Real Stories
The Best Truck Stops in America
We compiled a list of 7 outstanding truck stops all over the United States 1. Iowa 80 Truck Stop – Walcott, Iowa 755 W Iowa 80 Rd, Walcott, IA 52773 The World’s Largest Truck Stop has been around since 1964, hailed as “Trucker’s Disneyland” according to their website. It’s no surprise that this stop is number one on our list. Truckers and non-truckers alike flock to the World’s Largest Truck Stop to see what all the hype is about, and it lives up to it! If you find yourself on I-80 make sure you don’t miss this truck stop. Amenities: Barber shop, chiropractor, convenience store, dental office, laundry, showers & more! This is a truck drivers heaven. Food: Wendy’s, Pizza Hut, Taco Bell, DQ, Orange Julius, and Caribou. There’s also a family owned Iowa 80 Kitchen that offers homestyle cooking. Wendy’s and the Iowa 80 Kitchen are both open 24 hours, while the other restaurants close at 11 pm. 2. South of the Border – Hamer, SC 95-U.S. 301-501 | Hamer, South Carolina 29547 A Mexican themed attraction off of interstate 95 with a 24-hour Hot Tamale Diner. South of the Border also has something very rare: The Reptile Lagoon. It is the largest indoor reptile display in the US including 15 species of crocodilians, 50 species of snakes and more. You won’t get that at every truck stop! If you’re on I-95 near South Carolina, make sure to stop in! Amenities: Trucker’s supplies, Showers, Trucker’s lounge Food: Hot Tamale Diner (24 hours), Sombrero Restaurant 3. Shady Lawn “The Big Chicken” Truck Stop – Elkton, TN 1371 Bryson Rd exit 6 on I-65, Elkton, TN 38449-5248 This newly re-modeled Travel Center features a 24-hour Restaurant, Charley Biggs Chicken and Sauce and plenty of parking! According to Mike Boyles on Facebook, Shady Lawn Truck stop is a “nice place to stop for a break along I-65. Always friendly staff & Great food in the restaurant!!” Amenities: Trucker’s lounge, showers, laundry, and more. Food: Charley Biggs Chicken and Sauce Restaurant (24 hours) 4. Jubitz Travel Center – Portland, OR 10210 N. Vancouver Way Portland, OR 97217 Jubitz has 15 acres of lighted truck parking (the largest truck lot in the northwest). Truckers can really take a load off here and stay a while with all that Jubitz has to offer. The Ponderosa Lounge & Grill can satisfy your hunger while you enjoy live western music, and you can even wash your dog! Amenities: Full showers and Jacuzzi’s, driver’s lounge, dog wash, driver’s services convenience store & more! Food: Jake Brake Deli, Ponderosa Lounge & Grill 5. Johnson’s Corner Truck Stop – Johnstown, CO 2842 SE Frontage Rd, Johnstown, CO 80534 Dine in at Johnson’s Corner Restaurant while you view the Rocky Mountains from your table or take an order to go if you’re in a rush. This spot is famous for their cinnamon rolls, selling 15,000 a MONTH! Steve Griffin said, “the food is still great, and the cinnamon rolls are to die for. The staff is very friendly and helpful. You just don’t find many places like this anymore” – Steve Griffin on Facebook. It’s a home away from home for many truck drivers on I-25. Amenities: Full showers, laundry, truck accessories and supplies, plus more! Food: Johnson’s Corner Restaurant 6. Little America Travel Center – Little America, WY I-80, Little America, WY 82929 Sixteen fueling islands, hotel accommodations, a delicious grill & deli, and dozens of other amenities are worth a stop! This charming place has been servicing truckers since 1952. If you’re feeling adventurous, Little America is under 5 hours from Yellowstone National Park and under 4 hours from Grand Teton National Park. If you love adventure but want to stay a bit closer, the Bear River State Park is an hour away with breathtaking views. Amenities: Repair shop, 24-hour convenience store, laundry facilities Food: 24-hour fuel center deli, Travel Center Grill (6 am – 10 pm) 7. Dysart’s Truck Stop – Hermon, ME 530 Coldbrook Rd, Hermon, ME 04401 This truck stop has been family owned since 1967. They offer a comfortable place for truck drivers to stop in northeast United States. Dysart’s went viral in 2018 for this hilarious blooper reel! Even SNL had to remake it. The video features two regulars, Sonya and Jack Palmer, who struggle to get their lines right. Maybe you’ll be able to meet these local celebrities as you stop into Dysart’s of I-95. Amenities: Travel stop store, truckers lounge, private showers, and a full-service truck center Food: Restaurant & Bakery (7 am – 8 pm) featuring Maine specialties
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Made to Ride Hero: James Rogers
Our October Made to Ride Hero James Rogers is another warrior of the pandemic. He and his small company out of Missouri immediately began hauling emergency relief supplies all over the country when the lockdown began. They were hauling goods from Illinois to Salt Lake City and Seattle, and a few places in between. Rest stops and restaurants were closing but these drivers got creative. They stockpiled food and even invested in camping toilets! When one of his drivers contracted the virus, James drove to Wyoming to pick up his load and deliver it himself. James reported to us that he spent 6 months away from home during the roughest time of the pandemic. He is a disabled veteran who was injured in Afghanistan during his 11 years of service. After having a few difficulties adjusting to civilian life again, Rogers was inspired to start his own trucking company which he owns and operates to this day. Keep up the amazing work James and enjoy your new Dreamliner Mattress! Source: https://www.ttnews.com/articles/james-rogers-spartan-direct
Made to Ride Hero: Susan Dawson
We came across Susan on TransportTopics website where they have a Truckings Frontline Hero series. They reported that Susan has been driving all over the USA during the pandemic, ensuring essential items are getting where they need to be. She’s gone to Washington, Florida, New York, and more! In May she drove 13,000 miles compared to her coworkers 8-12k miles. When asked about her experience, she said “my country needed all of us drivers out here and the way things happened so very fast, it was actually scary.” Susan even opted to skip her home time, choosing to keep hauling around the country. Way to go Susan, enjoy your Dreamliner mattress! Read more here.
Healthy Snacks to Eat While Driving
If you are a semi truck driver or frequently find yourself driving for long hours, you’re probably used to eating on the road. You don’t always have time to stop for a full meal. That’s where a healthy snack that’s easy to eat comes in handy. We’ve made a list of ten categories of snacks with tons of recommendations to satisfy your hunger on the road. If you want to ditch the chips and try out some healthier options to eat on the road, check these out! A. Protein Snacks To-Go There are so many different single serving protein packs on the market now. These are the most convenient way to get a delicious and balanced snack on the road. You can take the time to cut up your own cheese and grab some nuts, or you can buy a prepackaged one! Here’s our recommendations: Sargento Balanced Breaks P3 Portable Protein Snack Pack with Chipotle Peanuts, Sunflower Kernels & Original Beef Jerky PRO2snax Sliced Apples, Mild Cheddar Cheese, Dried Cranberries & Cashews Pld Apple Cheese & Pretzels Snack B. Veggies with Hummus Veggie’s can be plain boring when they are on there own, so hummus adds a little somethin’. We’ve linked some single’s packs and pre-cut veggies to fulfill your hunger in the car. Sabra Hummus Singles Roasted Red Pepper Sabra Hummus Classic Fieldpack Unbranded Petite Carrots Celery Sticks Broccoli Florets C. Protein Bars Again, we know these are a no-brainer! There’s rows upon rows of them at gas station’s and rest stops. But we thought we’d narrow down those endless choices with a few delicious recommendations of protein bars for the drive. Nature Valley Protein Chewy Granola Bars, Coconut Almond, Gluten Free ONE Protein Bar, Peanut Butter Pie Perfect Bar, Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter w/ Sea Salt RCBAR Blueberry KIND Protein Bars – Almond Butter Dark Chocolate GoMacro Protein Bars – Banana Almond butter D. Fruit We hope you’re familiar with these guys… pick up a couple to keep in the car or semi-truck for quick and healthy snacking. We’ve also provided links to some prepackaged fruits for easy storage. Some great options for long drives are grapes, apples, bananas and oranges because they are easy handheld snacks. Pineapple Chunks Diced Peaches Peaches, Pears, Mandarins Variety Pack E. Veggies Veggies might not be the most appealing snack compared to a huge bag of chips during a long drive, but they won’t give you a sick feeling in your stomach afterward! Grab some of our suggestions for a healthy snack behind the wheel. Veggie Tray with Ranch Baby Carrots Sweet Mini Peppers Sugar Snap Peas F. Crunchy Snacks These suggestions are for when you want a little crunch on the road but are also looking for a healthy option. There’s tons of dried fruit options at the stores, but dried mango seems to be the biggest hit! Hippeas “nacho cheese” flavor Skinny Pop Original Utz Pretzel Rods Dried Mango G. Nuts Nuts are easy to pick up in a gas station in a single serving pack, but you can get larger containers on the cheap to keep in your car or truck. They even make single serving nut packs in bulk to make it easier to keep portion control. Mixed Nuts Pistachio Lover’s Mix Individual 100 Calorie Nut Packs I. Granola According to Healthline , “granola is calorie-dense, as well as rich in protein, fiber, and micronutrients”. ENOUGH SAID! Granola is a tasty and nutritious way to stop those stomach pains when you’ve got miles and hours left in your trip. Quaker Honey, Raisins & Almonds Bear Naked Fruit & Nut Nature Valley Big & Crunchy Oats & Honey J. Beef Jerky Beef jerky is full of protein, usually containing 9 grams in just 1 ounce! These little guys can pack a punch in your hunger. Delicious and filling. Slim Jim Snack-Sized Smoked Meat Stick Old Trapper Old Fashioned Jerky Jack Link’s Variety Snack Packs K. Fruit With Nut Butter You can’t go wrong with a little peanut butter with fruit. You can go with the classic apples and peanut butter or switch it up with any fruit & nut butter your heart desires. Keep it clean and easy with these to-go options where no knife is necessary. Pre-cut Apple Slices To-go Peanut Butter
Made to Ride Hero: Gerald Johnson
Our August Made to Ride Hero is Gerald Johnson, known as Trucker G on Facebook. We were looking through trucking news when we came across an article, “Trucker Takes Dying Former Truck Driver and Military Veteran on His Final Ride”. The veteran, Jim, is dying of cancer and just wanted one last ride in a truck. His wife Connie decided to reach out to the trucking Facebook community to see if someone could drive him. Trucker G and his wife saw the post and jumped to fulfill Jim’s wish. He managed to get a route that would take him to Nebraska where Jim lives. When everything was confirmed, Trucker G was on his way. He filmed their journey on his Facebook page which you can watch here. In the video, Connie speaks for Jim who can’t be heard on video saying, “He’s really happy that you came by”. We thought this act of kindness deserved our August Made To Ride Heroes title, and shipped Trucker G our top of the line Dreamliner truck mattress. God Bless Jim, Gerald, and their wives.
