Truck Stop Chains Continue to Grow in Number

WESTLAKE, Ohio -- The country is still picking itself up from a punch in the economic stomach, and drivers are still faced with fluctuating gas prices, but you wouldn't know it by the ongoing expansion in the travel center industry.

In the past week, both TravelCenters of America and Love's Travel Stops & Country Stores have cut the ribbons, figuratively speaking, on new locations.

Love's opened a new location in Kankakee, Ill., at exit 308 off Interstate 57. The new travel center in the northeast region of Illinois features 90 truck spaces, DEF dispensers, CAT scales, five showers and a game room. It also includes an Arby's restaurant and a Love's Truck Tire Care Center. The tire center -- like others in the company's portfolio -- is open 24 hours, seven days a week, and equipped with the tools and equipment to meet truck care needs, according to Truckinginfo.com.

Professional truck drivers will receive double "I Love Rewards" loyalty points on purchases made through Jan. 8 at the new location.

TravelCenters of America (TA) has also thrown the doors open on two locations within the past week: a new TA travel center on N. Lee Highway (Route 11) off I-81 and I-64 in Lexington, Va., and a new Petro Shopping Center on I-65 in Dodge City, Ala.

The Lexington TA features 250 truck parking spaces, eight diesel lanes, a seven-bay truck service center, a 150-seat restaurant and eight showers. The travel center offers Shell-branded gas, and the UltraONE Rewards Program kiosk and swiping system.

The Dodge City Petro features 105 truck parking spaces, eight diesel lanes, a 250-seat Iron Skillet restaurant and 10 showers. The travel center offers Conoco-branded gas, and the UltraONE Rewards Program kiosk and swiping system.

The site expects to add a Petro:Lube truck service and repair shop, including 24/7/365 RoadSquad emergency road service in the summer of 2012. Other features that are coming soon are a StayFit walking trail and a designated pet exercise area.

"It's great to be wrapping up 2011 with the opening of the Dodge City Petro," said Tom O'Brien, president and CEO of TravelCenters, operator of the TA and Petro Stopping Center brands. "And, we'll continue to look to expand the TA and Petro travel center offering for professional drivers, who prefer our full-service sites that provide them with comfort and efficiency."