German Autobahn Pit Stops: A Pain to Visit, Here's Why
- by Christian Hensen
- 2 Min
- Steer clear of these designated parking spots at all costs.
Tune in: Rest Stops on the German Autobahn - The Best and The WorstRTL**
If you're hitting the road for a lengthy journey, you might find the pit stops daunting. Unlike the enticing Italian Autogrills, offering great coffee and affordable Italian dishes, German rest areas can't always live up to expectations.
But fear not, for not all German rest areas are created equal—as demonstrated in the recent ADAC Rest Area Test. The club evaluated 40 rest stops across Germany, judging them on various aspects, from food offerings to restroom cleanliness and prices.
The verdict? No "very good" ratings were handed out. However, no "very poor" ones either, which is certainly something to celebrate. Results ranged from "good" (eight) to "poor" (six), with the rest in a moderate category somewhere in between.
Modern and Functional… (At a Cost)
Larger rest areas often come equipped with Sanifair-operated restrooms, a plus, as testers describe them as "modern, well-equipped, and functional." However, while the high entry fee of approximately €1 is justified, hygiene can still be hit or miss in some facilities.
Surprisingly enough, food offerings didn't disappoint the testers. Three out of the 40 rest areas even provided fair pricing, with the rest considered overpriced. It seems shops along these rest stops tend to inflate prices, contrasting with service stations located off the highway.
Top-Rated and Bottom-Ranked Rest Areas
The cream rose to the top in the current ADAC test, with "Fürholzen West" in Bavaria on the A9 finishing first, "Demminer Land" in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern on the A20 coming in second, and "Sindelfinger Wald Süd" in Baden-Württemberg on the A8 nabbing third place.
Conversely, the "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 ranked as the worst.
A word of caution: The ADAC discourages refueling at rest areas, as prices along the highway can be up to 54 cents more per liter than at service stations located near exits.
The test also shed light on pitfalls in terms of child-friendliness and accessibility, as most rest stops lack sufficient fast-charging stations for electric vehicles, and charging stations are usually uncovered, making charging during bad weather quite the challenge for EV users. Strangely enough, this aspect wasn't addressed in the test.
- The community policy of the ADAC Rest Area Test, which evaluated 40 rest stops in Germany, includes judging these stops based on various aspects, such as food offerings, cleanliness, and prices.
- Vocational training is necessary for the testers in the ADAC Rest Area Test, as they evaluate the functionalities of modern, well-equipped, and often Sanifair-operated restrooms at the stops.
- One of the shortcomings highlighted in the ADAC Rest Area Test is the absence of sufficient fast-charging stations for electric vehicles at most rest stops, making charging during bad weather a challenge for EV users.
