Ohio is expecting a surge in semi-truck traffic in the coming years, according to the Ohio Department of Transportation.
And state officials are already preparing for it, with a project to add 33 new rest stops specifically designed for truck drivers to stop and rest, Gov. Mike DeWine recently announced. But an ongoing project to add 36 rest areas and upgrade another 40 will give all drivers the chance to take a break and learn more about the Buckeye State while there.
DeWine celebrated the opening of three of those rest areas on Aug. 5 with ribbon-cuttings in Washington and Belmont counties, according to a release from the governor's office.
Here's what to know about Ohio's ongoing projects.
Ohio opens revamped welcome center rest areas along Interstate 70 and I-77
The new facilities on Interstates 70 and 77 include native Ohio plants, dog trails, rocking chairs and Storybook Trails, which give kids and families the chance to read a Dolly Parton Imagination Library book along a short trail if families wish to stretch their legs. The rest areas also detail Ohio’s natural history, historic past and popular attractions in the region.
“Our Welcome Centers, such as Belmont County’s I-70 westbound and Washington County’s I-77 northbound, are a first impression chance to tell Ohio’s great story,” DeWine said.
Rest area visitors are encouraged to explore the communities around them, strengthening local economies. In 2024, Ohio generated a record-setting $57 billion in visitor spending, per the governor's office, which supported more than 443,000 jobs. Ohio received 242 million visits, which was 3.5 million more than 2023.
The new welcome center on I-70 highlights nearby attractions such as the Dennison Railroad Depot Museum and National Road & Zane Grey Museum, among others. There is also an original Ernest “Mooney” Warther hand-carved train on display, which is on loan from the Ernest Warther Museum & Gardens. Belmont County also has a new rest area on I-70 eastbound.
In Washington County, the new I-77 welcome center highlights downtown Marietta and features a model of the Sunshine steamer owned by Captain J. Mack Gamble of Clarington, Ohio.
Ohio rest area project to improve safety, add amenities like universal changing stations
Ohio's project to modernize its rest areas began in 2023 and will add 36 new rest areas and upgrade another 40 by 2026.
“Modernizing our highway rest areas is about more than just convenience, it’s about safety, economic growth, and showcasing the best of our state,” said ODOT Director Pam Boratyn. “By providing cleaner, more accessible facilities with expanded truck parking, updated amenities, and features that highlight local attractions, we’re creating gateways that invite travelers to stop, explore, and support communities across the state.”
One of those updated amenities is a universal changing station in the family restrooms. The adult-sized, adjustable tables in the private spaces are designed to meet the needs of individuals with disabilities and medical conditions.
Freight volume, semi-truck traffic to increase in Ohio
According to ODOT, freight volume in Ohio is estimated to increase by 26% in the next 20 years, the Cincinnati Enquirer reported. However, the state doesn't yet have the infrastructure to allow these drivers to stop and rest. The recently announced truck stop project is an attempt to remedy that.
Nationwide, there is approximately one truck parking space for every 11 trucks on the road, according to the American Trucking Associations. Boratyn said Ohio's expansion project will put the state at the front of the pack in terms of the number of parking spots on state-owned property.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: DeWine opens new Ohio rest areas as truck traffic surge looms. See map
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