Truck Stops: The Best Places to Rest in America

During the journeys of a professional driver, finding the perfect place to stop and rest can sometimes prove to be a challenge. The best stops offer a home away from home of sorts: hot meal, clean shower and a respite from the business of the day.

We’ve got the inside scoop from some of Maverick’s drivers on the places they choose to stop during their trips.

Starting off strong is of course, the Iowa 80. A gem and must-stop location, the “80” is in Walcott, IA and boasts the title of “The World’s Largest Truckstop.” With 9 restaurant options, a gift store, museum, a super truck show room and more, the Iowa 80 is a must-see attraction when in the area.

Image by: Experience Iowa 80 | Iowa 80 Truckstop

You didn’t think we’d let this blog post go by without mentioning Pilot Flying J, did you? As the largest network of travel centers in North America, Pilot Flying J has over 750 locations in 44 states and six Canadian provinces. (Pilot Flying J)They’re known for their clean facilities, well-stocked convenience stores, and a wide range of food options, from quick snacks to hot meals, making them ideal for professional drivers.

You can imagine that Maverick’s over 1,600 drivers frequent a Pilot Flying J weekly, if not daily. After speaking with several of our drivers, the common denominator they all agreed on about Pilot Flying J was their rewards system.

We spoke with Ethon Stanford, Vice President of National Accounts at Pilot Flying J, and he explained how they have curated a rewards program specifically for Maverick drivers. Pilot’s MyRewardsPlus program allows Maverick drivers to earn rewards points per gallon fueled. These points increase each time you fuel at one of their travel centers. One point is worth one penny to spend on items in a Pilot Flying J, so as you can imagine, those points can add up! Maverick’s 2019 Driver of the Year, Liz Imel, was able to obtain a GPS system with her accumulated points!

Did you know that Maverick has 8 terminal locations and 7 of those have drivers’ lounges? These include clean shower and laundry facilities, workout rooms, flatscreen televisions, vending and eating areas and ample parking with Wi-Fi. Additionally, each location has driver courtesy vehicles for our professional drivers to utilize. At our North Little Rock terminal, there is also a mile-long track and basketball goal.

We are grateful for all locations that our drivers can enjoy a safe and clean place to stop while out on the road. Taking those well-deserved breaks, having a hot meal and a shower is essential for them to recharge and prepare for the next day.

Safe travels!