FLETCHER, N.C. — A new rest stop along Interstate 26 near the Buncombe-Henderson county line is one of the most luxurious in the state, according to the N.C. Department of Transportation.

The rest stop, which opened Friday morning on the east side of the highway, has a pet-friendly area and features wood finishes and high ceilings, according to a news release from the N.C. DOT. It also uses energy efficient plumbing and has large windows for plenty of natural light.

“I jokingly call it the Taj Mahal of rest areas, but I’m only kind of joking,” Division 14 resident engineer Mike Patton said.

The $5 million rest stop at mile marker 41 is part of a project to widen I-26 in Henderson County.

In 2019, an average of 64,000 motorists drove through the area each day, the N.C. DOT said.