Oct 15, 2018 • Community

A Foodie’s Guide to America’s Best Truck Stops

There are a lot of variables to factor in when planning your route. Choosing the most direct path between where you’re coming from and where you’re going seems like a no-brainer, but don’t forget to think about other factors when making your plan. Not only should you consider things like weather, traffic patterns and construction, but it’s also important to think about how you want to spend your time on – and off – the road. Taking breaks for sleeping, food and rest are a necessary part of the job. That’s why it’s important to plan for these things as you choose the best route. If you consider yourself a foodie, then this roundup is for you. We pulled some of the best places for good eating from our annual list of the Top 100 Truck Stops in the U.S. and Canada. From home-cooked flavor to delicious desserts, you may want to swing by one of these truck stops if you happen to pass through town.

Big Horn Travel Center – Not only is this Fort Worth, Texas, travel center at the top of our list of best truck stops, but it’s also popular among drivers for its Friday night fish fry. The hand-breaded catfish entree comes with hush puppies, coleslaw, a side and dessert for only $9.99. Dessert is usually Gloria’s famous bread pudding made fresh with Dunkin’ Donuts. The general consensus from Big Horn’s Facebook page is that this bread pudding is worth the trip.
https://www.facebook.com/BigHornTC/
BJ’s Travel Center – If you’re looking for a place to hit up regularly for good barbecue, then BJ’s Travel Center in New Madrid, Mo., just may be the place. This truck stop serves barbecue pork steak, chicken and ribs every day. Truckers love stopping here for some good ol’ home-cooked flavor.
https://www.facebook.com/BJS-Travel-Center-113227608734600/
How-Dea Service Center – How-Dea Service Center brings you a little bit of Belgium, Wis., history with HoBo’s Korner Kitchen. The service center has been around since 1967, while the restaurant opened up in the mid-1980s. Today, HoBo’s still serves brunch every Saturday and Sunday morning, complete with its famous mustripen sausage. This is one of the few places in the country to try this Luxembourgian dish.
http://www.howdea.net https://www.facebook.com/HoBosKornerKitchen/
Abbyland Travel Center – If burgers are more your thing, you can’t miss out on the habanero bourbon burger at the Abbyland Travel Center in Curtiss, Wis. It’s a half-pound burger topped with melty pepper jack cheese, bacon, red onion and Abbyland’s special habanero bourbon sauce. If you’re stopping by on a weekend morning, you’ll want to check out Abbyland’s breakfast pizza or one of their seasonal skillets.
https://www.facebook.com/CTCTRKSTP/ http://www.abbylandtravelcenter.com
19 & 75 Filling Station – Located in Ivanhoe, Minn., 19&75 Filling Station is known for good food and great service. Not only does this truck stop use fresh ingredients, but even its enchilada and tartar sauces are homemade. Dessert is not to be missed, although you might have a hard time choosing between the freshly-made pies and famous bread pudding.
https://www.facebook.com/1975filingstation/
Duke’s Travel Plaza – A stop at Duke’s Travel Plaza in Mount Vernon, Texas, will introduce you to some of the most authentic Texas barbecue around. Make sure you swing by the bakery on your way out for some dessert too.
https://www.facebook.com/dukesmv/
Newborn Truck Stop – Visiting this place is a must if you’re driving through Tallapoosa, Ga. Newborn Truck Stop will remind you of the truck stops of yesteryear where the staff is friendly, the service is good…and the banana pudding is their best-kept secret.
https://www.facebook.com/NewbornTruckStopTallapoosaGA/
Karde’s 151 – Karde’s 151 in Monticello, Iowa, features its popular Cuban sandwich every Thursday. If you’re not in the mood for the pork-cheese-mustard combo, you can try one of Karde’s hand-patties burgers. Passing through in the morning? The breakfast sandwiches and burritos are made from scratch with real eggs.
https://www.facebook.com/k1five1/
Gore’s Travel Plaza – Sometimes you need to grab food quickly when you’re on the go. We get that when you’re short on time, you need something fast and easy. Gore’s Travel Plaza in Seiling, Okla., has a Sonic drive-thru for truck drivers. It doesn’t get any easier than that. If you have more time on your hands, however, make sure to check out Delizioso Bistro and Coffee Bar at this truck stop. Whether it’s pasta or pizza you’re craving – or just a fancy sip of caffeine – this truck stop has it all.
https://www.facebook.com/pg/gorestravelplaza/
https://goretravel.com
Woody’s Smokehouse Shell – It’s not just the barbecue that gets five stars at Woody’s Smokehouse. Be sure to check out the house-smoked meats and jerky, and freshly-baked breads. If your route doesn’t take you through Centerville, Texas, Woody’s will ship your order to your doorstep.
https://www.facebook.com/Woodys.Smokehouse/
https://woodys-smokehouse.com

Adding any of these places to your next route? Let us know when you stop by and what you order!

Jan 27, 2017 • Community

Celebrate National Truck Driver Appreciation Week with loads of savings and giveaways [p]National Truck Driver Appreciation Week (NTDAW) is this week! This year, the trucking industry will come together from September 9-15 to honor professional drivers nationwide. We want to thank you for all your hard work and commitment to your careers. Without you and your integral role as a truck driver, life would get tough fast for the rest of us. Many of the things we take for granted, including access to medical supplies, fuel, food and clean water, would all be gone in a matter of weeks without trucks and truck drivers. What you do matters, and we are so grateful for you.[/p] [p]As a professional driver, there are several rewards and freebies you can take advantage of as part of NTDAW. These include:[/p] <ul> <li>[p]Denny’s - Participating Denny’s travel center locations will offer professional drivers scratch-off cards with various diner discounts and prizes through September 30. Drivers will also receive a 10 percent discount key tag that can be used until December 31, 2019. (<a href="https://www.truckersnews.com/dennys-to-show-appreciation-to-drivers-in-september/">https://www.truckersnews.com/dennys-to-show-appreciation-to-drivers-in-september/</a>)[/p]</li> <li>[p]Pilot/Flying J - Throughout the month of September, Pilot Flying J stores will have money-saving offers and daily giveaways via the myPilot® app. Pilot Flying J Truck Care is also offering free mid-trip inspections, valued at $50, to help professional drivers and trucking companies prepare for Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance’s Brake Safety Week. The company is also handing out a combined 100 million myRewards® loyalty points to more than 60,000 drivers, including 2,000 daily winners. To enter, professional drivers can simply swipe their myRewards® loyalty card when purchasing diesel fuel at participating travel centers in the United States. Additional details can be found here: <a href="https://www.pilotflyingj.com/driver-appreciation/">https://www.pilotflyingj.com/driver-appreciation/</a>[/p]</li> <li>[p]Love’s Travel Centers - Love’s is celebrating NTDAW all month long with many food, drink, and merchandise deals as well as the opportunity to win 10,000 My Love Reward points. One driver will win 1 million points. Use the following link for more details: <a href="https://www.truckersnews.com/loves-appreciates-trucker-drivers-throughout-september/">https://www.truckersnews.com/loves-appreciates-trucker-drivers-throughout-september/</a>[/p]</li> <li>[p]AmBest Truck Stops - Specific AmBest members are hosting driver appreciation events. Check out the full list here to find one near you: <a href="https://am-best.com/News-Events/Driver-Appreciation-Days">https://am-best.com/News-Events/Driver-Appreciation-Days</a>[/p]</li> <li>[p]Southern Recipe - Vote for your favorite truck driver chef recipe for a chance to with $2,000 here: <a href="http://southernrecipe.com/truckdriverappreciation/">http://southernrecipe.com/truckdriverappreciation/</a>[/p]</li> </ul> [p]Many carriers around the country are also hosting their own driver appreciation events this week. Be sure to check out their social media pages to find out the details. Know about a NTDAW event happening that you want to share with other drivers? Leave the details in a comment below.[/p] [p]Here’s to a great National Truck Driver Appreciation Week![p]

Sep 10, 2018 • Community

The creepiest haunted roadways in the U.S. Haunted houses, scary movies and cemeteries, oh my! Halloween season is upon us and with it comes tales of mysterious happenings and the supernatural. If you’re not a fan, we understand if you feel like hiding out until Thanksgiving. But for those of you who thrive on the paranormal, this list is everything you didn’t know you needed. Here are some of the scariest haunted roadways around the country. Filled with legends of ghostly beings and mysterious happenings, these are the highways and byways you’ll definitely want to avoid this Halloween. Or include on your route….if you dare. Don’t forget to let us know if you check one of these roads and if you experience anything unusual while you’re there. [p]Route 66 [p]Running from Chicago all the way to the Pacific Ocean, this famous highway is one of the first in the United States. Its long history includes tales of ghostly hitchhikers, mysterious lights and other paranormal activities. In fact, there are more than 100 spooky stops along Route 66 including “Zombie Road” in Wildwood, Mo., and the Coleman Theater in Miami, Okla., which is said to have been built on top of an old crematorium. [p]Route 666, Four Corners region [p]Although this highway is part of the larger Route 66, it deserves some attention all on its own. It is often referred to as the “Devil’s Highway,” both for its numbering and because of the high level of deaths along the New Mexico segment of the highway. Even though this highway was renamed in 2003 as U.S. Route 491, motorists still report sightings of ghost truckers and phantom riders, including a girl dressed in white wandering through the desert, and strange weather phenomena. [p]Clinton Road in West Milford, New Jersey [p]You wouldn’t think that this road is within an hour’s drive from New York City because of how isolated and quiet it seems. Quiet, that is, until you run into the mutant animals said to be hiding in the woods or see phantom headlights following you on the road. Legend has it that if you toss a coin over the bridge, a boy who drowned there will toss it back. [p]Prospector’s Road, California [p]Located between Sacramento and Lake Tahoe, this road is just a short detour off of Highway 49. There are a number of stories of gold miners meeting their end from cave-ins, suicides, and greed-driven murders back in the 1800s. One particular miner is said to haunt the road, showing himself to hikers and drivers alike, telling visitors to “get off my claim.” [p]Kelly Road in Ohioville, Pennsylvania [p]A one-mile stretch of this road has been the site of some reported bizarre events and paranormal activity. There are stories of animals going rabid as soon as they enter this section of road, sightings of apparitions and strange noises, and a ghost boy who wanders around the area. [p]Dead Man’s Curve in Clermont County, Ohio [p]Dead Man’s Curve is located just east of Cincinnati. It’s actually not a curve at all, but rather an intersection where Route 222 meets Route 125 in the village of Bantam. Back in the 1800s, the original roadway curved at the top of a hill, which caused horses and carriages to overturn and slide down the hill. It has since been straightened, but still is said to be the location of numerous accidents over the years. Witnesses report seeing floating wrecked cars, antique carriages and faceless hitchhikers. [p]Route 2A in Aroostook County, Maine [p]This route, which even has a song written about it, is known for its dangerous driving conditions. It is rumored that the icy and snowy roads as well as an unexpected hairpin turn have caused many truckers to lose their lives. There are also stories of spooky spirits seen on this road over the years. [p]Shades of Death Road in Warren County, New Jersey [p]Close to I-80 near Great Meadows, N.J., Shades of Death Road lives up to its creepy name. It is said that the windy road used to attract bandits due to its many hiding spots in the shade. The highwaymen would lay in wait for victims before committing acts of theft - sometimes even murder. The stories say that locals would hang these highwaymen and leave their bodies in the trees as warnings to other criminals. This road is also known for its unusually extreme fog, unexplainable bright skies and strange floating lights. [p]Highway 93 in Arizona [p]The stretch of Highway 93 that runs just east of the Nevada border is nicknamed “Blood Alley” for the many deaths that have occurred on the road. The highway is long, narrow and winding with many hills and blind curves, leaving roadway tragedies in its wake. In addition to countless stories of ghost sightings - even a ghost bus - this highway is also home to several eerie ghost towns. [p]Whether you decide to roll down any of these spooky roadways or avoid them at all costs, we hope you have a Happy Halloween! Stay safe.

Oct 31, 2018