When you’re on a road trip with the kids, a clean bathroom feels like a non-negotiable. So, naturally, we were all over a new study from American River Wellness that lists the best (read: cleanest) public restrooms throughout the country. The study asked over 3,000 drivers and truckers their thoughts on the best public restrooms in the U.S. and three New Jersey rest stops made the list.
American River Wellness made it their business to survey 3,017 drivers and truckers about the most hygienic and welcoming facilities. What’s interesting is that the survey didn’t uncover just cleanliness – respondents also noted that a quick stop can have peacefulness, healthier food options, green spaces and nice welcome centers.
Jersey’s No. 1 rest stop is the Clara Barton Service Area, near Exit 1 south of the New Jersey Turnpike, near the Delaware Memorial Bridge. No. 14 on the national list, there are extra clean bathrooms here, a classic rest area vibe, and easy access on and off the highway, according to the study.
The second New Jersey stop on the list, the Vince Lombardi Service Area on the Turnpike around Ridgefield, ranks No. 49 in the country. Near the George Washington Bridge, this is a busy area. Restrooms are regularly cleaned and the food court is stacked, according to the study.
The Thomas Edison Service Area, located at milepost 92.9 on the southbound side of the Turnpike, in Woodbridge, came in at No. 55 nationally. It was recently renovated so it has updated bathrooms, plenty of charging stations, and lots of food options and parking.
To note: All 21 service areas on the Turnpike and the Garden State Parkway are owned by the New Jersey Turnpike Authority, and have been replaced or significantly rehabbed in the past 10 years.
The cleanest rest stop restrooms in New Jersey, according to American River Wellness:
Clara Barton Service Area, New Jersey Turnpike, Exit 1 southbound (No. 14)
Vince Lombardi Service Area, I-95/New Jersey Turnpike, Ridgefield (No. 49)
Thomas Edison Service Area, Milepost 92.9, southbound side of the New Jersey Turnpike, Woodbridge (No. 55)
The Top 10 public restrooms in the U.S., according to American River Wellness:
- Kula Forest Reserve Picnic Area – Maui (Haleakalā Hwy.), Hawaii
- Florida Welcome Center – I-95 (Jacksonville), Florida
- Kentucky Welcome Center – I-65 (Bowling Green), Kentucky
- Waimea Canyon Lookout, Hawaii
- Burlington Rest Area – I-85/I-40 (Between Greensboro and Durham), North Carolina
- Welcome Center – I-95 (Rowland), North Carolina
- Biden Welcome Center – I-95 (Newark), Delaware
- Painted Canyon Rest Area – I-94 (Theodore Roosevelt National Park), North Dakota
- McDowell County Rest Area – I-40 (Near Marion, east of Black Mountain), North Carolina
- New Kent East Rest Area – I-64 (Between Richmond and Williamsburg), Virginia
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