What to Look for in a Truck Stop

If you’re a truck driver, you have probably experienced that trucking is not just a job, but a lifestyle. Drivers encounter many unique situations while on the road, with loads they are hauling, and with customers. To effectively manage your days and achieve a positive outcome, you must have patience and skills.

Many drivers would prefer to be home when their workday is done, but that is not always possible. Instead, they end up finding a spot to park for the night. Many drivers use apps like Trucker Path to find the best parking spots that are available. These types of apps show parking spots in rest areas, weigh stations, and truck stops, and can indicate the approximate number of available spots in real time.

The best spots are often found at truck stops. Fortunately, truck stops have come a long way from the early ones that offered only dirt parking lots and fuel—and maybe food if you were very fortunate. Many of today’s truck stops are owned by large chains, and some are still family owned and operated, but they all try to be attractive to truckers to gain their business.  

The most popular truck stops of today offer a wide range of products and services that cater to drivers and their trucks. Many offer convenient in-and-out locations near major routes. A well-maintained road and parking lot with a good layout for traffic flow can give a great first impression. In addition to fuel and air, today's truck stops feature restrooms, showers, laundry facilities, and a menu that caters to drivers. But the leading-edge truck stops do not stop there. Some have elevated themselves by offering services that include: 

• Full-service truck repair
• Truck washes
• Barber shops
• Chiropractors
• Medical clinics and medical card renewals
• Exercise areas for drivers and pets
• Driver lounges with TV and movies
• Powered parking spots with 120V, Wi-Fi, and AC
• Merchandise stores
• Post offices
• Game rooms
• Banking
• Bowling alleys
• Chrome shops
• Good driver reward programs

So, whether you’re in for just an overnight stay, waiting for a reload, or completing a full 34-hour reset, what accommodations do you value most in your truck stop layover? Do you have any to add to our list? If so, please tell us at trucking.news@acuity.com.