Skip the Snooze: Here's Why Some German Rest Areas Aren't Worth Your Stop
- Written by Christian Hensen
- Read Time: Approx. 2 Mins
Avoid using these roadside stops for resting. - Unauthorized Activity Alert: Proceed with Caution at These Parking Spots
Watch the Video: Germany's Best and Worst Rest Areas RTL
If you're gearing up for a long drive, you might be dreading the pit stops. You've probably heard tales about sketchy German rest areas. But don't fret! While they might not rival the delightful Autogrill stops in Italy, offering delicious coffee and Italian cuisine at reasonable prices, there are silver linings.
According to the latest ADAC Rest Area Test, there's room for improvement, but it's not all gloomy. The club inspected 40 rest areas across Germany, evaluating factors like food offerings, toilet conditions, pricing, and infrastructure.
The disappointing news? No rest area earned a "very good" rating. The upside? Not a single rest area was a total bust, receiving a "very poor" grade. Other than that, the results varied: Eight rest areas were rated "good," six were "poor," with the rest falling somewhere in the middle.
Not Just a Scent of Unease - High Prices Too
Unlike those shady toilet huts at some unmanned rest areas, larger rest areas can at the very least offer modern, properly equipped, and functional toilets, per testers. However, some areas still fell short when it came to cleanliness, despite charging a whopping euro for entry.
The findings on food might surprise you. The ADAC reports that testers were "almost always satisfied" with the food offerings. However, only a few out of the 40 tested areas offered reasonable prices. The rest were seen as overpriced, with shops often hiking up costs, particularly compared to off-highway service stations.
Ranking the Best and Worst: ADAC's Top and Bottom Picks
The top three rest areas from the current ADAC test include "Fürholzen West" in Bavaria on the A9, "Demminer Land" in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern on the A20, and "Sindelfinger Wald Süd" in Baden-Württemberg on the A8.
On the flip side, the bottom three can be found at "Fuchsberg Süd" in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern on the A20, "Münsterland West" in North Rhine-Westphalia on the A1, and "Eisenach Nord" in Thuringia along the A4.
The ADAC advises against filling up at rest areas. In another test, the club discovered that prices along the highway can skyrocket as much as 54 cents more per liter compared to service stations near exits.
The test also revealed significant drawbacks in child-friendliness and accessibility, and most rest areas lacked sufficient fast-charging stations for electric vehicles.Surprisingly, very few charging stations are covered, making charging in inclement weather a real struggle for electric vehicle users. The ADAC's comprehensive tests typically delve into various aspects of mobility, so it's possible they might have published a report on rest areas elsewhere. If you're curious, checking ADAC's official resources could provide more precise information.
- The community policy of ADAC encourages travelers to be mindful of the prices when purchasing fuel at rest areas, as their tests revealed highway fuel prices can be 54 cents more per liter compared to service stations near exits.
- Bavaria's "Fürholzen West" rest area on the A9 was rated among the best by ADAC in their latest test,showcasing the potential for vocational training opportunities to elevate rest area standards in terms of infrastructure, cleanliness, and food offerings.
- Despite charge station shortcomings and poor weather conditions, electric vehicle users should remember the importance of vehicle-maintenance, especially when faced with the challenges of charging in inclement weather at rest areas.
- Vocational training programs could benefit from the ADAC's tests, as they could study the weak points at individual rest areas across Germany and develop strategies to improve service quality, pricing, and overall traveler satisfaction.
- While speaking about the price limitations for the food offerings at rest areas, lifestyle factors must be considered – travelers should not compromise their budgets and expect reasonable prices, especially when preparing for a long drive through Bavaria or any region in Germany.
