Socializing At The Truck Stop

I like listening to the banter at the restaurant counter. I never knew there were so many awesome "best" truckers out there!

I like listening to the banter at the restaurant counter. I never knew there were so many awesome "best" truckers out there!

Yup!...................Lots of those Guys are Legends in their OWN MINDS, that's for sure!!

I like listening to the banter at the restaurant counter. I never knew there were so many awesome "best" truckers out there!

Oh the stories can be amazing! I could even say I heard one or two that seemed a tad far fetched! I may have even been slightly skeptical a time or two.

To those that have stated that they avoid truck stops, how do you do it? Do you pull into small convience stores or sleep on the side of the road? Sounds like the life for me!

Ben asked:

To those that have stated that they avoid truck stops, how do you do it? Do you pull into small convience stores or sleep on the side of the road? Sounds like the life for me!

Great question.

On many dedicated, retail store delivery assignments, the goal is to return everyday to the DC. In my case the Walnart DC has facilities and ample provisions accomodating overnight parking for the drivers assigned/domiciled there, WM Private Fleet and Swift.

In the event I am unable to return, I usually shut down at a Walmart Store location until my hours are returned after the 10 hour break.

Sleeping at a TS is rare.

Ben asks:

To those that have stated that they avoid truck stops, how do you do it? Do you pull into small convience stores or sleep on the side of the road? Sounds like the life for me!

There's no reason to avoid truck stops. In fact these are better than roadside pull over. That being said, I prefer to stop in at non-chain (Pilot, TA, etc.), Mom & pop places. Chances are you'll get a spot, and the restaurant might be cheaper.

(Once I needed to stop, the TA was packed. I crossed the interstate , and the was a smaller truck stop, with right open spots.)

Avoid on & off ramps, dangerous places. Some shippers allow you to stay your 10 hours. Some big box stores have space (ask first!). I found a highway crossroads place where local log trucks dropped their trailers. I was the only one staying the night, it was like camping out!

I use an app called Trucker Path. This app shows truck stops, weigh stations, Walmarts, and more on a map.

I generally have a good mix of truck stops and other places I stay. I run most of my loads in the Northeast and parking is challenging in most of those states. Experience helps you develop your own little secret places to stop at, and running often times to repeat customers helps a lot also.

I serve a dedicated account for SAPA Aluminum so that means that I am usually familiar with the customers I go to. Because of that I know which ones allow overnight parking and many of them allow me to park overnight at their facility even if I'm not bringibg them a load on that particular run. This is very helpful for trip planning.

There are some really small truck stops that will have parking and are ignored by most of the drivers. In Port Jervis, NY there is a truck stop with only four parking spaces. Every time I've pulled in there I've been able to get a spot, even once during a bad snow storm.

Being creative and making notes in a notebook of neat little spots that work for you will definitely be a boost to your success out here.

I don't normally start conversations, but I'm one of the first to help a driver in need. 3 times in the last 6 months I've given jump starts to drivers with dead batteries. The most recent one was just the other day in Lewiston Idaho, the driver told me he asked several people for a jump but everyone was in to much of a hurry. If I see someone having a problem I will walk over and offer help.

As far as getting a sit down meal, I always sit at a booth, I avoid sitting at the counter. Just not my thing, I mostly keep to myself.

I know some truck drivers like using rest stops, truck parking areas, weigh stations and such. I personally look for the mom n pop places. Everybody tends to ignore them. Those who don't seem to be old veteran drivers. I use the chain TS when I need a shower. I tried the whole refueling, get a spot, run and grab a shower on your 30 min DOT. I just don't like being rushed. When I do frequent chain TS, unless I have a fuel stop in one, I avoid any near a large metropolitan area. When I am in cities I tend to park at RCVRs. I must admit that is 1 good thing about food receiving places, they tend to have parking or at least allow everyone to "line up" in the "driveway". I find it interesting that I run dry van , but spend the vast majority of my time delivering at food places. GFS, RFS, McLane, Sysco, etc... I guess they need the toilet paper and paper towels. I do get a big kick out of seeing SCA dispensers in bathrooms. Since that is what I mostly do is SCA dedicated.

I know that this forum is almost 4 years old but by nature humans are social creatures. A reason why there is solidary confinement in the prisons--cruel by nature. You don't have to stare or butt into someone's conversation. If approaching someone at least nod and smile or say hello. When asked a question or to join a conversation always look at the person, acknowledge them and be polite in your reply.

People seem to have lost some of the basic human skills. They do not use manners, can not answer someone with respect or courtesy and have no interest in someone elses feelings. This past election has shown some of the worse human dark sides ever.