Road trip relief: Long Island boasts New York’s best public restroom

Clean stalls, cedar shingles and a “chef’s kiss.”

Travelers cruising toward the East End may want to make a point to incorporate a pit stop at the Long Island Welcome Center in Dix Hills — not just for the relief, but for the cleanliness.

That’s because the welcome center, located off the Long Island Expressway, has the top-rated public restroom in New York state, according to American River Wellness‘ nationwide survey of more than 3,000 drivers and truckers. It’s also No. 11 in the country, the study says.

Opened in 2016, the Long Island Welcome Center takes its architectural cues from the Hamptons, with a shingle-style design featuring cedar shingles, gables, and open porches.

The restroom study — part of an effort to highlight hygiene and hospitality on the road — recognized the eastbound Long Island rest stop for offering a “chef’s kiss” of a restroom experience. Sparkling facilities, locally themed décor, tourism displays and farm-to-table vending options leave visitors with a lot to remember.

“This newer rest stop … feels more like a stylish café than a pit stop,” the report reads. “Yes, even rest stops are fancy in the Hamptons corridor.”

The Long Island Welcome Center wasn’t the only New York facility on the list. The Mohawk Valley Welcome Center along I-90 in Canajoharie and the Plattekill Service Area on the New York State Thruway also earned recognition in the national rankings.

But the Long Island location stood out most.

American River Wellness, a return-to-duty support company, emphasized that restrooms are more than just pit stops — they’re a reflection of how communities treat travelers.

“Towns that prioritize spotless facilities often offer a lot more: peaceful rest areas, healthier food options, green spaces, and inviting welcome centers that turn a quick stop into a moment of genuine rest and rejuvenation,” the study authors wrote.

America’s top five public restrooms

1. Kula Forest Reserve Picnic Area – Haleakalā Highway, Hawaii
2. Florida Welcome Center – I-95, Jacksonville
3. Kentucky Welcome Center – I-65, Bowling Green
4. Waimea Canyon Lookout, Hawaii
5. Burlington Rest Area — I-85/I-40, North Carolina

_{Top photo: Long Island Welcome Center (Facebook).}