Exit 13½ is an interstate exit that is not on any map. Truckers say it shows up between 2 and 4 in the morning, and only to drivers whose eyes keep closing. The sign looks like every other sign. Green, reflective, normal. “EXIT 13½. Food. Rest. 1 Mile.”
At the bottom of the ramp is the Halfway Diner: chrome siding, a lit pie case, a counter with six stools, and coffee that is always on the house “for anyone who’s come this far.” Drivers who stop say they felt rested when they left. They also say the clock on the dash was wrong.
The Rules of Exit 13½
- Don’t take it. If you have taken it, keep reading.
- Don’t order the pie.
- Pay in cash. Never use a card. They keep your name.
- When you leave, don’t look in the rearview mirror until you pass the next real exit.
- If you ever see the sign again, read the mileage carefully. Some drivers believe it is not telling you how far the diner is. It is telling you how far you have left.
Every Story About Exit 13½
These are the Exit 13½ files, oldest first. Each one stands on its own.
The first file is being written. Check back soon, or read a random story while you wait. Random story →
Have You Seen the Sign?
If you have ever passed a green sign for Exit 13½, tell us the highway and the mileage in the comments. Then pull over and sleep.