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!

Sep 23, 2020 • Carriers

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><strong>[p]Denny’s</strong> - 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><strong>[p]Pilot/Flying J</strong> - 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><strong>[p]Love’s Travel Centers</strong> - 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><strong>[p]AmBest Truck Stops</strong> - 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><strong>[p]Southern Recipe</strong> - 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

Brake Safety Week is almost here. Are you ready? [p]Are you ready for the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance’s (CVSA) Brake Safety Week happening later this month? From September 16-22, CVSA-certified inspectors will conduct a weeklong inspection blitz throughout the U.S. and Canada focusing on brake systems. CVSA reported that 14 percent of truck drivers were placed out-of-service for brake-related violations during last year’s Brake Safety Day. Getting placed out-of-service costs drivers valuable time and money, so it’s important that you don’t find yourself in the same situation. Making sure you’re prepared will not only help you pass an inspection and keep you moving, but it will also make our roadways a safer place. [p]Most inspections during the blitz will be full Level I inspections. This comprehensive 37-step procedure examines driver operating requirements and vehicle mechanical fitness, and will also focus on the inspection of: <ul> <li>Brake-system components to identify loose or missing parts</li> <li>air or hydraulic fluid leaks</li> <li>defective rotor conditions</li> <li>measurement of pushrod travel</li> <li>mismatched air chamber sizes across axles</li> <li>air reservoir integrity and mounting</li> <li>worn linings, pads, drums or rotors</li> <li>required brake-system warning devices</li> <li>other brake-system components</li> </ul> [p]There will also be 12 jurisdictions using performance-based brake testing equipment to measure vehicle braking efficiency. [p]So, what can you do to be ready for your inspection? <ul> <li>Have your driver’s license and registration easily available.</li> <li>Perform your regular preventative maintenance procedures.</li> <li>Conduct your pre-trip visual inspection. Make sure to look for loose hoses, leaks and any damage; check air disc brakes for cracks and grooving; and ensure air chambers are intact and in the correct position.</li> <li>Inspect brakes more in-depth looking for leaks, checking brake linings for cracks and wear, and measuring the brake stroke, etc.</li> <li>Utilize the Trucker Path app to see inspection facilities and get an idea of when you might expect to receive an inspection during the blitz.</li> </ul> [p]We hope these tips will help make your inspection go smoothly. It’s also important to remember that it’s a best practice to always keep your truck well-maintained, inspect your brake systems regularly, and perform a thorough pre-trip inspection before every trip. You still have time to address any issues and get yourself and your truck ready for the 2018 CVSA Brake Safety Week!

Sep 17, 2018 • Community