Texas is well known for its vast expanses of open road. With over 79,000 miles of highway crisscrossing the Lone Star State, drivers have plenty of ground to cover. Thankfully, Texas offers numerous rest areas along its major highways and interstates to give travelers a place to stop, stretch their legs, and refuel during long journeys.
Overview of Rest Areas in Texas
The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) currently operates and maintains 86 rest areas throughout Texas. These rest areas are located along interstate highways, U.S. highways, and state highways. They provide basic amenities like restrooms, vending machines, picnic tables, and sometimes Wi-Fi.
TxDOT divides the state into 25 districts. Each district is responsible for maintaining the rest areas within its boundaries. The district with the most rest areas is Paris with 10, followed by Austin with 9, and Waco with 8. The districts with the fewest rest areas have just 2 each (Laredo, Odessa, and Childress).
The size of each rest area can vary widely, from small sites with just restrooms and vending to large sites with full visitor centers. According to TxDOT records, the average size of a Texas rest area is around 7 acres.
Location of Rest Areas
TxDOT strategically locates rest areas to serve major highway routes passing through both rural and urban areas. Texas has major interstate highways like I-10, I-20, I-30, and I-35 that connect its major cities. These highways, along with numerous U.S. and state highways, have rest areas placed every 30 to 60 miles for travelers.
Here are some examples of where you’ll find rest areas in Texas:
- I-35 in central Texas between Austin and San Antonio
- I-20 passing through Dallas and East Texas
- I-10 west from San Antonio towards El Paso
- U.S. Route 59 from Laredo north towards Victoria
- U.S. Route 83 running south from Abilene to Laredo
- State Highway 71 crossing the Texas Hill Country from Austin to Brady
In addition to highway rest areas, you’ll also find rest areas inside certain urban areas. For example, Dallas has rest areas located near downtown on I-30, I-35E, and I-45.
Amenities Offered
Texas rest areas offer a standard set of amenities for the convenience of travelers. Here are some of the features you’ll typically find:
- Restrooms – All rest areas have clean, well-maintained restrooms available 24/7.
- Vending machines – Most locations have vending machines for drinks, snacks, and other items.
- Picnic tables/benches – Almost all rest areas have outdoor seating and picnic tables.
- Trash receptacles – Trash cans and recycling bins are available.
- Pay phones – Many rest stops still have pay phones available.
- Pet walks – Some locations have designated pet walk areas.
- Visitor information – Select larger rest areas have Texas travel info and brochures.
More advanced amenities offered only at certain rest areas include:
- Wireless internet – Wi-Fi hotspots are sometimes provided.
- Gas stations – A few facilities have adjoining gas stations.
- Convenience stores – Some larger rest areas have convenience stores on-site.
- Texas Travel Information Centers – Large specialized centers with travel counselors and interactive state maps.
Number of Rest Areas per Highway
When determining how many rest areas exist in Texas, it helps to break it down by major highway:
Highway | Number of Rest Areas |
---|---|
Interstate 10 | 10 |
Interstate 20 | 6 |
Interstate 30 | 4 |
Interstate 35 | 14 |
Interstate 37 | 2 |
Interstate 40 | 6 |
Interstate 45 | 7 |
US Highway 59 | 5 |
US Highway 77 | 3 |
US Highway 83 | 4 |
US Highway 84 | 3 |
US Highway 87 | 4 |
US Highway 90 | 4 |
US Highway 175 | 2 |
US Highway 190 | 5 |
US Highway 277 | 1 |
US Highway 281 | 3 |
US Highway 287 | 2 |
State Highway 71 | 3 |
As shown in the table, the interstate highway with the most rest areas is I-35 at 14 stops. This makes sense given that I-35 runs north-south across the entire state, connecting Texas’ three largest metro areas: Dallas-Fort Worth, Austin, and San Antonio. Major east-west routes like I-10, I-20, and I-40 each have around 5-6 rest areas. Important U.S. highways like U.S. 59, 83, and 90 have 3-5 rest stops. State highways have very few.
Rest Areas per Mile of Highway
Another useful metric is the number of rest areas per mile of highway. This gives a sense of how often drivers will encounter rest stops during trips through certain parts of the state. According to TxDOT data, here are the frequencies of rest areas on some major highway routes:
- I-35 from San Antonio to Austin – 1 rest area per 30 miles
- I-10 near San Antonio – 1 rest area per 60 miles
- I-40 in the Panhandle – 1 rest area per 75 miles
- U.S. 77 south of Victoria – 1 rest area per 90 miles
- U.S. 59 northeast of Laredo – 1 rest area per 120 miles
TxDOT aims to have a rest area available at least every 60 miles on major interstates. But as you can see, frequencies vary across different parts of the state depending on route popularity and geography. Rest areas are most concentrated along Texas’ bustling I-35 corridor between Austin and San Antonio, while more remote highways may only have occasional rest stops.
Comparison to Other States
How does Texas compare to other states when it comes to highway rest areas? Here is a look at the numbers:
State | Approx. Rest Areas |
---|---|
Texas | 86 |
California | 73 |
Florida | 112 |
New York | 57 |
Pennsylvania | 39 |
North Carolina | 56 |
Georgia | 62 |
As a massive state, Texas unsurprisingly has a very high number of rest areas—second only to Florida. States like New York and Pennsylvania located in smaller geographic areas understandably have fewer rest stops. When looked at as rest areas per capita, Texas (with a population around 29 million) averages 1 rest stop per every 338,000 residents. This is a similar ratio to North Carolina and Georgia.
Recent Changes and Future Outlook
While many Texas rest areas have remained in their same locations for decades, TxDOT has closed some underutilized stops in recent years while also opening a handful of new facilities.
For example, in 2020 TxDOT shut down 5 little-used rest areas located on I-45, US 77, and US 87. But in 2021, TxDOT opened its first new rest area in 19 years at Encino, TX on I-37 north of Corpus Christi.
Looking ahead, TxDOT has plans to upgrade some existing rest areas, add new travel information centers, and install more modern amenities. The department faces pressure from both taxpayers wanting efficient spending and travelers desiring updated conveniences. But ultimately, TxDOT is focused on maintaining safety and access to restroom facilities at regular intervals throughout the state’s extensive highway network.
Conclusion
Texas currently has around 86 rest areas spread across its vast highway system. Major routes like I-35 have the highest concentration of rest stops, while more remote highways may only have occasional, spaced-out rest areas. TxDOT aims to provide rest areas every 30-60 miles on primary interstates. This network serves millions of travelers driving through the Lone Star State each year. Looking ahead, TxDOT will continue working to optimize its rest area locations and amenities to fit evolving transportation needs.