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Top-Performing and Struggling Urban Centers in Germany
Top-Performing and Struggling Urban Centers in Germany

Avoid These German Rest Stops: The ADAC Report Reveals the Worst Ones

  • by Christian Hensen
      • 2 Min

Steer clear of these particular rest stops. - Be wary, these car parks may pose unexpected risks

Life on the road - it's all about the journey, right? That's true, but sometimes, the thought of pitstops can get a bit tedious, especially when it comes to German service stations. Let's be real, Italian Autogrills offer a welcome respite with their delicious food and affordable prices.

But fear not, Germany isn't a complete write-off. Thanks to the latest ADAC Rest Area Test, we know that it's not all bad. ADAC, a renowned German automobile association, gave 40 rest areas across the nation a thorough examination, evaluating various factors such as food offerings, restroom conditions, pricing, and infrastructure.

The bad news: No rest stop snatched the "excellent" rating. But on the bright side, none of them earned a "very poor" rating either. The verdict was a mixed bag: Eight spots received a "good" rating, six were labeled "poor", and the rest fell somewhere in between.

Clean But Costly Toilets

One thing you can count on at larger rest areas is modern, well-equipped, and functional restrooms, usually managed by Sanifair. But even these spots didn't always live up to the hype, especially considering the €1 entrance fee some charged.

You'd think the food would be the highlight at these places, right? Well, think again. The ADAC reports that testers were consistently content with the meal options. However, only three of the 40 spots offered reasonable prices. The rest were considered overpriced, with stores often jacking up the cost, especially compared to off-highway service stations.

Top and Bottom of the Line, According to ADAC

The top three rest areas in the current ADAC test are located at "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 rest areas 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, as another test showed you could end up paying up to 54 cents more per liter on the highway compared to service stations near exits.

The test also exposed some significant shortcomings in terms of child-friendliness, accessibility, and lack of charging stations for electric vehicles. And here's a fun fact: Almost none of the charging stations are covered, making charging an electric vehicle in bad weather quite the challenge.

Evaluating Rest Stops

If you're on a long road trip, here are some tips to help you sift through the rest stops:

  1. Cleanliness and Maintenance: Look for roomy facilities, clean restrooms, and ample trash disposal.
  2. Amenities: Consider the availability of food, drinks, restrooms with showers, and charging stations for electric vehicles.
  3. Safety: Opt for well-lit, secure areas with visible surveillance, especially if you plan to stay overnight.
  4. Customer Reviews: Check reviews from fellow travelers to get insights into the quality and dependability of specific rest stops.

For specific rankings or recommendations, consult local travel guides or ADAC's official resources. Bon voyage, traveler!

  • The ADAC's latest report on rest areas in Germany reveals that none of the inspected spots achieved an "excellent" rating, but none earned a "very poor" one either.
  • The top three rest areas, as per the ADAC test, are located at "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 contrary, the bottom three rest areas 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 test also exposed some significant shortcomings, such as high prices, lack of child-friendliness, accessibility, and charging stations for electric vehicles, as well as uncovered charging stations being vulnerable to bad weather.
  • If you're planning a long road trip, consider evaluating rest stops based on cleanliness and maintenance, amenities available, safety measures, and reviews from fellow travelers. Consult local travel guides or ADAC's official resources for specific rankings or recommendations.

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