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It's safe to say that no one knows the off-ramps of Interstate 95 as intimately as Stan Posner and his wife, Sandra Phillips-Posner.
The Montreal-based married twosome spend nine weeks a year on the north-south artery, getting off at every exit from just north of Boston to the Florida border. Just in time for the snowbirds who'll be hitting the busy north-south highway, this month brings the third edition of their Drive I-95 (Travelsmart, $22.95), an exit-by-exit guide to services, attractions and oddities.
The book, which is sold at stores and via drivei95.com, also details radio stations to listen to along the way, auto repair facilities and hiding places favored by cops waiting to nab speeders.
This year's edition spotlights a travel trend -- pet-friendly lodgings -- mentioning 356 places to stay with Fido or Fluffy.
Another trend the couple note is that gas station auto mechanics are disappearing as garages turn into mini-marts. On the other hand, restrooms are cleaner than they used to be.
"We have rarely come across a yucky bathroom anymore," Sandra says. "Now they're serving food (at gas stations), they have to be cleaner."
And in the age of chains, mom-and-pop motels, B&Bs and eateries with local flavor still can be found.
"We tend to think everything has been homogenized, but (just off I-95) you can get into the little town and find the little restaurant where the locals go," Sandra says. "When you go to these mom-and-pop places, you'll feel like you have friends along the way."
Some way stations with local color that the two have discovered:
*Honey, the money-taking dog at Crazy D's American Fireworks El Cheapo Gas Station near Hardeeville, S.C. (Exit 5; 843-784-5086). The cocker spaniel is trained to fetch customers' bills on command and bring them to the cashier. If money is fake or a foreign currency, she'll drop it.
*Frank Pepe Pizza Napoletana in New Haven, Conn. (Exit 47; 203-865-5762). This venerable pizzeria is worth a detour, authors say. Try the signature pie with white clam sauce.
*Mister Mark's Fun Park near Florence, S.C. (Exit 164; 843-669-7373; mistermarksfunpark.com). It's a boon for traveling families with restive kids, says Stan. "There's miniature golf, go-karts, batting cages and arcade."
*The Ava Gardner Museum in Smithfield, N.C. (Exit 95; 919-934-5830; avagardner.org). A fan kissed by a young Ava Gardner established this roadside attraction to pay homage to the film star, who hailed from North Carolina. Movie posters, costumes worn by Gardner and scripts are displayed.
*Tailwinds Farm B&B near Rising Sun, Md. (Exit 100; 410-658-8187; fairwindsstables.com). "You can stay on a horse farm and go horseback riding," Sandra says. Bed and breakfast costs $85 for two.
When you're driving I-95, don't just check into one of those generic chain lodgings and switch on the TV, Sandra says.
"Stay in a little town, walk around and talk to the locals."
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