Main points
-
A new study finds that the stretch between Bellfield, North Dakota, and Mitchell, South Dakota, is the longest route in the United States without a rest stop.
-
According to MoneySuperMarket, the journey takes about seven hours at average speeds and there are no public health facilities along the way.
-
The researchers also highlighted “toilet anxiety”, which affects around a third of drivers and can make long journeys particularly stressful.
If you’re a fan of road trips, you probably know the importance of those all-important rest stops and what it’s like to drive a stretch without seeing anyone. Thankfully, a new study claims to have identified the longest road trips in America without a rest stop so you can be prepared.
In its report, personal finance website MoneySuperMarket examined maps and geospatial data to find the worst times to use the toilet. In December, the company surveyed 1,000 British drivers and collected data on the location of public toilets from the OpenStreetMap API, a mapping website. An example of a public restroom is a gas station, service area, rest stop, fast food restaurant or attraction.
After combing through all the data, it was discovered that a 450-mile stretch between Bellfield, North Dakota, and Mitchell, South Dakota, is the longest route without bathroom breaks in the United States. This route follows the Theodore Roosevelt Highway, travels at an average speed of 62 miles per hour and takes 7 hours. (Note that if you really need a break, there are some small towns you can detour from.)
Alicia Hempsted, MoneySuperMarket’s car insurance expert, said in a statement shared with MoneySuperMarket: “Route planning apps and most modern cars now offer advanced navigation and connectivity services that make it easier… to plan rest stops in advance. This can help drivers feel more in control and focused, making the journey less stressful.” Travel + Leisure.
The study also touches on a condition many drivers suffer from: “toilet anxiety,” which can make long road trips unbearable. It affects about one-third (31%) of people. Symptoms include not only worrying about where the next toilet is, but also extreme concern about the cleanliness of public restrooms.
“For many people, bathroom anxiety is a very real barrier to long car journeys,” Hempstead said. “Anxiety experts warn that when toilet facilities are few and far between, affected drivers may experience an adrenaline rush and increased stress, which may affect concentration.”
Urinating on the side of the road is illegal in all 50 states and is often considered a disorderly conduct or public disorder, punishable by a fine of $50 to $500. Some states may even classify this behavior as indecent exposure.
The second-highest-rated trip in the survey was a 363-mile trip between Fall River, South Dakota, and Cairo, Nebraska. A road trip to Kansas (between Scott City and Belleville) resulted in third place. Not surprisingly, all but one of the top 10 routes without rest stops are in the western United States, covering the following states: Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, and Wyoming. The fourth longest driving route in the United States is in Georgia, between Lavonia and Douglas. The trip takes just under five hours, with an average speed of 52 miles per hour. Ranking No. 10 is the 204-mile route from Jackpot, Nevada to Erie, Nevada.
Read the original article on Travel & Leisure