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We'll be driving through the DC area on Saturday afternoon, and it seems that all the really nice, big, clean travel plazas that we're used to on the roads down South (Love's, Pilot, Flying J, etc.) don't go up that far north, and the northern plazas (basically just TA) don't go that far south. I know that once we get past Baltimore there are the nice Maryland state rest areas (Maryland House and Chesapeake House), and of course NJ Turnpike, Garden State Parkway, PA Turnpike, NY Thruway, etc. all have nice rest areas, with restaurants, rest rooms, and a gasoline station.
Is there anything comparable in the DC area?
If not, is there something comparable before we get into DC, coming from Richmond, or after we get past DC, but before we get to Baltimore?
If not, is there something comparable before we get into DC, coming from Richmond, or after we get past DC, but before we get to Baltimore?
I understand what you are asking, and the answer is "no". The Virginia rest stops north of Richmond are dreadful. There is a Maryland rest stop in Laurel which is clean but only has vending machines.
If you really need to stop for food, look for a McDonalds or Cracker Barrel, etc.
Last edited by goldenage1; 08-14-2015 at 02:59 AM..
There are Wawas (huge gas stations like Loves and Pilot that have made to order food and clean bathrooms) in Woodbridge, VA and Beltsville, MD off of 95 (15-20 miles outside of DC on either side): https://www.wawa.com/StoreLocator.aspx. If you think Loves and Pilot are clean and nice, then Wawa will blow you away because it's better.
Wawas rock. Stop at the one off I-95 Exit 133 (Warrenton, US 17 North). It's less than a mile off the interstate on the right and has a stoplight so it's easy to take a left and get back onto I-95 ASAP. Clean, great food and service, and maybe even more relaxing than a traditional rest area (at least to me). Plus it's about midway between Richmond and DC and lets you refresh yourself as the traffic gets busier going north.
Chesapeake House was totally rebuilt and it's actually now shockingly pleasant. A great place to stretch your legs and grab a bite. There's even a Peet's Coffee there.
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