-there are lines when ever you go out. Fast food, Walmart, other retail establishments, you stand in lines. Why should "rest stops" be any different?

Costco is about the only place there is a line-up here or Tim-Hortons in the morning.... That's gotta suck!

 

[y_p_w]

Originally Posted by StevieC
Originally Posted by CKN
California has 38 million people. When I visit my son in So. Cal-there are lines when ever you go out. Fast food, Walmart, other retail establishments, you stand in lines. Why should "rest stops" be any different?

Costco is about the only place there is a line-up here or Tim-Hortons in the morning.... That's gotta suck!

We can't find Tim Hortons around here. They used to list a few locations but it was false advertising. Just basically some ice rinks where the snack bar had their bulk coffee served in ordinary paper cups. Or maybe they actually had logo cups.

Ever hear about the Buffalo wing coffee that they served at a couple of them in Buffalo, NY? Sounds gross.

https://www.eater.com/2017/10/12/16465336/tim-hortons-buffalo-wing-coffee