Every professional truck driver knows what a good truck stop must have: diesel & gas pumps, a Cat scale, and a convenience store with bathrooms. In order to be one of the best, it needs to have something that sets itself apart from the others. These are the 5 best truck stops in the Midwest for truck drivers.
1. Trail's Travel Center - Albert Lea, MN
This truck stop in southern Minnesota holds multiple restaurants like: Cold Stone Creamery, Pizza Hut, McDonalds, Iron Skillet and Skol Tavern. Of course along with the diesel pumps, the Cat scale and the storefront, it also has several other amenities that are available for the drivers to use. They have access to showers, a truck service shop, a truck wash, public laundry and a little movie theater.
2. Morris Travel Center - Morris, IL
Up in northern Illinois near Chicago, this truck stop holds the basics that are essential for a truck driver. It has 2 eating options, R Place restaurant and for a quicker, on-the-go option, there is also a Quizno's. For the drivers, this truck stop provides a drivers lounge, a game room, a laundry room and showers. Also what is unique about this truck stop is that it has a walking trail for those drivers who want to get some exercise or take their dog for a walk.
3. Highlander Petro Stop - Sturtevant, WI
The places to eat at this truck stop are Iron Skillet and OH Danish Bakery. As far as amenities go, this truck stop has much more than just the essentials. It has a maintenance shop, laundry room, ministry services, pet area, medical clinic, drivers lounge, barber shop, and WiFi.
4. Clearwater Travel Plaza - Clearwater, MN
Now a lot of people hold a special place in their heart and stomach for this truck stop, both truckers and non-truckers. Mainly because of the Nelson Bro's Restaurant, Pub, and Bakery because it has any kind of food or drink you can think of. However, the bakery is probably the best known because of their delicious doughnuts, some of them are almost as big as your head. The amenities that they have are a mail, UPS, & FedEx drop-off, drivers lounge, laundry room, showers, free WiFi, and a truck wash.
5. Iowa 80 Truckstop - Walcott, IA
Last but not least, the Iowa 80 is the worlds largest truck stop, even holding its very own truck museum, and a show room with 3 super trucks inside. Every year they have a Truck Jamboree where people come from all over the country and show off their trucks. For places to eat, this stop has the Iowa 80 Kitchen, Wendy's, Caribou, Einstein Bros, Pizza Hut, Taco Bell, Dairy Queen, and Blimpie.
There is also a barber shop, chiropractor, custom shop, dental office, pet wash, drivers lounge, laundry facility, movie theater, showers, truck service center, truck wash and a workout room.
What about you? Do you have a favorite truck stop that you make part of your routine?