Why are so many rest stops closed?

[holstein13]

I'm heading west from NC on my way to Los Angeles along I-40. I've noticed that about 30% of the rest stops are closed. Why is that? Is it because of budget cuts, restoration, abuses by travelers?

It can be a real hardship when there are so few rest stops to begin with and then you find the one you need is closed and the next one isn't for another 100 miles or more.

It's particularly disruptive to me because I'm traveling solo on this trip and I don't have a navigator or travel planner working while I'm driving. The other day, I wanted to camp in Little Rock and had planned to reserve my campsite at the last rest stop before entering Little Rock. When I got there, the rest stop was closed. Now I was in a pickle. I had to find an exit and pull over at the side of the road to figure things out.

ON EDIT: Please do not mention politics in your responses. If you think they are closed because of budget considerations, you can say that, just don't blame a political party or politics, etc. Let's try and stick with the facts without politics. I fear the thread will get shut down prematurely otherwise.

[westernrvparkow]

Dutch_12078 wrote:

RoyB wrote:
Its probably the lack of funds as wells... The states funding is really being hit now for roads and bridges... I suspect cheap gasoline really hurts alot of State's fundings it seems...

Roy Ken

Since most states, like the Feds, charge a flat per gallon gas tax, I expect their revenue from the increased sales due to the lower prices has gone up, not down. Those areas that add an additional percentage sales tax on to fuel sales may have seen a revenue decline though, if the increased volume has not kept it stable.

Actually, revenues are declining because vehicles keep getting better mileage. There are many more miles driven per gallon of fuel, meaning more wear and tear per dollar of revenue collected. And then there is the question of allocation of funds. Personally, fixing bridges, overpasses and highway surfaces will trump maintaining rest areas. Fact is, there are many alternatives to rest areas such as truck stops, parks, hotels, RV parks and the like while there are no alternatives to roads and bridges.

[Jayco-noslide]

MONEY

[GordonThree]

It's not simply lack of funding that's closing them, it's the strings (mandates) that come attached to the funding.

[wbwood]

There's a rest area within a few miles of my house that I pass by daily on way to work and on way home. Every once in a while they will be closed and have cones across the entrance. I suspect for maintenance reasons. Or as others stated, it could be budget reasons.

I did notice that when traveling back and forth to Augusta, Georgia a month ago when my father passed away, that the Georgia Welcome Center on I-20 was closed for a week or so. I presume they were doing something to get it ready for the influx of travelers for the Masters. But who knows. We rarely stop at them.

[cyntdon2010]

In Florida, some rest stops ( I-10 ) are 30-40 miles apart. also when an area is no longer isolated there is less of a need.

[kgragert]

westend wrote:
Come on up to Minnesota, best rest stops in the US, full time friendly attendants on duty, and the State has a budget excess.
BTW, we'll tax you for the use if you buy fuel. No free lunch!

If Minnesota is the best, then Florida has to be a close 2nd.:)

On I-75 they average 40 miles apart, and all are staffed and clean, with large pull through parking for Semi's, RV's and Trailers.

No budget surplus though 😞

[holstein13]

Old-Biscuit wrote:
As for 'planning'

You're in a 'self-contained RV'

Pull over at an exit/side road/wide spot.......and then use your facilities as needed.

Yep, that's exactly what I ended up doing. Less convenient for sure, but it got the job done. I still prefer the rest stops.

[W4RLR]

While the thread might be taking on a political tone, the truth is that politics are a factor in rest area closures. But one cannot single out a particular party or individual for the blame.

Poor siting? Check. I-95 in south Florida took decades to construct. By the time the road was completely opened, some rest areas that were in the middle of the boondocks when the road was designed were in an urban area when the road was completed. Thus, some rest areas were never opened at all.

Budgets for new roads are tight and state transportation funds are few. Would you have the state DOT build and maintain rest areas or fix potholes and crumbling bridges? New laws regarding accessibility for the disabled means that many rest areas with sanitary facilities must be extensively refurbished or completely rebuilt to comply with federal regulations.

Abuse by the traveling public has made the need for full-time staffing of rest areas with facilities necessary, or else thieves will come along and literally steal anything that isn't nailed down.

Security is yet another factor. There are bad people out there who will rob, sexually assault, or kill a traveler taking a rest at a rest area. If the rest area is too remote to adequately supervise with either a sworn law enforcement officer or a "rent a cop", the facility might be closed on safety concerns.

[BB_TX]

Texas has been going the opposite direction. Some older rest areas are being closed. But really nice new ones are being rebuilt to replace them. Large clean A/C/heated restrooms, nice playgrounds for kids, free wifi, mini museums inside, vending, maintenance personnel, etc.

[2112]

In the past 5 years or so of my travels throughout Texas I have noticed some rest stops that were closed are either being reopened or replaced with an upgraded, larger, more conveniently located 'travel island'. Maybe this is a good sign of better things to come.

Yea, my glass is half full

[Old-Biscuit]

Closed..........for all the reasons mentioned

As for 'planning'

You're in a 'self-contained RV'

Pull over at an exit/side road/wide spot.......and then use your facilities as needed.

5 yrs of FTng with a dog and a GF with small bladder.
You just pull over where safe.
Having spent 30+ yrs in CA-never counted on an Open Rest Area. Few and far.

[IDman]

On I-25 between Castle Rock and Colorado Springs, we used to have a rest area on both sides NB & SB. The governor said it was costing $300K per year to maintain them (I bet) so the state spend $500K to close them down. Good government thinking, huh?

Now you drive from Pueblo to Ft. Collins without a rest area!

[holstein13]

3oaks wrote:
You get what you vote for. :R

Keep voting in those career politicians who couldn't care less about the general public. 😞

Budget constraints being the issue? Probably, but I'll be the politicians salaries, perks, and retirement benefits aren't constrained. :M

I sense this thread will get shut down in short order. Can we please not talk about politics?

[3oaks]

You get what you vote for. :R

Keep voting in those career politicians who couldn't care less about the general public. 😞

Budget constraints being the issue? Probably, but I'll be the politicians salaries, perks, and retirement benefits aren't constrained. :M

[SCVJeff]

You're lucky you didn't make this trip on 2008. Most of them were closed