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I've traveled from the Midwest to Utah on Interstate 80. It was interesting to see all the different kinds of gas stations and truck stops. I stopped at many

I've traveled from the Midwest to Utah on Interstate 80. It was interesting to see all the different kinds of gas stations and truck stops. I stopped at many of them to fuel up and eat. Iowa 80 boasts claims to be the world's largest truck stop, but nothing in particular sticks out in my mind about that place but big signs and lots of fast food. You could always spot Sapp Bros truck stops miles away from the giant coffee-pot sculptures or neon signs. Then there is Little America in the southwest corner of Wyoming. Starting about 200+ miles east, you start seeing billboards. Fifty cent ice cream cones! The place to relax! Welcome Home! After seeing what seemed like fifty signs for it, I figured I'd stop, top of my tank and get one of those ice cream cones. It's surprisingly nice for a truck stop with the hotel resembling a small-town New England street complete with well-manicured lawns and park benches. I can't leave out the truck stops with amusing names like Fat Dog and Stinker. Fat Dog was quite an experience. As I walked in the door thumping dance track was playing on the PA system and the cashier was bopping her head to the beat as she exclaimed "Welcome to Fat Dog!". The dance club vibe was at odds with the joint's unnecessarily bright lights and the garish signage. Having walked in at about 9:00 PM after being on the road for 10-12 hours, I left before my eyes even had time to adjust. I was glad to make my exit! P-games aren't for me, but I could see how they would appeal after a long and boring day of driving. Little America was really nothing to write home about, but it was a nice respite after a ton of driving. I'd definitely stop there again.

mattpallissard 4y ago
Don't forget; Wall drug or bust. For real though, little America is probably the least abrasive truck stop. Although, I personally prefer the little filling stations/general stores you can find away from the interstate in Utah. Or maybe the diner/fuel/casino's that feel like you've stepped out of a time machine in Nevada. Slow paced.
bombcar 4y ago
On I-15 into Utah I think it was, there are a line of billboards advertising the restrooms at a particular gas station, claiming they're best in the state. Well, I had to stop, and I will say, they were the fanciest I've ever seen outside of pictures itself. That kind of stuff make a difference when you have something like +/- an hour to choose where to stop.
pengaru 4y ago
Then you do a road-trip in Italy and get served what would be a Michelin-starred Italian meal back in the US, at some random dingy truck stop, complete with wait staff and white tablecloths. I haven't road-tripped in other parts of Europe, but Italy easily trounces the Americans in this department...
- owlninja 4y ago
  I've done both. Sometimes a diner, drive-in, or dive is just as good or better than some white cloth service.
- scruple 4y ago
  Maybe it's because Americans don't have any real time off in their lives, I don't know, but I don't find the thought of sitting down to a "fancy dinner" while road-tripping appealing at all. I've criss-crossed the country a few times, both north-to-south and east-to-west, and I always packed a cooler up with food and ate out of it for the majority of my meals.
  - munificent 4y ago
    You don't have to sit down for three hours at each meal, but you're missing out on a unique lens into America if you don't stop at little local restaurants and diners on your way through. Some of my favorite travel memories are from them.
  - pengaru 4y ago
    Clearly I've failed to communicate what a truck/travel stop roadside meal in Italy is like. Based on my limited experiences, it's still entirely casual and relatively quick. But the food quality is surprisingly high, and they're not wasting resources on gimmicks beyond the clean white table cloth. There's fresh local mussels on the menu, you can get served wine and beer in real glass. A proper espresso sends you on your way. The whole experience replaces time spent at rest stops with a minimum quality Italians just take for granted. You're treated like an adult human being entitled to a quality freshly made meal, sharp knife, and glassware. I too rarely eat on the road crossing the USA, because I actually have standards for what I eat. There's nothing but junk food peddled at American travel stops. This comment has me wanting to tour coastal Italy by car again. But using an EV this iteration so we can spend even more time eating mussels enjoying the scenery while the car recharges...
doodlebugging 4y ago
A long time ago in the early 1980's I was making a trip from Four Corners to the SLC area. As it happened I needed gas and a restroom break by the time I found the intersection at Crescent Junction, on I-70/191. Back in those days it had the appearance of a truck stop/service station where one could have a real mechanic fix any problems the driver might have before they headed out of "town". I gassed up the old Bronco and headed for the bathroom which was accessible from outside the building like a lot of gas station restrooms back then. Inside, I found pissed-on floors, dirty walls, and a typical poorly cleaned commode with a sink stained with lots of things I didn't need to get in touch with. After finishing everything I washed my hands, carefully dodging the goo on the sink surface and then looked for a place to dry my hands. I found one of those old-time electric hand dryers, which was certainly better than the recycled hand towel spinner so that was a bonus for that facility. As I looked for the start button to get the air blowing, I noticed a scribbling in fountain pen from some prior visitor up near the manufacturer instructions. It said - "Press button for your personalized message from Carter." A later visitor had used a magic marker to scratch through Carter and add Reagan. This was the first time that I had seen this particular restroom graffiti. Thanks for the reminder.
wkat4242 4y ago
It's not really though. Where's the dark leather and neon vibe and urban decay elements? Futuristic: yes. Cyberpunk: no.

mattpallissard 4y ago

Don't forget; Wall drug or bust. For real though, little America is probably the least abrasive truck stop. Although, I personally prefer the little filling stations/general stores you can find away from the interstate in Utah. Or maybe the diner/fuel/casino's that feel like you've stepped out of a time machine in Nevada. Slow paced.

bombcar 4y ago

On I-15 into Utah I think it was, there are a line of billboards advertising the restrooms at a particular gas station, claiming they're best in the state. Well, I had to stop, and I will say, they were the fanciest I've ever seen outside of pictures itself. That kind of stuff make a difference when you have something like +/- an hour to choose where to stop.

pengaru 4y ago

Then you do a road-trip in Italy and get served what would be a Michelin-starred Italian meal back in the US, at some random dingy truck stop, complete with wait staff and white tablecloths. I haven't road-tripped in other parts of Europe, but Italy easily trounces the Americans in this department...

owlninja 4y ago
I've done both. Sometimes a diner, drive-in, or dive is just as good or better than some white cloth service.
scruple 4y ago
Maybe it's because Americans don't have any real time off in their lives, I don't know, but I don't find the thought of sitting down to a "fancy dinner" while road-tripping appealing at all. I've criss-crossed the country a few times, both north-to-south and east-to-west, and I always packed a cooler up with food and ate out of it for the majority of my meals.
- munificent 4y ago
  You don't have to sit down for three hours at each meal, but you're missing out on a unique lens into America if you don't stop at little local restaurants and diners on your way through. Some of my favorite travel memories are from them.
- pengaru 4y ago
  Clearly I've failed to communicate what a truck/travel stop roadside meal in Italy is like. Based on my limited experiences, it's still entirely casual and relatively quick. But the food quality is surprisingly high, and they're not wasting resources on gimmicks beyond the clean white table cloth. There's fresh local mussels on the menu, you can get served wine and beer in real glass. A proper espresso sends you on your way. The whole experience replaces time spent at rest stops with a minimum quality Italians just take for granted. You're treated like an adult human being entitled to a quality freshly made meal, sharp knife, and glassware. I too rarely eat on the road crossing the USA, because I actually have standards for what I eat. There's nothing but junk food peddled at American travel stops. This comment has me wanting to tour coastal Italy by car again. But using an EV this iteration so we can spend even more time eating mussels enjoying the scenery while the car recharges...

doodlebugging 4y ago

A long time ago in the early 1980's I was making a trip from Four Corners to the SLC area. As it happened I needed gas and a restroom break by the time I found the intersection at Crescent Junction, on I-70/191. Back in those days it had the appearance of a truck stop/service station where one could have a real mechanic fix any problems the driver might have before they headed out of "town". I gassed up the old Bronco and headed for the bathroom which was accessible from outside the building like a lot of gas station restrooms back then. Inside, I found pissed-on floors, dirty walls, and a typical poorly cleaned commode with a sink stained with lots of things I didn't need to get in touch with. After finishing everything I washed my hands, carefully dodging the goo on the sink surface and then looked for a place to dry my hands. I found one of those old-time electric hand dryers, which was certainly better than the recycled hand towel spinner so that was a bonus for that facility. As I looked for the start button to get the air blowing, I noticed a scribbling in fountain pen from some prior visitor up near the manufacturer instructions. It said - "Press button for your personalized message from Carter." A later visitor had used a magic marker to scratch through Carter and add Reagan. This was the first time that I had seen this particular restroom graffiti. Thanks for the reminder.

wkat4242 4y ago

It's not really though. Where's the dark leather and neon vibe and urban decay elements? Futuristic: yes. Cyberpunk: no.