You know that feeling when you pass a rest stop and then realize—too late—that your next opportunity is a lot further than you care to hold it. If you’re planning to take a road trip, take note: a recent study by QS Supplies maps out the distances between rest stops on U.S. highways, identifying those with the longest stretches between rest stops.
Hydration is important, especially on road trips when sun and AC can dry you out. But proper hydration means you’ll have to stop for more bathroom breaks. Whether you need a bathroom or a little time to stretch your legs, rest stops are a key element of a comfortable long-haul drive. Unfortunately, not all U.S. highways offer the same number of rest stops, so on certain journeys you might find yourself facing long stretches between breaks.
The highway with the longest distance between rest stops, according to the study, is I-49. You’ll find just two rest stops along the 528-mile highway—which stretches between Kansas City, MO and Lafayette, LA—with an average of 264 miles between each stop. Rest stops are an average 180 miles apart along I-72 between Hannibal, MO and Champagne, IL. Driving I-22 from Birmingham, AL to Byhalia, MS, you’re out of luck, as the 203-mile stretch of road doesn’t have a single rest stop.
Before you head out on a long road trip, bring snacks and check out rest stop locations or you might get stuck having to go in a less-than-ideal spot on the side of the road.