Governor DeWine celebrates new Madison County rest areas

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and first lady Fran DeWine joined Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT), Ohio Department of Development, and local community leaders to celebrate the new I-70 rest areas in Madison County this week.

Governor DeWine is striving to make travel across Ohio more welcoming, accessible, and safe by transforming Ohio’s rest areas.

Visitors can relax in a rocking chair, explore the new dog trails, see Ohio native plants, or stretch their legs reading a book from Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library along the Storybook Trail. Inside the rest area, they can learn about beautiful parks, interesting museums, and other significant places nearby.

“We like to say you can have it all in Ohio, the Heart of It All,” said Governor DeWine. “We hope that travelers enjoy our modernized rest areas, take a break so they can remain alert on the road, and see something that inspires them to spend more time exploring all that Ohio has to offer.”

Motts Military Museum display of military uniforms within the rest area. 
The I-70 Madison County eastbound rest area, where Governor DeWine and guests cut an official ribbon today, features attractions such as the Madison County Courthouse, Central Ohio theaters and parks, COSI, and the Short North Arts District.  There is also an exhibit on loan from Motts Military Museum in Groveport, which features uniforms from conflicts and military artifacts while highlighting notable Ohio veterans.

Inside the I-70 Madison County westbound rest area, travelers will see information about points of interest down the road such as the Paul Laurence Dunbar House, Carillon Historical Park, Historic Clifton Mill, as well as local museums and nature preserves.   The exhibit here includes a collection of Clark County inventions and products on loan from the Heritage Center of Clark County.

“Ohio’s rest areas are often the first interaction travelers have with our state and those first impressions matter,” said Lydia Mihalik, Director of the Ohio Department of Development. “They create a comfortable, welcoming place to stop while encouraging travelers to look around and discover nearby attractions, small businesses, and communities.”

These rest areas feature universal changing stations in the family restroom, offering an adjustable table in a clean, safe, and private space to meet the personal care needs of individuals with disabilities and medical conditions. They also provide support to caregivers. Twenty-nine rest areas across Ohio will have a universal changing station by the end of 2026, increasing accessibility for all travelers.

Inside of rest area featuring informational panels of local landmarks, museums, and parks. 

“These rest areas are not only a safe place for travelers to recharge, but they are also a place to learn more about our great state,” said ODOT Director Pam Boratyn.  “We are providing cleaner, more accessible facilities with expanded truck parking, updated amenities, and features that highlight local attractions to inspire travelers to support local communities.”

Truck parking has expanded at both Madison County rest areas. Spots nearly doubled on the eastbound side and more than doubled on the westbound side.  

Governor DeWine’s rest area plan includes 36 new rest areas and upgrades to more than 40 others by the end of 2026.