Truck Stop History In The United States

Truck stops aren’t a new concept in American history. The history of truck stops dates further back into the 19^th century when stagecoach relay stations presented a resting site for wagon drivers, horses as well as passengers. These passengers not only had the opportunity to stretch and relax, but also fill their stomachs. But with the invention of gas-fuelled vehicles by Henry Ford, this provided an avenue for an average American individual to own a car. As a result, there was a massive boost in the development and establishment of truckstops along the roads and highways.

Initially, service station owners presumed that their customers would be individuals who traveled by car, little did they know that their operations would open the doors to truck drivers and that would be their major source of earnings.

World War I gave a remarkable improvement to the trucking industry. Previously, trucks were too undersized to cart much in a single load and they just weren’t effective. Usually, they broke down and the truckers repaired these trucks by themselves. The war altered that, as trucks were considered necessary abroad, as well as at home to convey supplies to the rail stations.

World War II further heightened the need for truckers as the trucking industry persistently grew. Many trucks were powered with diesel fuel, thus generating the need for truck drivers as well as new merchandise for truck stops to put in the market.

The 1940s and 1950s witnessed the evolution of truck stops from a more ad hoc industry to one that was more cautiously designed specifically with the interest of long haul truckers at heart. In 1948, Fred Bosselman (who was a trucker and farmer) together with his wife, established the Bosselman and Eaton Truck Stop in Grand Island, Nebraska for business. In 1965, the Bosselman Truck Plaza, also known as the "Truck Stop of Tomorrow," opened its doors for business and was located on the new Interstate 80. This gave a foretaste about how the trucking industry would look in the years to come. Till date, the Bosselman truck stops are still open for business across the United States.

In 1956, President Dwight Eisenhower signed the Federal Interstate Highway Act which propelled the construction of 41,000 miles of new interstate roads. This led to a boost in the truck stop business.

Independent truck stops were sited along with the first chains, which were owned by the oil companies such as Amoco, Skelly, and Pure. As trucks became bigger, there was need to acquire more land mass in order to accommodate more trucks at the truck stops. This led to the epoch of multi-acre truck stop establishment and ownership.

In 1972, Truckstops of America (now recognized as TravelCenters of America) opened its first six locations. Also, Petro, as well as the Iron Skillet restaurant opened for operations around the same time.

In 1970, truck stops were referred to as travel plazas in order for it to appeal not only to the truckers, but also the general public at large. Today, the creation of travel plazas has not only made it possible to accommodate truckers, but also a mix of travelers. 

Truck-Stop Accommodations

Truckers look forward to locating truck stops to purchase fuel and to get necessary repairs made. Drivers especially look forward to finding available parking spaces at the end of their shift. They know that they can look forward to getting rest or a good night’s sleep. A commercial driver's quality of life on the road often depends upon truck stops and their amenities. Truckers depend upon them for fuel, repairs, food, rest and safety.

Many drivers have pulled into them late at night only to find that there were no available parking spaces. This has forced them to continue driving in search of suitable places to park even though they may have been totally exhausted. Currently, there is a shortage of suitable safe places for drivers to park. Many drivers have been forced to park in unsafe places after being unable to find available parking space at truck stops. As a result some of these drivers have been robbed, injured or even killed.

Truck Stops are vital to the trucking industry and provide a vast array of comforts for commercial drivers. Truckers know they can eat, shower and relax and enjoy other amenities. Drivers often have favorite facilities which they frequent and they often try to get there early enough to get an overnight parking space. Initially, truck stops were small operations which replaced local filling stations on highways. However, President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed the Federal Aid Highway Act of 1956 which established an interstate highway system in the United States. The interstate system has affected every citizen if not directly as motorists, then indirectly because every item we purchase has been on the Interstate System at some point.

Looking for trucker accommodation or truck stops is one of the important things on your to-do list when you set off on a long road trip. While some travelers are content with fast food and retail outlets along the way with the occasional pit stop, trucker's accommodation in the form of a motel is always the more comfortable option. These are open to even those who are not driving a truck.

What you can expect from trucker accommodation:

A trucker accommodation or  truck stop caters to professional truck drivers offering a spacious parking area and comfortable, reasonably priced accommodation and hot food after a tiring stint on the road. Many of them also offer an onsite gas station to make it easy to refuel, entertainment facilities, convenient locations on the highway so that one can easily spend some time in the nearby town and special pricing for guests. Truck stops also offer ATMs, high speed internet facilities, laundry, maintenance in the form of a truck wash and truck scales.

 Affordable facilities:

At most trucker accommodation hotels, the fuel costs less than in the area. The convenience store on site usually has everything that a traveler might look for. One of the things most truckers love about truck stops is the interesting conversation with other truckers who stop there.

Sources of information for trucker accommodation:

One of the best sources for finding trucker accommodation is via the internet, besides the obvious one of asking fellow travelers and other friends who may have traveled the route before for recommendations. Truckers usually receive discounts on various facilities like showers, complimentary breakfasts, free parking and more depending on the hotel. But these truck stops also welcome other travelers to enjoy their hospitality.

Proximity to the highway:

Whether you are looking for trucker accommodation or a truck stop, you will probably prefer the hotel to be close to the highway. The last thing you want to do is navigate a large vehicle through busy city traffic especially after driving all day. Most truckers avoid driving inside the city unless they have goods to deliver. They would rather find a safe place to park their vehicle and find a warm bed and food enabling them get a good night's rest before they set off again the next day.

Almost every major highway has truck shops that are affordable and offer clean trucker accommodation with other facilities that give truckers a welcome break from their eighteen wheelers.

Truck Stop Tips For Ultimate Safety and A Good Night’s Sleep

By Zoey

The truck driving occupation certainly requires a degree of alertness as well as concentration. Having that unique capability to rest in an environment in which you feel safe is no minor issue. The ideas presented here will hopefully be able get the rest you'll need and to avoid risky truck stops.

Truck Stop Tip #1: Security

One of the most important factors in find in truck stops is security. For example, you should ask yourself whether your particular parking area has sufficient lighting. See if there are any CCTV cameras or if there are any security guards that patrol the region. This is especially important during the nighttime, in the event that you see potential lot lizard, drunks or other vagrant individuals walking around during the day.

Truck Stop Tip #2: Finding Clean Parking Areas

You definitely don’t want to spend the night in a parking area that is overflowing with rubbish and garbage cans. It is best to find areas that are cleaned frequently as that is often a good measure of the security you’ll have to park your truck there. In case the parking lot is not very large or has tiny parking spaces it's generally not a bad idea to go somewhere else. These kinds of places can make it notoriously difficult to steer your truck.

Truck Stop Tip #3: Locating Cheap Fuel

There are hundreds of fueling facilities throughout the country and some are better than others. Experienced truck drivers have suggestions from their company on where to find such great locations, which can also include great food and safe spots to rest.  A trucking GPS can also come in handy to find such places. Having a discount club card for particular truck stop chain can help to save money as well.

Fuel costs can be a big factor in determining on a truck stop. Oftentimes it can pay off to drive a bit further and locate a truck stop with more acceptable fuel prices. It's also a good idea to look over the quality of the area in which you will pump. For example, if you find that there are plenty of spills, you should go someplace else or you'll end up smelling of fuel for the rest of the day – and possibly your whole trip.

Truck Stop Tip #4: Don’t Do Your Regular Shopping

The truck stop is simply there for your temporary convenience. The costs of buying any goods are generally higher than you would pay locally for the same items.  Be sure to always buy common everyday items you’ll need before going out on your trip so that you will have to pay premium prices for them at your truck stop.