Rest area

In the United States and parts of Europe, a rest area or rest stop is a public facility, located adjacent to a highway or interstate, at which drivers and passengers can eat and drink, take a stroll, let their children play in grassy park-like areas, walk their pets, check their vehicle's radiator, sleep and use the toilet before resuming a long drive on the road. Generally, the standards and upkeep of rest areas facilities vary. Rest areas also have parking areas allotted for buses, tractor-trailer trucks (big rigs) and recreational vehicles (RVs).

Many government-run rest areas tend to be located in remote and rural areas where there are practically no fast food or full-service restaurants, gas stations, motels, and other traveler services nearby - on highway signs, these services are often denoted by symbols of a fork and knife, a gas pump, and a bed, respectively. The location of rest areas are usally marked by a sign on the highway; for example, a sign may read "Next Rest Stop - 10 Miles".

There is usually found driving information available at these locations, such as posted maps and other local information. Some rest areas have visitor information centers or highway patrol or state trooper stations with staff on duty. There might also be found drinking fountains, vending machines, pay telephones, a gas station, a restaurant or a convenience store at a rest area. Many rest areas have picnic areas. Rest areas tend to have traveler information in the form of so-called "exit guides", which are often contain very basic maps and advertisements for motels and tourist attractions.

In the United States, rest areas are maintained and funded by the transportation and highway bureaus of the state government. For example, rest areas in California are maintained by Caltrans.

Privatized commercial rest areas may take a form of a large service center complete with a gas station, arcade video games and recreation center, and fast food restaurant, cafeteria, or food court all under one roof.

Many rest areas have the reputations of being unsafe, especially at night, due to their locations situated in remote areas.