The Xihu Service Area is located in Xihu Township, Miaoli County, Taiwan. It is situated along National Freeway No. 3 (Formosa Freeway), approximately 134.9 kilometers from the starting point in Keelung. Since its opening on December 7, 2003, it has become the only freeway service area in Miaoli County and the second service area when traveling southbound on Freeway No. 3.
The service area includes both southbound and northbound facilities, connected by a pedestrian bridge that allows travelers to move between the two sides conveniently. To improve transportation convenience for local residents and reduce the need to detour via the Houlong or Tongxiao interchanges, a dedicated slip road for small vehicles was constructed beginning in 2014 and officially opened on February 5, 2015. This slip road is designed for “southbound entry and northbound exit,” allowing vehicles to enter the southbound lane or exit the freeway from the northbound lane via the service area.
Due to limited space, the Xihu Service Area does not include a gas station, making it the only service area on Freeway No. 3 without refueling services. However, in response to the increasing use of electric vehicles, the service area added EV charging stations in 2024 that support CCS1 and CCS2 standards, offering modern charging convenience.
The southbound facility includes a rest room for drivers, providing a place for short breaks to help reduce fatigue-related driving risks and improve road safety.
