# Why not put rest areas in the median?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-not-put-rest-areas-in-the-median/128940>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [September 21, 2002, 4:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-not-put-rest-areas-in-the-median/128940 "2002-09-21T04:50:11Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 3

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**Author:** ![mazzer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/eada6e/32.png) [@mazzer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mazzer)\
**Post date:** [September 23, 2002, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-not-put-rest-areas-in-the-median/128940/41 "2002-09-23T17:56:53Z")

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> [@](#):
>
> \*Originally posted by bobk2 \*  
> \*\*On the NY Thruway it used to be that it didn’t cost any more for a point-to-point trip if you got off and back on at the same intermediate exit, and there was at least one exit where you could save 5 cents by doing so.
> 
> I believe the MA Turnpike was the same (no extra cost) although since I got an electronic Fast-Lane pass and I don’t watch as closely, and they’ve changed the rates anyhow, I’m not sure if its still so. \*\*

There’s still an “American” problem with doing with that, which is that requires extra effort (if you don’t have one of those Fast Lane passes, which most people needing a burger and a T-shirt don’t).

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**Author:** ![SmackFu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/53a042/32.png) [@SmackFu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SmackFu)\
**Post date:** [September 24, 2002, 12:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-not-put-rest-areas-in-the-median/128940/42 "2002-09-24T00:57:30Z")

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I’ll just throw out the random fact that the Connecticut Turnpike (I-95) has a full set of rest stops in a densely populated urban area, but is a completely free road. The trick is that it used to be a toll road once upon a time, and they abolished the tolls and raised everyone’s gas taxes. Apparently the impetus was some horrific accident where a semi truck lost its brakes and ran into the cars at a toll plaza. Anyways, the rest stops are the only indication left.

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**Author:** ![manhattan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/manhattan/32/7_2.png) [@manhattan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/manhattan)\
**Post date:** [September 24, 2002, 1:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-not-put-rest-areas-in-the-median/128940/43 "2002-09-24T01:13:34Z")

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Does there remain an unanswered General Question on the table?

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**Author:** ![VOW](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/vow/32/3043_2.png) [@VOW](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VOW)\
**Post date:** [September 25, 2002, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-not-put-rest-areas-in-the-median/128940/44 "2002-09-25T18:55:13Z")

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To **Chriszarate** :

> [@](#):
>
> . FWIW, in those situations, people slow down for the re-entering semi, althought usually they do a pretty good job of getting up to speed. I suppose that can be viewed as negative, depending on your attitude towards traffic.

( **VOW** collapses in hysterical laughter at the mental picture of drivers “slowing down for the re-entering semi.”)

Uh, **CZ** , you haven’t been to California, have you?  
To **Chriscya** :

> [@](#):
>
> I don’t think there is even a reason to build rest stops anymore now that there is a Wal-mart in every town over 3,000.

Hey, **CZ**! On your way out to California to study the graduates of the “Bat-Outta-Hell” school of driving, pick up **C-cya**. You can stop in Vegas for some entertainment, and then see freeways with a whole lot of NUTHIN for miles and miles and miles!

And watch out for the loaded semis zooming by in packs, going about 80 mph!  
~VOW

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