Over the past several years, Pilot has made an effort to improve their reputation, often by buying competitors and turning these better facilities into Pilots. So I ask you... which are the better Pilots you have been to? Which are the dives? You may also say WHY you chose these particular "travel centers" to honor. Pick your top five in each category... otherwise, the list of dives will go on forever!
I will start it off with my choices for worst Pilot dives. They are not necessarily in priority order.
Denver, CO - I-70 exit 276A. It's the ONLY Pilot in ALL of Colorado, yet is too tight to maneuver, let alone park
Erie, PA - I-90 exit Hard to get in or out, dirt lot, chunk holes, trying to leave after fueling in the same area drivers are trying to park.
Minooka, IL - I-80 exit 122. Just is TOO small to accommodate the crush of truck traffic in the area. It is ALWAYS jammed up. Again, having to exit after fueling through the same area drivers are trying to park. (I think the main problem is there simply are not enough truck stops anywhere near Chicago on the Illinois side.) I refuse to go in there at all.
Drums, PA - I-80 exit 256. The whole place is set up stupidly. To get on the scale requires a rubber trailer. The fuel islands come with a nice little incline immediately after you pull forward from fueling, allowing plenty of ice to form and trapping trucks every winter.
Scranton, PA - I-81 exit 175 (NB)/17BA (SB). Pain in the backside to get to, then there is never any parking. Even fueling and leaving is a momumental task.
Good Pilots:
Sioux Falls, SD - I-90 exit 399. Plenty of parking, AND a full service, sit down restaurant (Grandma Max's) with GOOD food. Also has a Transport for Christ chapel to serve the spiritual needs of drivers.
Walcott, IA (north side) - I-80 exit 284. Nicely situated, well planned parking and plenty of it. Nice overflow from the madhouse across the street.
Austinburg, OH - I-90 exit 223. Easy in and out. LOTS of parking.
Beaverdam, OH - I-75 exit 135 (US-30) - There's a good amount of parking, although it does suffer from the jamming up so common at Pilots. There is also a Transport for Christ chapel there. Travel center is generally clean with friendly staff.
Ft. Worth, TX - I-35W exit 65. Plenty of parking, nice open area, and an IHOP right on the property! Also just across the street from a nice Cabela's.
I did not realize how tough it would be to limit myself!
Okay, y'all's turn!
Pilots - good and bad
Discussion in 'Truck Stops' started by kingsson, Apr 2, 2009.
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my favorite as far as parking is rising fawn Ga. on I-59
brunswick Ga. is OK (here now)
least fav's are US 78 exit in birmingham Al.
213 (think) on 81 in Va.
roanoke Va. sucks -
On I 59 isnt that the Covenant parking lot Pilot.
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Pilot is converting over the Road Ranger chain of truck stops, the 1 at Princeton, IL (exit 56 I80)is big and roomy, and still has a sit down restaurant, it was OK before, the 1 at Clear Lake, Iowa is crowded and fills up pretty early. The showers were small before and they didn't grow any bigger with the change.
Minooka is better than it was, you can get back on the big road without making a left turn at an uncontrolled intersection, parking is still a problem though.
The fuel slip kiosk is a good deal for those of us that just need fuel, we no longer have to wait for an overworked counter person to get to us.Last edited: Apr 2, 2009
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Yes the fuel slip kiosk is great,fuel, get fuel slip and go i like that..
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Worst Pilots:
Conley, GA; I-285, exit 51 (Bouldercrest Road)
Bordentown, NJ; NJTP, exit 7
Dunn, NC; I-95, exit 77
Birmingham, AL; exit Arkadelphia Road
Best Pilot:
Rising Fawn, GA; I-59, exit 4 -
I'm partial to the Bosselman chain, particularly the Grand Island, NE pilot/bosselman. Lots of parking and very clean showers. The restaurant wasn't bad... Grandma Max's I believe.
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the 1 in birmingham, the 1 in west memphis,the 1 in memphis are the worst i can think of.
best pilot the 1 i do not have to stop in .lol. -
Road Rangers are only in the fuel network. They are not becoming Pilots. I also did not include Bosslemans, as they are the same. They are just in the fuel network. That one at Grand Island is wonderful! Of course, it is the flagship Bosselmans, which are based there in GI.
Bordentown was on my list of dives, but I only allowed myself five!
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