Rest Area Etiquette: How Not to Be THAT Traveler
By Ciara Perez | iSkyCreations - News & Media (ISC)
Published September 16th, 2024
Rest Area Etiquette: How Not to Be THAT Traveler
Ah, the humble rest area. It’s the oasis of every road trip, where you can finally stop pretending you’re not dying for the bathroom, refuel your body with vending machine snacks, and maybe even sneak in a nap. But, like any public space, there are unspoken rules. If you want to keep your travels smooth and not end up on someone’s “worst traveler ever” list, follow these do’s, don’ts, and a few tips that’ll make your stop stress-free (and prevent the guy next to you from giving you dirty looks).
The Do’s: Rest Area Heroes in Action
1. Do Park Like You’ve Passed Your Driver’s Test Look, I know we’ve all been driving for hours, and you’re tired, but parking between the lines isn’t that hard. Please don’t angle your car like you’re auditioning for Fast & Furious: The Rest Area Drift. Park like a normal human so everyone has room. Extra points if you don’t take up two spots because “you’re bad at backing up.”
2. Do Clean Up Like Your Mom Is Watching If you’re planning to chow down on some road snacks or change your baby’s diaper, great — just don’t leave the remnants behind. Nobody likes a mystery diaper on the ground or a McDonald’s bag blowing across the lot like tumbleweed in the Old West. Garbage cans are there for a reason. Use them.
3. Do the Restroom Hustle We all know rest stop bathrooms aren’t winning any awards for cleanliness, but let’s help each other out. Go in, do your business, and get out. This isn’t the time to take up residence in the stall for 30 minutes while you scroll Instagram. Some poor soul outside is doing the I’m About to Burst dance, so keep it moving.
4. Do Secure Your Stuff Rest areas are generally safe, but “generally” doesn’t mean “always.” Lock your car. Put your valuables out of sight. The last thing you need is someone deciding your GoPro or tablet would look better in their car.
5. Do Stretch Like You Mean It No shame in getting out and doing a weird interpretive dance version of a stretch. We’ve all been there, trying to shake off the “I’ve been sitting too long” cramp. Walk around, stretch those legs, but please don’t do it in the middle of the driving lanes. We’re all trying to leave, and dodging you like a slalom course isn’t fun.
The Don’ts: Seriously, Just Don’t
1. Don’t Leave Your Headlights On While Sleeping You want to take a nap. I get it. But leaving your headlights on is basically like saying, “Hey, I know you’re trying to sleep too, but let me blind you while I do it.” Turn them off. Your car battery will thank you, and so will the poor soul parked next to you who doesn’t want to feel like they’re starring in Close Encounters of the Rest Area Kind.
2. Don’t Turn Your Car Into a Nightclub You love your music; that’s cool. But blasting your tunes at full volume while people are trying to catch some sleep in their cars? Not cool. Rest areas aren’t Coachella, so keep the volume down. Especially at night. Even your playlist isn’t that good.
3. Don’t Block Traffic Like You Own the Place We get it — sometimes you just need to pull over fast. But don’t park in random places like you’re trying to see how creative you can get. Traffic lanes are there for a reason, and your car does not belong in them. Stick to actual parking spots so the rest of us can make our pit stops without zig-zagging around your vehicle.
4. Don’t Camp Out for Days Rest areas are for resting, not setting up your new summer home. Take your break, catch your nap, and move on. Most rest areas have signs telling you the max time you can stay (usually around 8 hours). Overstaying isn’t just rude — it might get you a nice little visit from a state trooper.
5. Don’t Attract the Wrong Kind of Attention Some rest areas can feel a little sketchy at night, but don’t add to the chaos. If you see something, say something.
Wrapping Up
Rest areas are essential to long trips, providing the opportunity to rest and rejuvenate during your journey. By following these simple guidelines — being courteous, considerate, and clean — you help create a better travel experience for yourself and your fellow road warriors. Stay safe, respect the space, and happy travels!
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without permission from us. If you would like to purchase our photos or videos, please contact us at: support@iskycreations.com or visit our website here. Ready to make a difference in your community? Join our News Team.
©2024 iSkyCreations, LLC. - News & Media
Comments