Truckstop Directory

I had a full size book and a pocket sized book. I used the pocket sized book the majority of the time but for those small towns that may have a small truckstop somewhere the full size came in handy.

The app on my droid was great for finding truck stop, Walmart, and rest areas. For the Walmarts, I usually called ahead and asked the manager if they allowed tractor trailers to park overnight in their lot. Also, with the truck stop application it would have a map button and opens up where the truck stop is on my google maps so i can see exactly how big it is (depending on how old the satellite image is).

 

Alstays truck and travel is one for iphone. You can also get the ones for ta, pilot and loves. They have there own. The truck and travel will show everything works well. Gives the # to the walmarts that are ask parking as you can call ahead. Will also let you know if they do not allow parking. Other then the the next exit guide works good for major roads.

 

Truckstops all have their personalities- each has it's perks (or lack of). I used to live in Flying J's. They had mailboxes, decent food and lots of showers (less waiting).

I'm divided between Love's and Ambest now. If the fuel price is right I'll hang out in a Pilot, Pilot/Flying J, Petro or T/A.

Once in awhile it's nice to get a change of pace and hang out in a Casino.

 

The thing I don't like about the full-sized books is that the listings are alphabetical. That's fine for some things, but for interstate travel, it should be listed by highway and exit number, like the pocket guide is. Much easier to plan out where to stop with that method.

 

I've kept all the personal directories, but I've liked the TripPak pocket size directory the best as they are in most truck stops. Even the off the wall ones.

Sometimes you can ask a Pilot or TA fuel desk clerk for one. They keep them behind the counter.


I just checked their website for the first time to see if you could get one mailed. They have a convenient online directory. You can search by truck stop chain, state or highway/exit.


http://www.trippak.com/?ie=directory/default


They even have an app now where you can scan with your phone. I like where they are going.

 

I haven't looked at my book(s) for a while since I'm local now, but I do believe that in the back of my big book it listed truckstops by interstate and exit numbers. I'll have to dig around see if I can find that book again to confirm.

On another note, this is the application for the droid system I used: Click here for Android Market link

 

The Trucker's Friend (usually with a blue cover) is the one with listings by state maps with interstates and major highways, alphabetical listings and by Interstate exits in the back. Lots of good information.

Pluses: Updated yearly, website with new info. Listings for services (repairs, Walmarts, restaurants, etc.) that are near by. Also has phone numbers so you can call ahead to truck stops for fax numbers or to even see if they're still in business. Has size range of parking spaces, to give you an idea of what kind of chance you might have at 11pm to land.

Drawbacks: the paper stock is telephone book thin. The print is small for some of us oldsters to see in low light. Covers get trashed easily.

 

That must be my big book then. Because I remember having maps of each state with dots and alphabetical order. Then a section with interstate exits. It was also blue cover with very thin pages that tore way to easy...

 

In 11 years of driving, I've never paid for a truckstop directory. Why? Simple:

Every truckstop that has a CAT Scale also distributes CAT Scale directories, which are free, and updated every quarter. These directories are usually in plastic rack hangin on the wall. At TA, it's near the DAT Load Board monitor, usually near the laundry room and the hallway that leads to the shower rooms. At Love's, it's in the hallway that leads to the restrooms. There's also an online version at http://catscale.com/cat-scale-locator

The major truckstop chains also have "location guides" that are available for free year-round, and the updated versions come out in December. Most have them near the fuel desk.

You can also use a TripPak directory or a DAT Load Board directory.

I just never could see paying for information that companies are trying to give you for free.