This policy explains how information gets onto RestStopsNearMe, how we keep it accurate and how we correct it.
Sources come first
- Every location is based on at least one named source: a state transportation department, the federal National Transportation Atlas Database or OpenStreetMap.
- When sources disagree, official state data wins over federal data, federal data over OpenStreetMap, and a correction we have verified by hand wins over all of them.
- Locations that only appear in OpenStreetMap are reviewed before they are published.
What a location page may say
- Text on location pages is written from the data on that page. It does not add facts that are not in a source.
- Facilities a source does not mention are shown as unknown. "Not available" is only shown when a source says so.
- Parking figures are reported capacity, never live availability.
- Opening status is only shown with its source and the date it was checked. A closure is shown with the reason the source gives.
- Parking time limits are taken from state law, administrative code or the state transportation department, with the source named.
Names and duplicates
We use the official name of a rest area where one exists. When a source only provides codes or placeholders, we use the county or nearest town together with the direction of travel. Locations without a real name, highway or direction are not published. When two sources describe the same place, the records are merged into one page and the old address redirects to it.
What we leave out
Private truck stops, weigh stations and scenic viewpoints are not listed as rest areas. Photos are only used with a licence that allows it.
Corrections
Information can be out of date: rest areas close, facilities change and new ones open. Report an issue and we will check it against the official records before changing the page. Pages show when their information was last checked.