On this forum I've read varying opinions about truck stops... particularly the chains. So, I have a few questions. What chains have the cleanest showers and do any offer better amenities (if any) in comparison to the others?

Irvings in me, Most pilots and most flying j's,Ta really vary alot.

this does depend on location and ownership of the travel plaza's. many "name brand" plaza's even when company owned are horrific as well, what would you expect from anyone being paid near minimum wages............?? then of course, there is this "language barrier" since many truck plaza employee's don't speak "engy" (english)..............

best advice, buy your own soap/hair shampoo, and shower booty's, and of course, never sit on anything in the shower room, as you'll never know what the last person "left behind" just waiting for you.........!!!

most of the petros I went in had some really nice tiled and very clean shower rooms. Most of the pilot showers suck, small and outdated. Never showered at any flying js so dont know about them, they do have some pretty awesome buffets at flyin j.

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Keep them wheels a spinnin, and the beavers grinnin, IM GONE!!! East bound and down..............

So, it's basically a role of the dice every time you stop. I guess a good thing to do would be what my Mom called "The Restroom Test." When we traveled when I was young she used to base a fast food kitchen's cleanliness on how clean the bathroom was. If it was crappy (in some cases literally) we'd move on to the next location. Although, I'm sure in some areas of the country (Wyoming, Montana, Nebraska...) this might not be an option due to the mileage between stops.

Another of my Mom's travel rules that would apply is the "Toilet Seat Cover" rule. Basically, if it might be unsanitary you should assume that it is. Your post reminded me of her rules... hehe.

So, on average... would you say truck stop showers are as clean as a motel room... or worse?

let me put it to you "this way".

i was at a Petro once and i saw the bucket of water the "janitor" was using to clean the floors, follow me so far....??

this bucket had black water, that's right, water so black, it looked like blacktop sealer for the parking lot.....still following me here....??

this "janitor" was using that black water to "clean" the shower room floor, as well as the shower stall...........and this ain't no lie...........

another time, i was at a 76 (now TA) and a "janitor" was using simple windex glass cleaner sprayed onto the floor, and left to dry on its own.........

and at a Flying-J, a "janitor" was simply using a wet sponge (water only) to clean up the entire shower room/stall.................

now, from what i have personally witnessed, do you think I WOULD TRUST the cleanliness of any shower facility...........?????????

its a "crap shoot" at best.................

diseaseville, here you come.................

moral of this.............wear a rubber suit when you shower...............

Hit it with lots of Lysol or equiv disinfectant. Wear the shower shoes. I got a couple pair at walmart for a buck.

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Al

Am I the only one that thinks J food tastes like card board???? Even some of their menu items are not that great.

I've got friends that think going out to eat is a wonderful experience at the J restaraunt. NOT me.

I've showered at a lot of different truck stops, chains, independant stops ect. Its a crap shoot at best on getting some thing that even looks clean.

I wear my shower flip flops and try like heck to not touch any thing other than the water knob.

That's actually an excellent idea. Lysol kills everything from Staph to E. Coli to Rhinovirus... and a bunch of other nasty stuff.

Good suggestions from everyone. All noteworthy. Thanks!