Governor Mike DeWine and First Lady Fran DeWine joined local officials Friday to officially open two new rest areas along U.S. 33 near Marysville, part of a broader initiative to modernize rest stops across the state.
The new westbound location, just outside Marysville, offers more than the usual roadside stop.
Along with updated restrooms and improved accessibility, the site features native Ohio landscaping, dog trails, rocking chairs, and a Storybook Trail — a short walking path that displays pages from a Dolly Parton Imagination Library children’s book.
“A safe traveler is a well-rested traveler, so our goal is to provide a safe, clean space for visitors,” Governor DeWine said at the ribbon-cutting. “While we have them here, we’re sharing Ohio’s great story to hopefully spark curiosity and inspire more exploration in Ohio, the Heart of it All!”
The Marysville rest area also includes displays highlighting nearby destinations, including Grand Lake St. Marys State Park, Indian Lake, the Logan County History Center, Piatt Castle, and the Armstrong Air & Space Museum.
Lydia Mihalik, Director of the Ohio Department of Development, said the project is about more than rest and relaxation — it’s about making a lasting impression.
“These re-imagined rest areas offer a warm welcome,” she said. “We’re helping travelers discover what makes each corner of Ohio unique.”
The U.S. 33 stops are part of a long-term plan to build or renovate more than 70 rest areas statewide by the end of the decade.
