When going a great distance by car travelers are often compelled to stop whether they want to or not. The rest areas that are part of the interstate system are designed to make stops as quick and efficient as possible. With bare-bones design and minimal amenities they are characterized by the easy-in/easy-out access they afford.
They’re also placed at intervals that make sense for drivers going hundreds of miles or more. If you skip one, there is usually another about an hour ahead of you. They are commonly found near state borders and labeled as “Welcome Centers.” There’s even a smartphone app to help you find them along the way.
Where’s the Money? This site may contain affiliate links. Many travel sites include such links to earn a commission at no cost to readers.
The Tennessee Welcome Center Near Chattanooga
My favorite rest area is about 20 minutes west of Chattanooga on the Tennessee River’s Nickajack Lake. I had a chance to pass through here recently on my way to Truist Park to see the Braves play. The hills and mountains in Tennessee are scenic enough on their own, but pulling down into the river valley is like briefly entering the pastures of Heaven. If you are a bass fisherman it might actually be Heaven. The roadway passes right over the lake and it is much prettier than I can describe here. Of course it is nearly impossible to photograph by nature of being an interstate.
A Perfect Place to Pack a Picnic
This place could be a little miniature state park. It isn’t legal to camp at a rest area but if it were this one would fill up fast, especially in the weeks around Bonnaroo. Anyone who arrives here will find authentic Tennessee music playing from the speakers.
Being almost exactly halfway between Nashville and Atlanta Nickajack Lake is the perfect place to unload the cooler and have lunch. There are plenty of tables here, all in the shade and each one with its own spectacular view. The area is extremely popular with pets and their owners alike and you’ll see any number of dogs having a grand time outside of the car.
I hesitate to call this the best rest area in the whole US because I certainly haven’t seen them all, and the Mountain West has some scenery it is pretty tough to challenge. For me though it doesn’t get any better than this. I make a point of stopping here every time I pass by.
