Rest Area Free Coffee Program

The Free Coffee Program promotes safe highways by offering free coffee to reduce drowsy driving. Local volunteer groups provide free coffee to the traveling public at designated rest areas. In turn, travelers can learn more about the volunteer group and make a voluntary donation for the coffee service.  

Bookings can be requested and are available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Some locations may utilize a slight variation in booking dates. When submitting your application, your coordinator will reach out if they follow any variations.  

Volunteer groups are booked in the order that they are received. The volunteer agreement should be submitted at the time of the request.  

To ensure that every group can participate, no single volunteer group can select more than one holiday weekend. If a volunteer group has signed up for a holiday weekend, they can request to be added as a backup for additional holidays. If no other requests have been made for those dates, the backup group can finalize the holiday dates.  

How to sign up

Information for the Free Coffee Program is easily available online for our volunteer groups. To sign up, utilize our Safety Rest Area Free Coffee Program Checklist (PDF 226KB).

1. Download, review and sign the WSDOT Safety Rest Area Free Coffee Program Agreement (PDF 165KB)
2. Find your local coordinator below and email the completed paperwork: WSDOT Safety Rest Area Free Coffee Program Agreement with three date options and proof of non-profit status.
3. Look for an email response with next steps, dates or signed permit within 5-7 business days of your initial request. With reopening the Free Coffee Program, higher volumes of requests are anticipated. As an alternative to email, you can choose to mail your information to your local coordinator office listed below. Mailed requests will take additional processing time. 

Rules & regulations

This popular program was set up to improve safety for the traveling public on Washington state highways. Only non-profit organizations are permitted to participate in this program and they must be able to verify their non-profit status.  

For safety rest areas with high volumes of visitors, there is usually a list of groups waiting to participate in the Free Coffee Program and reservations for time slots may be arranged with the local coordinator. Other rest areas with fewer visitors may not have the Free Coffee Program or limit the times when free coffee may be served. 

Each rest area may have specific location provisions such as hours and sign-up methods which can be found in the precheck document provided by reaching out to your local coordinator. 

Participation rules

• Only non-profit organizations will be permitted to participate in this program. Organizations must be able to verify their non-profit status as requested.
• Permits and forms shall be in possession of volunteers serving coffee and refreshments.
• Permits are not transferable and may be revoked for noncompliance with state statute, administrative rule or the terms of the permit.
• When there is a need to relinquish a permit, the organization must provide advanced written notice stating their request to cancel. Failure of an organization to dispense refreshments or notify the issuing office of the cancellation with one week notice prior to the date of the permit, may result in a one-year suspension of eligibility for permits.
• Some rest areas will require a precheck at the safety rest area to review specific facility information prior to finalization of planned volunteer date. Some rest areas will provide a checklist for location specific information. Please confirm with your local coordinator.
• Any activity is to be carried out solely within the safety rest areas, free from any ramp or surface used for the movement of vehicles.
• Participants under the age of eighteen must always have adult supervision.
• Harassment or confrontation of WSDOT staff is grounds for immediate denial and future use of rests areas.  

Reservations

Separate permits are issued for each rest area. No telephone reservations will be taken and no telephone information on available dates will be given. Given the uniqueness of rest area locations, participants should review specific location information on the Safety Rest Area Free Coffee Program Checklist (PDF 226KB). Reservations can be made thru email, by mailing information to your local coordinator office or by setting up an appointment to drop off documents at your local coordinator office.  

Health guidelines 

• Only beverages including coffee, cocoa, teas, juice, lemonade or water are allowed to be served. No carbonated drinks or food of any kind are allowed. Per The Randolph Sheppard Act 20 U.S. Code §107a, priority is given to vending machines operated by the Commission for the Blind. A similar Mini Randolph Sheppard Act exists for WA state RCWA §74.18.010 thru §74.18.903. 
• Water for coffee will be obtained from designated rest area taps or brought in as directed by the rest area staff.
• Pets are not permitted in the kiosk and coffee serving area.
• If anyone in your group has any signs or symptoms of illness, they should not participate in free coffee program activities. 

Serving guidelines 

• The free coffee service is to be only in the designated area. The service must not obstruct access to any building or other structure in the rest area.
• A copy of these rules must accompany the permit. Both must be posted during serving terms.
• WSDOT may provide limited access to water and electricity in the rest area. The organization shall limit electrical use to 120V 20 AMPS.
• The organization is responsible for all equipment and supplies necessary for the service and any extraordinary costs incurred by WSDOT because of this service.
• Volunteer groups are required to clean up coffee service-related debris from facilities surrounding the attended coffee area throughout their shift and at the end of the shift. This includes canopy arch, sidewalks and lawn areas. Coffee grounds, cigarette butts, cups and other debris associated with coffee drinkers are to be put into plastic bags and placed in garbage. Restrooms are to be kept clean of all dispensed coffee-service related materials.
• 23 U.S. Code § 131 – Control of Outdoor Advertising supports limited signage by nonprofit organizations serving free coffee to individuals traveling on the interstate system. “Free coffee” shall include coffee for which a donation may be made but is not required. Coffee and refreshments are offered free of charge to motorists. Solicitation of voluntary donations is prohibited.
• The serving area must have at least one (1) sign on the booth showing the free coffee service and the organization.
• No more than two (2) signs or posters identifying the service and the organization by name only may be used (e.g. "Free Coffee--Served By ______"). The signs are limited to a maximum of 18” x 24” each and placed in the area designated for the service.
• No other advertisement for any organization, activity or fundraiser will be allowed including additional signs or sandwich boards. Handing out or posting literature is prohibited. Cups or dispensing units may not carry advertising.
• Signs must be removed when the service is closed.
• All lost and found items will be given to the rest area staff on-site.
• Fires are not permitted. Electric heaters plugged into rest area facilities are not permitted.
• In the event of an emergency, dial 911.  

Local coordinators 

Find your Free Coffee Program coordinator, who can help coordinate your Free Coffee Program Volunteer group participation. The area coordinators are listed below by WSDOT regions.

Northwest Region

North Central Region 

Olympic Region 

Southwest Region 

South Central Region 

Eastern Region 

Free Coffee Program documents

• WSDOT Safety Rest Area Free Coffee Program Agreement (PDF 165KB)
• Safety Rest Area Checklist (PDF 226KB)