Why are there so few services between Vancouver and Olympia on I-5?

[StealthRabbit]

Definitely don't need a Perkins or Cracker Barrel. Keep it local please

Can't beat Mary McCranks in Chehalis, ~ 5 Minutes off exit 72
Spiffy's is better than Cracker Barrel (exit 68)
Country Cousin Restaurant at factory stores in Centralia is just like Cracker Barrel, without the Chain feel and bulk purchasing that kills local provisioners.

The Kalama River Camground has a great weekend breakfast

The Olympic Hotel & Bar (Centralia) is a worthwhile place for food and decor.

Even the "49'r at Castle Rock, Pepper Tree at Woodland, and the Rib Eye at Chehalis are pretty decent most of the time (tho I don't do the "rib Eye' at night, due to the noise of adjoining bar. )

I have a tough time having enough time to enjoy the existing places & I haven't even scratched the surface here.

Keep it local, Please...

[cobolt]

Oh yes. That Mexican restaraunt in Chehalis is divine! Definately stick with the local stuff. Please no more Applebees and Olive Garden. Yuck.

[Ira500]

The Jersey Diner in Centralia is very good for breakfast. It's named for the Jersey cow, not the state.

[Taffeta]

There are services. There is a Cubs bus that travels from Olympia Tacoma to Vancouver Daily for 2.00.
Olympia being the Capitol seems to get the majority of the funding for the state. Very seldon will you see trash along the roadways or the manicured local bushes unmanicured.
Centralia has the outlet stores such as Carters, Lenox and Hanes (plus many more).
The majority of the taxes come from good paying union jobs. This also generates some additional programs for children and mentally ill people.
There ae many avalaible flights around the Mt and some beautiful drives around Mt St Helens and Mt Rainer.
Beings as most of the small towns in the area are older than 80 years old. There are massive antique stores for shoppers. Even if you prefer to gamble there are several casino's in the area. For kids there is a new indoor water park at the North End of Centralia. If you decide to go be prepared to drop no less than 70.00 per day per person. But the stay is worth it.

[dogmom]

No we don't need more chain restaurants along that beautiful stretch of interstate..agreed, no one is going to starve for a 100 mile drive, lol..bring a snack..There is a wonderful restarurant in Woodland that we always like to stop at, the Oak Tree..try it..awesome and just real friendly..a nice gift shop to putz around in, not like the Cracker Barrell, but nice all the less..

[pw72]

I agree, Burgerville is a cut above the national chains. Seek them out whenever possible.

As for services on I-5 in SW Wash, you can probably find anything you are looking for, but it is different from the east coast or even midwest. Businesses in the NW tend to locate wherever the traffic is highest, and that isn't always near the interstate. Believe me, they are there, but the challenge is finding them! You have to understand that the main freeway (I-5) is more of a "speedway" between Portland and Seattle, than a place to stop. It is a regional difference, so unless you are in love with the McDonalds dollar menu, good luck!

[Fl3x]

Woodland has a burgerville and a good restaurant called the oaktree. Theres also longview and kelso.