Fort Drum Service Plaza — Attraction in Gifford

The Fort Drum Service Plaza on the Florida Turnpike exceeded all my expectations, providing a stellar experience for both human and furry travelers. This well-maintained and super convenient stop offers amenities that cater to a wide range of needs, making it a must-visit for anyone traveling along this route.

One of the standout features is the availability of charging stations for electric vehicles. As an EV enthusiast, it’s crucial to find reliable and fast charging options on the go. The Fort Drum Service Plaza does not disappoint, with Tesla Superchargers and ChargePoint 125 kW chargers equipped with Chademo and CCS dispensers. This means that electric vehicles from virtually every manufacturer can find a way to charge their vehicle quickly here. Charging my EV was a breeze, thanks to the seamless activation using my ChargePoint proximity card. The quick and efficient charging process ensured that I could get back on the road in no time, fully charged and ready for the next leg of my journey.

The service plaza also caters to our furry friends. The dog park, complete with an unleashed area, was a huge hit with my travel companion, Steven Spielberg, who happens to be the world’s cutest dog. He thoroughly enjoyed running around and stretching his legs after a long drive. The dog park is well-maintained and thoughtfully designed, providing a safe and fun environment for pets to play and relax.

The food court at the Fort Drum Service Plaza is another highlight. It’s not just a place to grab a quick bite; it also features a charming mural with hidden animals painted within it. This adds a fun and interactive element to the dining experience, as you can play a game of finding all the hidden animals while enjoying your meal. I took some photos of the mural and had a great time trying to spot all the animals. The food options were also impressive. I had French toast sticks from Wendy’s, which were very tasty and provided a delightful snack during my stop.

Overall, my experience at the Fort Drum Service Plaza was outstanding. The combination of fast and reliable EV charging options, a fantastic dog park, and a charming food court made it a memorable stop. As an EV driver and early adopter, I appreciate the availability of high-quality charging stations at rest areas, and Fort Drum goes above and beyond in this regard. The plaza’s commitment to providing amenities for all travelers, including those with pets, sets it apart from other service areas.

In conclusion, I highly recommend the Fort Drum Service Plaza to anyone traveling on the Florida Turnpike. Whether you’re an EV driver in need of a quick charge, a pet owner looking for a safe and enjoyable spot for your furry friend, or simply a traveler seeking a pleasant place to rest and refuel, this service plaza has it all. Steven Spielberg and I had a fantastic visit and will definitely be stopping here again on our future travels. Five stars...

Stay away! I would give this zero stars if I could! Yesterday evening, we visited the Fort Drum plaza on the turnpike. Normally, we select these plazas because the food choices are great and it's convenient. Our first choice is typically Villa, but a quick look at the available food was shocking. The pizza looked days old, as though it had been reheated several times. The cheese was cracked and thick in appearance. Moving on to the rice, we saw crusty brown edges all around the pan and, again, it looked dried out and days old. Moving further on to the pasta, the same was seen for the ziti/penne and spaghetti: Thick, dried-out sauces and shriveled-up, hard noodles. This was disgraceful. My daughter settled on the mac and cheese, but I didn't get anything. At the counter, no one bothered to ring us up for several minutes. After my daughter caught a lady's attention and asked if she could pay, the lady rudely replied, "No", and walked away. Wow.

I tried Nathan's, but was rudely informed they were closing. The lady didn't even have the courtesy to face me and, perhaps add an "I'm sorry, but . . .". With regret, I then headed to Wendy's. I didn't really want anything that was offered, but I settled on a chicken sandwich. When I opened the wrapper, the bun was shriveled up and looked very unappetizing. I ate the sandwich, but ended up regretting it later.

Not one person in the plaza greeted us with a smile or in a welcoming manner in any way. The bathrooms were also gross, with tissue on the floor, messy or broken sinks, unclean stalls, etc. The food was miserable, and so was the experience. If this plaza is not visited enough to warrant fresh food, regular cleanings, and friendly service, perhaps it...

The rest stop is usually clean and there is a good variety of places to buy good quality meals and drinks from. The large kiosks with attractions and maps is well organized and well stocked.

There are 2 buildings, one housing the food court and a souvenir shop, and the other is at the gas station which also have a great variety of snacks and a limited but good choices for a hot meal.

When we travel on the Turnpike we always stop at Fort Drum due to the variety of food and clean rest rooms.

I took away a start because on this past trip when stopped there the rest rooms were not as clean or in good repair as usual. Many stalls on the woman's side of the bathrooms did not latch properly and the floor was sticky at the entrance. The handicap stalls had paper towels to dry your hands, but they only had the air machines by the bank of sinks.

Also we were very sad to see that only a small handful of people were wearing masks while walking in or on line to order food. Neither the security guards nor various employees said anything about all the signs about wearing a mask at all times except for when eating.

Many times when we have stopped there has been a citrus cart outside that sells oranges and grapefruits along with other great quality fruits and fresh squeezed juices, but unfortunately we did not get to see them since we were there before...