Best stops on I-8 in California

All 75 exits ranked by what a road-tripper actually needs: real food choice, easy gas, 24-hour service, and the stops worth a detour. Winners below.

1. Exit 1 — West Mission Bay Drive;Sports Arena Boulevard

Milepost 1 · 29 places to eat · 12 gas stations · 15 hotels · ♥ Cabrillo National Monument, SeaWorld San Diego

2. Exit 3 — Taylor Street;Hotel Circle

Milepost 3 · 29 places to eat · 15 gas stations · 20 hotels · ♥ Maritime Museum of San Diego, USS Midway Museum

3. Exit 4C — Escondido

Milepost 4 · 29 places to eat · 11 gas stations · 14 hotels · ♥ San Diego Zoo, Marston House

4. Exit 172 — 4th Avenue

Milepost 172 · 29 places to eat · 7 gas stations · 15 hotels · ♥ Yuma Quartermaster Depot State Historic Park, Yuma Territorial Prison State Historic Park

5. Exit 7B — Riverside

Milepost 7 · 18 places to eat · 11 gas stations · 10 hotels · 24/7 travel center

6. Exit 8 — Mission Gorge Road;Fairmount Avenue

Milepost 8 · 28 places to eat · 11 gas stations · 11 hotels · open 24 hours

7. Exit 11 — 70th Street;Lake Murray Boulevard

Milepost 11 · 29 places to eat · 10 gas stations · 12 hotels · open 24 hours

8. Exit 13A — El Cajon Boulevard

Milepost 13 · 29 places to eat · 12 gas stations · 12 hotels · open 24 hours

9. Exit 19 — North 2nd Street

Milepost 19 · 29 places to eat · 22 gas stations · 14 hotels · open 24 hours

10. Exit 114 — El Centro

Milepost 114 · 29 places to eat · 12 gas stations · 13 hotels · open 24 hours

← Every I-8 exit in California