There are no rest stops along US-101 in Washington state. Where to stop instead

Summer has arrived, so summer trips are underway.

Whether driving just a few towns over, across the state or even farther, the classic road trip is a hallmark of summer.

But traveling in a vehicle comes with caveats. Riding by car is only comfortable for so long, at some point, you’ll need to stop and stretch your legs. There’s also food, drink and bathroom breaks to consider — especially when traveling with children.

Managed by the Washington State Department of Transportation, rest stops in the Evergreen State can be found along major highways, offering drivers and passengers a safe location to stop.

Many rest areas also participate in the department’s free coffee program.

“Safety rest areas, including WSDOT’s, serve a vital safety purpose of preventing drowsy driving by giving drivers a place to stop, rest and stretch their legs,” Barbara LaBoe with WSDOT Communications told McClatchy Media in 2024. “Bathrooms are provided and in some locations, volunteers also run free coffee programs to help prevent drowsy driving.”

Where are rest stops in Washington state?

The map pinpoints each of the WSDOT rest stops. According to LaBoe, these rest areas service 24 million users annually.

A handful are multi-directional, allowing drivers to access them no matter which way they’re headed.

Some of these locations have seasonal schedules. Check your route and rest stops online before hitting the road.

How are rest stop locations chosen in WA?

Given the expanse of Eastern Washington, many of its major routes have few or no rest stops.

So how are rest areas determined?

There are multiple factors at play, according to information from LaBoe.

For starters, all rest stop locations were chosen between 1967 and 2011. Funding issues do not allow for new rest stop construction, only upkeep and maintenance.

Location decisions have been governed by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials’ Guide for the Development of New Rest Areas. Guidelines include:

• Service locations with effective stopping opportunities every 60 miles on state routes and interstates
• Safety benefit analyses, based on average annual traffic volume, collision data and associated costs
• Effectiveness of location based on additional information on the area
• Feasibility analysis on whether the location could handle the traffic volume

Based on these guidelines, some areas are more optimal than others.

WSDOT may pass up on larger urban areas with multiple stopping points along the route, less popular scenic byways, certain camping areas or other locations.

Where should I stop on a road trip on US 101?

So what happens if you’re driving in an area without many rest stops? What if you passed the only one you could’ve used, and need to find an alternate option?

McClatchy Media has a series of Washington state routes that show long stretches between rest stops, including where you can stop in the meantime for gas, food, stretching or bathrooms — without any fast food options.

US Highway 101 is a north-south highway from around Washington’s Olympic National Park to southern California.

Beginning at the I-5 connection near Tumwater, Highway 101 wraps around the park and the Olympic Peninsula continues onward to Forks, before journeying south through California.

It would take over seven hours to drive the entire Washington state stretch, but there are no WSDOT rest stops along the way.

If you go:

Here are some recommended stopping points along the way:

Tumwater to Sequim

• Hood Canal Outfitters Gas Station: 24171 North US Highway 101
• The Tides Family Restaurant: 27061 US Highway 101
• Longhouse Market and Deli: 271020 US Highway 101
• Geoduck Restaurant and Lounge: 307103 US Highway 101

Sequim to Forks

• Texaco: 232951 US Highway 101
• Fairholme General Store: 221121 US Highway 101
• Granny’s Cafe: 235471 US Highway 101
• Shell: 170 North Forks Ave.

Forks to Aberdeen

• Kalaloch Lodge/Creekside Restaurant at Olympic National Park: 157151 US Highway 101
• Queets Trading Post: 402 Jackson Heights Drive
• Quinault Internet Cafe: 6094 US Highway 101
• PetroCard CFN: 128 US Highway 101

Aberdeen to Chinook

• Clarks Restaurant: 731 US Highway 101 #6
• 76: 104 Robert Bush Drive East
• Chen’s Restaurant and Motel: 206 Robert Bush Drive East
• Chinook Country Store: 775 US Highway 101

This article contains information from a previous story originally published in August 2024.