Maryland Welcome Centers and Rest Areas

The State of Maryland operates numerous welcome centers and rest areas at major gateways and strategic locations within the state. The major facilities are located on Interstate and Primary highways and provide modern restroom facilities, travel information, vending machines, picnic facilities, and telephones.

TTY/TTD Telephone available at each facility.

 

Beginning December 7, in order to continue providing rest area services during challenging economic times, the State Highway Administration (SHA) is modifying service hours to primarily daytime hours at several rest areas. Only one, sparsely used rest area is permanently closed. These tough decisions save the State more than $567,000 in operational costs such as lighting, water, staffing and supplies.

 

These facilities are located on the Maryland Official Highway Map and are further described as follows:

Facility	Hours of Operation	Location
US 219 Cove Overlook Rest Area near Keyser’s Ridge	Closing the restroom facilities permanently.	It is located on US 219 approximately 2.5 miles south of IS-68 in Garrett County, Maryland. The site offers spectacular views of the valley. For more information, please call 301-729-8457
I-68 Youghiogheny Overlook in Friendsville	Open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., no night hours.	Located on eastbound I-68, 1.5 miles east of Friendsville in Garrett County, Maryland, this site offers an outstanding view of the Youghiougheny reservoir. Ph. (301) 746-5979.
I-68 Sideling Hill Rest Area	Close the restroom facilities January through April.	Located on I-68, approximately 10 miles west of Hancock in Washington County, Maryland. The Site offers spectacular views and geologic history of the Sideling Hill Cut. The interpretive center, located along the westbound roadway is connected to parking and restrooms for eastbound traffic by a pedestrian bridge. Ph. (301) 678-5442.
I-70 East and I-70 West Welcome Centers	These centers are currently being remodeled and scheduled to reopen fall 2010.	The Welcome Centers serve both eastbound and westbound traffic on I-70. They are located in a natural setting on South Mountain between Frederick and Hagerstown in Frederick County, Maryland, near the Washington County Line. Ph. I-70 West. (301) 293-4161. Ph. I-70 East. (301) 293-2526
I-95 South and I-95 North Welcome Centers	Open 24 hours	These welcome centers are located on Interstate Route 95 between Baltimore and Washington in Howard County, Maryland. The Southbound site serves traffic heading towards Washington D.C. and points south. Ph. (301) 490-2444. The Northbound site serves traffic heading toward the Baltimore/Annapolis area and points north. Ph. (301) 490-1333.
Crain Memorial Welcome Center	Open 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.	Located approximately two miles north of the Potomac River on northbound U.S. 301 in Charles County Maryland, this facility is the gateway into Southern Maryland from Virginia. Ph. (301) 259-2500.
US 301 Bay Country Rest Area near Centreville	open 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., no night hours.	This site is located on U.S. 301 in Queen Anne's County, Maryland, approximately 15 miles north of its junction with U.S. 50. The facility is located in the median of U.S. 301 and serves both northbound and southbound traffic. Ph. (410) 758-6803.
US 13 North Welcome Center in Pocomoke	open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., no night hours	This welcome center is located on U.S. 13, northbound, just north of the Virginia State Line in Worcester County, Maryland. It is approximately four miles south of Pocomoke City and is the gateway to Maryland's lower Eastern Shore. Ph. (410) 957-2484.

 

In addition to the above facilities, the Maryland Transportation Authority operates two full service facilities on the toll portion of Interstate 95 (JFK Memorial Highway). These are:

The Maryland House. This facility is located in the median of I-95 and is accessible to both northbound and southbound traffic. It is approximately 24 miles north of Baltimore City in Harford County, Maryland. Food and fuel are available to the motorist at this location.

Chesapeake House Welcome Center. This welcome center is also located in the median of I-95 and is in Cecil County, Md., approximately fourteen miles north of the Maryland House and twelve miles south of the Delaware line. Food, fuel, and travel information services are available. Ph. (410) 287-2313.

Throughout Maryland there are also approximately 65 picnic areas and scenic overlooks, minor rest areas, and county operated welcome centers available to the motorist. These facilities are located on the Maryland Official Highway Map, which is available at any welcome center.