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Facilities of the rest area may include park-like areas, fuel stations, toilets, and restaurants. Rest areas are common in the [[United States]], [[Canada]], [[Australia]] and parts of [[Europe]] ([[France]]: Aire de service, [[Germany]]: Raststätte, [[Italy]]: Area Servizio, [[United Kingdom]]: motorway services, [[Austria]]: Autobahnstation, [[Denmark]]: Serviceanlaeg, [[Hungary]]: Pihenohely, [[Netherlands]]: verzorgingsplaats, [[Slovenia]]: Posivalisce) and [[Asia]].
Not all rest areas include [[Petrol station hitchhiking|petrol stations]] - this means that the traffic on such rest areas will, in general, be much lower, and one can expect more difficulties when looking for a ride there. For service areas with gas stations see information [[Where_to_hitchhikeWhere to hitchhike|here]].
== Get out of a rest area ==
It might be necessary to get out of a rest station because it's empty and you think it will be easier to try to hitch on the local roads, because you are really close to your destination, you are on the wrong way or you want to camp (see bellow). Many rest areas are fenced but it is usually possible to get out even in those cases. Many times there is breaks in the fence, you can also try to see if there is a possibility to get out from the entrance or the exit, and of course see if it's possible to jump over the fence. You can even ask to the people of the station to open you the door, keeping in mind that in this case you will not be able to re-enter in the station.
==Sleeping==
It is possible in most of the cases to camp in or close to a rest area, always having in mind that you have to keep low profile because it might be something that the employees of the station will not appreciate. The surrounding of the station are usually back country or industrial areas. Find a spot to sleep shouldn't be that difficult. [[User:Kimdime69|Kimdime]] also managed to camp in rest areas where there was trees and/or places reasonably hidden. Be aware that in some rest areas there is some criminality, some traffics taking place. Try to avoid to camp right where the take place. Another thing is that there is unfortunately a lot of trash close to the station. Have special care, specially when it's dark.
==United States==In most states of the United States there are no petrol stations on rest areas. In these states the rest areas are a relatively good option for hitchhiking. In some of them ([[Ohio]]?) you will even find free wireless internet. In [[New Hampshire]] you can try to hitchhike at the state liquor stores that are very popular because of the state's low (non-existing?) tax on alcohol.
