Episode 137 Show Notes
Truckers have their say on truck stops’ attributes, name their favorite ones
Feb 9, 2026
Updated Feb 10, 2026
When it comes to where to stop when driving, cleanliness matters most to truckers, according to a recent survey. In fact, almost two-thirds of drivers said that’s the most important criteria when it comes to choosing which truck stops to patronize.
That was one of numerous conclusions Lance Surety Bonds found when they surveyed 176 U.S.-based truckers about their favorite brands and top priorities when choosing a gas station or truck stop.
The other key takeaways include:
When deciding where to stop, cleanliness (63%) is more important to truckers than food quality (38%), fuel prices (36%), or overnight parking availability (21%)
59% of truckers say dirty or broken bathrooms are a dealbreaker when choosing not to stop somewhere, more than unsafe surroundings (51%) or high fuel prices (35%)
Truck drivers rank Love’s Travel Stops as the No. 1 truck stop in the U.S
Texas is the best state for truck stops, followed by California, Georgia, and Arizona
Dallas is the best city for truck stops, followed by New York City and Los Angeles
More than half of drivers (51%) said they sometimes go out of their way for a specific stop, while 27% said they often or always detour to visit a favorite location
Truck Drivers Rank the Best Places to Stop
Love’s Travel Stops came out on top as the No. 1 truck stop or gas station chain among drivers, beating out Pilot Flying J (No. 2) and Wawa (No. 3). Truckers praised Love’s for delivering consistent quality across multiple categories, according to the survey.
RELATED NEWS: Love’s in 2026: add 20 new locations, and 1,500 truck parking spots
Love’s also ranked No. 1 in 9 out of 11 truck-stop categories. Truckers rated it highest for clean bathrooms, safety, food, parking, fuel prices, showers, friendly service, Wi-Fi, and even music.
Though not as widespread nationally, Wawa and Sheetz stood out in select categories. Both landed in the top 3 for food. Wawa also earned high marks for cleanliness, safety, and customer service. These are qualities that matter just as much as fuel prices on long hauls.
What Matters Most to Truckers When Choosing Where to Stop
Drivers base their choices on familiarity. Nearly half (49%) choose stops they already know, while 45% prioritize stops close to their route. Word of mouth and online reviews tied next, at 38% each. Women were 12% more likely than men to choose stops based on proximity to their route, while men were 32% more likely to rely on advice from other drivers.
Many truckers are also interested in mobile tools that make finding a stop easier. The app feature they most wanted was real-time parking availability (36%), followed by live fuel pricing (31%) and mobile ordering for food or showers (30%). Only 1 in 10 drivers said they prefer in-person service over mobile options.
Long-haul truckers know that not all pit stops are created equal, according to the survey. They shared the issues that would make them avoid a stop entirely.
The top dealbreaker when considering a truck stop was dirty or broken bathrooms, as 59% of drivers said that would make them turn around and leave. Unsafe surroundings (51%) and high fuel prices (35%) were the next most common reasons to skip a stop.
Men were significantly more likely than women to be put off by rude staff (32% vs. 18%) or high fuel prices (39% vs. 29%). Women, on the other hand, were more sensitive than men to poor lighting (34% vs. 23%) and a lack of food options (26% vs. 16%).
