As you hit the highway with music blaring and a 64-ounce drink at your side, just remember, that rest stop you used to visit likely will be dark.  You’ll have to do your business elsewhere.

That’s because VDOT has closed 18 rest areas around Virginia.  Those budget cuts at work again.

Here’s a portion of the official news release.  And, get ready, travelers.  There are more closures to come.

The 18 rest areas slated to close include:

• I-81 North Rural Retreat
• I-81 South Smyth
• I-81 North Radford
• I-81 South Troutville
• I-81 North Mt. Sidney
• I-81 South Mt. Sidney
• I-81 South New Market
• I-95 North Ladysmith
• I-95 South Ladysmith
• I-95 North Dale City (cars)
• I-95 South Dale City (cars)
• I-66 East Manassas
• I-64 East Goochland
• I-64 West Goochland
• I-85 North Dinwiddie
• I-85 South Dinwiddie
• I-85 North Alberta
• I-85 South Alberta

VDOT will operate the I-66 West Manassas Welcome Center through the summer travel season, since it was the only welcome center impacted by these closures. VDOT will close the I-66 Welcome Center on Sept. 16, following the busy summer travel season.

A map of the affected rest areas is available at http://www.virginiadot.org/news/resources/Statewide/19_SRAWC_Closures.pdf. To learn more detail about VDOT’s service reductions, visit http://www.virginiadot.org/newsroom/default.asp#blueprint

With children in tow, I remember stopping at that rest stop along I-64 in Goochland many times.  What a great resource for weary parents and restless kids.  I get it.  The closures are a sign of these difficult times.  I just have to remember now to give the kids lots and lots of juice *after* the trip is over.  Safe travels!