A Road Trip Misadventure: Why Some German Service Stations Are a Pit Stop to Avoid
- Author: Christian Hensen
- Estimated Reading Time: 2 minutes
Take notice: Refrain from halting at these roadside stops - Avoid Parking in Designated Locations Here
Must-Watch Video: Germany's Best and Worst Rest Areas on RTL
Embarking on a lengthy automotive journey? Prepare for those dreaded pit stops. German service stations may not have an enviable reputation compared to some European counterparts, like Italy's Autogrill offering fantastic coffee and authentic Italian cuisine at reasonable prices.
Yet, fear not, as proved by the current ADAC Rest Area Test. This annual evaluation assesses 40 rest areas across Germany, considering factors such as food offerings, restroom conditions, pricing, and infrastructure.
Unfortunately, none of the reviewed rest stops earned a "very good" rating. However, there were no dismal "very poor" ratings either, ensuring a mixed bag of experiences. Eight rest areas were ranked "good," six were rated "poor," with the rest situated in the middle ground.
Clean Bathrooms - But the Cost
Larger rest areas typically offer modern, well-equipped, functional restrooms – at a price. However, the cleanliness standards might not always meet expectations, despite the entry fee of one euro.
The variation in food quality might seem puzzling. Despite testers being "almost always satisfied" with the food options, only three of the 40 tested rest areas offered fair prices. The rest were deemed excessive, with shops often overpriced, especially compared to highway service stations.
The Best and Worst of the Best
The top three rest areas from the latest 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-Wuërttemberg on the A8. On the other hand, the bottom three are 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 refueling at rest areas, as their prices may be up to 54 cents more per liter compared to service stations near exits.
The test brought numerous shortcomings to light, such as inadequate child-friendly facilities and limited accessibility. Moreover, most rest areas offered insufficient fast-charging stations for electric vehicles. What's more, uncovered charging stations can make charging an electric vehicle in inclement weather quite a daunting task.
- The ADAC Rest Area Test, which evaluates various rest areas in Germany, did not find any rest stops that earned a "very good" rating for vocational training, but none were rated as "very poor" either.
- The Sindelfinger Wald Süd rest area, ranked as one of the best in the ADAC test, is located in Baden-Wuërttemberg, providing an opportunity for travelers to experience a different lifestyle.
- One shortcoming highlighted in the ADAC test was the insufficient number of fast-charging stations for electric vehicles at rest areas.
- Although larger rest areas typically have modern, well-equipped restrooms, the cleanliness standards might not always meet expectations, despite charging a euro for entry.
- Vocational training in the form of efficient and affordable food offerings is an area where many rest stops in Germany could improve, as only three of the 40 tested rest areas were deemed to offer fair prices for their cuisine.
