Elizabeth Thompson breathed a sigh of relief when she saw a sign for the Greene County northbound rest area.
Charlie, her 15-year-old rescue dog, was growing impatient and needed a break as they traveled I-59/20 northbound from Mississippi on their way to visit family to celebrate Independence Day.
Thompson is one of approximately 1,000 visitors who stop at the Greene County northbound rest area each day to use the restroom or stretch their legs and recuperate before continuing their journey. Rest area attendant Jenet Jordan said she usually sees about 400-500 people on an average morning and that it can easily grow by a few hundred on holiday weekends.
“It goes smoothly, but it’s really busy,” Jordan said. “There’s always something to do. I love being around people and doing what I can to help. Some people need directions, but most of them just need a break.”
The Greene County northbound rest area is one of 27 rest areas and welcome centers in the state that area maintained by the Alabama Department of Transportation. Rest areas offer clean restrooms, picnic tables, benches, vending machines and spacious lawns where pets and kids can burn off some energy. Visitors can also relax in covered areas or take advantage of the walking paths to get their muscles moving after a long drive.
Visit the ALDOT website for more information on rest area and welcome center locations.
