To make travel comfortable, rest areas (such as the one in Aberdeen, Maryland on route 95 south, pictured, right) and service areas are convenient stop-offs on long highway journeys. So, what is the difference between a rest area and a service area? In the video below, I share some of the differences I know as an ordinary traveler. Do scroll below the video to see photos from different rest and service areas in Eastern U.S.A.

Service Area vs Rest Area: Travel in the U.S.
In the beginning, I pinpoint on the US map where I am talking from in Western New York. Then, I discuss tips on using the Thruway or Interstate. Following this, I talk about the difference services we can see at common service areas, including: restaurants, restrooms, stores (snacks, drinks, memorabilia), tourist information booth, ATM, money transfer, Free Wi-Fi, gas station, and others.
**Note, all photos in this post were taken by Jennifer Kumar.

Highway memorabilia displayed at the I-95 Welcome Center, Service Area, Delaware

Souvenirs for sale in the Allentown, Pennsylvania I-78 service area.


Self-service gas pump, I-87, New York.

Toilets in a service area on the New York State Thruway.

EZ-Pass and cash toll booths on the New Jersey Turnpike.

Rest area, I-89, Vermont.

Convenient Store, Interstate 90, New York.

Welcome Center (Rest Area), 81 South, Great Bend, Pennsylvania.
Jennifer Kumar, author of this post and video commentator, specializes in building the communication skills and business acumen of professionals working in the software industry. She works specifically with IT teams in Kerala and throughout India that interface with US clients. She works with your team on a freelance basis. She has trained and coached over 4,000 professionals throughout India. To add yourself or your team to the list, click here to contact us!
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Updated May 2020