truckstops & waiting... which t/s do you like?

[LDB]

Well, I stopped at the Detroiter last night after my delivery. I had heard about it from a team that runs for our company. They drive a pickup with a shell so their experience is different. I parked my D unit in the front in the expediters section. This morning the security guy came by and told me I had to park in the main lot. When I got around there and found they charge you $5 unless you buy at least 75 gallons of fuel or have service done I knew why.

Other than a small fuel desk / store the place was closed up tight from 11p-6a. They don't offer wifi. It looked like a practice run for a firefighters movie from the amount of smoke the 3 women behind the desk were producing. Overall, not impressive at all and on my list of been there done that and didn't waste money on the tshirt.

I know they get panned at times but I still like the J best followed by Pilot. I fuel at the J because they have the best price usually. I prefer to park at one of the two because I can use my wifi there. In my limited experience so far I haven't run across an independent that I can recognize publicly but maybe I will find a few good ones when it's too far to a J or Pilot.

Any picks or pans?


Leo
truck 767

Support the entire Constitution, not just the parts you like.

 

[sylvester]

We have been off the road for awhile and are getting set to return. $5 to park in a Truck Stop????? Is this now a common practice?? Or is this place taking advantage of expediters who are their in numbers all the time???? This is the same Truck Stop that has the annual Expediter show isn't it??
If it is, talk about slapping the hand that feeds you. What gives??
Sylvester

 

[Glen Rice]

Good comments and observations..except the fact that it is expensive to live and thrive in this industry. The Truckstops that charge are trying to make a buck and when we haul $2.00 a mile freight we are too. The alternatives are Wall-mart parking lots, rest area's the back of stores..you get the picture. I agree with your comments, I really do. Just try to see what has happened to make these changes come to be. Today owning a truckstop is probably like only employing family! If I'm in a less than desireable city I would pay there fee just to have a little piece of mind. Good luck and again, thanks for your comments.

 

[sylvester]

I hope my questions were not taken as if I were bashing the Truck Stop. I was just surprised to read that. Remember, we have been off the road for a good number of years. My how times have changed I guess. Anytime we parked for the night in a Truck stop we never left without spending money in the resturant, store, fuel, etc., so I always thought that was the trade out for them letting me use their parking lot to sit in for awhile. Oh well, life goes on don't it?
You know this has got me to thinking. Seeing how (since we have been off the road) so many States are now kicking you out of there "rest" areas after only a few minutes, this will force more drivers into those Truck Stop parking lot's. HMMM, could we see more and more charge a fee to sit in em??? Man. my mind is working overtime now. Here is another question for you expediters. Are there more Truck Stops that charge a parking fee located in the "HOT BED" area for expediting, compared to States outside of this regular expediting corridor? You know, like Mich, Ohio, Ind., compared to Florida, Arizona or Colorado.
What do you all think, are we going to see a trend here? You know, one Truck Stop finds a "new" way to make money, so the rest follow suit. Too much time on my hands, better get going.
Sylvester

 

[redytrk]

Now you know why the Detroiter is "World Famous"(Or so their billboard proclaims)World famous for high fuel prices and no free parking. They get away with it year after year because of the lack of competition in the Detroit area.Watch how fast things change if FJ comes to town.
Fort Wayne In. Truck plaza had plans to put in controled/pay parking.Funny how fast construction stopped when they learned FJ is coming.

 

[romoore245]

We don't like the fact some places charge, but when you compare the detrioter to the romulus it's worth the five bucks even though they reopened the diner at romulus its so dirty.
The other day we stopped at the truckers Pardise in orlando fl they charged 8.50 per 24 hours had working girls in the parking lot not even trying to hide the fact, the place made the romulus look grand. once again no competition in the area had pot holes big enough to park in some of the fuel pumps even worked.

Found a place north east of ashville once that had a lot that riveled some of the big chains clean facility prices so reasonable we had lunch coffee and a meal each to go still less than $20.

just to be true to my roots the National Truck Stop on I-20 in East Texas exit 589 has fair prices, strong coffee, free parking, full service shop and two more shops nearby, laundry mat next door at gas station (which more folks should consider since trucks stops never have working washers and dryers) anyway lots of stops out there and with fuel prices getting so high what brings a driver in the door is the real competition these days, such as Kellys truck stop in LA has a Juccizzi for the women drivers, or the place on I-10 that has a Bar and casino in the resturant live music some nites. Stubakers or something like that.

Drive safe and enjoy the annimeties they are comming our way

 

[Dreamer]

It's too bad that they closed the restaurant at night... The Detroiter used to be one of my favorite places to stay... I always made sure when I was heading that way to wait to get there to buy enough fuel so I could park for free. They always had clean showers and decent food, at least then they did.... There was an older blonde lady that worked the desk night shift, that was always smiling. I liked the security there. I never got bothered by someone wanting to give me 'company'.


I always figured it was only fair that they ask that you buy fuel there in order to provide a 'Secure' lot.


Other than that, I always liked the T/A and Flying hooks... I like the full service restaurant places, and I like having a movie room instead of a lil 19 inch tv everyone has to share..LOL.

One of my favorite 'Private Truck Stop" places to eat is down at Jackson Ohio on 35. It's the A & A, there where Cty Hwy 79(Dixon Run Road) crosses 35, just north of 327 We stopped there a couple weeks ago on our way back from a family funeral in WV. Good food, good portions.. and some of the friendliest, best service I've seen in a while. My glass NEVER reached empty, and that's saying something in todays "service" environment in most places.

If you like Texas T Sandwiches, they have one that covers a plate... and also, on the lighter side, my wife got a nice fresh made salad (NOT BUFFET!!!!!!) It was very busy on a Thursday evening, a lot of locals, but on a plus, they had the walls lined with 'driver tables' with phone.

No movie room tho... LOL.. one of those "6 office chairs and a 19 inch TV" rooms.. LOL>>> win some lose some I guess!




Dreamer

 

[twodogsdaddy]

I'm not sure about fuel prices but I've always found the Petro chains to be very nice...Pilots that have the Arby's Franchise in them (I like their Market fresh sandwiches and their curly fries) Then there is always the Jubitz Truck stop up in Portland, Or.

 

[Dreamer]

I have to agree with you there TDD..I like some of the Pilots too...there is a Pilot on 23 just South of Circleville, Ohio.. close to where my mom lives.. I know the manager there, and it's usually pretty clean there. They have a Pizza Hut in there. I believe most of the employees transferred down from the Pizza Hut dine in restaurant up the road. They have fresh made, hot pizza all day long... No lounge of course, but they have some tables, and a little game room. Decent prices on most stuff. (now I'm sounding like an advertisement.. LOL.. but I have a soft spot for Pizza Hut.. I used to work there when I was in college). I still prefer the family style restaurant places.. but Pizza Hut is still a step up from the typical 'sunlamp cooked food' at most fast food places.


Dreamer

 

[trhoades]

I'd like the pilots just fine if I didn't mind going down the road to fuel up. They usually charge 10 to 20 cents more per gallon than any other truck stop. I always try to plan my trips around the J's. Great wifi, food, pretty clean showers(most of the time), and cheaper fuel prices.

 

[Twmaster]

Geez with gas priced at over $2 a gallon it's easy to spend $75 in a cargo van....

As for truck stops I do not like Pilot at all. I like the Petros for food and Flying Hook for gas.

Had many a lunch/dinner/breakfast at the Petro in Bordentown, NJ.

--
Mike N

 

[raceman]

The best truck stop is my back yard. I can deep fry a 16 pound turkey in 45 minutes or smoke some ribs and the showers are clean as can be. Can't seem to make any money from there though and there is never any fuel. In any case I like the flying hook. Clean and I love the Big shower option you have there. I also like Love's they are just not as many places as I would like to see them. When I am driving I really do not like to use the stops for more than fuel and shower and laundry so I am not all that picky. I try to hang out in Rest Stops or parking lots if just sitting or sleeping it is much cheaper. I love to buy godies and gadgets so truck stops can eat me alive. Petro and the Hook have the cleanest and best food I think in terms of big guys. There are many a little joints around the country that end up being excellant. Stop in some of them just for a change of pace. I do like the Pilot Cheeseburger Dog cant seem to pass those up and I love one of the monster wrapped hotdogs you can get at the counter at the Hook. Well, I like them right up until I swallow the last bite and at that point I always swear them off. raceman

 

[LDB]

If you drive a van or Sprinter you can park for free at the Detroiter. They have a good sized lot out on the front corner directly across the street from the AlumiBunk shop. It's straight trucks that are told to go back to the pay lot. I didn't realize AlumiBunk was on the adjacent property until I got there. I presume that has at least something to do with the expo being held there each time. I'd like to see them move the expo to somewhere more central so it wouldn't be such a bad deadhead for people. If it was in Cincinnati or Lexington or Knoxville that would be much more central to the country and the zones. I doubt it will ever move but would like it if it did.

Leo
truck 767

Support the entire Constitution, not just the parts you like.

 

[X1_SRH]

Just north of The Jeffersonville construction mess on 65 in Indiana is the Country Style Plaza. I believe it is at Exit 16, Memphis Indiana. It has a big old dirt lot with plenty of parking, and the truckstop itself is nothing fancy. This place is the only buffet I would eat out there on the road (except for Bordentown Petro). The food was always excellent and seemed home made, and they had all you can eat cereal for breakfast. Nothing fancy...but it just felt comfortable. I miss it, and you can be sure that when I head down to Louisville for the truck show that I'll be hittin the plaza a couple of times. - PS. Last time I stopped at Raceman's truckstop some guy kept banging on the door of my truck, Uh-huh. I had to leave, and nobody was deep frying anything:'( Have fun out there - X

<<<------- I really do look like my picture.

 

[Jimmy]

Hey,
I saw this posting & HAD to reply. Yes the Detroiter charges or you by their fuel, But it's the only T/S that i'm not worried if my wife & daughter are with me for them to go thru the lot at night by them selves!!!I guess those of you that run northeast can tell more about
T/S that charge to park. Anyway seems like more there than anywhere else.
Also a few month's ago I posted on here about places to stop at for good local "REAL" home cooked food. Most of the one's I listed had some truck parking. I know that one of them on I-20 @ exit 8 in Alabama even had free showers just show them your CDL.Nothing fancy but you can't beat that price. Jimmy

 

[TheGoodGuy]

"We have been off the road for awhile and are getting set to return. $5 to park in a Truck Stop????? Is this now a common practice?? Or is this place taking advantage of expediters who are their in numbers all the time???? This is the same Truck Stop that has the annual Expediter show isn't it??
If it is, talk about slapping the hand that feeds you. What gives??
Sylvester

We,ve been in the business for about 14 years now, and back then there were many more T/S's that charged to park than there are now.

And it's true, The Detroiter is nothing to brag at home about. I still think their meal prices are reasonable, but thats about it. If you need to stage in the detroit area, go to the T/A in Dexter, it's clean and they've done some remodeling. IMHO