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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 of America|United States]], [[Canada]], [[Australia]] and parts of [[Europe]]and [[Asia]].

Food Depending on the country, food at rest area's is in general areas can be highly overpriced and, in case of already pre-prepared food, pretty abysmal. However, many German Raststättes now prepare food (mostly pasta) on the spot and, although still overpriced, it is actually pretty good. In Japan, Korea, and Malaysia the prices might not be much higher and the quality not much poorer than in a city.

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 side of the motorway or you want to camp (see below). Many rest areas are fenced but it is usually possible to get out even in those cases. Many times there are breaks in the fence, you can also try to see if there is a possibility way to get out from via the entrance or the exit, and of course see if whether it's possible to jump over the fence. You can even ask to the people of the station staff to open you the doorfor you, keeping in mind that in this case you will may not be able to re-enter the station.

It is possible to sleep at rest areas, but you are advised to keep a low profile, as it may not always be legal to do so. Be aware that those areas that lend themselves to sleeping are usually might also used as public toilets, so a flashlight light is an absolute necessity a good idea when it's dark.

In most states of the United States there are no petrol stations on at 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.

[[User:Prino|Prino]] has slept on at many rest areas in many countries of Europe. The key is to disappear when nobody is watching and to avoid the aforementioned "public toilet areas". On one occasion he even managed to sleep right in the middle of a small bed of shrubs on an Italian area Servizio, reasoning that nobody would actually expect anyone to be so bold. However, in general he prefers to sleep '''in''' the restaurant, finding either a closed-off section, or a far-away corner. It is both safer and warmer.