Renovated Thruway rest area in Rockland reopens ahead of July 4th holiday

The Ramapo rest area on the Thruway recently reopened after being closed for renovations since 2023.

“The interior is really nice,” said the Fassler family of Walton, New York. “I’m really happy there’s a Starbucks and a Panera here.”

“The rest area is beautiful,” said Richard Hessney of Macedon, N.Y. “They have all these great places, a Starbucks and all kinds of food. And amazing restrooms, and hand dryers at every faucet. It’s a major improvement.”

The modernization work was completed in time for the July 4 holiday trip.

A Thruway Authority spokesman said the improvements are part of a public-private partnership. $450 million in private funding has been provided to rebuild 23 of the 27 rest areas and improve the other four. Ramapo is the 18th rest area renovated in the project.

News 12 has been told that 1.2 million travelers use the Ramapo rest area each year.