The Best Clean Rest Stops for Road Trips (Yes, Buc-ee’s Made the List)

When you're hours into a road trip and nature calls, the last thing you want is a sketchy, questionably clean bathroom or a gas station with flickering lights and no toilet paper. Whether you're traveling solo, with kids, or with your favorite road trip friend, having a reliable list of clean, safe rest stops can make or break your drive.

We’ve spent years crisscrossing the country and have tested just about every type of stop. (You won’t surprise us… We’ve braved the smelliest trail potties and pulled into some sketchy spots where I’ve turned to Jon to say, “You’re coming with me, and stand guard until I’m out.”) After all that, we’ve built a go-to list of the cleanest, most consistent places to take a break, plus a few tips on how to find decent stops when you're far from the familiar.

Here are our top picks for clean, reliable rest stops on the road.

1. For My Fellow Texans (And Anyone Driving Through the South): Buc-ee’s

The legend. The icon. The cleanest bathrooms in the land.

Buc-ee’s is famous for spotless stalls, endless snacks, and gas pumps as far as the eye can see. Here, you’ll find:

Dozens of stalls (you’ll almost never wait)
Sparkling clean bathrooms with full-time attendants
Fresh brisket, kolaches, fudge, and everything in between

Where: Texas, Tennessee, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, and more expanding every year. There’s even one in Colorado, Missouri, and South Carolina!

Pro tip: Even if you don’t need gas, just stop for the bathrooms (or the shopping). Trust us!

2. Nationwide Favorites: Love’s, Pilot, Flying J, TA Travel Centers

These are the reliable road warriors of the interstate highway system. They’re built for truckers but open to everyone, and most of them are:

Open 24/7
Well-lit and secure
Stocked with essentials (snacks, coffee, even showers)

What to Expect:

Clean bathrooms most of the time (though quality can vary by location)
Family restrooms at many stops
Dedicated parking and dog-walking areas

Pro tip: Check the reviews on Google Maps if you're unsure—travelers are honest about bathroom quality. Love’s is generally my top choice when there’s a choice!

3. Long-Distance Highway Drives: Service Plazas

If you’re driving the Florida Turnpike, Pennsylvania Turnpike, New Jersey Turnpike, Ohio Turnpike, Maine Turnpike, Illinois Tollway, or other toll highways with dedicated rest plazas or oases, rejoice.

These built-in rest areas are:

Generally very clean
Equipped with multiple food chains (from Starbucks to Sbarro)
Easy to enter and exit without leaving the highway

Bonus: You’ll often find pet areas, family bathrooms, picnic tables, and even playgrounds.

Service plazas are often busy, but they’re incredibly convenient, and they’re usually large enough that you can still get in and out quickly.

4. Traditional State-Run Rest Areas

These vary by state, but many are well-maintained and in scenic spots.

Expect:

Clean bathrooms (usually)
Vending machines or picnic areas
Maps, brochures, and park-like grounds

Find one on your route: Use this site to check by state: https://www.interstaterestareas.com/

Our preference is to stop somewhere that lets us knock out two of the three main road trip needs—bathroom break, gas, and food. But if there’s nowhere else around, or you’re already set on gas and snacks, rest areas are the easiest, fastest places to stop.

5. Chain Fast Food (When in Doubt): McDonald’s, Chick-fil-A, and Wendy’s

Sometimes, you just want to stretch your legs and know the bathroom is (mostly) decent. McDonald's, Chick-fil-A, and similar chains often have:

Predictably clean restrooms
Air conditioning and soft drinks
Free Wi-Fi and a spot to charge your phone

Pro tip: Chick-fil-A bathrooms are typically among the cleanest in the fast food category—and you might as well get a large fry while you’re there.

6. For the Mid-Atlantic & Northeast: Wawa

While not a truck stop, Wawa is a beloved gas station and convenience store hybrid known for:

Super clean, modern restrooms
Fresh coffee, hoagies, and grab-and-go food

Where: Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, and spreading into Florida.

7. Welcome Centers at State Borders

Often located just past the “Welcome to…” sign, these state-run visitor centers are some of the cleanest and safest public restrooms you’ll find on the road.

What to expect: Maps, travel tips, picnic areas, vending machines, and beautifully landscaped grounds.

8. Visitor Centers in National or State Parks

These aren’t your average rest stops, as you’ll usually find them off main highways, near national or state parks, or along scenic byways. But if there’s one nearby, you can stop and explore at the same time!

What to expect: Peaceful settings, well-maintained facilities, picnic tables, and a place to stretch your legs. Just don’t count on fuel or snacks and expect to take the scenic route to get there.

9. Regional Chains with Loyal Followings

Maverik (Rockies and Western U.S.): Adventure-themed, modern, and often immaculate. Great bathrooms and solid snacks.
Stewart’s Shops (Upstate New York): Small-town charm, great ice cream, and reliably clean restrooms.
Casey’s (Midwest): A Midwest staple. Great for small-town stops, clean restrooms, and surprisingly good pizza.
Cumberland Farms (Northeast): Friendly service, well-kept bathrooms, and solid coffee options.
Royal Farms (Mid-Atlantic): Known for its fresh fried chicken and made-to-order sandwiches, Royal Farms offers clean restrooms and a wide variety of snacks and beverages.
Sheetz (PA, OH, and the Mid-Atlantic): Like Wawa but further west. Clean restrooms, made-to-order food, and lots of snacks.
Kwik Trip / QuikTrip (Midwest and South): Especially good in Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Georgia. Known for clean bathrooms, fresh food, and friendly service.
RaceTrac / RaceWay (Southeast): Found in Florida, Georgia, and Texas. Spacious, modern buildings with clean restrooms and plenty of snacks.
QuickChek (New Jersey and New York): A regional favorite with clean bathrooms, fresh grab-and-go food, and friendly service.

Bonus: How to Find Clean Stops on Your Route

Here are a few ways we scout good rest stops in real time:

Google Maps Reviews: Search “rest stop” or “gas station,” then check recent reviews. Travelers will warn you if something is gross.
iExit App: Tells you what’s coming up at each highway exit (including rest areas, food, gas, etc.).
Roadtrippers App: Great for planning stops in advance and filtering by amenities.
TruckMap: Originally for truckers, but helpful for finding big, clean travel centers.

The road might be long, but your bathroom break doesn’t have to be sketchy. With a little planning (and a lot of Buc-ee’s), you can make your road trip more comfortable, clean, and stress-free. Because let’s be honest: the only thing worse than getting stuck in traffic is realizing you really have to go when your next stop is 53 miles away.

Happy roadtripping!