Rest Stops NearbyI-81 rest stops in New York
We list 9 rest stops on I-81 in New York. That includes 1 welcome center. The longest stretch without a stop is about 80 miles, between Preble Rest Area and I-81 Rest Area near Adams. Together they have 123 truck parking spaces.
Northbound: Southern Tier Welcome Center to I-81 Rest Area near Alexandria Bay
| Rest stop | Side | Mile | Near | Restrooms | Truck spaces | From previous |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Southern Tier Welcome Center | NB | – | Kirkwood | Yes | 16 | – |
| Whitney Point Rest Area | SB | 9 | Lisle | Yes | 29 | ≈ 31 mi |
| Preble Rest Area | NB | 14 | Preble | Yes | 59 | ≈ 28 mi |
| I-81 Rest Area near Adams | – | – | Adams | No | – | ≈ 80 mi |
| Watertown Rest Area | SB | 43 | Honeyville | Yes | 8 | ≈ 15 mi |
| I-81 Rest Area near Watertown | – | – | Watertown | – | – | ≈ 2.9 mi |
| Orleans Rest Area | NB | 49 | Calcium | – | 11 | ≈ 12 mi |
| I-81 Rest Area near Philadelphia | – | – | Philadelphia | – | – | ≈ 6.8 mi |
| I-81 Rest Area near Alexandria Bay | – | – | Alexandria Bay | Yes | – | ≈ 7.2 mi |
Mile = state mile marker where our sources give one. Distances use mile markers when both stops have one, otherwise the straight-line distance plus 15 % (marked ≈). "–" means we have no data.
Driving southbound
Heading south, you reach the stops in reverse order, starting with I-81 Rest Area near Alexandria Bay. Stops marked NB in the table are on the other side of the road; use the ones marked SB or Both.
- I-81 Rest Area near Alexandria Bay · direction not confirmed
- I-81 Rest Area near Philadelphia · direction not confirmed
- I-81 Rest Area near Watertown · direction not confirmed
- Watertown Rest Area · mile 43
- I-81 Rest Area near Adams · direction not confirmed
- Whitney Point Rest Area · mile 9
Can you sleep at rest stops in New York?
Time limit: 3 hours · trucks 10 hours
At night, stays are limited to 3 hours (10 hours for commercial vehicles), and no stay may exceed 24 hours.
Source: 17 NYCRR 156.3, checked October 2026. Always read the signs on arrival, they can be stricter. This is not legal advice.
I-81 beyond New York
Southbound, I-81 continues in Pennsylvania. All I-81 rest stops · All rest areas in New York
Frequently asked questions
How many rest stops are on I-81 in New York?
9 rest stops in our list: 7 reachable northbound and 6 southbound (counting stops whose direction we could not confirm for both).
What is the longest stretch without a rest stop on I-81 in New York?
About 80 miles, between Preble Rest Area near Preble and I-81 Rest Area near Adams near Adams.
Is there a welcome center on I-81 in New York?
Yes: Southern Tier Welcome Center (northbound).
Which I-81 rest stops in New York have restrooms?
Restrooms are mapped at 5 of the 9 stops, for example Southern Tier Welcome Center, Whitney Point Rest Area and Preble Rest Area. For the others we have no confirmed data.
Can you sleep at I-81 rest stops in New York?
At night, stays are limited to 3 hours (10 hours for commercial vehicles), and no stay may exceed 24 hours. (17 NYCRR 156.3)