Tips for Finding the Best and Safest Truck Stops

A trucker’s life can be exhilarating, with the lure of the open road, changing scenery and freedoms unavailable to most working people. It can also be stressful, sometimes dangerous, and always exhausting. For truckers, the truck stop is much more than good food and a place to refuel the truck. The truck stop is the driver’s oasis for sustenance, rest, relaxation, and renewal.

Finding a good truck stop or service plaza may be a convenience (and sometimes quite an adventure) for travelers, but it is an important choice for professional truck drivers. In addition to finding good food, reasonably priced fuel, and an interesting shop to browse through, choosing a truck stop includes many other considerations:

  • Availability of truck parking spaces
  • Certified truck service and repair
  • Clean showers and accommodations
  • Security risks
  • Electrical hook-ups for trucks
  • On-site ATM
  • CAT scales
  • Truck wash
  • Shopping for necessities
  • Special services, like a barbershop, massage parlor, medical and dental services
  • Extras, such as a truckers’ lounge to relax and socialize with others, a gym, a movie theater, a library, free wi-fi and computers available.

2018 TRUCKER PATH SURVEY

Trucker Path is an online and mobile service application for the trucking industry. With more than 700,000 drivers using their app, they are the most popular resource for North American truckers today. Each year, Trucker Path surveys its users for information about their favorite truck stops.

There are five major truck stop chains:  Flying J, KwikTrip, Petro, Pilot, and Truckstops of America (TOA). There are also numerous smaller chains. Most offer a wide variety of services and amenities.

But according to Trucker Path surveys, the independent truck stops outrank the major chains! “Mom and Pop” truck stops tend to offer a more home-like ambiance and regional specialty foods and decor that set them apart from the big chain plazas.

The results of the 2018 Trucker Path Survey are in, and the Number One truck stop, with a perfect five-star rating, is right here in Texas!

Big Horn Travel Center in Fort Worth offers a 9,000 square foot fueling station, easy access and egress from I-20, and the restaurant’s rustic décor includes a wall of horns and a big stone fireplace. In addition to their grill menu, there is a Taco Bueno and a Dunkin’ Donuts inside.

There are ten Texas truck stops on the Top 100 list. Congratulations, Texas!

For a complete list of the Top 100 truck stops, go to Truckerpath.com.  

TRUCK STOP FINDER APPS

There are many apps available for truckers to download onto your smartphone and/or android. In addition to locating truck stops, many provide helpful information about weather, road conditions, fuel prices, weigh stations, and more.

Here are some of the most popular apps:

  • Trucker Path – used by 700,00 truckers – Download on Google Play or App Store
  • Trucker Tools – Available on iPhone and Android
  • AllStays Truck & Travel – Helpful information with 35,000 data points – Available for $9.99 at App Store
  • iExit Trucks – Available at App Store

Keep your favorite truck stop information handy and plan your most economical trip with the safest rest stops on the highway.  Remember that with ELD’s and new HOS requirements, truckers will be spending more time at stops; so choose the ones that will offer the best amenities and prices, for the time you’re there.

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