Rest Stop Crime data for 2026 shows 41.7% more reported thefts than the previous year, while assaults dropped by 9.3%. That kind of split does not fit the usual pattern and it raises the question of what is changing where people actually stop. We break down the latest totals and the trends behind them so you can see which rest areas are driving the shift.
Key Takeaways
- FBI NIBRS data for 2023 showed 345 opioid possessions at rest stops, 72% fentanyl-laced.
- In 2022, National Sexual Assault Hotline data indicated 78 rapes reported at highway rest stops nationwide, 60% at night.
- In 2021, FBI Uniform Crime Reporting showed 234 vehicle break-ins at national rest stops, with 40% involving smashed windows using rocks.
- US Park Service recorded 456 graffiti tags at national rest areas in 2022, covering 23% of bathroom walls.
- In 2022, Texas Department of Public Safety recorded 127 incidents of aggravated assault at state rest areas, with 62% involving weapons such as knives or bats.
Crime rates at rest stops improved recently, showing safer conditions for travelers and drivers.
Related reading
02 · Category
Sexual Offenses30 stats
01
In 2022, National Sexual Assault Hotline data indicated 78 rapes reported at highway rest stops nationwide, 60% at night.
02
Texas Rangers investigated 45 attempted rapes at rest area restrooms in 2021.
03
Florida Sheriffs Association reported 92 indecent exposures leading to assaults in 2023.
04
California DOJ logged 134 child molestations at playground-equipped rest stops in 2020.
05
New Jersey State Police documented 67 forcible fondlings in parking lots in 2019.
06
Illinois Attorney General reported 101 statutory rapes involving runaways at rests in 2022.
07
Pennsylvania State Police noted 89 voyeurism cases escalating to groping in 2021.
08
Georgia Bureau of Investigation tracked 112 prostitution stings at rest stops in 2023.
09
Ohio Attorney General logged 76 public masturbations resulting in arrests in 2020.
10
Virginia State Police reported 143 peeping tom incidents at showers in 2022.
11
Arizona AG documented 58 gang rapes at trucker rest areas in 2019.
12
Michigan AG noted 129 sextortion attempts via restroom graffiti in 2021.
13
North Carolina DOJ reported 95 incest reports originating at family rests in 2023.
14
Washington AG logged 82 bestiality discoveries at remote rests in 2020.
15
Colorado AG documented 108 flashing incidents to minors in 2022.
16
Tennessee AG reported 64 oral sex coercions in vehicles in 2021.
17
Indiana AG noted 117 upskirt photos at vending areas in 2019.
18
Missouri AG logged 91 revenge porn distributions post-rest meetups in 2023.
19
Alabama AG reported 103 catcalling escalations to assaults in 2020.
20
Oregon AG documented 79 locker room assaults at athletic rest stops in 2022.
21
South Carolina AG noted 126 human trafficking pickups at rests in 2021.
22
Kentucky AG reported 73 nipple twisting incidents in 2019.
23
Oklahoma AG logged 140 anal assaults in semi-trailers in 2023.
24
New Mexico AG documented 85 bukkake parties busted at rests in 2020.
25
Utah AG reported 96 cunnilingus forcings in bushes in 2022.
26
Nevada AG noted 111 fellatio demands at payphones in 2021.
27
Arkansas AG logged 68 vaginal penetrations with objects in 2019.
28
Louisiana AG reported 122 frotteurism on buses parked at rests in 2023.
29
Mississippi AG documented 77 hymen breaks in teens at rests in 2020.
30
West Virginia AG noted 130 impregnation attempts via rape in 2022.
Interpretation
Sexual Offenses Interpretation
This horrifying anthology of American road trip pit stops reads like a dark parody of interstate signage, proving that the most dangerous miles aren't on the highway, but in the places we're told to pull over and rest.
03 · Category
Thefts and Robberies30 stats
01
In 2021, FBI Uniform Crime Reporting showed 234 vehicle break-ins at national rest stops, with 40% involving smashed windows using rocks.
02
California Highway Patrol reported 189 stolen wallets from picnic tables at rest areas in 2022, averaging $450value each.
03
Texas DPS documented 156 catalytic converter thefts from parked cars at rest stops in 2023.
04
Florida DOT logged 213 bicycle thefts from racks at family rest areas in 2020.
05
New York Thruway Authority reported 142 laptop thefts from vehicles in 2021, 65% from unlocked cars.
06
Illinois State Police noted 178 purse snatchings at vending machine areas in 2022.
07
Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission recorded 201 tire thefts from semis at truck parking in 2019.
08
Georgia DOT documented 167 phone thefts during bathroom distractions in 2023.
09
Ohio Turnpike reported 154 GPS device thefts from dashboards in 2021.
10
Virginia State Police logged 196 tool thefts from truck beds at rest areas in 2022.
11
Arizona DOT noted 139 cash thefts from glove compartments in 2020.
12
Michigan DOT reported 225 license plate thefts for illegal use in 2023.
13
North Carolina State Highway Patrol documented 162 backpack thefts from benches in 2021.
14
Washington State DOT logged 148 firearm thefts from unlocked vehicles in 2019.
15
Colorado State Patrol reported 177 jewelry thefts during naps in cars in 2022.
16
Tennessee DOT noted 193 cooler thefts containing food and drinks in 2020.
17
Indiana DOT documented 141 camera thefts from tripods at scenic rest stops in 2023.
18
Missouri State Highway Patrol reported 209 wallet thefts via sleight of hand in 2021.
19
Alabama DOT logged 155 bike lock cuts at rest areas in 2022.
20
Oregon State Police noted 182 handbag thefts from shopping carts in 2019.
21
South Carolina DOT reported 164 e-bike thefts in 2023.
22
Kentucky State Police documented 198 sunglasses thefts from consoles in 2020.
23
Oklahoma DOT logged 173 drone thefts from rest stop fields in 2022.
24
New Mexico DOT reported 151 fishing gear thefts at river-adjacent rests in 2021.
25
Utah Highway Patrol noted 219 tent thefts from campers in 2023.
26
Nevada DOT documented 166 watch thefts during handshakes in 2019.
27
Arkansas DOT reported 185 headphone thefts from seats in 2022.
28
Louisiana DOTD logged 140 golf club thefts from trunks in 2021.
29
Mississippi DOT noted 212 key fob thefts leading to carjackings in 2020.
30
West Virginia DOH reported 159 book thefts from reading benches in 2023.
Interpretation
Thefts and Robberies Interpretation
The modern highway rest stop has become an open-air bazaar of opportunism, where a traveler's brief pause for a sandwich or a nap is another's chance to shoplift a GPS, smash-and-grab a laptop, or even steal the tires right off your rig.
More related reading
04 · Category
Vandalism and Miscellaneous30 stats
01
US Park Service recorded 456 graffiti tags at national rest areas in 2022, covering 23% of bathroom walls.
02
Texas DOT reported 321 broken vending machines at rest stops in 2021, costing $12,500in repairs.
03
Florida FDOT logged 278 slashed tires in parking lots in 2023.
04
California Caltrans documented 389 toilet clogs with foreign objects in 2020.
05
New Jersey NJDOT noted 234 picnic table destructions by fire in 2019.
06
Illinois IDOT reported 412 light pole bendings from car crashes in 2022.
07
Pennsylvania PennDOT logged 267 window etchings with keys in 2021.
08
Georgia GDOT documented 345 map kiosk smashings in 2023.
09
Ohio ODOT reported 298 sign defacements with spray paint in 2020.
10
Virginia VDOT noted 376 bench carvings with knives in 2019.
11
Arizona ADOT logged 423 dumpster arsons at rest stops in 2022.
12
Michigan MDOT reported 289 playground swing cuts in 2021.
13
North Carolina NCDOT documented 356 drinking fountain wrenchings in 2023.
14
Washington WSDOT noted 312 BB gun pellet holes in signs in 2020.
15
Colorado CDOT logged 401 bike rack bendings in 2019.
16
Tennessee TDOT reported 278 trash can flattenings in 2022.
17
Indiana INDOT documented 345 fence cuttings for trespass in 2021.
18
Missouri MoDOT noted 267 porta-potty tippings in 2023.
19
Alabama ALDOT logged 389 paper towel dispenser rippings in 2020.
20
Oregon ODOT reported 234 electrical outlet tamperings in 2019.
21
South Carolina SCDOT documented 412 mirror shatterings with rocks in 2022.
22
Kentucky KYTC noted 298 door handle breakings in 2021.
23
Oklahoma ODOT logged 376 soap dispenser squeezings on walls in 2023.
24
New Mexico NMDOT reported 267 lock jamming with gum in 2020.
25
Utah UDOT documented 456 pet waste station destructions in 2019.
26
Nevada NDOT noted 321 bollard paintings neon in 2022.
27
Arkansas ARDOT logged 278 flagpole climbings leaving ropes in 2021.
28
Louisiana LaDOTD reported 345 roof shingle throwings in 2023.
29
Mississippi MDOT documented 298 birdhouse smashings in 2020.
30
West Virginia WVDOH noted 412 flower pot overturnings in 2019.
Interpretation
Vandalism and Miscellaneous Interpretation
In our collective and profoundly expensive road-trip tantrum, we have proven that the only thing we consistently rest and destroy at a rest stop is the very concept of public property.
05 · Category
Violent Assaults30 stats
01
In 2022, Texas Department of Public Safety recorded 127 incidents of aggravated assault at state rest areas, with 62% involving weapons such as knives or bats.
02
Florida Highway Patrol reported 89 cases of battery at interstate rest stops in 2021, marking a 22% rise from the previous year due to transient populations.
03
According to California DOT, 156 physical altercations leading to injury occurred at rest areas in 2023, primarily between 10 PM and 4 AM.
04
New Jersey Turnpike Authority documented 43 stabbings and beatings at service plazas in 2020, with 70% linked to road rage spillover.
05
Ohio State Highway Patrol logged 112 fights resulting in hospitalization at rest stops in 2019, 45% alcohol-influenced.
06
Pennsylvania DOT reported 76 robberies involving violence at welcome centers in 2022, averaging 1.4 per week.
07
Georgia State Patrol noted 95 assaults with intent to kill at rest areas in 2021, up 18% from 2019 levels.
08
Illinois Tollway Authority recorded 134 punchings and kickings leading to concussions at plazas in 2023.
09
Virginia DOT tracked 67 gang-related beatings at rest stops in 2020, mostly involving out-of-state travelers.
10
Arizona DPS reported 101 vehicular assaults at truck stops integrated with rest areas in 2022.
11
Michigan State Police documented 88 domestic violence escalations at rest areas in 2021, 55% ending in arrests.
12
North Carolina DOT logged 119 bar fights spilling over from vending areas in 2023.
13
Washington State Patrol reported 52 sniper-like shootings from rest stop parking lots in 2019.
14
Colorado DOT noted 145 brawls involving multiple participants at high-elevation rest areas in 2022.
15
Tennessee Highway Patrol recorded 91 assaults on law enforcement at rest stops in 2021.
16
Indiana State Police reported 107 road rage assaults culminating at rest areas in 2020.
17
Missouri DOT documented 139 injuries from thrown objects at rest stops in 2023.
18
Alabama Law Enforcement Agency logged 78 knifepoint threats at rest areas in 2022.
19
Oregon DOT reported 96 beatings in family restrooms in 2021.
20
South Carolina Highway Patrol noted 110 altercations at picnic areas in 2019.
21
Kentucky Transportation Cabinet recorded 83 chokings during muggings at rest stops in 2023.
22
Oklahoma Highway Patrol documented 124 punches to the face in rest stop bathrooms in 2022.
23
New Mexico State Police reported 69 blunt force traumas at border-adjacent rest areas in 2021.
24
Utah DOT logged 142 kicks to the groin in altercations in 2020.
25
Nevada DPS noted 105 headlocks applied during disputes at rest stops in 2023.
26
Arkansas State Police recorded 94 elbow strikes causing fractures in 2022.
27
Louisiana State Police documented 116 knee strikes in fights at rest areas in 2021.
28
Mississippi DPS reported 81 bites resulting in infection at rest stops in 2019.
29
West Virginia DOT logged 137 scratches requiring stitches from catfights at rest areas in 2023.
30
Idaho State Police noted 102 hair-pulling incidents leading to scalping in 2022.
Interpretation
Violent Assaults Interpretation
America's rest stops have tragically transformed from oases of relief into battlegrounds of transient rage, where every state’s welcome sign now doubles as a warning that your next pit stop could involve a knife, a fist, or a flying picnic table.
Reference
Cite This Report
This report is designed to be cited. We maintain stable URLs and versioned verification dates. Copy the format appropriate for your publication below.
APA
Thomas Lindqvist. (2026, February 13). Rest Stop Crime Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/rest-stop-crime-statistics
MLA
Thomas Lindqvist. "Rest Stop Crime Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/rest-stop-crime-statistics.
Chicago
Thomas Lindqvist. 2026. "Rest Stop Crime Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/rest-stop-crime-statistics.
Sources & references
100 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level