The Roads General Authority has outlined the evaluation standards applied to existing highway rest areas under the Saudi Road Code, defining how facilities are assessed and what services they must provide to travelers.
Under the standards, an existing rest area is evaluated using several factors: current usage levels, traffic volume, the characteristics of the surrounding area, the distance and driving time to the next rest area, nearby available services, and the facility's remaining design life. An evaluation becomes required when a rest area exceeds its design life.
The guidance also sets spacing rules for consecutive rest areas, which should generally be between 50 and 60 kilometers apart. Spacing of up to 80 kilometers is permitted in specified low-volume or seasonal conditions, but driving time between facilities should not exceed one hour.
Required services
Rest areas must provide public restrooms and drinking water free of charge, and are expected to operate continuously, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Type A and Type B rest areas must be accessible to persons with disabilities, including reserved accessible parking equal to 5% of total spaces.
For residents and travelers in the Kingdom, these standards aim to ensure that long-distance journeys between cities remain safer and more comfortable, with reliable stops available at regular intervals along major highways. The emphasis on free basic services and round-the-clock operation is intended to give drivers consistent opportunities to rest, reducing fatigue on extended trips.
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