10 Best Truck Stops in America

Over-the-road drivers are on the road day in and day out. Need a shower? Need a coffee? Clean laundry? How about a place to park for the night? 

Drivers must think about the logistics of life on the road. They need to know where they will eat, shower and sleep. A good truck stop can make any trip better. Over your career, you’ll learn which truck stops are hidden gems and which you’d rather avoid at all costs. 

Whether you’re stopping overnight, need to fuel up quickly or want a safe place to wait for severe weather to clear, truck stops are essential to every driver’s journey. We’ve compiled a list of popular truck stops in this article, including chains and independent businesses. 

How Many Truck Stops Are in the USA?

The National Association of Truck Stop Operators (NATSO) represents more than 2,000 truck stops and travel centers. NATSO defines a “truck stop” as a location with at least one shower, 15 parking spaces and diesel available for sale. 

From chain truck stops to mom-and-pop establishments, the number of truck stops open in the United States is much higher. Apps like Trucker Path track ratings for over 40,000 truck stops and travel centers in the United States and Canada. That’s a lot to choose from! 

Largest Truck Stop Chains in America

Truck stop chains are dotted across the map. Most chains offer loyalty programs or rewards points that can be used at any location. As drivers earn points, they receive credit for showers, food and fuel. 

Some of the largest truck stop chains include: 

• Pilot Flying J. With over 740 locations in 44 states, Pilot Flying J is the largest travel center operator in North America. Professional drivers have access to certified CAT scales, fuel stations, truck washes, service centers, laundry and showers. Their travel centers offer well-known fast-food providers, and the myRewards Plus app lets drivers earn free shower and drink credits.  
• Love’s Travel Stops. Founded in 1964, Love’s has over 550 locations in 41 states. Love’s provides fuel, tire care, mechanical services and travel essentials. The Love’s Connect app offers rewards for purchases made at Love’s or Speedco locations.  
• TA Travel Centers/Petro Truck Stops. TA and Petro truck stops offer truck maintenance services, fast-food options and 24-hour homestyle restaurants. Plus, you can reserve parking spaces up to 30 days in advance. With the TruckSmart mobile app, you can redeem points from the TA/Petro loyalty program. 
• Sapp Bros Travel Centers. In 2021, Sapp Bros. Travel Centers celebrated 50 years in business. They have 17 travel centers across the country, with most located in the West and Midwest. Of those locations, 10 include truck service centers and 15 have certified scales. Sapp Bros. offers a guest reward card to professional drivers and 24-hour roadside assistance. 

10 Popular Truck Stops

Where should you park for the night? Where should you grab a bite to eat? When you’re on the road, finding a good truck stop can be difficult. In the next section, we list some of the most popular truck stops in the country. 

1. Iowa 80 in Walcott, IA

With 900 parking spots and a plethora of services, the Iowa 80 earns the title of the “World’s Largest Truck Stop.” On the Iowa 80 campus, you can find services for drivers, such as laundry, showers, CAT scales and truck maintenance. 

Food options at the Iowa 80 seem almost limitless. Wendy’s and the Iowa 80 Kitchen are open 24/7. The Kitchen feeds hungry drivers homestyle meals and includes a whopping 50-foot salad bar. Other eats include Pizza Hut, Taco Bell, Dairy Queen and Orange Julius, Einstein Bros. Bagels, Chester’s Chicken and Blimpie. 

As one of the best truck stops on I-80, it’s no surprise that the Iowa 80 serves around 5,000 customers a day.

If you have a need on the road, the Iowa 80 wants to meet it. Some have likened the magic of this overnight truck stop to a driver’s Disneyland. 

The Iowa 80 also offers: 

• Convenience Store
• Truck Wash
• Pet Wash (the “Dogomat”)
• Movie Theater
• Library 
• Barber Shop
• Chiropractor 
• Dental Office
• Custom Embroidery Shop
• Workout Room 
• Truck Showroom 

Interested in antique trucks and memorabilia? Spend time at the Iowa 80 Trucking Museum, where you will see a 1911 Walker Electric truck along with other one-of-a-kind vehicles. 

2. Jubitz Travel Center in Portland, OR

Are you in the Portland area? If you’re traveling through the Pacific Northwest, the Jubitz Travel Center in Portland is a perfect spot to take a break and relax. The campus spans 15 acres of truck parking and amenities. At Jubitz, you will find a driver’s lounge, a 24-hour scale, nine fuel lanes, a truck wash and a convenience store.

What sets Jubitz apart is its private showers and jacuzzis. To truly mimic a spa experience, Jubitz offers fluffy, oversized towels and massages. A jacuzzi soak or massage may be what you need after a long day behind the wheel. 

In addition to these amenities, Jubitz has a barbershop, pet wash, postal service and offers both DOT and non-DOT drug testing. 

For entertainment, grab a seat at the movie theater or eat at the Ponderosa Lounge & Grill. You can even take free dance lessons here while in town! 

3. Little America in Flagstaff, AZ

For those driving through the southwest, Little America in Flagstaff, AZ, is your place to stop and enjoy the natural beauty of ponderosa pines. 

After several days of driving, you may be ready for a night in a hotel. Check in at Little America’s hotel in Flagstaff, which received Tripadvisor’s 2020 Travelers’ Choice award.     

Just passing through? The Travel Center has a hot grill, deli and a 24-hour convenience store. You can stock up on essentials like groceries and truck tools. The Rocky Mountain Truck Center is available to perform maintenance on your truck or trailer, as well as provide roadside assistance should you need it. The truck stop’s private showers each have an oversized tub so you can relax after a long day. 

Little America has three more locations in the West: Little America, WY, Cheyenne, WY, and Salt Lake City, UT. 

4. Dysart’s Restaurant & Truck Stop in Bangor, ME

Traveling in the Northeast? Try Dysart’s Restaurant & Truck Stop in Bangor, ME, off of I-95. Dysart’s is a family-owned business with two restaurants and eight convenience stores. 

Opened in 1967, Dysart’s offers small-town charm and award-winning Maine food. While you fill your stomach, you can fill your truck with fuel, shower, send mail and visit the truck center for repairs and parts. Don’t forget to visit their bakery for homemade pies and goodies.

They’ve even been featured in a Saturday Night Live spoof! Once, for a commercial, Dysart’s filmed two Maine regulars, Jack and Sonya. During filming, one phrase was tricky to say: “buttery, flaky crust.” Kate McKinnon and Will Ferrell reenact Jack and Sonya’s blooper reel using the line “crispy pastry crust.” View the two videos side by side on Dysart’s website for a laugh. 

5. Big Apple Travel Center in Joplin, MO

In 2020, CDLLife created a list of 20 popular truck stops using rankings and reviews from the app Trucker Path. Then, they asked users to vote for their favorite truck stop from the list. 

Drivers voted the Big Apple Travel Center in Joplin, MO, as one of the top truck stops in America. Voters claimed this stop off of I-44 was the second-best independent truck stop in the country. 

Clean facilities, good service and quality food are Big Apple’s priorities. The Big Apple Travel Center offers full-service diesel, convenience store snacks and drinks, showers, charging stations and free wifi. 

The best thing about the Big Apple Travel Center is its authentic Indian cuisine. Rasoí serves rice pudding, pakoras, curry, butter chicken, tandoori chicken, samosas and much more. If you’re craving Indian food and near Joplin, be sure to stop and grab a bite here.

6. Noble’s Restaurant and Truck Stop in Corinth, KY

Are you driving through Kentucky? Noble’s Restaurant and Truck Stop is a restaurant, convenience store and gas station in one. Stop by for homestyle country cooking and yummy milkshakes. In the same survey from CDLLife, Noble’s Restaurant and Truck Stop came in first place for independent truck stops. 

7. Mach 1 in Frankfort, IL

Drivers voting on CDLLife gave Mach 1 in Frankfort, IL, first place out of the list of commercial truck stops. The West Frankfort location is located off of I-57. Its store amenities include Little Caesar’s Pizza, Bean2Cup Coffee and Kate’s Kitchen. You can park your truck, shower and fuel up before you hit the road again. 

8. Trail’s Travel Center in Albert Lea, MN

Did you know that “all roads lead to Trail’s,” an overnight truck stop? It’s true if you’re near the intersection of I-35 and I-90. That’s the tagline of Trail’s Travel Center, which offers over 300 parking spaces, CAT scales and a semi-truck wash. 

Hungry? Trail’s Travel Center houses Skol’s woodfire grill and Skol’s Tavern for Viking-themed fun and roasted meats. If you don’t have time for a sit-down meal, Trail’s Travel Center also offers Pizza Hut, McDonald’s, Taco Bell and Caribou Coffee. 

In addition to food and truck services, Trail’s offers laundry, wifi and automated showers. For entertainment, you can lounge in the theater-style TV room and watch a movie or ball game. Every Sunday, the travel center also offers a chapel service performed by Truck Stop Ministries. 

9. Clearwater Travel Plaza in Clearwater, MN

The Clearwater Travel Plaza was established in 1976. It’s the perfect stop for those traveling through central Minnesota, as it’s west of the Twin Cities and located off I-94. 

Showers, fueling stations, a food court, convenience store and trucker lounge are all included at Clearwater Travel Plaza. The Food Network even recognized it as one of the best truck stops to grab a bite to eat. (Its creamy chicken and rice soup is a must-have!) 

10. Johnson’s Corner Truck Stop in Johnstown, CO

Located off I-25, Johnson’s Corner Truck Stop is known for its giant cinnamon rolls and homestyle cooking. 

Haven’t you always wanted to try the “World’s Famous Cinnamon Roll?” Now you can! Johnson’s Corner has been serving sweet cinnamon rolls since 1952. Try the original plate-sized version or branch out with the flavor of the month. 

Complete with a chapel, overnight parking and CAT scales, you’ll be able to rest and prepare to drive the next day. Johnson’s Corner has everything you need to spend the night and take care of personal tasks with laundry facilities, a FedEx dropoff and free wifi. 

Most Unique Truck Stop

On our list of truck stops, we can’t forget to mention one unique stop: Whiskey Pete’s in Primm, NV. Named after bootlegger Pete MacIntyre, Whiskey Pete’s brings a Western casino atmosphere to a travel center. It’s the last place to fuel up before heading into Las Vegas. 

Bonus for history buffs: Whiskey Pete’s has Bonnie and Clyde’s bullet-ridden car on display. 

Welcome Home: Visit Our Prime Inc. Terminals 

Are you looking for a place to stop that feels like home? 

Prime Inc. terminals are the ultimate overnight truck stops! You’ll have everything you need, from maintenance services to good food and gear. 

You can find your Prime family wherever you are. Prime Inc. has three main terminals in Springfield, MO, Salt Lake City, UT, and Pittston, PA. We have smaller terminals and offices in other areas of the country. 

• Springfield, MO. 
• Salt Lake City, UT
• Pittston, PA
• Denver, CO
• Laredo, TX
• Savannah, GA (Tank wash only)
• Decatur, IN (Tank wash only)
• Minooka, IL (Coming December 31, 2021)

Workout rooms, basketball courts, laundry facilities, bunks, salons and doctor’s offices are available at Prime’s main terminals. Use our website to see which amenities are offered at each location. We’d love to see you at our terminals!  

Is life on the road calling your name? 

Answer the call. 

Apply to Prime today using our online application. If you’re ready to drive for Prime but have a few questions, you can contact our Recruiting Department at 866-290-1568.