Abstain from utilizing these roadside stops.

The Real Deal on Germany's Rest Areas: A Detailed Report Card

Rest areas are areas intended for travelers to rest and relax; do not neglect to make use of them during your journey. - Avoid Parking in These Designated Spaces

Courtesy of Christian HensenReading Time: 2 minutes

Watch the Video: Rest Areas in Germany - The Best and The Worst - RTL

Whether you're embarking on a lengthy road journey or simply taking a Sunday drive, those inevitable pit stops can often feel like a necessary annoyance. And while Germany may not boast the culinary delights found at Italian Autogrill outlets, it's not all doom and gloom, as evidenced by the recent ADAC Rest Area Test.

Building on the belief that even bad news deserves a silver lining, let's delve into the details. Over the course of 40 rest areas assessed across the country, ADAC examined criteria such as food offerings, facility cleanliness, pricing, and infrastructure. Some might be disappointed to learn that none of these stops earned the prestigious "very good" rating, but fear not - there were no complete disasters either. The results range from eight "good" ratings to six "poor" ones, with a mix in between.

Cleanliness is Next to (Sometimes Overpriced) Pricing

While large, commercial rest areas may boast modern, equipped, and functional sanitary facilities, not all of them maintain spotless cleanliness despite charging an entry fee of €1. In comparison, though, the food offerings receive relatively positive reviews according to the ADAC. Testers were "almost always satisfied" with the choices available. However, prices can be steep, and the quest for affordable options proves elusive, as only three out of the assessed 40 rest areas scored well on cost-effectiveness.

Ranking the Top and Bottom Rest Stops

Topping the list of the current ADAC test are the rest areas 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 include "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.

Fuel Smarts and Beyond

One piece of advice the ADAC offers is to avoid refueling at rest areas, as they found that prices per liter along the highway can be up to 54 cents more expensive than at stations near exits. On a related note, the ADAC test also highlighted significant deficiencies in child-friendliness and accessibility, as well as a lack of proper coverage for electric vehicle charging stations in inclement weather.

ADAC, Car, Autobahn Rest Area, Rest Area, Disaster, Germany

Germany's rest areas, although not offering Italian Autogrill's culinary delights, were assessed in the recent ADAC Rest Area Test, offering insights into their cleanliness, food offerings, pricing, and infrastructure.
Despite charging an entry fee of €1, not all large, commercial rest areas in Germany maintain spotless cleanliness, with food offerings receiving relatively positive reviews according to the ADAC.
The ADAC test revealed that prices can be steep, and the quest for affordable options is proving elusive, as only three out of the assessed 40 rest areas scored well on cost-effectiveness.
The top ranked rest areas according to the ADAC test are "Fürholzen West" in Bavaria, "Demminer Land" in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, and "Sindelfinger Wald Süd" in Baden-Württemberg, while "Fuchsberg Süd" in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, "Münsterland West" in North Rhine-Westphalia, and "Eisenach Nord" in Thuringia are rated as the bottom three.
ADAC advises avoiding refueling at rest areas, as fuel prices along the highway can be up to 54 cents more expensive than at stations near exits, and highlighted significant deficiencies in child-friendliness, accessibility, and electric vehicle charging station coverage in inclement weather.