On a road trip across America, we all need the occasional break to refuel, eat, or simply stretch our legs. While most service stations are treated as just a quick detour before resuming the journey, some rest stops are destinations in themselves, offering drivers the opportunity to experience everything from stunning vistas to quirky museums.
From the plains of Iowa to the deserts of New Mexico, these unlikely roadside oases are found throughout the nation. Though there are many to be explored, here are six of the coolest rest stops found in the United States.
Iowa 80 Truckstop - Walcott, Iowa
You don’t need to be a trucker to experience the majesty of this rest area just off Interstate 80. Self-described as the “World’s Largest Truckstop,” the Iowa 80 Truckstop lives up to its moniker in a big way with over 900 parking spots for trucks, making it an ideal location for long haulers. First established in 1964, this pavement-coated paradise serves 5,000 customers daily and has sold upwards of 35 million cups of coffee since its inception. The stop as a whole is akin to a mini village, offering services such as dentistry, chiropractic adjustments, laundry, a movie theater, and more.
The Iowa 80 Truckstop is also adjacent to the Iowa 80 Trucking Museum, a year-round institution that chronicles America’s storied trucking history and exhibits antique trucks and other paraphernalia. Plus, if you find yourself in Walcott at the right time of year, you can take in the Walcott Truckers Jamboree. This annual event has been hosted on location since 1979 and is highlighted by truck beauty contests, antique truck displays, and the trucker olympics. So whether you drive a big rig or compact car, stop on by the next time you find yourself in eastern Iowa.
Bear Lake Overlook - Bear Lake State Park, Utah
Few rest stops offer a more idyllic view than the Bear Lake Overlook Rest Area, located just off Utah’s route U.S. 89. For what this pit stop lacks in kitsch and Americana, it more than makes up for in stunning vistas as far as the eye can see. Accessible by cars, RVs, and tour buses alike, drivers can gaze out upon the majesty of Bear Lake State Park, highlighted by its namesake body of water which boasts a crystalline, turquoise appearance. The overlook is so awe-inspiring that it motivated American poet May Swenson to pen the ode “Above Bear Lake,” the words to which are presented on one of the rest stop’s many informative signposts. For those looking to stretch their legs, the Bear Lake Overlook also connects with the Limber Pine Trail, a brief albeit scenic hike highlighted by a 560-year-old limber pine tree that encompasses a massive 25-foot diameter at its base. If you’re looking to break up the monotony of driving down the highway, then this pristine natural paradise is for you.
Russell’s Travel Center - Glenrio, New Mexico
It should come as no surprise that Historic Route 66 — perhaps America’s most famed highway — is home to several unique rest stops, including a vintage car museum that can be easy to miss unless you know to look for it. Nestled within Russell’s Travel Center in Glenrio, New Mexico, this free vintage car museum is perfect for any automobile lover. Boasting classic posters adorning the walls, old gas station signs, and chrome-coated vehicles, this year-round attraction is among the country’s greatest car museums. The museum also features statues of Elvis Presley and Betty Boop, not to mention a few restored jukeboxes and classic gas pumps, doing what it can to perfectly capture the essence of 1950s America.
If cars are less to your liking, you can still feel as if you’ve been transported back to yesteryear with a visit to Russell’s vintage-themed diner that serves up homemade food such as chicken fried steak and ribeyes. No dish is complete with a heaping helping of some of New Mexico’s local hatch green chile sauce, adding some local culinary flair to each plate.
Mars Cheese Castle - Kenosha, Wisconsin
Whether you’re a big fan of dairy or are simply drawn in by the allure of a seemingly random roadside castle, Kenosha’s Mars Cheese Castle is a must-visit spot. This palatial dairy haven first opened its doors in 1947 as a small store located in a local schoolhouse, but later expanded and moved to its current location along Interstate 94 between Milwaukee and Chicago. In 2011, the massive building was redesigned to look like the gargantuan Medieval castle that is visible today, bringing a taste of 12th-century Europe into the heartland of Middle America.
Mars Cheese Castle combines its medieval elements — such as faux stained glass windows, suits of armor, and large feasting tables — with the food items that Wisconsin is best known for: dairy and beer. Offerings include Wisconsin cheddar as well as countless other types of local and foreign cheeses, not to mention jams, pastries, and craft brews from the local New Glarus Brewing Company. Plus the castle receives deliveries of local farm-fresh cheese curds daily, so be sure to get there early and grab a bag to snack on for when you hit the road again.
Pops 66 Soda Ranch - Arcadia, Oklahoma
Driving down Route 66 in Oklahoma, it’s impossible to miss the 66-foot-tall, four-ton, LED decorated soda bottle in Arcadia. This glowing beacon means you’re pulling up to the Pops 66 Soda Ranch, a local roadside institution and full-service restaurant. Pops is best known for its vast selection of soda, with over 600 choices of bottled beverages available on site. Of its many options, Pops’ 80 varieties of root beer have proven to be the store’s number one best-selling flavor for thirsty drivers. But if you’re into the weird and wacky, there are some unusual flavors among Pops’ collection of pops, including teriyaki beef jerky and ranch dressing sodas. Stop in for a quick refreshment and check out Pops for yourself — your taste buds and sweet tooth will thank you.
Begich, Boggs Visitor Center - Anchorage, Alaska
Driving up to Anchorage may be a tall task in itself, but once you get there the scenic highways make it well worth it. One such majestic spot for drivers is found along the Portage Glacier Highway. It’s here that you can make a pit stop at the Begich, Boggs Visitor Center, which offers views of the stunning glacial formations that Alaska is known for. Having opened in 1986, this rest stop is highlighted by “hanging” glaciers dangling off the encircling mountains. It also serves as a great spot to disembark on kayak tours of the Prince William Sound, as well as a boat tour of Portage Lake to take a close up look at its namesake glacier. Furthermore, the rest stop is nestled within the Chugach National Forest, known for being the northernmost national forest anywhere in the Americas. Though only open from Memorial Day through Labor Day each year, the Begich, Boggs Visitor Center is well worth stopping at if you find yourself in Alaska during those warmer months.
