California’s network of rest stops along its highways and freeways has become an iconic part of road travel in the state. Generations of drivers have relied on these oases to take a break, use the restroom, grab a snack, or just stretch their legs during long journeys up and down the Golden State. However, over the past several years, more and more of these rest stops have been closed to the public, leaving drivers frustrated and without many options for stopping. So why are so many of California’s rest stops shut down?
A Growing Problem
The closure of rest stops in California has been an issue for well over a decade now. Back in 2009, over 20 rest stops were closed by Caltrans, the state agency that manages the majority of rest stops. At the time, this was blamed primarily on budget cuts due to the Great Recession. However, even after the economy recovered, more and more rest stops continued to be shuttered. Today, according to estimates, nearly half of the original 273 rest stops in California are now closed.
This increasing unavailability of rest stops has corresponded with a rise in complaints from drivers who now have much fewer options when needing to pull over. Various truck driver associations have lodged protests about the closures, arguing they leave their drivers without places to rest during federally mandated breaks. Tourism associations have also complained that the closures make road travel less visitor-friendly in the state.
Why are Rest Stops Closing?
There are a few key reasons why California’s network of rest stops keeps getting smaller:
- Budget cuts – Maintaining rest stop facilities and servicing/cleaning them daily is expensive for Caltrans. With California’s perpetual budget problems, rest stops often end up on the chopping block.
- Increased costs – In addition to regular maintenance, many older rest stops require costly repairs and renovations to continue operating safely and cleanly.
- Staffing challenges – Keeping rest stops staffed with custodial and maintenance personnel has grown increasingly difficult with labor shortages.
- Crime – Some rest stops have turned into hotbeds of criminal activity like drug use and prostitution, leading Caltrans to close them.
- Decreased usage – As more electric and hybrid vehicles allow drivers to go farther between fill-ups, some data indicates rest stops are used less often.
With less funds available and more costs to operate aging rest stop facilities, Caltrans has made the decision in many cases to simply close them permanently. The increase in homeless encampments at some rest stops has also contributed to closures.
Impact of Rest Stop Closures
The continued closure of California’s rest stops has had a number of impacts:
- Driver frustration – Drivers must now plan trips and fuel stops more carefully with fewer rest stops available.
- Safety concerns – With limited options to rest, some experts worry about drowsy or fatigued driving.
- Roadside bathroom breaks – More people may resort to stopping on the shoulders to relieve themselves.
- Truck driver hardship – Legally required breaks are harder to take with fewer rest stops open.
- Tourism inconvenience – Visitors have fewer convenient places to stop during travel.
- Economic effects – Nearby businesses often rely on rest stop traffic and suffer when they close.
While safety is the primary concern, the closures also create frustrations for drivers, especially on long trips. Bathroom access becomes more difficult, planning stops carefully is required, and taking breaks can involve exiting the highways into towns and cities, which takes more time.
Current Status of California Rest Stops
As of late 2022, this is the current status of California’s network of highway rest stops:
- Approximately 120 rest stops remain open
- Around 100 rest stops are closed permanently
- Many open rest stops are only open during daylight hours
- Only 17 rest stops have 24/7 access
- Most closed rest stops are in Southern California
While Caltrans has indicated some currently closed rest stops may eventually reopen, most are likely closed permanently. The majority of closures have occurred in Southern California, specifically in high-traffic areas like Los Angeles and San Diego metro regions.
Open vs. Closed Rest Stops by Caltrans District
| District | Open Rest Stops | Closed Rest Stops |
|---|---|---|
| District 1 – Northern California | 48 | 10 |
| District 2 – Northern Sacramento Valley | 14 | 8 |
| District 3 – Northern San Joaquin Valley | 15 | 11 |
| District 4 – San Francisco Bay Area | 9 | 7 |
| District 5 – Central Coast | 5 | 8 |
| District 6 – Central San Joaquin Valley | 7 | 3 |
| District 7 – Los Angeles/Ventura | 10 | 30 |
| District 8 – San Bernardino/Riverside | 4 | 12 |
| District 9 – Eastern Sierra/Central Coast | 3 | 4 |
| District 10 – Southern San Joaquin Valley | 5 | 7 |
| District 11 – San Diego/Imperial | 0 | 11 |
| Statewide Total | 120 | 101 |
As the table shows, the highest concentration of closures has occurred in Southern California, specifically Districts 7, 8, and 11 which contain the highly populated metro regions of Los Angeles, San Diego, and the Inland Empire. For example, District 11 covering San Diego and Imperial County has seen all 11 of its rest stops shut down.
Future of California Rest Stops
Looking ahead, the future of California’s rest stops appears to be moving toward more closures rather than reopenings. With the state budget still struggling from deficits and the costs involved in renovating aging rest stops to comply with ADA requirements, many in Caltrans anticipate even more closures in coming years.
Some of the options being proposed for the future of the state’s rest stops include:
- Privatization – Allowing private companies to operate rest stops with businesses like gas stations, restaurants, etc. could generate revenue to maintain them.
- RV parking – Designating some rest stops for RV parking only could address overcrowding.
- Amenities – Upgrading amenities like WiFi, play areas, and electric vehicle charging could boost usage of some lesser-used stops.
- Adopt-A-Rest-Stop – Allowing community organizations or businesses to “adopt” a rest stop could share maintenance costs.
- Tourist info centers – Turning some stops into visitor centers with local travel info could attract tourists.
However, most experts believe California will simply continue the trend of further rest stop closures. Caltrans faces a difficult task of maintaining safe, clean and accessible rest stops with limited budgets. Drivers in the state will likely have to adjust to planning travel on highways with far fewer rest stop options available in the future.
Finding Open Rest Stops
For drivers needing to locate rest stops in California that remain open, real-time apps now exist to help. Apps like StopFinder show open rest stops along your route, their amenities and hours. Websites like Caltrans’ website also provide updated listings of open facilities.
Some tips for finding open rest stops include:
- Check apps like StopFinder before starting a trip to see rest stop status.
- Note signs along highways indicating upcoming rest stops and if they are open.
- Search for rest stop listings on Caltrans website district pages.
- Stop into California Welcome Centers for in-person rest stop advice.
- Call Caltrans district offices for closure updates before travel.
While stopping options are more limited, planning ahead and utilizing available resources can help identify which remaining California rest stops are open along your route.
Conclusion
The closure of California’s rest stops over the past decade has been frustrating for drivers who now have far fewer places to safely stop and take a break. Budget cuts, increased costs, crime, labor shortages and decreased usage have all contributed to more than 100 rest stop closures, primarily in Southern California.
This has impacted road trip safety, forced drivers to carefully plan out stops, and made following trucking rest break rules more difficult. Although potential options exist like privatization or community adoption, most expect the trend of rest stop closures to continue in the years ahead.
Drivers can use apps and websites to identify which remaining rest stops are open along their route. But ultimately, California travelers will have to adjust to fewer rest stop options when road tripping across the Golden State.