What do you look for at a Truck Stop?

food,parking,showers,cleanliness. I sleep in my truck.

 

First I look for a large lot. So many truck stops, especially back East, are cramped affairs with crumbling asphalt and huge potholes. Clean restrooms and showers and a friendly attitude from the employees are a plus.

One thing I wish that truck stops would do is to designate a "No Idling" area (including no active reefer units or diesel APU's). I don't idle when I'm sleeping and I wish there were areas where those who don't idle could sleep in peace and quiet.

 

the first thing I look for is the lot lizards and thugs so I can avoid them !

 

First of course, is decent parking. If there is no parking, there will be no business at the truck stop. Second is a GOOD restaurant. Not fast food only. Fast food is fine, as long as there is ALSO a decent restaurant. Showers that are clean and plentiful enough that I don't have to wait for 15 other folks to take their showers first.
It is nice to have security around the place, but not really essential. Unless on a 34, and even then most of the time, truckers could care less about a motel. Sure it is nice once in a while, but it certainly is not necessary.
Concentrate on your food, and on the employes attitude toward customers. A convenience store is handy, but again, like the motel, it just isn't necessary. A so called "gift shop" is just plain unwarranted. Of course, it IS one heck of a money maker, considering that the junk that is there is priced 10 times what it is worth.

 

The first thing I look for is a Subway

 

Reefers and urine spots. I like to avoid both.

 

a nice tv lounge

 

clean bathrooms.

 

Lot lizards and two packs of cheese crackers. Nothin' like a date and a nice meal.