For America’s long-haul truckers, road trippers, and anyone living life between mile markers, the quality of a public restroom speaks volumes. It’s not just a matter of convenience – it’s a reflection of how a town treats the travelers who pass through. A clean, welcoming facility hints at a place that cares, not just about appearances, but about the comfort and well-being of its visitors.
Recognizing this overlooked symbol of hospitality, American River Wellness, experts in return to duty support, surveyed 3,017 drivers to identify the nation’s best public restrooms. But as the findings show, it’s never just about the bathrooms. Towns that prioritize spotless facilities often offer a lot more: peaceful rest areas, healthier food options, green spaces, and inviting welcome centers that turn a quick stop into a moment of genuine rest and rejuvenation. These communities remind travelers that even along a busy highway, hospitality matters.
Here are the top 10 public restrooms across the country, as voted by the people who know the roads best:
#1 Kula Forest Reserve Picnic Area – Maui (Haleakalā Hwy), Hawaii
Perched on the climb toward Haleakalā’s summit, this rustic rest stop offers a slice of serenity. Set under eucalyptus trees, it features clean compost toilets, peaceful picnic areas, and the kind of quiet that makes you linger a little longer before continuing the winding drive.
#2 Florida Welcome Center – I-95 (Jacksonville), Florida
A benchmark for all welcome centers, Florida’s I-95 outpost rolls out the red carpet. Citrus juice samples, spotless restrooms, and a treasure trove of travel brochures create an experience that’s part bathroom break, part mini-vacation kickoff.
#3 Kentucky Welcome Center – I-65 (Bowling Green), Kentucky
Opening your car door here feels like arriving at a hidden garden. With lush landscaping, ultra-clean facilities, and friendly attendants, it’s the sort of place that makes you breathe easier – and maybe plan a detour down the bourbon trail.
#4 Waimea Canyon Lookout, Hawaii
Known as the “Grand Canyon of the Pacific,” this lookout delivers more than sweeping vistas. It boasts well-maintained restrooms, shady picnic areas, and a much-needed respite after the winding journey to reach it.
#5 Burlington Rest Area – I-85/I-40 (Between Greensboro & Durham), North Carolina
A practical gem for those traversing North Carolina’s Piedmont, this rest area offers clean bathrooms, shaded picnic spaces, and plenty of parking – earning it loyal fans among truckers and road-tripping families alike.
#6 Welcome Center – I-95 (Rowland), North Carolina
This welcoming stop near the South Carolina border feels more like visiting a neighbor’s front porch than a highway necessity. With beautifully kept grounds, pristine restrooms, and true Southern hospitality, it’s a hard place to leave quickly.
#7 Biden Welcome Center – I-95 (Newark), Delaware
Delaware goes big with the Biden Welcome Center – a sleek, modern rest stop that offers bright, airy spaces, fast food choices, and some of the cleanest facilities on the East Coast. More airport terminal than truck stop, it’s a cut above.
#8 Painted Canyon Rest Area – I-94 (Theodore Roosevelt National Park), North Dakota
More than a pit stop, this rest area is a front-row seat to the breathtaking Painted Canyon. Sparkling facilities, hiking trails, and photo-worthy vistas make it a must-stop – even if nature isn’t calling.
#9 McDowell County Rest Area – I-40 (Near Marion, East of Black Mountain), North Carolina
Past Asheville’s bustle, this wooded rest area feels like a deep exhale. Clean restrooms, leafy picnic spots, and the occasional hawk overhead remind travelers that even highways can lead to moments of real peace.
#10 New Kent East Rest Area – I-64 (Between Richmond & Williamsburg), Virginia
Recently renovated, this spot offers clean bathrooms, manicured grounds, and easy highway access—perfect for history buffs headed toward Colonial Williamsburg. It’s a little piece of polished rest area perfection.
3 public restrooms across New York featured, and here is how they ranked nationally:
#11 Long Island Welcome Center – NY-25 (Between Riverhead and the Hamptons)
This newer rest stop is the chef’s kiss of rest areas: farm-to-table vending machines, Long Island-themed decor, local tourism displays, and sparkling restrooms. It feels more like a stylish café than a pit stop. Yes, even rest stops are fancy in the Hamptons corridor.
#27 Mohawk Valley Welcome Center – I-90 (Canajoharie)
This rest area is straight-up beautiful, with stunning views of the Mohawk River, local food vending, clean bathrooms, and even a dog park. It’s New York’s upstate charm on full display-perfect for leaf peepers and Thruway travelers alike.
#31 Plattekill Service Area – I-87 (New York State Thruway)
In the Hudson Valley region, Plattekill is a favorite for its quick food options, efficient layout, and tidy restrooms. It’s nothing fancy-but when you’re stuck in Thruway traffic, it’s a beacon of relief.
“We often think of rest stops as mere necessities, but they’re powerful reflections of a community’s values,” says Graham Sargent of American River Wellness. “For long-haul truckers especially – who spend days or weeks at a time on the road – a clean, welcoming facility sends a simple but important message: ‘You matter here.’ We hope these findings shine a spotlight on the places that are getting it right – and inspire more towns to invest in the well-being of all travelers across America.”
