Rest Areas-USA Discussion

The info that I have been able to find, is that the following Service Areas in Oklahoma have closed:

Turner turnpike-Bristow Service area
Turner turnpike-Wellston Service area
Cherokee turnpike Service area
Indian Nation TP Antlers Service area

Can anyone confirm?

Maybe I should ask this a different way. What Service areas are still open in Oklahoma?

Thanks for clarifying the RV dump information!

TX,US 62/70 EB & WB state operated turnout with picnic tables
-100.640800, 34.007161

TX,US 62/70 EB & WB state operated turnout with picnic tables
-101.024244, 33.965135

TX,US 62 EB & WB state operated turnout with picnic tables
-102.167503, 33.400710

TX,US 62 EB & WB state operated turnout with picnic tables
-101.360100, 33.892074

NM,US 380 EB & WB state operated turnout with picnic tables
-103.246815, 33.257125

i guess the restroom file makes more sense for me

Thanks for the input. I have added these 5 rest areas to the combined file.

TX,US 70 EB & WB state operated turnout with picnic tables
-99.896769, 34.012975

TX,US 70 EB & WB state operated turnout with picnic tables
-101.409860, 34.091021

TX,US 70 EB & WB state operated turnout with picnic tables
-102.122753, 34.188682

NM,US 70 EB & crossover for WB state operated turnout with picnic tables
-103.965703, 33.741588

NM,US 380 WB state operated turnout with picnic tables
-104.828854, 33.368776

NM,US 380 EB state operated turnout with picnic tables
-104.833417, 33.368439

Thanks, I will add these new rest areas. However, in looking at these using google earth, I have a proposed change to the 2nd one listed. This one is located on a 4 lane divided highway and if traveling by RV or truck going WB, I don't believe that it is practical or safe to use. To continue WB, it appears that it would be necessary to backtrack 2 miles to continue westward. I believe that it should be listed as EB. Also, there is a WB rest area approx 1.6 miles east, located at -101.395043 34.071043. I propose a 2nd rest area listed as WB.

Many of the divided US highways in Texas that are lightly traveled place rest stops on one side of the highway only. They are posted along the highway for both directions. If you look closely with GE at the location for #2 you should see that there is a protected left turn lane from US 70 onto FM 111 which also serves as the entrance to this location. I do agree that while entrance into this one is fine, there is no practical exit for WB traffic to return to their original direction and it should be flagged as EB. The one a short distance south is intended for WB and also has the same easy entrance, no good exit arrangement. Thanks for the observation.

That is exactly my thoughts and I have configured the file to reflect this. Thanks for the reply.

If the coordinates for TN WELCOME CENTER NB I-75 MM 1.5 are changed to -85.207882, 34.996488
then it will no longer alert for SB travelers.

Thanks

I noticed that these were not in the file on my last trip.

-84.664103 40.911325 OH,US-30,EB,VAN WERT REST AREA [RR,PT,VM,Pets,HF]

-84.659224 40.908419 OH,US-30,WB,VAN WERT REST AREA [RR,PT,VM,Pets,HF]

Thanks, I will make the change.

I had these in my working file. Not sure why or how they dropped out during the transfer, but I will add these back in the final file. Thanks for the input.

This is a note for those traveling by RV. The Dale City rest areas NB and SB on I-95 at MM155 in Virginia are listed as NT. I have inluded in Column D the number of RV spaces available {NB-7,SB-9). Since this is a relatively small number, be aware that at MM154 NB and at MM154 SB, the exit sign indicates weigh station , trucks only. However in both cases these exits also lead to a Trucks/RV Parking/Rest area with facilities. The website discription for these 2 rest areas state 59 RV/Truck spaces for the NB rest area and 62 RV/Truck spaces for the SB rest area.
As a result, I have listed these as Trucks/RV and included in Column D the number of spaces available.

Thank you for including this info

Hello... Coming back from Chicago, Eastbound on I64 in KY, a Rest Area who's exit is on the right side of Eastbound I64, The POI reports it incorrectly with exit on the Left side of I64...
I did a Co-ordinate save in the parking lot of this Rest Area sitting about 200' to right of building:
N 38 12.221 W 085 19.786

The error is the POI reports exit on Left, when exit is really on the Right, for Eastbound I64 Traffic....

I do not know if this error exists for Westboud Traffic...

Jan

Thanks for the input. I looked at the poi file and also looked at Google earth using the coordinates listed in the file. There is no left or right words for that location. The problem was that the coordinates in the file were located on the thru lane past the entrance to the rest area and should have been on the decel lane entering the rest area. Because of where the coordinates were placed, the gps itself tried to direct you left as you entered the rest area. I will move the coordinates into the decel lane.
I alos noted that I had the nomenclature I-64 SB. It should have been EB.I will make that correction.

thanks , makes rving easier

Just came back from Charleston from Western NC. On I26 going East in SC there was a rest area that did not flag the POI...
On way back North later in week, Again on I26 West in SC there was a rest area that again didn't flag the POI.... We looked at it, and it did have a larger building that seemed to have a sign saying Rest Rooms.
We documented mile marker this time.... In SC, MM 123 on I26 going West.

We pass this on for examination and possible inclusion in the POI.

Thanks for your help

My notes indicate that those rest areas are closed. Are you saying that they have reopened?

Yes, there were people parked there.....
We passed Eastbound on I26 Monday June 12th.
We passed Westbound on 126 Saturday June 17th.

OK, great and thanks for the input.

This is why POI Factory is so useful - input from the users.

- Tom -

The turnout on I-40 in Oklahoma at mile 94 near Hydro does not exist anymore.

Rest area on westbound I-40 in Oklahoma at mile 9 is closed.

roundpub,

Thanks for the input. I will remove the rest area located at MM 94. In regards to the one at MM 9, is it permanently closed?

Yes, that is my understanding. I spoke with someone in the Maintenance Department regarding this and other rest areas in Oklahoma.

Thanks for the clarification. I will remove both of these locations.

When I came by these last week, they were both back open:

IL,I-72,WB,CLOSED PRIDE OF THE PRAIRIE REST AREA, MM152
IL,I-72,EB,CLOSED PRIDE OF THE PRAIRIE REST AREA, MM152

A couple of new ones:

-100.818905, 33.625980
TX,US-82,EB,Turnout, parking

-102.420054, 33.055437
TX,US-62,EB,Turnout, covered picnic tables

Thanks for the update regarding the reopening of the Pride of the Prairie EB and WB rest areas in Ilinois and for the 2 new locations in Texas. I have made those changes to the file.

There is a rest area off I-15 Exit 339 in Conrad, Montana. Coordinates: 48.181889, -111.931109. According to the DOT, facilities include truck parking, restrooms, handicap accessible. Google photos also reveal a designated pet exercise area and drinking water fountains.

I posted the following lsat October:

Need Help With Status Of Service Areas In Oklahoma
The info that I have been able to find, is that the following Service Areas in Oklahoma have closed:

Turner turnpike-Bristow Service area
Turner turnpike-Wellston Service area
Cherokee turnpike Service area
Indian Nation TP Antlers Service area

Can anyone confirm?

Maybe I should ask this a different way. What Service areas are still open in Oklahoma?

THREAD UPDATE: 8/10/2017

Since I have not had a confirmation either way, does that mean that we don't have any members from Oklahoma or that no one has driven by these for the past 10 months.

JUST WONDERING

I attempted to contact the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority regarding the service areas but did not reach anyone. Jack Hamlin, I believe, is the person to speak with. I didn't leave a message.

---

I'm currently updating rest areas on I-20 and came across a few in Texas as follows:

Ranger TX
Turnout, Mile 361, westbound, picnic area, 32.500367, -98.502283

Eastland County Rest Area, Mile 358, westbound, restrooms, family restrooms, picnic tables, handicap accessible, 32.491062, -98.550927

Eastland County Rest Area, Mile 352, eastbound, restrooms, family restrooms, picnic tables, handicap accessible, 32.456949, -98.644783

Cisco TX
Picnic area, Mile 329, westbound, 32.376031, -99.037697
Picnic area, Mile 327, eastbound, 32.375333, -99.064566

Thanks for the inputs. I will add these to the file. I did adjust the coord and placed them at the entrance ramp leading to the rest areas. This will make them consistent with the rest areas on the interstates. (This is noted on the file download page)

I have a couple of questions. Do you know if two Eastland County rest areas have wifi?
Looking at google earth, I noticed a EB picnic area at MM 363. Did you happen to notice if this one actually exists?

For my purposes, I don't need coordinates for the entrance ramp. The coordinates posted are to make it easier for you to locate and then adjust as you need for the POI file.

I did not originally see the picnic area at eastbound mile 363. In looking at it, the latest Google Street View image is from 2015 (the westbound one at mile 361 was Feb-17). I've requested a callback from the DOT to find out if it actually exists.

Regarding Wi-Fi, I found information on the DOT site that suggests Wi-Fi is not available in any Texas rest area - only their welcome centers. Here's a link to the page: http://www.txdot.gov/inside-txdot/division/maintenance/rest-...

I have also requested confirmation from the DOT regarding availability of Wi-Fi in rest areas.

I double-checked the westbound mile marker (the two picnic areas didn't seem like they would be two miles apart). The westbound is actually within mile 262. I don't know how important that is to you or the users of the POI file, though.

Really nice people at the TX DOT. I can confirm the picnic area on westbound I-20 at mile 363 does exist. With regard to Wi-Fi, I was told they have recently begun implementing the availability of Wi-Fi in some rest areas, but not yet all. Eastland County Rest Area does have Wi-Fi.

Thanks for all the time that you have spent on these areas. I hope that you meant eastbound at MM 363 rather than westbound.

Yes, I meant to say I-20 eastbound at mile 363. Westbound is at mile 362.

I came across a note in my spreadsheet regarding the rest area on I-29 at mile 161. The state removed the facilities but kept the area open for parking. The type should be changed from "rest area" to "turnout."

Is that the one that in the file labeled Hidewood Rest Area? Also is it both the NB and the SB locations?

No need to respond. Looking st the South Dakots website, I found that both the SB and the NB Hidewood Parking/Rest Areas have been converted to just parking areas with no facilities. In addition, the Tilford Parking/Rest areas EB and WB on I-90 have been converted to just parking areas with no faciities.

Those members needing to use the facilities must be ready to proceed to the next rest area with facilities or to use one of the other options listed earlier in this thread.

Use one of those at your own risk.

Looking at the Texas website, it states the following:

Most Texas Travel Information Centers feature wireless internet; however, wireless internet is not available at Safety Rest Areas in the state. I looked at safety rest area general info and the only one that had wifi available was the WB Callahan County rest area on I-20. I will update the wifi availability for the next update.

Northbound and southbound I-35 rest areas south of Hillsboro, Texas. Details available on the TX DOT website.

NB: http://www.txdot.gov/driver/travel/rest-areas-map.html?CFC__...

SB: http://www.txdot.gov/driver/travel/rest-areas-map.html?CFC__...

Thanks, I was aware of these pages. The following is a listing of all in Texas.

http://www.txdot.gov/driver/travel/rest-areas-map.html?CFC__...

Newcastle ME - Sherman Lake Rest Stop, US 1 NB Picnic Tables, Rest Rooms
-69.594434 44.011581

Sullivan ME - Scenic Turnout, US 1 NB
-68.209772 44.522698

Sullivan ME - Turnout with rest rooms US 1 NB
-68.186553 44.515821

Hancock ME - Rest area with rest rooms US 1 SB
-68.235061 44.525421

TXRVer, thanks, I will add these 4 locations to the file. I did look at each of these in google earth, and I plan on stating both NB and SB.

Beaver Dam Service Plaza is closed indefinitely (and apparently has been closed since January 2017 at least; http://transportation.ky.gov/Pages/PressReleasePage.aspx?&Fi... for KYTC announcement). Former operator lost lease, state had put out bid for new operator, and I verified the service plaza was closed as of 21-22 August 2017 (eclipse trip and back again).

Even once a successful bidder is granted a new lease, I do not expect the service plaza to reopen until at least 2018 due to the state essentially requiring the service plaza to be demolished and reconstructed (http://www.wpsdlocal6.com/2017/05/15/beaver-dam-reopening-co... has more info).

This affects the W K Parkway and W H Natcher Parkway sections of both "Rest Areas with Restrooms" and "Rest Areas Combined" POIS as follows:

-86.809229 37.385092 KY,W H NATCHER PKWY,NB,SERVICE PLAZA, MM43 [RR,,VM,,HF]|Gas, Food
-86.811711 37.388488 KY,W H NATCHER PKWY,SB,SERVICE PLAZA, MM43 [RR,,VM,,HF]|Gas, Food
-86.831827 37.373088 KY,W KY PKWY,EB,SERVICE PLAZA LEFT EXIT, MM76.5 [RR,,VM,,HF]|Gas, Food
-86.823899 37.378766 KY,W KY PKWY,WB,SERVICE PLAZA LEFT EXIT, MM76.5 [RR,,VM,,HF]|Gas, Food

Thanks for the notification regarding the Beaver Dam Service Plaza. As you know, this Service Plaza is actually located on the W KY Pkwy, but can be assessed from the WH Natcher Pkwy by way of the W KY Pkwy. This however, requires approx a 3 mile detour for those traveling the WH Natcher Pkwy. Since it appears that this Service area will be renovated, I will add the words CLOSED FOR RENOVATION.
In addition, for those traveling on the WH Natcher Pkwy, I am adding the statement of the required detour in column D.

-86.809229 37.385092 KY,WH NATCHER PKWY,NB,CLOSED FOR RENOVATION BEAVER DAM SERVICE PLAZA, MM43 [RR,,VM,,HF]|Gas, Food |LOCATED ON WKY PKWY-APPROX 3 MILE R/T DETOUR TO CONTINUE ON NATCHER PKWY

-86.811711 37.388488 KY,WH NATCHER PKWY,SB,CLOSED FOR RENOVATION BEAVER DAM SERVICE PLAZA, MM43 [RR,,VM,,HF]|Gas, Food |LOCATED ON WKY PKWY-APPROX 3 MILE R/T DETOUR TO CONTINUE ON NATCHER PKWY

-86.831827 37.373088 KY,WKY PKWY,EB,CLOSED FOR RENOVATION BEAVER DAM SERVICE PLAZA LEFT EXIT, MM76.5 [RR,,VM,,HF]|Gas, Food

-86.823899 37.378766 KY,WKY PKWY,WB,CLOSED FOR RENOVATION BEAVER DAM SERVICE PLAZA LEFT EXIT, MM76.5 [RR,,VM,,HF]|Gas, Food

Again, thanks for the input.

This could be a fun thread.

Drove by this Long Island, NY truck parking area this past Saturday and it was packed with big rigs. Its popularity with truckers must have to do with the nearby service station, food and convenience stores. It is already in the file. Thanks mahoney!

Can anyone provide the status of the I-95 rest area at MM 147 NB. Google Earth shows a rest area with possibly restrooms. It also shows a barricade at the entrance to the rest area. GE imagery date is 5/2015.
Also there is a corresponding SB rest area. Same question.

Note:I-95 Exit informations guide does list a rest area at MM 141, NB, with rest rooms. This one does not show on Google Earth.

UPDATE: ORIGINALLY POSTED ON 11/11/2017. DOESN'T ANY OF THE POIFACTORY MEMBERS EVER TRAVEL ON I-95 IN MAINE?

Just a note about these 2 rest areas. They were reported as being open during the thanksgiving travel time, but were closed during the christmas travel time. The latest status that I have in the file, is that they are closed.
That said, if you are traveling in that area, they may be open, but you better have a backup plan for rest room use.