Driving a southern route has both fans and detractors. But one thing is sure — there’s a lot of Southern hospitality toward truck drivers at most Deep South truck stops. Sure, there will always be a few outliers, but after a long cross-country drive, it’s nice to feel welcomed during your brief stay at their facility.
Below are some of the best truck stops from Louisiana down to South Florida. Learn which favorites to program into your GPS and the amenities they offer weary OTR drivers.
Frog City Travel Plaza, Restaurant and Casino in Rayne, Louisiana
When lots of local residents eat out at a truck stop, that’s a testament to the quality of the cooking. Located in the heart of Cajun Country at 1418 North Polk Street in Rayne, you can expect a menu full of seafood options. Try the Gator Burger (yes, it’s really ground alligator) or the seafood platter that includes frog legs. Don’t forget a cup of gumbo.
Are you feeling lucky? If so, hit the truck stop casino and play some of their 50 video poker machines. Maybe you will hit the jackpot!
Crazy K’s Food & Fuel in Buckatunna, Mississippi
Looking for a quiet truck stop to get in your hours of rest time? Crazy K’s Food & Fuel at 1873 US-45 is ideal. Only a few miles west of the Alabama border, it’s a smallish truck stop with free truck parking.
One of Crazy K’s best amenities is their pristine rest rooms. Those are always in high demand for truckers. Kudos, too, for the reasonably priced, generous portions of pure Southern comfort food served by the friendly wait staff.
Oasis Travel Center in Robertsdale, Alabama
Halfway between Mobile and Pensacola, this very quirky truck stop off Exit 53 on I-10 features design elements of various transportation modes. You have to see it to believe it. The Derailed Diner at 27801 County Road 64 mimics a train crashing into the truck stop. Opt to enjoy your meal in an actual railroad dining car.
The truck stop is open 24/7/365 and uses only Marathon diesel fuel at the five fuel lanes. Amenities include:
- Certified scales
- DOT inspections
- U.S. Mail and UPS pickups
- Truck and trailer wash
- NATSO Check Link
- Truck repairs
Check it out on your next southeastern run!
Florida 595 Truck Stop in Davie
Florida 595 at 2705 Burris Road has 450+ (paid) parking spots and a dozen fuel lanes for fill-ups. Some on-site amenities include:
- CB radio repair shop
- Chrome truck accessories and parts
- Showers
- Tire and truck repairs and alignments
- Sports bar
- Arcade
Stop by their diner for a hearty Southern breakfast before leaving for your next destination.
Sources: msn.com, medium.com
The “595” truck stop in Davie, FL is a joke! You cannot find a decent spot (if there is any at all) to park, due to: cars in spots; dropped trailers; broke down tractors and/or trailers; people working on their rigs; and even water filled barricades blocking spots! Don’t waste your time going in here!
You are Wright I been to all of those truck stop.they make you fell welcome like the old days.😅😁
I live 30 miles from that Frog City Travel Plaza in Rayne and have neighbors that regularly go there. There’s a crew of 5 of us that run flatbed from Lafayette to Houston and back every day. We stop there every morning and a few of the guys stop there several evenings a week as well
The Oasis in Robertsdale, Al is too cheap to put A/C in the shower rooms. Been like this for years, they are like saunas. Place is a glorified convenience store.
What was the name of that old truck stop that used to be in Malbis, Al? (I-10 exit 38) They had a cupola on the roof with a lady on the CB radio that would welcome each truck as she saw them turn into the parking lot. She’d also broadcast what the special entre in the restaurant was that day, and of course end with a reminder about that ‘nanner ‘nanner pudding.
It long ago succumbed to Lowe’s, Sam’s Club, and auto dealerships.