Not all truck stops are created equal. While most can be considered mediocre at best, there are a few that boast amenities fit for a king. Some popular truck stops contain museums, others are home to casinos or roller coasters. Whatever it is you like, there is a luxury truck stop or roadside attraction out there that has it.
If you’re a truck driver looking for a home away from home while hauling your load, you might want to consider visiting one of America’s best rest stops for truck drivers.
The Top 10 Best Rest Stops for Truckers in the U.S.
10. Sapp Bros
16 locations throughout middle America
There’s a reason Sapp Bros is one of the most popular truck stops in the U.S. Several locations boast 24-hour roadside service, semi-truck service centers, unique gift shops and a variety of different sit-down and take-out restaurants to eat at. Sapp Bros is a company based on Christian values, which explains why some of their rest stops provide chapels for those stopping through. And of course, these favored truck stops provide clean bathrooms, showers, and sometimes bathtubs, for the truckers that need them.
9. Highlands Petro
Highway 94 and Highway 20 near Racine, WI
There’s a reason this rest stop has been around for over 70 years. Truckers and travelers alike claim Wisconsin’s Highlands Petro as one of the best truck stops in the country. Not feeling your best? Get yourself a DOT exam or stop in to see their house chiropractor. Feel like the road has taken its toll on your appearance? Stop by their hair salon and enjoy a clean shower space.
If you’d rather relax, Highlands Petro has you covered there, too. Hang out in their internet or game rooms. If those don’t tickle your fancy, hit up their movie theater and watch the flick of your choice.
8. Clearwater Travel Plaza
I-94 Exit 178 in Clearwater, MN
If you’re looking for one of the best rest stop restaurants, look no further than the Clearwater Travel Plaza. Their Nelson Brothers restaurant is home to the creamy chicken and rice soup that landed them a feature on The Food Network. If you’re not a fan of soup, no problem. Clearwater Travel Plaza is also home to a bakery that makes delicious bread, pies, cookies, fudge and other treats.
The plaza also has a food court, gift shop, convenience store, lounge and bookstore. Every shower is a full bathroom, which is cleaned after each use. They also offer free WIFI and a FedEx, UPS and USPS mail drop.
7. Tamarack Tourist Information Center
Exit 45 off of I-77 and I-64 in Beckley, WV
For years in a row, Tamarack Tourist Information Center has been rated one of the coolest rest stops in the US. This is a great place to stretch your legs after a long time on the road. Be aware, this rest stop is not a refueling station, but more of an attraction.
The center features a shop with handmade gifts, a tourist information center and a conference center. If you’re feeling creative, catch a show at their theater or participate in one of their culinary, pottery, woodworking or mixed media workshops. If that’s not your speed, take a walk through the indoor or outdoor fine arts galleries. Looking at the center’s collection of paintings and sculpture is a great way to relieve stress while driving long distance.
6. Jubitz Truck Stop and Travel Center
10210 North Vancouver Way, Portland, Oregon 97217
There’s a reason Jubitz is known for being the best truck stop on the West Coast. It’s home to four different eateries – Cascade Grill, Moe’s Deli, Ponderosa Lounge and Grill and the Jake Break Deli. If you’re looking for something quick, stop at the Jubitz Market and convenience store.
You can catch a movie at the Jubitz cinema or play some games at the video arcade. If you’d rather do something artsier, take a stroll through the showroom featuring relics from the Pacific Northwest Truck Museum. They also have their own hotel, The Portlander Inn, that offers discounts for truckers passing through.
5. Trails Travel Center
820 Happy Trails Lane, Albert Lea, MN 56007
This fancy truck stop is known for its Viking-themed interior. The inside of Trails Travel Center is filled with intricate carvings, exposed wooden beams and stone accents. Grab a hearty meal at one of their two unique restaurants or treat your sweet tooth at Cold Stone Creamery.
You’ll always have a place to stay at Trails Travel Center – have upwards of 300 truck parking spots. Clean yourself in one of their showers while your semi gets a cleaning at their truck wash station. Relax at their movie theater, say a prayer in their chapel or clean your clothes at their public laundromat. Trails Travel Center has you covered.
4. Little America
I-80 in Little America, Wyoming
If you’re looking for a luxury truck stop, head to Little America. Stock up on goods at their 24-hour travel center and convenience store or grab some home-cooked food at the Little America Grill.
Enjoy trucker rates at their hotel or relax in their driver lounge with complimentary internet access. If your truck needs a little TLC, pick up some new parts or accessories at their store or take it to the Little America garage service so someone else can fix it for you.
Little America is also within an 80-mile radius of six different national parts, a meteor crater, an observatory, several museums and stores, a golf course and the Arizona Snowbowl.
3. South of the Border
3346 Highway 301 North, Hamer, South Carolina 29547
Want a unique experience? Go to South of the Border. Stay in the motor in or bring our RV hang in their full hook-up site campground. Grab a bite to eat at one of their six restaurants, then head over to the largest indoor reptile exhibit in the US. If you’re not afraid of heights, check out Sombrero Tower. It’s an observation deck over 200 feet high that gives you a full view of the area around you. Did you bring your kids? Take them to Pedroland, a small self-contained amusement park for kids.
If you’re looking to shop, they have four different gift shops. Mexico East and West feature unique gifts and souvenirs. Fort Pedro is a store specializing in fireworks and rockets. If that’s not your taste, Hats Around the World is a shop full of, what else, hats. Just in the market for food and necessities? No problem. Their pantry shops have everything you could possibly need.
Variety is what makes South of the Border one of America’s most popular rest stops.
2. Whiskey Pete’s
100 West Primm Boulevard, Primm, NV 89019
Whiskey Pete’s is considered one of the best rest stops in America because it’s actually an attraction. The building itself is a casino that happens to be home to a Flying J.
It has the traditional truck stop amenities – an ATM, CAT Scales, a FedEx box, a truck store, and lounge – but it also features more. Park in one of the 120 semi-truck parking spots and indulge in a race or sports book in the casino. Stay in the hotel, take a dip in the pool or shop at one of the several gift shops. Take a short walk to find a roller coaster located nearby. And if you’re a movie or history buff, make sure to stop by and see the wrecked car of Bonnie and Clyde.
1. Iowa 80
I-80 exit 284, Walcott, IA 52773
The mecca of rest stops is, without a doubt, Iowa 80. It’s not only the most popular rest stop in the U.S., but it’s also the world’s largest. Iowa 80 sits on 225 acres of land, 75 of which are developed. It has its own barbershop, chiropractor, dentist, dog wash and truck wash, library and movie theater. Take a shower in one of their 24 private rooms, work out in the gym or relax in their driver den.
If you go at a certain time of the year, you may be lucky enough to take part in the Trucker’s Jamboree, a festival celebrating truck driving and its culture. If you can’t make it during the festival, you can always visit the truck showroom and museum.
Exploring while out on the road delivering loads is a lot of fun – unless you don’t have enough money to pay for gas to get from point A to point B. You can achieve peace of mind during long periods without pay by using transportation factoring. Factoring your freight invoices and obtaining fuel cards for trucking just got easier.
