Four of the closed rest stops are scheduled to reopen by February 17th, 2010; eight more will reopen by March 17th; and the rest by April 15th.

Click here for a PDF map showing all of Virginia’s rest stops and welcome centers, both those now open and the ones scheduled to reopen.

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Four Points by Sheraton, Charlesbourg, Quebec -- a very bus-friendly hotel.

When you’re on the road that much, the right hotel room can mean the difference between a great trip and a terrible trip. It’s often the little things that make the difference. But it never ceases to amaze me how many hotels screw up the little things!

The basics: a clean, quiet room is a given. But many hotels fall down right there — the room isn’t clean, or not as clean as it should be. Good help is hard to find, I know; but in most cases I’ve seen, management is the issue. People do what’s expected of them and only so far as they’re held accountable. Often a dirty room means someone at a higher level isn’t doing what they’re supposed to be doing. (Does that apply to dirty buses, too?!)

A comfortable bed is also a given, you would think. I’m a tall guy — 6’5″ — and used to a king size bed at home, which is my ideal on the road, too. A queen size bed is still comfortable; but some hotels, mostly older ones, still have full size beds in their standard room. In those, my feet stick out the end, and I definitely don’t sleep as well. Some hotels have newer style “pillow-top” mattresses — wow, some are so comfortable I’m in no hurry to go home! Others have hard, “spring-loaded” mattresses; when you sit down you bounce right back up again — not good.

Other important factors include working temperature control in the room, preferably without having to hear a very noisy air conditioner or heater. A bathroom big enough to turn around in, with plenty of fluffy white towels. A wall mirror in the room in addition to the bathroom. A TV with a working remote. An elevator if you’re not on the first floor. A portico high enough to get the bus underneath for loading/unloading luggage on a rainy day. And, of course, bus parking — if you can’t safely park your motorcoach at or very near the hotel, all of this is a moot point.

Some hotel chains have introduced amenities over the years that have now become must-haves for the regular traveler. In the bathroom, a curved shower rod (thanks, Hampton Inn), and a great shower head (thanks, Holiday Inn). A “free” continental breakfast with at least one or two hot items (saves a lot of time and money when you’re on the road). Free Internet access. All of these used to be niceties, but I don’t want to stay in a room without them anymore.

If you’re away more than one night, especially on a trip where you end up killing a lot of time in a hotel room, a microwave and refrigerator is really important, too — partly for convenience, but especially for cost savings. On a multiple day trip I’ll often make a stop at a supermarket the first day and pick up a few things I can lunch on in the room.

Ironically, the more expensive hotels don’t include many of these things, or charge extra for them. Breakfast and Internet access, for instance, are often extra charges. Those hotels are more for vacationers and corporate travelers. Fortunately, for working travelers like motorcoach drivers, there are several chains who do a great job at meeting our needs. But the list is pretty short for those who do it well and do it consistently. There are exceptions, but overall, here are my favorites; the first three are way, way ahead of the pack:

1. Drury Inn
   Too bad this chain is only in the midwest. “The extras aren’t extra” and they have no equal in my limited experience with them. It’s probably not a coincidence that they aren’t franchises — all are family owned.
2. Hampton Inn
   Long my number one choice until my experience with Drury Inns this summer. They just get it right, over and over, across the chain. Must be someone following up somewhere!
3. Holiday Inn Express, Holiday Inn Select
   These are the newer of the Holiday Inns, and, like Hampton Inn, get it right over and over again.

The rest of the list is a distant fourth place or worse. They tend to be inconsistent — I’ve stayed in some excellent ones, and had to leave an occasional one, it was so bad. But because of the cost and/or location, they’re often in the running:

4. Comfort Inn
   Many (most?) of these are two floors, no elevator. Many are older and run down. But a few are also very nice. I’ve had both good and bad experiences with these.
5. Red Roof Inn
   Low price, pet friendly (which means if there’s a local dog show, you’re going to have lots of animals around!). Inconsistent quality.
6. Days Inn
   Many of these are older and not in good shape, but there are some good ones, too.
7. Ramada Inn
   I’ve only ever stayed in one Ramada I was comfortable in (Ligonier, PA). But I’m sure there must be a few other good ones somewhere.

Sheraton isn’t on my list above, because they’re often among the more expensive hotels that charge extra for things like breakfast and Internet access. But I recently had a good experience with a Sheraton near Quebec City in Canada, which is where the above photo was taken. Note the bus parking — right by the front door! I was the only bus there, so no competition for that spot; but other buses wouldn’t have had too far to go, since this was a fairly new hotel with very large parking lots.

A driver friend of mine has a real simple hotel rule: if there’s no front door giving access to all the rooms, it’s the wrong hotel. An oversimplification, perhaps, but you know what — he’s often right!

That’s my list, based on my personal experience. How does it compare to your experience? Feel free to add your comments below.

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Virginia Rest Area, Mile 54 South, I-81, one of the rest areas to be closed July 21, 2009.

States are discovering they can save millions of dollars, in some cases, by closing interstate rest areas that produce little or no direct income. Virginia, for example, is closing 18 interstate rest areas next week (July 21, 2009), and one of their welcome centers on I-66 in September, for a reported savings of almost $9 million annually. Maine is closing two rest areas on I-95 to save about $700,000. Vermont has already temporarily closed four rest areas, and is considering permanently closing six rest areas, for a savings of $1 million annually. Louisiana has closed 24 of its 34 rest areas since 2000, four of them last year. Colorado, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Arizona and others are also considering closing highway rest areas.

One of Virginia's rest areas on I-81, closed 7/21/09 for budgetary reasons.

And what about buses? Fifty passengers descending on McDonald’s to use the restrooms may be slow but workable, at least occasionally … but what about multiple buses? Few small businesses can handle the parking needs of a motorcoach, let alone a sudden crowd of 50 or more people arriving at the same time. Trucks will have similar issues when it comes to parking needs. Rest stops have provided them a safe, off-the-road parking spot to catch a nap or just take a safety break. With more trucks parked on the shoulders of the highway, everyone’s safety is jeopardized. Studies have shown that the greater the distance between rest stops, the higher the truck accident rate.

Many small attractions in communities across the country have not been able to afford advertising other than the brochure racks in rest stops. Even larger attractions benefit significantly from the advertising opportunities at rest areas. Some will experience significantly fewer visitors from the loss of exposure and may ultimately close.

So short term, yes, states save a few dollars by closing rest areas. But it seems very shortsighted to me, with a very high potential cost down the road, from both an economic and safety standpoint. What do you think? Add your comments below.

UPDATE 7-28-09 — Here’s a link to a complete list of Virginia’s rest areas (from Virginia DOT) showing both open and closed rest areas that may be helpful:

http://virginiadot.org/travel/map-rest-area.asp

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1) New York City

What an easy way to visit the Big Apple! Take the motorcoach directly to the Times Square area. There is so much to do. If you like Broadway shows, pick up a half price (or deeply discounted) ticket for a same-day show at the TKTS booth in the center of Times Square. Lunch at one of the hundreds of great restaurants. Shop along Fifth Avenue in some of the most famous stores in the world. A short subway ride takes you uptown to the world’s finest museums, or to Lower Manhattan for Chinatown or a visit to the Statue of Liberty. So much to see and do, you could do this every month! It’s my favorite day trip.

2) Washington, DC

There is so much to see and do in our nation’s capital! The Smithsonian museums alone can occupy your time for days — and they’re all free (your tax dollars at work!). See the numerous monuments and memorials. And visit the brand new Visitor Center at the Capitol.

3) Baltimore Inner Harbor

Baltimore, MD has done a marvelous job at bringing their Inner Harbor to life, with lots of activities for visitors. Stroll around the harbor; visit the state-of-the-art Aquarium and see the dolphin show; visit the Maryland Science Center and watch an Imax movie. Tour one of the ships or submarine docked there, and visit the Baltimore Maritime Museum. You can take a boat cruise of the Inner Harbor area. Lots of shopping and great eating, too!

4) Ocean City, NJ

There’s nothing like a day at the shore to just relax and get away from it all. Stroll the boardwalk, spend time on the beach, enjoy fresh seafood, and more.

5) Statue of Liberty

Everyone should visit the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island at least once in their lifetime. Easiest access is from Liberty Sate Park in New Jersey, where the motorcoach drops you off right by the ferry access point.

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1) Bottle of water

Even though most tours stop regularly for rest stops and meals, having a bottle of water along quenches your thirst, especially if you’re talking a lot with a seat mate or other fellow passengers. If you’re hungry, it can also hold off hunger pains until the next food stop. A snack bar or energy bar might also be a good idea if you think you might get hungry on the road.

2) Neck pillow

Seats on modern motorcoaches usually recline and are quite comfortable, but it’s always nice to have a small pillow of some kind with you. Places like Brookstone or gift shops in service plazas sell small pillows especially suitable for traveling, but you also probably already have a small pillow that would work just as well.

3) Camera

My camera goes with me everywhere, and I recommend you take one, too. A small digital camera is a great way to document your trip — they’re easy to carry, easy to use, fairly inexpensive these days, and make it very easy to show your friends and family where you’ve been. Don’t forget extra batteries or a battery charger if you expect to take a lot of photos.

4) Entertainment

If you like to read, and you don’t get car sick while reading on the bus, bring a book or magazine to help pass the time. Or an iPod or other music player is another great entertainment device. Younger passengers may enjoy a small portable game player. Just be sure you know how to silence it — beeps and bloops can be very annoying to other passengers. (For me, personally, my iPhone is the perfect entertainment device!)

5) Be prepared for bad weather.

Something as simple as a jacket, umbrella, or sun block can save the day if you encounter less than perfect weather on your bus tour. Check the forecast for your destination in advance of your tour so you’re prepared for any eventuality.

What else have you found helpful to have with you on a tour? Add a comment and let us know!

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1. Introduce yourself, as the person in charge, to your driver.

You’d be amazed how often we have to guess or ask around the group to find out who is in charge of things like letting us know when you’re ready to depart, confirm destinations and time schedules, letting us know that all passengers have boarded, etc. Sometimes our paperwork tells us who’s in charge and we can find you, but just as often the person listed on our paperwork is the person who booked the coach for the trip, not the person who’s actually in charge on trip day.

2. Ride Bus #1, and sit in the front of the coach.

If you’ve booked multiple coaches for your group, the overall group leader should ride on the first coach in the group. Sometimes last minute “executive decisions” need to be made en route, and it’s difficult to do that when there’s no one in charge on the first coach. Sit up front where the driver can talk to you if/when necessary, or at least be prepared to move to the front quickly when needed.

3. Make sure your group understands that you’re in charge.

Introduce yourself to your group (or other bus captains) as the “go to” person if there’s a problem or a decision that needs to be made on behalf of the group. Don’t put the driver(s) in the position of having to negotiate between passengers, group leaders, and previously arranged trip plans. The group leader is the contact person between the driver and the group.

4. Allow time to review trip plans with the driver before you depart the pickup point.

Drivers are usually pretty good at double checking trip plans with the group leader, including things like selection of the route, plans for rest stops along the way, etc. But sometimes trips are less well organized and the group leader is so rushed, we’re on the road before we’ve confirmed the details. If things have changed since the original itinerary was given to the driver, it can make it difficult for the driver to make adjustments en route. Also, give the driver the overall picture for the day if it’s not clear from the itinerary. We like to research things like directions and bus parking ahead of time when possible.

5. Remember, the driver likes to eat, too.

Too often groups will try and make up time by eating meals on the bus. That’s not a problem, as long as the group hasn’t already been traveling all day and the driver has had time for a meal. Expecting the driver to eat while driving, or to skip meals altogether, is definitely not a good idea. Make sure your driver has time off — 30 minutes, at least — to get a meal and eat before he has to continue driving at meal times.

6. Allow adequate time for rest stops along the way.

Yes, the coach has a bathroom. But it’s not really designed to handle everyone on the bus using it multiple times during the day — it’s there for emergency use for those who just can’t wait until the next rest stop. With a full bus, you need to allow a minimum of 10 to 15 minutes every 2-3 hours for a bathroom break. Even those who don’t need the bathroom break will enjoy being able to get off the coach and stretch their legs.

7. Exchange cell phone numbers with the driver.

This will usually be initiated by the driver, but don’t hesitate to ask if he/she forgets. You may not need to use the phone numbers, but just in case — things do change — you want to be able to communicate with your driver. He/she needs your number, just as you need theirs. But don’t give the driver’s cell phone number to the rest of the passengers, especially if it’s his personal cell phone number — give them yours, instead.

8. Don’t ask or expect the driver to subsidize the cost of your trip.

Motorcoach drivers rely on gratuities for a substantial part of their income — and that’s good for you and your group — a merit-based pay system! Don’t cut back on the gratuity for your driver because of a cutback in your group’s trip budget. If your driver has done a good job for you, he/she deserves to be paid.

Your motorcoach driver is a professional and can help make your trip a success. We want it to be a great experience for everyone, including you, the group leader! Just a little time, planning, and good communication are all it takes. Your comments or questions are welcome.

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