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If you’ve ever taken a long trip on I-5, you’ve done the math in your head.

How many more miles is it until the next welcoming blue sign appears, signaling that, ahead, there be relief?

At that point, the real calculations begin. Is it time? Should the passengers be polled as to their need? How many more miles are indicated by the “Next Rest Area” sign?

Has thinking about it to this extent only exacerbated the situation, and rendered any other choice moot?

Southern Oregon is known for attractions. The theater and musical venues. The draws for outdoor enthusiasts. Wineries, restaurants, distinctive downtowns.

And, apparently, the bathrooms at Valley of the Rogue State Park.

So many travelers have disembarked from I-5 at Exit 45B that in 2021 it became the most-visited state park in Oregon — as 2,071,408 vehicles were counted entering Valley of the Rogue.

That’s a lot of foot-traffic, and a lot of, well …

It’s a dirty job, and someone’s gotta do it — and that someone has been the crew of the state Parks and Recreation Department.

“That volume of visitation put a strain on park resources, staff and facilities,” said Dani Padilla, district manager for the department.

To cut back on the overflow of visitors, the state has designated Valley of the Rogue a day-use-only area, instead of a rest area. Initial operating hours will be from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. — meaning using the park as a rest area, or a place to take a nighttime potty break, will be a no-go.

I-5 signage will reflect this change in nomenclature. The blue “Rest Area” signs will give way to “Day Use” markers — in hopes of encouraging those who want to use the park for more than a five-minute pitstop.

Those evening drivers performing mental, mathematical gymnastics, meanwhile, will have to learn to hold on until they get to rest areas near Merlin to the north and Talent going south.

“There are ample rest opportunities along the way,” says park manager Nathan Seable, who notes that maintaining the area’s necessities is a “legacy operation” and not part of the agency’s current charge. “Our main goal and function is to provide recreational facilities.”

Parks officials hope that when nature calls for park visitors, it’s to take advantage of its proximity to the Rogue River — for hiking, biking, camping, having a picnic or or just sitting and thinking.

Plans also are in the works to make Valley of the Rogue more of a destination spot, featuring upgraded recreational facilities and landscaping, as well as additional trails and site-information panels on the drawing board.

The change in hours, meanwhile, still allows the park to be open to other needs during the prime travel hours, officials say, while the night closures should cut down down on vandalism and other crimes.

“Rest areas attract some illegal activity,” Seable said. “I think it will clean that up as a side benefit.”

And, when it comes to cleaning things up as side benefits, increasing security and safety are ones far preferable to grab by the handle.