Interstate highway rest areas
 

Since the pandemic, I’ve been driving long distances far more frequently than I used to. I’ve noticed that some states, like Tennessee and Virginia, have lots of rest areas on the interstates, while other states, like Mississippi and Louisiana, have only welcome centers near their borders. Mississippi does have one stopping area and another that has been long closed. Since these rest areas are for safety, not just for convenience, this situation seems odd. Inevitably, for drivers, the options are to hold on hundreds of miles until the next one, or to stop at a restaurant or gas station. I know that many people have no issue stopping at a business and leaving without even considering buying something, but this makes me uncomfortable.

What do you think? Should there be more interstate highway rest areas? Are businesses that provide you rest from your journey entitled to your purchase of goods to help cover costs?

I don't the business are entitled to a purchase, it seems like they just add their rest area as a convenience (which might make people feel inclined to purchase from them).

I usually plan my stops so that my rest needs coincide with my hunger needs, but if I ever need to I don't feel bad about pulling in to a McDonalds or something similar with the sole purpose of using the restroom.

How far have you guys driven as a single leg of your journey? I’ve found that after 5-6 hours, there is a significant need to get my blood moving to keep myself awake, even with energy drinks. Myself, I regularly drive 17 hours/1100mi in a single day.

Driven at a stretch? Probably not more than 4 hours.

Longest I've done was SLC->Vegas in 4.5 hours in the middle of winter. At most points during that trip I would have been arrested if I got pulled over. Ended up averaging something like 95 mph and there were stretches where I was holding 120.

On my trips East, I have noticed that many were driving 75-80 through those awful city stretches with 45 posted. I myself don’t see a reason for such low limits, at least at the times I was passing through.

Not sure if it is the same thing but small towns here in Utah do that to collect revenue.

Why are you driving so far everyday?

If you’re asking me and not KA, it’s not every day, but multiple round trips per year. I’m just driving to see family.

I've done 15 hours in 1 day before, several stops. Went from FT Hood to Phoenix. We are planning a trip around the west coast next month. I think our longest stint will be 9 hours of driving. Somewhere in Utah to Portland.

I don't think I owe the business a purchase, although most times I do make one. Either a drink or a snack, rarely will I stop just to use the bathroom but if that was the case, I would just use it and leave.

Here it's the same, It's like 90MPH is the new speed limit and when I set cruise control @ 75 there's 30 cars tailgating each other behind me.

Yah rly. Of course, I have rarely had cars piled behind me in the right lane while breaking the speed limit

It's a 2 lane highway...

I said what I said.

Indeed. The stretches of IH-10 between Lake Charles and La Fayette and between San Antonio and Houston are the worst because they are mostly 2-lane rural highways with only moderate levels of traffic, but people won’t move over so it’s super slow.

https://i.imgur.com/rHArDx3.png

Where tf are you suppose to move over..

You see that white shit on the edges? Go on the other side of it.

asshole.. i cropped that part out so you wouldn't mention it xD