Painted Cliffs Rest Area

Rest stops are always noisy, from our experience, and this one was no different. When we pulled in there were only two spots left. The truckers there all had engines or generators running all night so we didn’t feel bad running our genie for a bit. We could hear a train once or twice, but I’ve always enjoyed hearing the old sound of trains passing by. The rock formations and unique landscape was a beautiful view! The pet area was nothing special, but all she needs is grass or gravel to do her business anyhow.

It's a rest stop and it's free. Surrounding buttes and cliffs are beautiful. Beyond that...

Pros: Free. Bathrooms (I didn't use them or inspect them). Water spigots, two seemed to be working. Picnic tables. Designated "Pet Exercise Area." Easy access from I-40. Vending machines

Cons: NOISY! (Think New York Subway station when a train is pulling in). Just yards from I-40, you not only hear all the road traffic, but beyond that are train tracks--very ACTIVE train tracks with trains blowing their whistles all night long. It's crowded. Only about 8 pull-throughs, and although one was open when I arrived, I parked at a pull-in space along the curb, since I could fit and didn't want to take up a trucker's space. There are water spigots to top off your tank, but they are only useable if someone is not parked in the space directly in front of them. I found an empty parking space in front of one early in the morning and moved in and luckily had a long hose.
There are vending machines. I desperately wanted a coke, and put my $2 in. I pressed the coke button, and it said "Make another selection." I tried Diet Coke. Same thing. I pushed every button until finally a bottle of water came out. The machines are not stocked on a regular basis. If you're a gambler, give one a try.
The "Pet Exercise Area" is just a plot of dirt at the end of the parking lot. There is nothing there. It is just where they want you to take your dog to poop.
Trucks left their engines/generators running all night. Even that wasn't enough to drown out the noise of highway traffic and trains.
Cars and trucks came and went all night long, so car doors slamming all night long.

This is a very busy rest stop. We arrived very late after a long construction delay on I-40 West bound in New Mexico; 2.5 hour delay. When we arrived we the truck / RV parking was full. We checked out the near by truck stop and the New Mexico east bound rest stop (cloded) before heading back. When we arrived back at the rest stop a truck was pulling out and we had our stop. Considering it is a rest stop on the highway it was not too loud. We had a good nights rest and were well rested to continue our drive west.

Rest stop must have been close recently for upgrades. It is open despite the sign on the freeway and on other apps. It is brightly lit and a good place for a quick stop. Arrived about 10pm. A few other cars also there. A little noisy but not too bad. The exit is not well marked, keep going straight at the stop sign don’t veer to the right.