It sounds expensive to set up, but build places like this and they'd be packed every day. I'd start setting them up along the major freight lanes so you know you'd have enough business to maintain a solid base. Then don't expand too quickly. Don't follow IdleAir's business model.

Oh yeah. A separate area, solid but unpaved, to drop trailers in would be nice. No deals with the big cheapo freight companies though. You'll end up with half the lot full of empty werner trailers.

I want a BATH, not a shower! I'd detour 100 miles just to soak......

Ok, how about decent toilet paper. Not the uber thin see through it kind that tears the minute you touch it. Same goes for the paper towels. Also, make a couple of your showers for husband and wife teams. Bigger room, more seating, more hooks, etc.

I have to agree with some of the other posters that said get rid of the made in china cheap crap that is sitting around the front of the store taking up space where people are trying to pay. Make your customers cramped and uncomfortable, they will leave. Make them comfortable, they will have a tendency to stay longer and spend money.

__________________

A lot of good suggestions so far. I would love to see exercise rooms, good healthy food choices, and lots of parking. No bums or lizards. Clean showers/restrooms. I like the grassy park area idea, and the car rental or shuttle service idea. Offering bathtubs would be great, too. I like going to Little America in Wyoming for that very reason. Better yet, how about Jacuzzi tubs? I'd pay extra for a shower room with a Jacuzzi. Don't bother selling tourist junk, use the space for a large selection of groceries instead. Fresh fruits and veggies. A salad bar with lots of choices. I'm sure I'll think of more later.

__________________
Cowboy up!

I'm not running from
No, I think you got me all wrong
I don't regret this life I chose for me-Daughtry

Too many things to list, so I'll just list the top 6 in my book.

1. PAY TO PARK. (small fee) Have plenty of room for trucks to line up at the gate. Make it quick and painless to get in.

2.NO 4WHEELERS. Cater to truckers only.

3. SPARKLING CLEAN RESTROOMS AND SHOWERS. And plenty of them.

4. ANGLED, PULL THRU PARKING. Pull thru is quicker, easier, and safer (especially when you're tired). No back-in parking. (PERIOD)

5. MONITORED AND PATROLLED PARKING LOT. Keep out ALL rif-raf, driver and non-driver alike.

6. HEALTHY, COOK-TO-ORDER FOOD. Hot and cold food to go, and groceries.

I want groceries, such as fresh vegetables. Doesn't have to be a huge selection but the basics would be awesome.

I want clean showers, not semi clean but CLEAN dang it! Clean like you'd let your Mama use it.

no 4 wheelers or rvs in the truck lot. no panhandlers or hookers.

you can charge for the lot and just accept a receipt for purchase in the truck stop as payment.

a door with a lock to the drivers side. keep the freaking 4 wheeler kids out of the drivers lounge, tv room, game room. I love kids but not at the truck stop.

I'd say no 4 wheelers at all but let's face it........you're going to have them there cause you want their money.

put some barrels or dumpsters in the lot and many of us will throw our trash in it. have a guard in a golf cart let him evict those that toss their trash or potty bottles on the lot.

some books to buy besides western and sci fi. I know most drivers are men but we women read too. c'mon give it a try.

keep the laundry room clean.

Pay to Park---only from rookies that don't know the hassles and arguments this brings on...we pay enough in daily expense, that most companies won't reimburse...forget the park and pay stuff!

__________________


When every boat has sailed away,
And every path is marked and paid,
When every road has had it's say,
Then I'll be bringing me back home to stay.
When every town looks just the same,
And every choice gets hard to make,
When every map is put away,
Then I'll be bringing me back home to stay.
Reach out to me,
Call out my name,
And I will bring you back again today.

I feel so dissed

I don't really see it as paying to park. It's more like paying to keep out the riff raff who come through too fast, tear everything up, have no respect for anyone, and might tear the nose off your truck while you're trying to sleep. Those guys seem like the type that would never pay for a spot, so they'd avoid the place. That's worth paying for.

Park N Pay doesn't stop the hot dogs in the parking area, nor the four wheelers coming to visit with "cousin Bob" who is passing thru.

Look at the T/A in Ontario, CA and the T/A out in PA, (been a few years since there don't remember the town) anyway, you still have the show off drivers who don't care about their speed in the truck stops, and these hot dogs aren't just the young rookies either, many are old timers who think speed is the proof of experience. Most of these hot dogs can manage just fine on the open road, but when tight turns, city streets, and such just see em crawling around like they are lost. Actually kinda funny when you think about it...dont know how to be smooth and efficient, speed is the key!

__________________


When every boat has sailed away,
And every path is marked and paid,
When every road has had it's say,
Then I'll be bringing me back home to stay.
When every town looks just the same,
And every choice gets hard to make,
When every map is put away,
Then I'll be bringing me back home to stay.
Reach out to me,
Call out my name,
And I will bring you back again today.