The National Association of Truck Stop Operators (NATSO) defines a truck stop as a location with at least 15 parking spaces, one shower, and diesel available for sale. However, truck drivers find much more than a place to fuel up and park at the over 2,000 truck stops and travel centers dotting highways across the United States.
Gone are the days of their grimy reputations; these stops have evolved into truckers’ sanctuaries, offering many amenities from golf courses to shooting ranges.
Here are 12 of the coolest truck stops in America.
Image Credit: MediaFeed / Leonard J. DeFrancisci / Wikipedia / Janusz Sobolewski / Flickr.
1. Iowa 80 Truck Stop | Walcott, Iowa
Strategically located off Interstate 80 off Exit 284 in Walcott, Iowa, Iowa 80 holds the title of “World’s Largest Truck Stop,” and it truly lives up to its name. Occupying a 220-acre plot, this trucker’s hub welcomes around 5,000 visitors daily and features 900 parking spots, 20 showers, eight restaurants, including the famous Iowa 80 Kitchen, truckers, laundry rooms, truck maintenance services, and a trucking museum. Often ranked as America’s favorite truck stop, Iowa 80 also includes a dentist’s office, a barbershop, and a custom embroidery shop, catering to virtually every need a trucker could have.
Image Credit: Marshall Astor / WIkipedia.
2. Kenly 95 Petro | Kenly, North Carolina
Holding the title of the largest truck stop on the East Coast, Kenly 95 Petro on I-95, Exit 106 in Kenly, North Carolina is owned by the same group as Iowa 80 Truck Stop and features a movie theater, a gym, 350 parking spots, and 15 showers. There is also a barbershop, a truck service center, and other amenities designed to make life on the road as comfortable as possible.
Image Credit: Janusz Sobolewski / Flickr.
3. Jubitz Travel Center | Portland, Oregon
Located off I-5, in Portland, Oregon, Jubitz has grown from a local favorite to a nationally recognized truck stop, offering 250 free and 18 reserved parking spots, showers, jacuzzi access, a dog wash, and a driver lounge. Its adjacent Jubitz Marketplace includes a cinema and overnight accommodations, blending essential truck stop services with entertainment and relaxation options.
Image Credit: Jubitz.com.
4. Big Apple Travel Center | Joplin, Missouri
Located just off Interstate 44 at Exit 13 the Big Apple Travel Center is praised for its clean facilities and diverse food options, including a take-out café serving authentic Indian cuisine. It also features free Wi-Fi, charging stations, showers, and a dog park. It’s particularly notable for its pet-friendly approach and a wide selection of food choices.
Image Credit: bigappletravelcenters.com.
5. Dysart’s Restaurant & Truck Stop | Hermon, Maine
A family-owned establishment since 1967, Dysart’s offers a warm, homey atmosphere with a full-service restaurant, a bakery, showers, and a convenience store. It’s known for home-cooked meals and a truckers’ lounge, making it a comfortable and welcoming spot for drivers. Dysart’s has made such a splash that one of its commercials even inspired a Saturday Night Live skit with Will Ferrell and Kate McKinnon. Try saying, “Baked in a buttery, flaky crust,” three times in a row!
Image Credit: dysartsservicecenter.com/.
6. South of the Border | Hamer, South Carolina
Located right off I-95 in Hamer, South Carolina, South of the Border isn’t your average truck stop, but a roadside attraction and go-to for travelers and truckers alike for decades with its unmistakable Mexican-themed decorations and large sombrero-shaped signs. Here, truckers can find plenty of parking, fueling stations, and a selection of places to eat. But South of the Border goes beyond the basics. Visitors can also enjoy a mini-golf course, shopping opportunities, a motocross training facility, an amusement park with a full arcade, and a fireworks store. It also features an observation deck and is home to the United States’ largest indoor reptile display.
Image Credit: Leonard J. DeFrancisci / Wikipedia.
7. Flynn’s Truck Plaza | Shrewsbury, Massachusetts
As New England’s biggest family-owned truck stop, located near the intersection of Route 20 (Boston Turnpike) and Interstate 290, Flynn’s is a must-stop for every trucker cruising through the Northeast. Founded back in 1935 as a one-pump gas station, it’s grown into a 24/7 hub with loads of diesel pumps, free truck parking, a Dunkin’ Donuts right on-site, cozy TV lounges, a spot to pick up trucker gear, plus quick repair and tire service on call, and a convenient store for all your road trip needs
Image Credit: Flynn’s Truck Plaza / Facebook.
8. Big Horn Travel Center | Fort Worth, Texas
Located right off I-20 and I-820W in Fort Worth, Texas, The Big Horn Travel Center catches your eye with a Texas-sized welcome: a wall decorated with horns, rustic decor, and even a cozy fireplace. It also features a food court with favorites like Dunkin’, Taco Bueno, Hunt Brothers Pizza, and The Big Horn Grill. But when in Texas, do as the Texans do—what really sets Big Horn apart is its unique feature: a shooting range where truckers can take a break and have some fun.
Image Credit: Big Horn Travel Center / Facebook.
9. Noble’s Restaurant and Truck Stop | Corinth, Kentucky
Just an hour south of Cincinnati on Interstate 75, you’ll find Noble’s Restaurant and Truck Stop, a spot that feels more like a community gathering place than a highway stop. The family-run truck stop gives off “Cheers” vibes and sets itself apart with its cozy atmosphere, home-cooked Southern meals, and live music events. It’s a place where truckers can find a sense of community and relaxation, offering a break from the solitude of the road.
Image Credit: getlstd_property_photo / TripAdvisor.
10. Sapp Bros. Travel Center | Harrisonville, Missouri
Located near the intersection of Interstate 49 and MO-7 in Harrisonville, Missouri, The Sapp Bros. Travel Center is a favorite among women for its female-friendly amenities and social initiatives. This western Missouri rest stop is equipped with heated, bidet-style toilet seats in the restrooms, offering an enhanced level of comfort and cleanliness for women customers. The center also features a veterans memorial honoring those who served and actively trains employees to identify signs of human trafficking, contributing to the safety and awareness within the community.
Image Credit: sappbros.net.
11. Russell’s Truck & Travel Center | Glenrio, New Mexico
Anyone traveling through New Mexico should take the chance to stop by Russell’s Truck & Travel Center, now operating under the TravelCenters of America (TA) brand, located on the historic Route 66 near Interstate 40. This unique stop draws in visitors with its free vintage car museum, showcasing classic beauties that evoke a sense of nostalgia, complemented by “Marilyn” and “Elvis-themed decorations. It offers a delightful, unexpected break in your journey, enriching road trips through the region. The on-site, old-fashioned diner delights with menu favorites such as all-you-can-eat fried catfish, chicken-fried steaks, and hearty burrito plates.
Image Credit: russellsttc.com.
12. Gee Cee’s Truck Store | Toledo, Washington
Right off Interstate 5 at Exit 57 in Toledo, Washington, Gee Cee’s Truck Stop has been welcoming truckers and travelers since 1986. It has everything a trucker could need in one spot: from DEF (diesel exhaust fluid) at five easy-access lanes and a truck scale that’s always accurate to perks like open round-the-clock restaurant and deli, free Wi-Fi, vast overnight parking, and a truck repair shop ready to respond to 24-hour emergency calls within a 30-mile radius.
This article was produced and syndicated by MediaFeed.
Image Credit: geeceestruckstop.com/.
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