Being a truck driver means long hours on the road, oftentimes filled with traffic and random delays. At the end of the driving day, it’s best to have a clean and safe place to park your rig, but it’s also nice to have a good time and access to some essential services. Today’s truck stops provide much more than a parking spot and a hot meal. From theaters to fitness centers, from pet playgrounds to barbers, you can have it all with life on the road.
Let’s take a trip and check out some of America’s best—and unique— truckstops serving the men and women who keep our country moving. You know we are going to mention Iowa 80 Truck Stop, but let’s go through some other stops first.
Whiskey Pete’s - Primm, Nevada
This unique stop may not be on the top list of most truck drivers but sitting at the border with California, this Nevada gem might bring a smile to your face. Operating as a casino and hotel resort, there is still plenty of space and all the amenities needed to give the weary trucker a place to refresh and have some entertainment. Surrounded by casinos, outlet stores, and good meals, there is even a roller coaster next door to give you an escape from your time behind the wheel.
Kenly 95 - Kenly, North Carolina
With a history dating back to the 1970s, Kenly 95 is now the largest truck stop on the east coast of the United States. Boasting 250 parking spots, a custom embroidery and printing shop, and a barber shop, Kenly 95 continues to up the ante. Since its inception, tens of thousands of square feet have been added to serve drivers in the best ways. They have a 30,000-square-foot super truck showroom with two trucks on display with every accessory you could ever want and need. Topping off the features of Kenly 95, you’ll find CAT scales, restaurants, and a Truckomat to keep your truck and trailer gleaming on the highway.
Big Horn Travel Center - Fort Worth, Texas
Welcome to Fort Worth. A quick glance at online reviews shows that travelers love this place. Featuring popular restaurants including Dunkin, Taco Bueno, Hunt Brothers Pizza, and The Big Horn Grill, you’ll find something to whet your appetite. To keep things interesting, Big Horn Travel Center has its own wildlife exhibit for patrons to enjoy during their visit. Truck drivers who have spent any time on the road will be happy to discover Big Horn’s pride in maintaining spotless restrooms, as well as free water and air pumps to keep you moving.
North Forty Truck Stop - Holladay, Tennessee
Truck drivers like you and me come to expect basic amenities like parking, laundry, and showers. The North Forty Truck Stop certainly offers these, but also includes WiFi, a barber, and even a massage practitioner. After rolling thousands of miles, there isn’t a driver out there that wouldn’t benefit from a therapeutic massage to relax their aching muscles. But North Forty also offers some great local tastes…like fried pies. Next time you roll through Holladay, Tennessee, be sure to stop by.
South of the Border - Hamer, South Carolina
“Home of America’s favorite highway oasis,” South of the Border is not the typical stop along your route. As you near the location, you will first notice the 200-foot Sombrero Tower that overlooks the unique destination that includes an arcade, a small amusement park, and even a wedding chapel for you and that special person you’ve met along the way. As the gateway to the southeast, South of the Border offers up one of the most unique features on this list - an indoor reptile lagoon that showcases 15 species of crocodiles and 50 species of snakes! You won’t find that anywhere else.
Jubitz - Portland, Oregon
More than a truck stop. When you hop online to visit, those words are proudly displayed on their home page. With 15 acres of paved parking and dedicated spots just for the bobtailers, you should be able to find a spot. For trucker amenities, you’ll recognize the usual offerings of showers, laundry, a convenience store, and a driver’s lounge. But Jubitz also offers a jacuzzi tub, a dog wash station, free WiFi, full postal services, a medical clinic, and a chiropractor.
When your stomach rumbles, you’re in the right place. The Jake Brake Deli serves up hot meals, fruits, and vegetables to its patrons, but you can also savor the flavor at the Cascade Grill or Moe’s Deli. Of course, Jubitz isn’t done yet with its traveler features. They offer a movie theater with $6 movies, a convention center, and the Ponderosa Grill and Lounge that serves up great food but also a country western bar atmosphere complete with music and dancing. Get in the groove at Jubitz.
Iowa 80 Truck Stop - Walcott, Iowa
We made it! The world’s largest truck stop has parking for a staggering 900 tractor-trailers, 250 cars, and 20 buses. Once you’re parked it’s time to venture inside to check out all that Iowa 80 has to offer.
Offering the usual amenities including 24 private showers, a driver’s den, a convenience store, and laundry facilities, the Iowa 80 goes the extra mile for services. Drivers can find themselves entertained in the movie theater, settling in for some quiet time in the library, or looking after their health in the fitness center, the chiropractor, or even the dentist. If you have a furry travel companion—and by that I mean a dog—you can get them cleaned up at the Dogomat Pet Wash station as well.
The world’s largest truck stop also has events throughout the year including their Super Truck Beauty Contest which some of the most stunning trucks out there gather to compete for bragging rights. They also host an annual jamboree and an antique truck show coinciding with their onsite truck museum.
We could go on about their multiple restaurants, the 50-foot salad bar, and Tesla charging stations, but this is truly the place you need to stop at to truly appreciate all it has to offer.
So, the next time you’re rolling through any of these areas, be sure to stop by, take a break, and enjoy the vast amenities that these truck stops have to offer.