Rest Areas
Below is a list of rest areas along Interstate 40 in California. Rest areas are listed from east to west. Eastbound travelers read up the page; westbound travelers read down the page.
Mile Marker 106 – Essex
- Rest Area (westbound)
- Rest Area (eastbound)
Mile Marker 28 – Newberry Springs
- Rest Area (westbound)
- Rest Area (eastbound)
I was driving through Essex hoping to use the restroom. To my amazement I watched bulldozers knocking down the last of the rest stop. The restroom on the other side of 1-40 was nothing but dirt. Any idea if and when they will be rebuilt?
I travel the I-40 between Barstow and Needles. My main complaint is the amount of downtime they have when they close the rest area for repairs. The sign blocking the exit to a Rest Area, will say temporarily closed for repairs. Temporarily, means a few days, maybe a few weeks or a month at the most. I have found these Rest Areas, closed, and I will come back through that area a year later, and the same Rest Area is still “temporarily closed.” When I do find the same Rest Ares closed a year later, they are NO Caltrans employees there working on the “Repairs” in fact the place looks like there has been no one there for years. A really sorry state of affairs….
Having just traveled across country from Kentucky to California, I have to say the rest area at mile marker 28 was not only disgusting but by far the worst stop of our trip. Other states have beautiful rest areas that are kept clean. This rest area was severely lacking and absolutely filthy. Just another reason to get the heck out of this state!
It’s awful to people Traveling especially with kids , or elderly parents that need to stretch out and go to the restroom , a good stop to rest for the driver.
These closures are such a disservice to all the Trickers and all who use the freeways. Truckers not only need these facilities to take care of personal elimination processes, but to also park and rest. California is one of the richest, if not the richest state and you would not know it based on the rest facilities along its freeways. I have traveled most of the routes in the southern portion of the state and along PCH, 101 and 5. The rest stops are either closed or in horrible shape. Those responsible for these much needed facilities in California should be assumed of the condition of these facilities.
Is fenner east open
I’m unsure of what location you are referring to, however, for current rest area status information, go to the Caltrans website.
As of today’s date (8/29/26) the John Wilkie Rest Stop at Fenner is STILL closed for major overhaul until “Winter 2026″… which supposedly meant either Dec. 2025 start of winter until March (pre-spring) 2026 -or – Dec.2026; your interpretation…