Driving at night? How to find a stop that's still open

Daytime road trips have stops everywhere. After 10 pm, most of them disappear. Here's how to plan a night drive.

#What stays open

Truck stops and large travel centers are the safest bet: most are open around the clock, because truckers drive at all hours. Many big-chain convenience stores near metro areas are open 24 hours too. State rest areas are usually open all night.

#What closes

Small independent stations, fast-food restaurants in small towns, and sit-down restaurants mostly close by 10 or 11 pm. Some stations stay open for fuel but lock the store, so the restroom isn't available.

#Stop in the bigger towns

At night, the towns along your route matter more than the exits. A stop in a bigger town is far more likely to be open than one at a rural exit. Plan your restroom breaks around them.

#Watch for well-lit, busy stops

Choose a stop that's lit up and has other people around. A busy travel center is both more likely to be open and more comfortable to walk into at 2 am.

#Don't push the gaps

At night the gaps between open stops get longer. If you're getting low on fuel or need a break, stop at the next good option instead of hoping for one further on.

#Rest when you need to

Drowsy driving is dangerous. If you're nodding off, a rest area or a well-lit travel center lot is a fine place for a short nap. A 20-minute rest can make the rest of the drive much safer.

#Let the app watch the road

Best Exit's drive screen shows the best stop ahead as you drive, picked for the restroom you use and what you need, and can say it out loud so you don't have to look. After you stop, it asks how the restroom was, so the next driver knows.

How was your stop? Rate the restroom in about ten seconds. Rate

Stopped here? Rate the restroom.

Reviews come from the Best Exit iPhone app. It asks right after you stop, so scores come from people who were just there.

iPhone app coming soon