What Are The Best Truck Stops, And Why?

I pretty much only go to Loves because its one of the company gas stations and I like the showers and it's pretty easy to park most times. What do you all think is the best truck stops and why?

I mostly park at pilot or flying J, I prefer flying J mostly but otherwise it goes in the order of - flying I, pilot, loves, TA, Petro. If none are available then wherever I can legally park.

Mom and Pops first. I keep a list of my favorites and try them when I can, brand name doesn’t matter to me as much as the lot condition, can I safely enter/exit, the environment and neighborhood, and lastly necessity.

I really like Kwik Stop/ Kwik Star. They got good prices and sell a lot of grocery items. I don't like loves and pilots that are small. Easy way to get your hood ripped off.

Truck stops? What are truck stops? I thought they were fuel stops.

I dislike truck stops and have been very successful (thus say a rookie driver) in avoiding them.

But to each his own. My trainer taught me to find alternative parking, so I'm very much influenced by this superb trainer. And I seem to have a knack for avoiding truck stops for my 10 hr. DOT.

Easy way to get your hood ripped off.

Not if you nose in to the parking spot.

PackRat said: "Not if you nose in to the parking spot." I know PackRat was not serious, but:

This is an interesting comment to me. I've never "nosed in" to a parking spot. I've heard that it can be hard to get the trailer straight and hazardous to back out. Can any of you veteran drivers comment on this practice?

Not recommended for it is hard to back out. It may not be a clear and easy path when you’re getting ready to leave. It’s also more prone to an accident, as in backing up. Limited sight lines if you have a truck on either side, and limited maneuverability. Lastly, the tail of the trailer hanging out takes up more room if you are parking along the border areas, ie not tail-to-tail in the inner rows at the larger truck stops. I’ve nosed in three times. I was dead tired and at that point, it actually was safer to do it than attempt a backing maneuver.

I've seen reefer drivers nose in because of their reefer noise.

I have always wondered how they get out.

I avoid truck stops unless I need a shower. Then I try to find big roomy ones do I don’t get blocked in by some bozo who thinks it’s fine to pull up and park crosswise in the aisle or something.

I like the Petro at Waterloo NY because I have never not been able to find a spot no matter the tone. I also like the Circle Ks in Maine though I have only been to Kittery and Lewiston. Scotty’s in Saratoga Springs is a great mom and pop place.