Truck parking remains one of the biggest daily challenges facing professional drivers. In 2026, Love’s Travel Stops says it plans to address that head-on with a major investment across its nationwide network.
The company announced plans to invest $700 million in 2026, including adding more than 1,500 new truck parking spaces, opening 20 new store locations, and upgrading 35 existing locations.
For drivers running tight clocks and hunting for safe parking late in the day, added capacity can directly impact trip planning, HOS compliance, and overall safety.
What Love’s 2026 Expansion Includes
According to company leadership, the 2026 plan focuses on both new construction and the modernization of existing sites.
The 2026 expansion includes:
- More than 1,500 additional truck parking spaces
- 20 newly constructed locations
- Renovations and upgrades at 35 current stores
Shane Wharton, president of Love’s, outlined the company’s direction for the year.
“Our 2026 priorities reflect what has always mattered at Love’s: delivering a best-in-class customer experience every time, no matter the part of our business,” said Shane Wharton, president of Love’s. “This year, growth means new and updated locations, expanded food and snack options, added amenities for RVers, and continued reinvestment in the business through a stronger loyalty program, and updated technologies — all focused on strengthening Love’s brand to drive customer value.”
From a driver’s perspective, additional parking capacity is the headline. For fleets and owner-operators, improved infrastructure in high-traffic corridors can reduce time spent circling lots and improve on-time performance.
Renovations Will Close Some Locations Temporarily
Love’s also confirmed a shift in how it handles major remodels. Instead of keeping stores partially open during construction, certain locations undergoing significant upgrades will temporarily close to complete work faster.
Wharton noted that the company found remodeling while remaining open was “not a good experience for customers.”
During renovations, key services such as parking, fuel, restrooms, and limited food and drink options will remain available through on-site trailers or alternative setups.
For drivers planning routes, this means checking ahead for specific location updates may be more important in 2026 as projects roll out.
Truck Care and Roadside Service Remain a Focus
Beyond parking and store upgrades, Love’s says it will continue strengthening its Truck Care operations in 2026. While a few new Truck Care locations are expected to open, much of the emphasis will be placed on improving warranty partnerships and roadside service.
Importantly for drivers, Wharton confirmed that Love’s will continue offering roadside service for truck drivers, even after another major truck stop chain discontinued roadside repairs along highway shoulders due to technician safety concerns.
For fleets managing uptime metrics and breakdown response times, continued roadside availability can influence routing and service planning decisions.
Food and On-Site Amenities Expanding
Food access is another area seeing continued development. In 2025, Love’s introduced order-ahead capabilities at several restaurant brands, including Arby’s, Hardee’s, Taco John’s, Bojangles, and Carl’s Jr., along with intelligent kiosks at Arby’s locations.
In 2026, the company plans to expand the use of intelligent kiosks to additional restaurant concepts.
Love’s will also grow its restaurant footprint. After launching Buffalo Wild Wings GO at three locations last year, eight more Buffalo Wild Wings GO outlets are scheduled to open in 2026. The company also plans to open its first Whataburger location in early 2026.
For drivers operating under tight schedules, faster food ordering and expanded options can reduce dwell time during mandatory breaks.
Why This Matters for Drivers and Fleets
The addition of 1,500 parking spaces represents one of the more tangible elements of the 2026 investment. With parking shortages regularly cited in industry surveys as a top safety and compliance issue, increased capacity at major travel centers can directly impact driver fatigue management and route efficiency.
For owner operators calculating time as money, predictable parking availability reduces the unpaid hours spent searching for safe stops. For carriers, expanded infrastructure supports compliance with federal hours of service rules and improves safety outcomes.
As 2026 unfolds, drivers and fleet managers alike will be watching where those new spaces are built and how renovations affect major freight corridors.
Parking, service access, and efficient stops remain central to life on the road. Love’s 2026 investment signals that those priorities continue to shape large-scale truck stop strategy across the country.
Source: Overdrive
