# So, what's up with New Jersey Rest Areas having no bathrooms? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [November 16, 2017, 3:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-whats-up-with-new-jersey-rest-areas-having-no-bathrooms/801741 "2017-11-16T03:02:50Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Tempe\_Jeff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tempe_jeff/32/7328_2.png) [@Tempe\_Jeff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tempe_Jeff)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2017, 3:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-whats-up-with-new-jersey-rest-areas-having-no-bathrooms/801741/1 "2017-11-16T03:02:50Z")
Driving from Allentown, Pa to Newark on I-78 yesterday, I pulled into a Rest Area with no Bathroom facilities. Not even, a Port-A-Can. What the heck? At least, my Navigation on my phone said, " Welcome to New Jersey", when I crossed the State Line. ---
**Author:** ![cmkeller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cmkeller/32/118_2.png) [@cmkeller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmkeller)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2017, 3:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-whats-up-with-new-jersey-rest-areas-having-no-bathrooms/801741/2 "2017-11-16T03:12:19Z")
On toll roads (i.e., the NJ Turnpike and the Garden State Parkway) the rest areas have bathrooms and tons of other facilities beside. On ordinary highways, the state leaves that function to privately-owned gas stations. If you’re entering New Jersey eastbound on I-78, there’s a TA truck stop about 3 miles in which is good for anything you need, IIRC. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2017, 3:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-whats-up-with-new-jersey-rest-areas-having-no-bathrooms/801741/3 "2017-11-16T03:57:43Z")
If there are no bathrooms, then what is the rest stop? Isn’t that kind of the whole reason for having them? ---
**Author:** ![Tempe\_Jeff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tempe_jeff/32/7328_2.png) [@Tempe\_Jeff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tempe_Jeff)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2017, 4:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-whats-up-with-new-jersey-rest-areas-having-no-bathrooms/801741/4 "2017-11-16T04:03:30Z")
The Problem is, when a Blue Sign indicates a Rest Area; a Toilet should be available. Not, a Tree next to a busy Freeway. ---
**Author:** ![DSYoungEsq](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c6cbf5/32.png) [@DSYoungEsq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSYoungEsq)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2017, 4:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-whats-up-with-new-jersey-rest-areas-having-no-bathrooms/801741/5 "2017-11-16T04:41:45Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > If there are no bathrooms, then what is the rest stop? Isn’t that kind of the whole reason for having them? It is quite possible to rest without going potty. 😉 Of course, not that I’ve been able to accomplish a night’s sleep without a trip for a few years now, but… :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![MikeS](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/919ad9/32.png) [@MikeS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MikeS)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2017, 12:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-whats-up-with-new-jersey-rest-areas-having-no-bathrooms/801741/6 "2017-11-16T12:57:47Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > If there are no bathrooms, then what is the rest stop? Isn’t that kind of the whole reason for having them? On the NY Thruway, there are several [“parking/rest areas”](http://www.thruway.ny.gov/travelers/travelplazas/restareas.html) where one can pull off the toll road. However, they generally do not have bathroom facilities; for those, you have to go to one of the [service areas](http://www.thruway.ny.gov/travelers/travelplazas/index.cgi) instead. I’ve driven the NY Thruway a few times now, but I’ve never stopped at one of the “parking areas”. My guess is that they’re mostly used by drivers who are falling asleep, who need to take a phone call, or who want to trade driving duties with one of their passengers. I think [this was the rest area you found](https://www.google.ca/maps/place/I-78+%26+US-22+%26+Phillipsburg%E2%80%93Newark+Expy,+Bloomsbury,+NJ+08804,+USA/@40.6588542,-75.0642106,845m/data=!3m2!1e3!4b1!4m13!1m7!3m6!1s0x89c439929f4adce1:0xeaf9df4b246824a1!2sAllentown,+PA,+USA!3b1!8m2!3d40.6084305!4d-75.4901833!3m4!1s0x89c4737d95727b5b:0xc190163915aae582!8m2!3d40.6588542!4d-75.0624814?hl=en) (use Street View if you want to confirm); note that in both the “satellite” image and the Street View images, the rest area is full of semi-trailer trucks taking a break, as well as a few passenger vehicles. ---
**Author:** ![Ludovic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2017, 1:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-whats-up-with-new-jersey-rest-areas-having-no-bathrooms/801741/7 "2017-11-16T13:06:35Z")
Yeah, as a car driver the only time I remember in the past 20 years stopping at a “rest area” as opposed to a rest stop with a bathroom was when I was too tired an absolutely needed to sleep. In fact the area was posted that no non-trucks were allowed, to discourage prostitution and/or cruising, but I ignored them because I needed the sleep. On the other hand, I’ve pulled over at NYS’s “parking areas” quite often because, not being on a divided highway, they usually have places you can walk into the woods and still let nature call without a formal bathroom. ---
**Author:** ![Arkcon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/96bed5/32.png) [@Arkcon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arkcon)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2017, 1:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-whats-up-with-new-jersey-rest-areas-having-no-bathrooms/801741/8 "2017-11-16T13:51:57Z")
In CT and MA, there are “scenic overlooks” and picnic areas, with no rest room facilities. On the LIE, there are “text stops”, where you stop, use your cell phone, and likewise don’t have rest rooms available. And some welcome areas in CT and MA only have coin opp vending machines, and not rest room. In deference to the confusion people have espoused in this thread, these places are only _sometimes_ called “rest stops” on highway signs. But its not always avoided. > [@Chronos](#): > > If there are no bathrooms, then what is the rest stop? Isn’t that kind of the whole reason for having them? I recognize we call a place in a public building a “rest room” wherein people go to – shit piss change a tampon wank because they have sex addition fart adjust binding underwear or just have to get away. But even if you can prove that “rest room” and “rest stop” have the same entomology – definitions change. People rest, on a highway, because their right foot is tired of holding the accelerator pedal at precisely\* 55 +/- 2 mph, and also for the above reasons. \*Yeah, I said precisely, and I meant it by definition. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2017, 3:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-whats-up-with-new-jersey-rest-areas-having-no-bathrooms/801741/9 "2017-11-16T15:36:28Z")
There are “rest areas” all over the country without bathrooms. I’m surprised it has taken this long to discover this fact. As I drove across the country 3 times by the time I was 22, I guess I realized this early. The old Rand-McNally Road Atlas actually had different symbols for rest areas and areas with services. I suspect the AAA maps still do, I would have to double check. The blue highway signs still show if the rest area has food, gas and/or restrooms. ---
**Author:** ![Folacin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/folacin/32/3195_2.png) [@Folacin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Folacin)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2017, 3:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-whats-up-with-new-jersey-rest-areas-having-no-bathrooms/801741/10 "2017-11-16T15:49:10Z")
Missouri rest areas with no facilities have a sign noting that - otherwise you can assume a toilet (and probably some vending machines). ---
**Author:** ![CurtC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ce73a5/32.png) [@CurtC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CurtC)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2017, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-whats-up-with-new-jersey-rest-areas-having-no-bathrooms/801741/11 "2017-11-16T16:14:33Z")
Here in Texas, a “rest area” will always have a “rest room.” There are some sites that are just covered picnic tables, but those are labelled “picnic area.” ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2017, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-whats-up-with-new-jersey-rest-areas-having-no-bathrooms/801741/12 "2017-11-16T16:49:15Z")
There are restroom-less rest areas around here. They’re just places to pull over. I saw one recently that had a sign about pulling over to use the rest area if you need to use your cellphone. We had one near me that was open for a while after one of our nutbag politicians closed down the restrooms because they were allegedly being used by gay men for hookups. It makes sense to have places to pull over on highways even if they don’t have restrooms, but of course they’re a lot more useful if they have restrooms. Maybe when [del]the robots take over[/del] self driving cars are the norm then the cars will have restrooms and the rest areas as we know them now, _wid or widout_ restrooms will no longer exist. ---
**Author:** ![AlsoNamedBort](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alsonamedbort/32/3213_2.png) [@AlsoNamedBort](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AlsoNamedBort)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2017, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-whats-up-with-new-jersey-rest-areas-having-no-bathrooms/801741/13 "2017-11-16T16:56:28Z")
> [@What\_Exit](#): > > The blue highway signs still show if the rest area has food, gas and/or restrooms. All rest areas in Illinois have restrooms, so there’s no indication on their signs about it. They just say rest area. ---
**Author:** ![Ludovic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2017, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-whats-up-with-new-jersey-rest-areas-having-no-bathrooms/801741/14 "2017-11-16T18:17:16Z")
> [@CurtC](#): > > Here in Texas, a “rest area” will always have a “rest room.” There are some sites that are just covered picnic tables, but those are labelled “picnic area.” I never understood those. I can see parking areas where one can reorganize, take calls, etc, but if you want to have a picnic, chances are someone will need to go at some time during your meal. So I guess RVs can use it for the intended purpose but that’s about it. ---
**Author:** ![MikeF](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@MikeF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MikeF)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2017, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-whats-up-with-new-jersey-rest-areas-having-no-bathrooms/801741/15 "2017-11-16T19:08:45Z")
Wanna piss on New Jersey? We provide those rest areas for just that. Pretty considerate, if you ask me. ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2017, 7:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-whats-up-with-new-jersey-rest-areas-having-no-bathrooms/801741/16 "2017-11-16T19:29:02Z")
> [@MikeF](#): > > Wanna piss on New Jersey? We provide those rest areas for just that. Pretty considerate, if you ask me. Yeah, isn’t the whole of New Jersey pretty much an open toilet? ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2017, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-whats-up-with-new-jersey-rest-areas-having-no-bathrooms/801741/17 "2017-11-16T19:34:35Z")
> [@Gatopescado](#): > > Yeah, isn’t the whole of New Jersey pretty much an open toilet? No, no its not and that is pretty insulting for GQ. Not funny, just small minded and stupid. ETA: Removed inappropriate word. ---
**Author:** ![Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/46a35a/32.png) [@Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tim_T-Bonham.net)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2017, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-whats-up-with-new-jersey-rest-areas-having-no-bathrooms/801741/18 "2017-11-16T20:39:46Z")
> [@cmkeller](#): > > On toll roads (i.e., the NJ Turnpike and the Garden State Parkway) the rest areas have bathrooms and tons of other facilities beside. On ordinary highways, the state leaves that function to privately-owned gas stations. If you’re entering New Jersey eastbound on I-78, there’s a TA truck stop about 3 miles in which is good for anything you need, IIRC. This is a deliberate effort to keep the public highways less pleasant than the profit-making toll roads. Done by State politicians and the companies that make so much profit from those toll roads (and pay kickbacks to the politicians – yes, even in New Jersey there are sometimes kickbacks). Here in Minnesota, we absolutely outlaw toll roads, and all of our main rest stops have toilets available. ---
**Author:** ![Spiderman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spiderman/32/230_2.png) [@Spiderman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiderman)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2017, 4:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-whats-up-with-new-jersey-rest-areas-having-no-bathrooms/801741/19 "2017-11-17T04:55:53Z")
> [@cmkeller](#): > > On toll roads (i.e., the NJ Turnpike and the Garden State Parkway) the rest areas have bathrooms and tons of other facilities beside. On ordinary highways, the state leaves that function to privately-owned gas stations. It was always my understanding that the NJ Tpk & GSP did it because they’re private toll roads, with a cost to exit. There’s an economy of scale, price wise, going end-to-end vs. getting off at every exit. On roads such as I-78 or I-80 where there’s no cost to exit, there’s nothing to keep you on the road. > [@t-bonham@scc.net](#): > > This is a deliberate effort to keep the public highways less pleasant than the profit-making toll roads. Except I-78 & it’s nearest ‘competitor’, I-80 are both free, except for the toll to leave NJ (why is it always free to enter but you must pay to leave NJ?), which is the same for both roads as both are maintained by the same tolling authority. Some states have been cutting back on their rest facilities, closing bathrooms & such as a way to save a few bucks on the state budget. ---
**Author:** ![Kimstu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ecd19e/32.png) [@Kimstu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimstu)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2017, 5:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-whats-up-with-new-jersey-rest-areas-having-no-bathrooms/801741/20 "2017-11-17T05:47:00Z")
> [@Arkcon](#): > > But even if you can prove that “rest room” and “rest stop” have the same entomology Etymology. Sorry to nitpick, but it was really bugging me. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-whats-up-with-new-jersey-rest-areas-having-no-bathrooms/801741.md?page=2)