The southbound I-75 rest area at Clarkston, Mich., now provides wireless Internet access.

Michigan has joined a number of states in experimenting with Wi-Fi Internet access for drivers with laptop or handheld computers capable of logging on to a 802.11 wireless network. Michigan is charging $3.95 for two hours of Wi-Fi service.
According to Michigan officials, the southbound Clarkston stop was chosen for Wi-Fi because it's the last rest area along the busy I-75 corridor on the way to Detroit. The state is also providing experimental Wi-Fi service at state parks and other locations.
"We are particularly interested in the feedback we get at Clarkston," says state Department of Information Director Teri Takai. "It's the only rest area in our list of pilot sites, and it will be interesting to see how motorists respond. We think Clarkston will be an extremely popular site."
Truckers downloading email and surfing the web are expected to be the major users of the systems.
Michigan joins a number of states experimenting or already committed to rest-area Wi-Fi. Texas has announced it will provide Wi-Fi at all rest areas in the state. Iowa is conducting a six-month test of rest-area Wi-Fi.
Rest-area Wi-Fi is free in Texas and at a few other locations, such as Rest Area 26 on I-94 in Wisconsin.