Facility Overview

Howell Rest Area 812 is an official roadside traveler service facility operated by the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT), located directly along Interstate 96 Eastbound at mile marker 135 near Howell, Michigan. Positioned in central Livingston County, this expansive open-air surface rest facility serves as a vital stopping point for commuters, regional freight operators, and long-distance road trippers journeying between Lansing, Brighton, and the greater Detroit metropolitan area. Designed with dedicated traffic segregation, the facility features separate parking areas for standard passenger vehicles and oversized commercial motor vehicles. Because it is completely open-air with no overhead barriers or height restriction gantries, the lot accommodates standard passenger cars, pickup trucks, full-size SUVs, conversion vans, recreational vehicles (RVs), travel trailers, tour buses, and semi-trucks with zero clearance limitations.

Prime Location & Nearby Attractions

Situated directly along the I-96 corridor, Howell Rest Area 812 serves as an accessible jumping-off point or break area when visiting Livingston County destinations. While the rest stop is accessed exclusively via the eastbound interstate lanes, nearby local attractions accessible from adjacent I-96 interchanges (Exits 133 and 137) include:

• Downtown Howell: Located approximately 4 miles northwest, featuring historic architecture, local dining, the historic Livingston County Courthouse, and frequent community events such as the Howell Melon Festival.
• Tanger Outlets Howell: Situated roughly 5 miles west along I-96 at Exit 133, offering extensive retail shopping and popular brand-name outlets.
• Howell Nature Center: Located about 5.5 miles south, featuring wildlife habitats, hiking trails, and outdoor educational programs.
• Thompson Lake & Scofield City Park: Approximately 4.5 miles away, providing public beach access, boating, picnic areas, and boat launch facilities.
• Mt. Brighton Ski Resort: Located roughly 11 miles southeast via I-96, popular for winter skiing and snowboarding.

Access, Navigation & Transit Connectivity

Ingress and egress are seamlessly integrated into Interstate 96 Eastbound. Drivers access the facility via a dedicated deceleration lane located near mile marker 135, which splits into two well-marked pathways: one leading to the car and light-vehicle parking stalls, and the other guiding heavy commercial trucks, RVs, and buses to extended parallel pull-through lanes. Exiting the facility merges drivers back onto eastbound I-96 toward Brighton, Novi, and Detroit, with immediate access to Interstate 23 further east. Due to its dedicated freeway design, the rest area avoids local municipal cross-traffic and signal delays. While public fixed-route transit is not present within highway rest areas, the facility connects seamlessly into Michigan’s regional highway network.

Facility Amenities & Key Features

Howell Rest Area 812 provides standard MDOT roadside amenities designed to support driver safety and refreshment:

• Spacious, designated surface parking stalls for both passenger cars and commercial tractor-trailers.
• Modern, heated, and fully enclosed public restroom facilities with flush toilets and baby-changing stations.
• Designated ADA accessible parking spaces positioned on smooth concrete near ramps and main building entries.
• Well-illuminated paved grounds with overhead area lighting for night stops.
• Designated grassy pet exercise and relief zones with waste disposal receptacles.
• Outdoor picnic areas equipped with tables and shaded canopies for relaxing and dining.
• Vending machine shelter offering packaged beverages and snacks.
• Michigan travel information display boards, maps, and emergency assistance contact points.
• Entirely free public parking with no tolls, parking meters, or permits required.

Ideal For

• Long-haul truck drivers seeking legally mandated DOT hours-of-service rest breaks.
• Commuters and interstate travelers driving eastbound between Lansing, Grand Rapids, and metro Detroit.
• Families and pet owners needing a safe, clean, and spacious outdoor rest break along I-96.
• RV, camper, and trailer travelers requiring wide turning radiuses and pull-through bays.

Visitor & Driver Tips

Because Howell Rest Area 812 is an official state-managed rest stop, parking is completely free of charge around the clock; however, Michigan state law restricts continuous parking to a maximum stay (typically limited to short-term resting not exceeding a few hours), prohibiting long-term multi-day storage or traditional vehicle camping. Heavy truck parking spaces fill up rapidly in the late evening and overnight hours, so commercial drivers are encouraged to plan their stops prior to dusk. During Michigan winter months, maintenance crews regularly plow and salt the ramps and walkways, but drivers should remain cautious of icy patches near the apron entries. If traveling westbound, note that this facility is only accessible from I-96 Eastbound; westbound drivers must look for alternate service exits or designated westbound rest areas along the highway.