It's big news on the New York State Thruway: the new Plattekill service area is open on I-87 in the Mid-Hudson Valley and it's bringing some businesses local residents have been asking for for years.

It's easy to forget that not all drivers in the United States have it as easy as New York commuters. Easily-accessible service areas with bathrooms, restaurants, and fuel aren't on every highway. In fact, most state highways don't have any type of service area option and require drivers to leave the highway and search for individual businesses nearby instead. Here's what's now open in Plattekill, NY.

A rendering shows what the new Plattekill service area looks like on the New York State Thruway (NYSTA via Facebook)
A rendering shows what the new Plattekill service area looks like on the New York State Thruway (NYSTA via Facebook)
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Plattekill, NY Thruway Service Area Now Open

The biggest news about the new Plattekill, NY service area is that its construction brought the Mid-Hudson Valley its first Chick-fil-A restaurant. As a special insider tip, there's a "secret" back entrance that allows Hudson Valley residents access to the service area (and Chick-fil-A restaurant) without having to drive on the thruway or pay a toll.

NYSTA via Facebook
NYSTA via Facebook
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Restaurants in the New Plattekill, NY Service Area

Panera and Auntie Ann's locations will both soon join the already-open Chick-fil-A and Burger King restaurants, and the new "open-air" design resembles something more like a food hall or even a farmer's market than a thruway service area. A video rendering (below) shows drivers exactly what to expect.

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This is the sixth thruway service area to undergo a major remodel. The plan (which the New York State Thruway Authority stresses does not come from taxpayer funds), is part of a broader mission to "redevelop and modernize all 27 Thruway service areas". Plan the best way to take advantage of New York state roads with the ultimate road trip below.

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