A good truck stop, has clean shower's , restroom's that are modern.A good sit down resturant with cooked meals at a Fair price.Freidly employee's.A safe parking area. I always liked the one in Wolcott Iowa on I 80. That I 80 truck stop serves some great pork chops.
What makes a "GOOD" Truckstop??
- Thread starter Scottrucks
- Start date
Interesting posts... mostly about electronics and being clean. All fairly good comments. I was surprised to Not see some other things that to me make a nice truck stop.
Like room and space INSIDE the truckstop. padded seats in eating area's. Nice padded seats in lounge area's. Non-Smoking area's are always nice. The availability of pull-thru spots like at the Iowa 80, so you're not "always" having to back into a spot. Having room inside the store instead of really tight aisles to walk thru is always a plus. a CB shop is nice, not really needed- but nice. a good arcade with more than 3 games in it is nice as well. The J bird has it goin on for me, with the nice feature of not only a buffet but also a quick place to get food by the fuel desk as well. Pilots are nice for me as well, due to the fact you can almost always count on a fast food place there for quick service if u just want to rest a short bit. The other thing that is nice... a well maintained entrance and exit... no craters that can swallow a Chevy pick-up or small car. lighting on the lot... good lighting over the trucks at nite is really nice. Security rovers are nice as well. I'll spend money to park if it means I'm getting some of or all of these things. Having a grocery store nearby a truckstop along with a laundromat that has truck parking (and many usually do) is also attractive when choosing a truck stop location. having good windshield squeegees with "good" water in their containers is also nice to have. a truckstop chapel/ministry is nice. a truckstop with a truck repair shop nearby is also nice. Wider parking spaces would be nice, but instead- as a trade-off, have the parking lot swept 2 or 3 times a week. grass and landscaping is nice, but I'm not gonna make that a deciding factor unless I got animals onboard that want to use that grass. a truckstop with places to eat around it is also nice. truckstops with seperate truck parking only, and larger RV/Bus parking area's is nice- not just 4 or 6 spots.
There are many things that make a truckstop "good"... each driver has their own opinions on this- depending on what they are hauling and where they are hauling to. and also if they have pets and/or animals onboard... and if they are hauling livestock that makes a difference to some extent as well.
truck driver and tour bus driver, so I can speak from both ends of the spectrum. I will rarely take a group on a pass. coach to a truckstop- if I do it will be a Pilot with a McDonalds or a large Flying J.
if it's a private coach- Generally fuel is all that is needed and some minor supplies and/or food- so there's alot of wiggle room there for truck stop choices and locations.
The Truck driver that I am, I am picky and very detail orientated- for example I like to park on a level (not sloped) parking space to sleep if at all possible. I prefer large truck stops, more people to talk to and more driver friendly. mom and pops are nice, but they don't always have the room you like them to have. The TTT in AZ is nice for me, but the 49er is not so nice in my opinion. Generally I like to frequent the big chains and well known independants like Little America and Iowa 80. The large truck stops have the fuel islands, the room at the fuel islands, they are well organized, they hv the food, the restrooms are good, as are generally the showers, and the amenities at some of them make them worth my 10 hours of staying.
For supplies I'll usually hit the Wal-Marts once a week or so for food onboard and supplies if any are needed. I've stopped at many wal-marts with private coaches for shopping. bands and productions crews love wal-marts- because there's almost always other stores nearby where they can go and explore and shop at.
One more thing to add, a good truckstop will also have a cell phone outlet there as well incase emergencey cell phone attention is needed.
That's my 2 cents.
BBB
Like room and space INSIDE the truckstop. padded seats in eating area's. Nice padded seats in lounge area's. Non-Smoking area's are always nice. The availability of pull-thru spots like at the Iowa 80, so you're not "always" having to back into a spot. Having room inside the store instead of really tight aisles to walk thru is always a plus. a CB shop is nice, not really needed- but nice. a good arcade with more than 3 games in it is nice as well. The J bird has it goin on for me, with the nice feature of not only a buffet but also a quick place to get food by the fuel desk as well. Pilots are nice for me as well, due to the fact you can almost always count on a fast food place there for quick service if u just want to rest a short bit. The other thing that is nice... a well maintained entrance and exit... no craters that can swallow a Chevy pick-up or small car. lighting on the lot... good lighting over the trucks at nite is really nice. Security rovers are nice as well. I'll spend money to park if it means I'm getting some of or all of these things. Having a grocery store nearby a truckstop along with a laundromat that has truck parking (and many usually do) is also attractive when choosing a truck stop location. having good windshield squeegees with "good" water in their containers is also nice to have. a truckstop chapel/ministry is nice. a truckstop with a truck repair shop nearby is also nice. Wider parking spaces would be nice, but instead- as a trade-off, have the parking lot swept 2 or 3 times a week. grass and landscaping is nice, but I'm not gonna make that a deciding factor unless I got animals onboard that want to use that grass. a truckstop with places to eat around it is also nice. truckstops with seperate truck parking only, and larger RV/Bus parking area's is nice- not just 4 or 6 spots.
There are many things that make a truckstop "good"... each driver has their own opinions on this- depending on what they are hauling and where they are hauling to. and also if they have pets and/or animals onboard... and if they are hauling livestock that makes a difference to some extent as well.
truck driver and tour bus driver, so I can speak from both ends of the spectrum. I will rarely take a group on a pass. coach to a truckstop- if I do it will be a Pilot with a McDonalds or a large Flying J.
if it's a private coach- Generally fuel is all that is needed and some minor supplies and/or food- so there's alot of wiggle room there for truck stop choices and locations.
The Truck driver that I am, I am picky and very detail orientated- for example I like to park on a level (not sloped) parking space to sleep if at all possible. I prefer large truck stops, more people to talk to and more driver friendly. mom and pops are nice, but they don't always have the room you like them to have. The TTT in AZ is nice for me, but the 49er is not so nice in my opinion. Generally I like to frequent the big chains and well known independants like Little America and Iowa 80. The large truck stops have the fuel islands, the room at the fuel islands, they are well organized, they hv the food, the restrooms are good, as are generally the showers, and the amenities at some of them make them worth my 10 hours of staying.
For supplies I'll usually hit the Wal-Marts once a week or so for food onboard and supplies if any are needed. I've stopped at many wal-marts with private coaches for shopping. bands and productions crews love wal-marts- because there's almost always other stores nearby where they can go and explore and shop at.
One more thing to add, a good truckstop will also have a cell phone outlet there as well incase emergencey cell phone attention is needed.
That's my 2 cents.
BBB
Greg As far as modern .It is a pleasure to go in a restroom that has auto soap dispenser, hands free paper towel dispencer.As far as the faucet goes this will become more and more common as places are thinking green.How many times have you stopped at a restroom that was old and filty? Dont get me wrong there are old ones that are well kept.Then there are plenty that arent. I guess what one person likes, another may not and thats ok.
BIGBOB What motor coach company do you drive for ? I was in that industry for many years. You can PM me.
BIGBOB What motor coach company do you drive for ? I was in that industry for many years. You can PM me.
Rule of thumb:: If the restrooms are crappy, then the food most likely is too. think about that the next time u go to eat at a trkstop , check out the restroom !
Those rocket powered hand dryers,,IM deaf after I use it, but it does the job,,I just cant hear after that, lol.
Those rocket powered hand dryers,,IM deaf after I use it, but it does the job,,I just cant hear after that, lol.
Dakota
Veteran Expediter
Those rocket powered hand dryers,,IM deaf after I use it, but it does the job,,I just cant hear after that, lol.
THat is why they are called hand dryers and not head dryers
THat is why they are called hand dryers and not head dryers
I thought I was losing my hair faster, boy,,now I know why.
guido4475
Not a Member
Modern restrooms?
Does that mean a motion sensor faucet that dribbles out 10 ounces of water and then refuses any more?
What about the waterless urinals?
Aint that the truth, Greg !! lol.And to try and wash up (shaving, brushing teeth) with those motion detector types...And dont even get me startd on those self -flushing tiolets that insist on flushing while I am stilll on the crapper, misting my *** with water...
Dakota
Veteran Expediter
What about the old type faucets where you have to hold on to the lever and wash a single hand at a time
greg334
Veteran Expediter
I had one of those the other day, had to push the thing down to get any water. It was nearly impossible to wash my hands until I asked someone to hold the water on and I did the same for him. He wasn't too happy about it, he b*tched at the manager.
Jasonavalent
Seasoned Expediter
THIS is what every truck driver wants...COMFORT. Its quite simple really you use a pillow to rest your head on vs a rock? It really just comes down to whomever is in control of building the platform having COMMON sense. But since some people dont have that. In fact some very simple things could make the worst truck stop heaven. Speaking within reason..yes, who wouldnt want a hot tub, ocean view and a flat screen in their shower..Right...aint happening. START with CHEAP greatness..and then if you wanna throw in the flatscreen, Ipod hook-up with surround sound speakers and expensive soaps then so be it. The SOMEWHAT simple necessities that are a MUST are:
GREAT shower heads and water pressure. You could throw me in the worst hell hole truck stop but if the shower head has a great stream and good water pressure you can close your eyes and be in heaven. These shower heads with razor cutting water turning hot cold hot cold or its just drizzling out. I will go out of my way to just take a shower with strong water pressure and a full body massaging stream... Oh and where the hell can I set my soap down or my THINGS..razors etc?...on the floor?? How hard is it to have ledges in the shower to set stuff on?? If you make a good shower which wouldnt cost much you would get a lot of business
GREAT shower heads and water pressure. You could throw me in the worst hell hole truck stop but if the shower head has a great stream and good water pressure you can close your eyes and be in heaven. These shower heads with razor cutting water turning hot cold hot cold or its just drizzling out. I will go out of my way to just take a shower with strong water pressure and a full body massaging stream... Oh and where the hell can I set my soap down or my THINGS..razors etc?...on the floor?? How hard is it to have ledges in the shower to set stuff on?? If you make a good shower which wouldnt cost much you would get a lot of business
transporter
Expert Expediter
so its YOU guildo thats crapping in the buuday.
dakota i need your spell checking assistance
dakota i need your spell checking assistance
Dakota
Veteran Expediter
Excellent points! One of which goes to why I prefer Pilot to the Flying J: the bathroom stalls at the Hook have nowhere to set anything down, and I find myself holding my paperwork [BOLs, etc] and empty cup [for ice] in my teeth - which isn't at all comfortable.
I'm also annoyed at the trash containers with a 6" diameter opening - hard to get a bag in there, right?
And the coffee is, as RLENT mentioned, nothing more than swill, not fit for human consumtion, IMO.
transporter
Expert Expediter
WEEeeeeee WEEEEEEEEEEE sorry just thinking out loud
Slo-Ride
Veteran Expediter
Excellent points! One of which goes to why I prefer Pilot to the Flying J: the bathroom stalls at the Hook have nowhere to set anything down, and I find myself holding my paperwork [BOLs, etc] and empty cup [for ice] in my teeth - which isn't at all comfortable.
I can see why your not comfy,,your not really carrying all that stuff into the comode with ya, Are ya?
As long we are ragging on truckstops,,I would like the hooks for my towel removed from above the toilet
Most shower stalls have 3 other walls to hang the hooks on.Actually Im preety happy anywhere where i can get a hot shower.
ask a TS how many shower heads get stolen when they are new...then you'll know why we get the cheap ones....drivers are thieves more then you'd think...remember when the J's tried them overhead fans? people unscrewed them from the wall and stole them....if it ain't welded down, drivers steal them....don't even mention towels....and you expect a free shower? *LOL*
Streakn1
Veteran Expediter
Location would be an airport.
Clean washroom and shower is our own cause we know how it was been cleaned (or not).
Restraunt that has passed: an inspector would jump for joy in my kitchen!
Sadly, many of the once "GOOD" truckstops have slide down the hillside with the exception of Danny's Truck Resort in Pheonix. Still tops our list! We rarely park or stay at truckstops but instead stay at our customer's locations at or near the airports that we service.