Free wifi, easy parking, and quality food....the local advantage.

The longer I've been driving, the more I've become attracted to small local truck stops with these features. You can pull into many of them at almost any time of the night or day, park quickly, go inside for a good sitdown or even quality deli-style meal, and the owners have figured out how to bring drivers back at a small expense by offering free wifi. The food prices are generally lower there as well.

The other thing I've noticed is many of them have lower fuel prices;...it seems the big boys give you points on your card by charging your company a few cents extra. You have to keep your eyes open in the area your driving to find the going rate that day and avoid the local over-charger, but I've been pleasantly surprised by some of the deals I've gotten at small places.

If you're not one of those drivers who quits at 5:00 , getting familiar with good local stops is a great way to rid yourself of the stress of fighting your way in and out of the national chain lots.

 

Just off the top of my head I can think of the two Taylors in Shelby and Mo Valley,Iowa, the place in Watertown,SD, the one in Tea,SD, Stamart in Fargo, Simonson in Grand Forks.......that's just one route. I could figure out at least 50 more if I had my truck stop guide.........many in Colorado and Kansas. I suppose you could list about any AmBest, although some might consider them a chain.

Even the big boys are having success by leaving the locals in charge and just selling the fuel with their name on it;......Albert Lea, Mn Petro , Johnson Corner, Co Petro, and Grand Island, Ne Bosselman Pilot are some of the best. But I'm trying to point newbs to look for some of the good ones that don't have big names and don't fill up at 5:00.

 

I fueled there in Vermillion the other day.....#2 diesel was 10-20 cents per gallon cheaper than most of the other truck stops in the area.
150 x .10 = $15