Archive for February, 2011
Truck Stops in the United States
Truck Stops originated in the United States in the 1940s as a common place to by diesel fuel, and provide parking not normally found at smaller filling stations.
As the Interstate highway system grew, so did the population of Truck Stops.
How many are there?
In the United States there are approximately 10,000 Truck Stops.
Some of the largest chains are Petro, Flying J, Wilco, Loves, T/A (changed to Travel Centers of America as a marketing theme in the late 1990s), Pilot and the list goes on.
What is the biggest chain of Truck Stops?
The merger of two giants on January 1st, 2007, Great Savings Network and Truck Stops Direct, created the largest Truck Stop chain in North America. The merger allowed a greater buying power for all independent Truck Stops that joined the group. In the summer of 2009, they had just under 300 signed on, to more than 400 now and growing. Welcome to Roady’s.
Who’s the best?
Being a Truck driver myself for more than 20 years, I personally enjoyed the Sapp Bros, Iowa 80, Bosselman’s, Loves, and the odd T/A, of course the traditional Mom & Pop Truck Stops/Diners found just off the beaten path. Always more personable and of course, home cooked meals, almost better at times than my own mother’s. A survey of drivers revealed, Petro was the best of the larger chains, and if I were to choose among the big ones, Petro would be my first choice with Flying J coming in second.
Where is the Biggest Truck Stop?
Founded in 1964 by the Standard Oil Company, Iowa 80 was born in Walcott, Iowa. In 1965, Bill Moon took over management of the Truck Stop and in 1984, bought it from Amoco. As an appreciation to drivers, in 1979, the Walcott Truckers Jamboree began, and to this day still has its home at Iowa 80, with a barbeque, truck show and shine, live entertainment and a few antique trucks as well.
Loads of parking, fuel islands, wash bays, cat scales, showers, chrome shop, and the most businesses under one roof, makes Iowa 80 the largest Truck Stop in the world.
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