Pilot Truck Stops

the biggest complaint i have with pilot is all you can get to eat there is fast food, which gets old really fast, or gas station food and they seem to have some of the smallest parking lots around.....

 

i had noticed that the fuel prices were just a "bit" lower than the other truckstops, but not by any wide margin. the parking lot can be a nightmare as drivers will block the fuel islands while they eat at the so-called dinning room which is either an Arby's or Wendy's, or some other branded fast food chain. all in all, unless the fuel is really cheaper than say the Petro or T/A across the road, i'd stay away from them.

 

Ditto the others. Their prices are reputed to be a bit lower, but not by much. In general, you're gonna get lousy service at MOST big chain/big city truck stops. Their parking lots tend to be incredibly cramped, and have almost NO pull thru parking. (I pull doubles fairly often) It could be worse though! T/A truck stops are usually about as horrible as you can get! Lot Lizards, potholes, drugs, etc. They're routinely understaffed, so you'll have monster lines for everything. The one in Ontario, Ca is particularly bad.

Rule of thumb: The closer to a big city you are, the worse they'll be.

 

yep, been at that one so many years ago it ain't funny. sad to see it hadn't gotten any better over the years, only deteriorated more.

 

I think that I must agree with what the others are saying.

Ya it is to bad I really liked going there myself too.

 

I really don't like Pilot's or Love's. I always like to plan my fuel stops/shower/food to be at basically the same place, and these stops are usually the equivalent of a convenience store as far as I am concerned.

Don't care for T/A's either, as they tend to attract all the crackheads and lot lizzards, not to mention, many of them charge you to enter if you aren't fueling.

Consider me a fan of the Flying J's, if I have to be a fan of any large truck stop chain. They are generally clean, and unless things have changed since 2003, they only put the date on your fuel tickets, not the time.
They could use larger parking areas, as they always seem to be almost full, at least the ones I stopped at regularly, but other than that, I had no complaints about them.

 

They are always full because drivers like the J (esp the buffet).

I use pilots more than I'd like, because they are our fuel network. But I do like their coffee, and I stop in the middle of the day for a shower, etc, so it tends to work out OK. There are a few pilots that I wouldn't bother with EVER (minooka, IL comes to mind).
So bkdalska keep using 'em if you like 'em, things may just be easier at a different chain.

 

Many of the Pilots are now being rennovated and frequently forget to maintain shower facilities, etc. There are several east of the Mississippi in this category and they have all virtually gone to fast food only. Some in the west have been bought from other truck stops and are being renovated and have portapottys only to use for restroom facilities (Cheyenne, WY). Otherwise, they really have good coffee (Kenya King). Best of luck to you.

 

the only pilot that is any good is the one in des moines, ia. it's the only one on I- 35 or east that has room to park and not wait for a shower.