11 OF THE BEST REST STOPS IN THE U.S.
Nothing ruins a road trip like a dingy rest stop that makes everyone itch for a shower—and nothing injects energy into a journey like a break at a great rest stop. These are 11 of the best rest stops and truck stops that can be found in the U.S.
The Iowa 80 Truck Stop
The world’s largest truck stop can be found off I-80, on exit 284 in Walcott, Iowa. This stop has pretty much anything a road tripper might need. In addition to plenty of fast food restaurants, there’s a movie theatre, laundromat, showers, a trucking museum, and church services on Sundays. The 100,000 square foot stop—which opened in 1964—sees around 5000 people per day.
Western New York Welcome Center
Located between Buffalo and Niagara Falls, the Western New York Welcome Center has a little something for everyone: Architecture fans will admire its Frank Lloyd Wright-inspired design (and they might want to check out the architect’s Martin House in Buffalo); foodies will love its market with local treats and goods; and kids will get all of their energy out at the shipwreck playground. There’s also an “I Love NY” sign and a mural of Niagara Falls that are perfect for photo opps and a display of historic artifacts to peruse. There are plenty of spots for RVs and trucks, and charging stations for electric vehicles.
South of the Border
This stop, located off of I-95 in Dillon, South Carolina, opened in 1949 as a beer stand called “South of the Border Beer Depot.” Now, you can find two restaurants, a bar, and an ice cream shop at The Border, as it’s known for short. It also has the largest indoor reptile exhibit in the United States, which is open every day (except for Christmas). Plus, there’s the 200-foot-tall Sombreo Tower, which features an arcade in the bottom and a glass elevator that takes you all the way to the top, as well as an inn and a campground if you need to stay the night.
Buc-ee’s
This chain is a Texas staple, with 35 locations in the state (you can also find them in Alabama, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, South Carolina, and Tennessee). They feature convenience stores with huge restrooms, tons of gas pumps, and delis—and they’ve broken some records: The world’s largest convenience store is the 75,000 square foot Buc-ee’s in Luling, Texas, which opened in June 2024, and you can find the world’s largest car wash (255 feet!) at its Katy, Texas, location.
Little America
At first glance, Little America (at Exit 198 off I-40 in Flagstaff, Arizona) doesn’t even look like a rest stop: It’s a gorgeous 500-acre hotel with a golf course, swimming pool, fitness center, and business center. There’s also a travel center on the property with a gas station, and a convenience store that’sopen 24/7 and fully stocked with books, groceries, CDs, DVDs, and souvenirs. Plus, there’s a grill and deli, which serves everything from rotisserie chicken to breakfast foods to 75-cent ice cream cones. It’s open until at least 9 p.m. every day. You can find other Little America locations in Utah, Wyoming, California, and Idaho.
Sapp Bros.
While travelling on I-80, you might come across a Sapp Bros. Travel Center. The first location opened in Omaha, Nebraska, in 1971, and now, there are 17 locations between Salt Lake City, Utah and Clearfield, Pennsylvania, some of which feature heated toilet seats and bidets in their restrooms. In addition to being a rest stop, the company also provides 24-hour roadside service. Eight Sapp Bros. locations have their most popular restaurant, Apple Barrel, which serves reasonably priced American cuisine.
Tamarack Marketplace
Tamarack is located on Exit 45 off I-64 in Beckley, West Virginia. It has a restaurant that serves Appalachian-inspired cuisine and also contains a fine arts gallery, a theater with live performances, a conference center, and stores selling local products. Half a million people stop at the center every year.
Jubitz Truck Stop and Travel Center
This spot, which has been called the “World’s Classiest Truck Stop,” can be found off I-5 in Portland, Oregon. The Portlander Inn is on the property for those who are too tired to keep driving. For quicker visits, there’s a restaurant, convenience store, and 52-seat movie theater. Jubitz also has the Ponderosa Lounge with pool tables, TVs, dance lessons, video poker, and live music on weekends.
Bear Lake Rest Area and Overlook
According to The Travel Channel, this is the rest stop with the best view in the U.S. It’s located off Route 89 in Bear Lake, Utah, and it provides a great spot to check out Bear Lake and its surrounding mountains. Plus, there’s a hiking trail for those who want to see a little more and really stretch their legs before getting back on the road. (Of course, there's also parking and bathrooms.)
Trail’s Travel Center
This center is off I-35 in Albert Lea, Minnesota. In addition to a couple of fast food restaurants, there’s a restaurant and a tavern, plus a gift shop, movie theater, Wi-Fi, and church services on Sundays.
Rio Grande Gorge Rest Stop
If you’re interested in spectacular views, you’ll want to hit this rest stop near Taos, New Mexico, on U.S. 64: From here, it’s easy to walk to the Rio Grande Gorge to check out the bridge and canyon, where you can spot a number of bird species as well as bighorn sheep. Vendors set up to sell their wares in the rest area, where there are also restroom facilities and picnic areas.
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A version of this story ran in 2016; it has been updated for 2024.
This article was originally published on mentalfloss.com as 11 of the Best Rest Stops in the U.S..
2024-06-28T20:14:42Z dg43tfdfdgfd