A Project Built Around Drivers

The effort was led by CEO Dean Ash, who said the goal was to put drivers at the center of the design.

With nearly 200 pull-through parking spaces and what Ash described as “five-star hotel-quality … showers and restrooms,” the facility was created with time and comfort in mind.

Mobile fueling is already available. Instead of lining up at traditional pumps, drivers can park and request fuel delivery. A mobile truck wash works the same way.

“We come to them to fill them up,” Ash explained. “Thirty-five gallons a minute, and they can just relax.”

Why It Was Built

The idea came after Ash heard about the challenges faced by a close friend, a veteran truck driver who lost his truck to an axle fire. While staying with Ash, the driver shared stories about the struggles of the road and how few truck stops truly offered a positive experience.

“After 25 years on the road, there are about four truck stops that I can name that I really enjoy going to,” the driver told him.

Ash, who is not a driver himself, said those conversations helped him understand the need.

“I’ve never had a CDL, never driven a truck, never even been in a truck that’s moving down the highway. But I can relate because these are people and, you know, I think too many people, at least in the industry, don’t treat truckers like a human being, like they ought to.”

Parking and Access

Parking access was a top priority.

“For the guys that are doing their short reset or their 34, they’re welcome here, and we will never have a financial requirement for them,” Ash said.

The site currently features 186 pull-through diagonal parking spaces, each with six feet of clearance on both sides. Overflow areas could push that number to 300 spots, and online reservations are free.

Located just one mile from a welcome center with only 23 spaces, Truckers Paradise has coordinated with TxDOT to redirect drivers when that lot is full.

“That’s kind of the bigger picture of where this has evolved, is that we want to work with TxDOT and even federal DOT to really take a stab at the truck parking issue,” Ash added.

Food and Amenities

The property uses the old mall’s food court for multiple restaurants. Five are already open, serving pizza, Mexican, Indian, and other meals, with room for more vendors.

Showers and restrooms were built to stand apart from standard facilities.

“With multiple jets that can massage your midsection. And it’s a marble finish,” Ash said.

Other features on the site include:

• A chrome and truck accessories store
• A cigar lounge
• Massage therapy services
• DOT physical and chiropractic care

Drivers also check in at a tiki hut entrance where staff provide a quick rundown of available services and fueling options.

What’s Ahead

Truckers Paradise isn’t stopping with what’s already open. Ash is working on:

• Expanding chrome and accessories offerings
• Adding a repair shop
• Building a 30,000-square-foot entertainment complex with batting cages, virtual golf, pickleball, pool tables, and poker.

Long-term, he aims for the model to expand nationwide across the U.S.

“The long-term goal: a frictionless environment where [truckers] just don’t have to think,” Ash said. “It’s really like a five-star resort kind of thing where things are done for them, they don’t have to think. They can just be a real person.”

Source: Overdrive

Image Source: Truckers Paradise

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During a media briefing on January 22, Love’s President Shane Wharton shared the company’s vision for the year ahead.

“We’re excited to introduce new and updated locations, innovative food and drinks, and continue improving the services and amenities we offer,” said Wharton. “With our continued focus on the evolving needs of customers, we’re confident we’ll provide an even better experience across our network in 2025.”

What’s Coming for Love’s in 2025:

• 20 New Stores and 19 additional quick-serve restaurants
• 50 Store Remodels to modernize and enhance existing locations
• Raze and Rebuild of the EZ Go site in Stroud, Oklahoma
• 1,000 New Truck Parking Spaces (free for truckers)
• 12 New Maintenance Bays at Truck Care and Speedco locations
• Six Additional Roadside Service Trucks for enhanced support
• New Truck Washes at various existing locations
• TVC Pro-Driver CDL Protection sales reps available at all Love’s locations
• Fresh Kitchen Enhancements through the Culinary Innovation Center, led by Greg Ekman, the company’s first director of Fresh Kitchen strategy and growth
• Expansion of Private Label Snacks and Juices

Additionally, Love’s will debut its first Whataburger location, offering a variety of fresh food options like hamburgers, chicken sandwiches, breakfast items, and salads, bringing a taste of San Antonio to its travel stop network.

To streamline customer service, Love’s will roll out an “order ahead” feature via the Love’s Connect app at several locations, including over 100 Arby’s. Love’s is also improving its quick service efficiency with technology that monitors performance metrics in real-time, helping to reduce food delivery times by an average of 14 seconds last year.

RV-Friendly Upgrades

Love’s is also expanding its offerings for RV customers, adding 83 RV hookups across 17 locations, which will push its total RV-friendly spots past 100 locations. The company’s Love’s Connect app allows RVers to reserve spaces, check in, and activate utilities with ease.

Focus on Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging

Looking ahead, Love’s is continuing to grow its network of EV charging stations. With $83 million in National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) grants awarded in 2024, construction is expected to begin in 2025 at locations across Alabama, Colorado, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, New York, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. This initiative aligns with Love’s mission to provide accessible, convenient, and future-proof services for all travelers.

Source: Truckers News

Image: Love’s Travel Stops

The post Love’s Travel Stops Announces Expansion Plans for 2025, Including 20 New Locations and 1,000 Parking Spaces appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.

The Wichita location, situated just off Interstate 135 at 1504 E. 21st St., ranks among Love’s largest venues and addresses a critical demand for truck parking and professional driver services within the Wichita area. This site introduces an impressive 122 parking spaces for trucks and will soon feature a Speedco truck maintenance shop, complete with truck wash services set to launch next month.

In Hattiesburg, the new travel stop at the intersection of Interstate 59 and Highway 98 at 283 Ira Hudson Rd. contributes 84 truck parking spaces. This establishment brings essential driver amenities to a previously underserved region lacking a national travel stop.

Highlights of the New Stores Include:

Wichita, Kansas

• Nearly 12,000 square feet of facility space
• 122 truck parking spots (comprising 99 full-size and 23 bobtail spots)
• On-site Love’s Fresh Kitchen
• Dunkin’ Donuts and Arby’s opening on October 28
• Speedco services including a truck wash available from November 25
• Nine diesel fueling bays
• Seven showers available for drivers
• Laundry amenities
• CAT Scale for weighing
• Dog park for pet-friendly stops

Hattiesburg, Mississippi

• Facility spans over 10,000 square feet
• Offers 84 truck parking spaces
• Includes Love’s Fresh Kitchen
• Arby’s restaurant available on-site
• Eight diesel fueling bays
• Provides five showers for drivers
• Equipped with laundry facilities
• CAT Scale available
• Dog park for pet convenience

To celebrate these grand openings, Love’s is generously donating $5,000 each to the Atwater Neighborhood Resource Center in Wichita and the United Way of Southeast Mississippi in Hattiesburg.

Source: Truckers News

Image: Love’s Travel Stops

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By utilizing automated technology, Love’s Truck Washes promise to deliver exceptional quality, rivaling even the finest hand wash services. And the best part? It takes only half the time of other truck washes in the industry, ensuring you’re back on the road in no time.

Already available in Harrisonville, Missouri, and Pauls Valley, Oklahoma, Love’s Truck Washes have big plans for expansion. Soon, you can expect to find these state-of-the-art truck washes in Hazen, Arkansas, and Prescott, Arkansas. In addition, Love’s has even more locations in the pipeline, with several more set to open within the next two years.

“Love’s was founded on innovation and thinking differently, so starting this new service is an exciting initiative that gets customers back on the road quickly,” said Shane Wharton, president of Love’s. “We listened to our customers on this new offer. The convenience of being able to fuel, wash their truck, park, and go inside all-in-one location is convenient and ideal for our professional drivers, as well as our RV customers.”

How it Works

At Love’s Truck Wash, the process is simple yet highly effective. As a driver, all you need to do is pull up to the designated truck wash bay and select your desired service. Then, just sit back and relax as the magic happens.

Once you’re parked in the bay, the automatic three-brush rollover system takes over. With its high-pressure washing capabilities, it ensures your vehicle gets the most thorough clean possible. Thanks to strategically placed sensors, pressure-washing sprayers, and rotary brushes, every nook and cranny of your truck is covered.

What sets Love’s Truck Wash apart is the attention to detail. Their attendants are there every step of the way, making sure that each wash delivers top-notch results. You can trust that your truck will be sparkling clean and ready for the road ahead.

Services

Love’s reports services and prices vary based on equipment type and include options for a standard tractor/trailer, box truck, tractor, RV/motor home, pickup with travel trailer, or 1-ton truck. A complete list of services, prices, and add-on packages is available HERE.

Professional drivers can earn and spend My Love Rewards points at all truck wash locations.

Additional Benefits – Creating Jobs and Conserving Water

Despite the automated process, Love’s expects to hire three employees per location, ensuring top-notch customer service from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. These positions will contribute to local job growth in the areas where truck washes are installed.

Love’s is also committed to saving water. The truck wash process utilizes reclaimed water for the initial rinse and trailer wash outs. Not only does this save water, but the chemicals used are also certified safe for the environment. So, you can have a sparkling clean truck while supporting responsible and sustainable practices.

Source: Trucking Info

Photo: Love’s Travel Stops

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