When you’re logging long miles on America’s highways, the quality of a truck stop or rest area can make all the difference. A recent study from altLINE, an Alabama-based finance company, sheds light on which states, cities, and major truck stop chains give drivers the best experiences and which fall flat.
How the Study Was Done
AltLINE dug through nearly 100,000 Google Maps reviews from truck stops and rest areas across the country. By mapping ratings and breaking them down by state, town, and operator, the analysis created a clear picture of where drivers can expect the smoothest stops on their routes.
States That Stand Out
At the state level, Vermont came out on top with an impressive 4.50 average star rating. Hawaii wasn’t far behind with 4.45 stars, followed by Iowa (4.29), Alaska (4.28), and New Hampshire (4.26).
On the other end, New Jersey offered the least loved rest stops, averaging only 3.86 stars. Colorado (3.93) and Massachusetts (3.97) also slipped below the national average rating of 4.17.
Customer Service Makes the Difference
To see how service shaped reviews, altLINE analyzed keywords in user feedback. The findings were clear: bad service drags down ratings everywhere.
In Delaware and Florida, service-related reviews averaged more than a full star lower than each state’s baseline. Massachusetts, however, stood out as its service scores nearly matched overall ratings, showing consistency between facilities and customer experience.
Best Towns and Cities for Rest Stops
The small town of Waynesville, North Carolina, was crowned the country’s hotspot for well-rated rest areas. Drivers gave its cluster of stops an average 4.7 rating across more than 7,000 reviews, making it the unofficial capital of quality rest stops in the U.S.
Which Chain Truck Stops Come Out Ahead?
Most drivers are familiar with the “big four” corporate rest stop operators: Petro, Love’s, Pilot Flying J, and TravelCenters of America (TA).
Based on reviews, Petro ranks highest with a 3.88-star average. But even then, that falls short of the 4.17 national average, meaning only one in three Petro locations rises above the overall benchmark.
Love’s comes next at 3.86, followed by Pilot Flying J at 3.75. At the bottom sits TA, averaging just 3.66 stars, with only 13% of its locations scoring above the national average.
Top Stops Along the Busiest Routes
America’s freight network runs heavily on the I-10, I-80, and I-95, three of the busiest trucking corridors. AltLINE highlighted a few standout rest areas along these routes:
- I-10: Official Florida Welcome Center – 4.7 stars
- I-80: Salt Flats Rest Area in Utah – 4.6 stars
- I-95: Georgia Welcome Center – 4.6 stars
Interestingly, none of these high-scoring facilities are run by the big corporate chains, showing that independent or state-managed stops can often deliver the best experience.
Why It Matters
For truck drivers and road travelers alike, a good rest stop isn’t just about convenience; it’s about safety, comfort, and the ability to recharge before hitting the road again. Studies like this confirm what many drivers already know: location, service, and management can make or break the experience of life on the road.
Source: The Trucker
