Truck drivers spend a lot of time away from their loved ones and the comforts of home. After an endless stretch of highway miles, the bright sign of a familiar truck stop rising over the hill can be like the first palm tree in a desert oasis. A warm shower, a home-style meal, and a place to see some friendly faces and fill up on coffee can be exactly what a long-haul trucker needs to relax, recharge, and even have some fun.
In the U.S., truck stops and rest areas are quintessential parts of “the great American road trip” and cornerstones of American travel culture. Some truck stops take the basics and elevate them to offer premium service and amenities, like 24/7 pet wash stations and movie theaters, while others stand out for even more unique offerings. In honor of National Truck Driver Appreciation Week, we’ve compiled a list of six top truck stops in America where hard-working drivers can take a break while on the road.
Here’s our list of unforgettable American truck stops.
- Jubitz Truck Stop and Travel Center – Portland, OR
- Whiskey Pete’s Casino Truck Stop – Primm, NV
- North Forty Truck Stop – Holladay, TN
- Sapp Bros. Travel Centers – Sidney, NE
- South of the Border – Hamer, SC
- Iowa 80 Truckstop – Walcott, IA
1. Jubitz Truck Stop and Travel Center – Portland, OR
A leader in hospitality, entertainment, and quality service since 1952, Jubitz boasts the largest truck parking lot in the Northwest, with over 250 free parking spaces with complimentary Wi-Fi. But why sleep in your tractor when there’s a cozy, pet-friendly inn at this PDX truck stop? And why sleep at all when you can line-dance at the Ponderosa Lounge?
Choose from a variety of restaurant options (including home-style dishes and deli sandwiches), get a trim at the barbershop, indulge in a jacuzzi (free showers with fuel purchase), and get checked out at the onsite medical clinic. Other amenities include a self-serve pet wash, drivers lounge, 24/7 truck wash and scale, full-service post office, laundromat, shoe repair shop, and a truck service center that provides area roadside assistance.
2. Whiskey Pete’s Casino Truck Stop – Primm, NV
Just outside Vegas, this sprawling truck stop filled with slot machines, golf courses, arcade games, and fast-food restaurants invites truckers to refuel and have some fun. There’s a driver’s lounge, showers, and a laundromat, and for overnight stays, Whiskey Pete’s has a hotel with rustic charm.
On the right night, you can catch a big-name headliner on stage, or on quieter nights, you can kick back with some popcorn in the movie theater. Plus, the gift shop offers plenty of Vegas-themed souvenirs.
3. North Forty Truck Stop – Holladay, TN
If you’re hungry when you stop here, you won’t be for long. North Forty offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner buffets open 24 hours a day, plus a grab-and-go deli. Refuel your truck as well and take advantage of their certified scales.
Laundry, showers, a relaxing TV room, Wi-Fi, and massage services offer peace and respite on the road. The Corral Gift Shop is stocked with unique souvenirs and cowboy apparel that will help you look the part in the country music capital of the world.
4. Sapp Bros. Travel Centers – Sidney, NE
Customer service is a priority at Sapp Bros. They promise they’re here to solve problems and invite drivers back, and with 17 travel centers across the U.S., truck stops with the Sapp Bros. water tower should be easy to spot.
They take pride in their “mom-approved” restrooms, claiming they have the cleanest restrooms and showers on the road. They offer truckers a free shower with fuel purchase. There’s also free Wi-Fi, a driver rewards program, and 24-hour road service. No appointments are necessary, and they can do most services while you wait. Restaurants vary across locations, but the Sidney, Nebraska location offers deli selections and Lucille’s Famous Fried Chicken.
5. South of the Border – Hamer, SC
Sprawling across 135 acres, South of the Border is less a truck stop and more an entertainment smorgasbord. This quirky, ‘50s-style truck stop is hard to miss from the road, partly because of the billboards that herald it but mostly because of the 200-foot-tall observation tower complete with giant sombrero.
The border the name refers to is the one between North and South Carolina, but it leans into the Mexican theme. The Sombrero Room serves Mexican and American food. Plus, there’s a steakhouse, an ice cream stand, and fast-food options. A beach shop, gift shop, and reptile lagoon will meet every driver’s souvenir and sight-seeing needs. There’s also a motel, convention center, carnival, and pantry that offers groceries, supplies, and fireworks…not to mention a truck shop, showers, and a trucker’s lounge.
6. Iowa 80 Truckstop – Walcott, IA
Known as the “World’s Largest Truckstop,” to call Iowa 80 a small city is barely hyperbole. With 900 truck parking spots, a workout room, laundry facility, chiropractor, dentist, driver den, gift store, convenience store, Dogomat Pet Wash, library, barbershop, and movie theater, the lineup of amenities sounds more like Main Street than a truck stop.
The Super Truck Showroom includes shops for chrome and custom items. The annual Walcott Truckers Jamboree headlines an antique truck show, a truck beauty content, a pet contest, and free meals for drivers. The truck wash and CAT scale offer 24-hour convenience, and the truck service center with ASE-certified mechanics and round-the-clock road service provides premium repair and maintenance.
The comforts of home — and so much more
When you’re deciding where to stop when on the road, well-maintained facilities, an expert service center, reasonably priced fuel, and amenities that provide comfort, convenience, and fun can make all the difference.
For long-haul truckers, the hours are long, family and friends are far away, and opportunities for respite can be few and far with many miles in-between.
To show your favorite truck driver some appreciation this week, check out Great Dane’s line of apparel, hats, and gear.
