Deteriorating Condition of Motorway Service Areas for Camper Vans
Cruising the Lower Rhine: Unmet Demands of Campers at German Motorway Stops – Highlighting ADAC's List of Shortcomings
Germany's motorway rest areas fall short of catering to the needs of camper travelers, according to an ADAC survey among frequent motorhome or caravan travelers. The survey describes numerous infrastructural and service deficiencies specifically for campers, echoing the ADAC's findings from 12 rest areas in North Rhine-Westphalia in the 2024 and 2023 rest area tests.
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"The survey results demonstrate a clear demand from campers that often goes unmet at German motorway stops," explains Roman Suthold, traffic expert for ADAC in NRW. The primary concern identified relates to parking – 53% of campers desire designated parking spaces. During the 2024 and 2023 tests, none of the 12 rest areas in NRW boasted such spaces.
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Campers seeking improved infrastructure at rest stops
Beyond adequate parking, the survey respondents emphasized the need for basic infrastructure: 42% demanded the ability to refill fresh water, and 38% requested the option to empty their cassette toilets. Majorities say they're willing to pay for these amenities, with a quarter even offering up to four euros. Regrettably, none of the 80 rest areas tested in 2024 and 2023, including those in NRW, provided these facilities. With no freshwater stations or disposal and cleaning options for wastewater and cassette toilets, their absence is striking.
Secure overnight stay facilities along the motorway is also a desirable feature: 45% would welcome a fenced and video-monitored area for overnighting against payment. 31% would even venture up to ten kilometers off the motorway to access such a site.
High prices deter campers at rest stops
Currently, many camping enthusiasts restrict their stays to brief stops at rest areas, mainly for toilet use (48%) and refueling (40%). However, the exorbitant prices discourage many: 50% find refueling on the motorway to be excessively expensive. Not only do restaurants and shops fail to impress, with 44% citing poor price-performance ratios at the catering, but 38% express similar concerns about sales points. Additionally, cleanliness woes persist, as 34% are dismayed by unclean sanitary facilities, and 31% are frustrated by litter on the rest areas.
"The fact that rest areas in our neighboring countries are not only scarce but significantly better-rated than ours should prompt local operators to reconsider their approach," says ADAC expert Suthold. "Catering to camper needs is possible."
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"The survey results indicate a demand from campers for designated parking spaces and basic infrastructure such as refilling fresh water and emptying cassette toilets at German motorway stops, which are frequently unavailable."
"Many campers prefer brief stops at rest areas due to high prices, poor price-performance ratios, unclean sanitary facilities, and litter, and suggest that rest areas in neighboring countries offer significantly better services."
