OMG - is it best to stop at truck stops during the day to sleep or go there at night to sleep and drive all day? I don't want any altercations with lot lizards, vagrants or anyone except other truckers. I'm a new OTR trucker and as green as they get.

That is a nice place. As is the Petro in Rochelle, IL. The Road Ranger there isn't bad either.

I don't think ANY of the truckstops in Birmingham are a good place to stay at. Was broke down in Birmingham once. Someone got his truck broken into at the Pilot where I was getting money wired for the wrench.

The one I was just north of the 20/65 split was bad when it got dark. Was fine during the day (talked with a lot of nice folks, (and one driver was able to get get ahold of a great wrench and a garden hose so I could keep the cattle cool on a 100* day) , but as soon as it got dark, the lizards, pimps, drug dealers and the like started showing up. I couldn't wait to get the heck out of there. As soon as I paid the wrench, I jumped in the truck and was grabbing gears hard to leave. Takes a LOT to even make me nervous, and I was REAL jumpy.

I'm a big, tall white guy, usually dressed like Jed Clampett and had a black guy ask me if I wanted any gold chains. LOL I politely said "no" and he said "ok". Worked for me.

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The Iowa80 truckstop is a pretty good place. In there a LOT.

Do hear of propositioning on the radio on occasion, but doesn't happen often. The cops listen in, and they take action if they get enough details to locate the vehicle in question.

GREAT food and all the chrome, SS and lights you could ever look at. Over 800 parking spots. Never had much issue finding parking, unless the Trucker's Jamboree is going on. Can be hard to get in and out of sometimes, when you come through at the peak times people are coming and going. Weekends can be the worst. Need stop lights at the exit ramps and the I80 t/s and Pilot on the north side of the big road at times.
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The Homestead t/s In Woodhull, IL is a nice place. Great food and a decent sized (partially gravel) lot.
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The Road Ranger in Princeton, IL is OK, BUT the restrooms are DISGUSTING. I'm a bullhauler, and even I wanted to throw up when I opened a stall door once. Someone had thrown used t/p all over and rubbed poop on the walls with their hands. Even in general, the restrooms are dirty to filthy. Worst in the middle of the night.

the TA in montgomery AL is pretty bad

Memphis TN (or AR) pick any off them trashy truck stops and you can find trouble.

My 2 best are Carl's Corner I 35 ex 374 in Texas and I 30 ex 106 in AR(just west of Little Rock). The worst is Flying J Dallas and Indianapolis.

Flying J in Indianapolis? LOL that is a cake walk compared to many truck stops in this country. sure it has girls working around there. wont find to many walking but they will be dropped off in cars.. You head over to the pilot across 465 and it is worse then Flying J because of the hotel (sure the J has a hotel but its not in the parking lot like at the pilot) You head over to the bar at the hotel at the Pilot and you will find all kinds of girls working in there as well.. Crime? not much at those truck stops other then working girls.

Shoot i can name many truck stops in this country that would beat out what Indianapolis has to offer far as crime.. Memphis, Dallas, Atlanta, Nashville one in NY down by the docks, I could keep going on..

Hey Jo, it is a matter of opinion, and u know what they say about opinions )) For me at least Indy J is crap same as Dallas, when in fact I never had problems with the Pilot u described. Mr. Fuel is ok and so is Pilot for me. I am not giving scientific facts regarding what is ok and what is not. I was simply giving my personal opinion...that is all )) No need to LOL me

Cheers

Oh I understand its just you opinion but living pretty close to that truck stop I was shocked you said it was one of the worse. I now see that you are from Canada and probably do a lot of laredo TX runs and don't get to see very many other truck stops.. if that is the case then I could understand why you may list Indy as one but man that Pilot is so much worse then the J is. Just surprised is all that you mentioned it.

Yes, White's Truck Stop is AWESOME. I always spend as much money as I can when I go there, because they are one of the few good ones left. Mr and Mrs White passed away several years ago, and their daughter is now running it as far as I know.

Also the T-Town Diner is great in Texarkana. Exit 3 off I-30.