This is in response to a question Turtle raised in the Minneapolis Bridge thread. I'm answering it in a new thread to keep the other one on topic. Turtle asked, "Where do people sit when in Minneapolis-St Paul, anyway? Doesn't seem to be many truck stops around here."
The no-brainers are the two TAs east and west of the metro area, and the AM Best south. Specifically, the TA in Hudson, WI, just across the river from Minnesota, I-94, Exit 4; the TA in Rogers, MN, I-94, Exit 207; and the AM Best in Rosemount, MN, on U.S. 52, south of Saint Paul.
When we get a load home, and do not go to the house but keep running instead (sometimes happens, but we usually go to the house at least for a shower), our favorite layover spot is the Mall of America on I-494, 24th Street exit, near the MSP airport.
The Mall has truck parking on the north side. It is not overnight but security will leave you alone until about 1:00 a.m. The Mall itself features many ways to pass your time; including a Barnes and Noble bookstore with overstuffed chairs, a multi-screen movie theater, restaurants of all types and even an indoor ammusement park. Shopping can be fun too, especially if you are in the market for refrigerator magnets. The Mall of America is the largest mall in the United States. It includes a refrigerator magnet store among other interesting shops.
If you end up spending the night in the Twin Cities, it is a short drive from the mall to the AM Best in Rosemount, where late-night space for truck parking will likely be available. The TAs may be full.
Freight-wise, the mall is an excellent place to sit. You are equidistant from downtown Minneapolis and Saint Paul, and near the airport where a lot of freight activity occurs.
If you find yourself further south on U.S. 52, there is a very good truck wash in Zumbrota, MN. It has a self-service and full-service bay, and a detail shop. They charge about $50 to wash a straight truck but offer a heck-of-a deal to hand wax the truck. They hand-waxed our truck, top to bottom, bumper to bumper for $150.
The no-brainers are the two TAs east and west of the metro area, and the AM Best south. Specifically, the TA in Hudson, WI, just across the river from Minnesota, I-94, Exit 4; the TA in Rogers, MN, I-94, Exit 207; and the AM Best in Rosemount, MN, on U.S. 52, south of Saint Paul.
When we get a load home, and do not go to the house but keep running instead (sometimes happens, but we usually go to the house at least for a shower), our favorite layover spot is the Mall of America on I-494, 24th Street exit, near the MSP airport.
The Mall has truck parking on the north side. It is not overnight but security will leave you alone until about 1:00 a.m. The Mall itself features many ways to pass your time; including a Barnes and Noble bookstore with overstuffed chairs, a multi-screen movie theater, restaurants of all types and even an indoor ammusement park. Shopping can be fun too, especially if you are in the market for refrigerator magnets. The Mall of America is the largest mall in the United States. It includes a refrigerator magnet store among other interesting shops.
If you end up spending the night in the Twin Cities, it is a short drive from the mall to the AM Best in Rosemount, where late-night space for truck parking will likely be available. The TAs may be full.
Freight-wise, the mall is an excellent place to sit. You are equidistant from downtown Minneapolis and Saint Paul, and near the airport where a lot of freight activity occurs.
If you find yourself further south on U.S. 52, there is a very good truck wash in Zumbrota, MN. It has a self-service and full-service bay, and a detail shop. They charge about $50 to wash a straight truck but offer a heck-of-a deal to hand wax the truck. They hand-waxed our truck, top to bottom, bumper to bumper for $150.
