Dutch motorway stops rank 19th in Europe, with Shell stations at bottom

Dutch motorway stops rank below most European countries in a new comparison based on more than seven million Google reviews, with the Netherlands placing 19th out of 26. All ten lowest-rated stops in the country are Shell stations, according to the index compiled by Czechvignette.cz.

The study covered 5,363 motorway stops across 26 countries, using reviews gathered in October 2026. Stops needed at least 100 Google reviews to be included, and each direction of travel counted separately.

Dutch stops averaged 3.88 stars out of five, below the European median of 4.08. Poland topped the comparison with 4.30; Belgium came last with 3.78. Germany ranked 21st, also below the Netherlands.

Peulwijk Oost, on the A4 near Strijp, received the lowest Dutch score, 3.09. Labbegat on the A59 near Waalwijk followed with 3.12, then Oeijenbraak on the A67 near Lierop with 3.17. At five of the ten lowest-rated stops, toilets were the main complaint.

Across Europe, toilets accounted for the largest share of complaints, at 23 per cent. In the Netherlands, reviewers most often praised staff and service. The highest-rated Dutch stop was Westkop on the N59 near Bruinisse, with 4.37 stars, despite its public toilet having been out of use for years; visitors gave positive reviews to an independent snack van there.

M Wijnmalen, co-founder of Czechvignette.cz, said motorists were particularly bothered by poor toilets and mediocre service, which he said could be improved.