Bathroom choices are plentiful when you know where to look

QOnce a month I’m on the road from Fremont to Red Bluff down to Fresno and then from Rohnert Park to Marina. Yes, there are a few truck stops on Interstate 5 and Highway 99. But if

I miss one of them I go on maps and find a Walmart. A lot of them are just off the freeways.

— Steve Dotson, Fremont

A

The need to know where bathroom stops are located flooded the Roadshow inbox, so off we go when we have to go.

Q

For county roads and on gold country trips, park the car for privacy with the front door open. Use a urine collector such as a bottle, diaper or pad (don’t have to wear it!), bucket of cat litter, disposable urine collectors that turn to gel, etc. Then don’t litter, dispose in trash.

— Alice Tidwell, Oroville

A

Caltrans says used diapers are too often left on the side of freeways. Yuck.

Q

For readers concerned about their little ones and finding restrooms on the road: When our kids were young we purchased a one-piece molded Ikea potty and had a stack of diapers in the car. When we couldn’t find a restroom, we lined the inside of the potty with a disposable diaper and had them sit down and do their business. We could then roll the diaper up, wipe the inside of the potty and move on. This saved us many times.

— SArA Olson, SAn Jose A And… Q Restrooms at In-NOut Burger are open when inside order-taking is allowed. They are clean and conveniently located near major freeways. Petaluma, Novato and Seaside are among the locations I’ve visited while on the road.

— Chris AllinghAm,

SAn Jose A But no such luck off I-80. Q We stopped in Cordelia off Interstate 80 in search of a potty break. McDonald’s, Arby’s and another place had closed restrooms to all walk-in patrons. The need was urgent and we resorted to a spot outdoors about 100 yards away next to a homeless tent, an apartment and a creek. It was gross, yet the urgent need called as I have young children. — Liz GArdner, PAlo Alto

A Swing over to Fremont.

Q I almost hate to give my little secret away because it might become overcrowded, but the McDonald’s at Mission Boulevard off Interstate 680 in Fremont has restrooms available to patrons.

— Merlin DorfmAn,

SAn Jose

A And…

Q As a male, my rest stops along freeways consist of bushes along a side road out of sight of traffic and homes.

— Gerry Hunt, SAn Jose A

Been there, done that.