I-40@ 39-refinery rd. New mexico is huge! Good restaurant (non chain) and plenty of parking, repair facilities on site as well.

 

only problem at the 326 is there is ALWAYS a wait for the showers, the parking is good though and you can usually find a spot anytime.

 

The one off of 85 near Road Atlanta (Georgia) is very nice.

 

Both the one at exit 86 and the other one at exit 89 are pretty decent. Had an opportunity to run over a van of Fred Phelps followers who were on their way to protest a funeral at Ft. Campbell one time. They had stopped at the exit 86 Pilot to take a break. Kinda wish I had taken advantage of that opportunity particularly since I was stationed at Campbell while in the Army.

 

I have to say that Pilot is on the bottom of my list for truck stops just right before the dumpiest ones which I think are T.A.s The reason being is because you need a jar of vaseline and a shoe horn to get into most of them. Parking is very limited and the fuel island is never empty.

If I had to choose one of the best Pilot's hands down it's the Bosselman's in Grand Island, NE. I was totally amazed to see marble bathrooms and the parking lot. It must be close in size to the I-80 Iowa "Largest Truck Stop in the World."

I've had the pleasure of staying at Jubitz in Portland, Oregon. I can't imagine any truck stop even coming close except the Bosselman's in Grand Island, NE as far a style and maneuverability around the parking lot. It is absolutely amazing they have a motel by the name of the Portlander which is equivalent to a Hampton Inn. There is a restaurant that must have chefs as opposed to cooks with an atrium that is about 3 stories tall, a chocolate shop, the nicest gift shop in any truck stop I've seen other than the Little America Truck Stop Gift Shops. A "strip mall" inside with a shoe repair place, barber shop/beauty shop, huge game room, laundry mat, snack stop. Oh and get this a movie theater. There isn't any other truck stop that I'm aware of with such amenities.

The rooms are very nice and only cost $67 [with tax] per night. There's an old part of the motel that costs only $57 per night. However, it was like a Motel 6 over there. Stayed on that side one night and had enough!!!

Oops, guess I got off the subject of Pilot. Sorry. Just couldn't help myself. I too have to fuel at Pilots but don't like them for sure. Although, I'd take the Pilots over the dumpy T.A.s any day. I couldn't believe it I went to Laredo, TX recently and there's a brand new T.A. [built this year] that already looks old. I don't know if they use recycled materials or not but I couldn't believe a new truck stop could already look old. The Flying J right across from it is older by a few months and still looks new. Go figure!!! 8) :roll:

 

There is one on I-59 in GA that I've been to that is good and exit 1 on I 84 in Mass is actualy prety good as well. most pilots suck and are a PITA to get parked in. I always have to jack knife the truck and get out and look about a bazillion times just to make sure i don't hit anything. The'll make a truckstop for 53 foot trlrs when 57 foot trlrs are the defacto standard, lol.

 

I am in 100% agreement with this guy on T/A's they definitely have not taken good care of a lot of things....it really worries me for the Petro's now that T/A bought them

 

Bomber: You need to get "out" more! Sizzle, as her avatar shows, is ALL WOMAN!! :lol: :lol:

I have to say, though, that I like MANY (not all) of the T/A's.... even tho they appear a bit dumpy at times. Their fuel islands are CLEANER than most Petros, and not as crowded. They have the LARGEST restrooms of ANY chain! And most of the toilets seem to have been flushed recently!

Back to Pilots...... I really don't see what the problem is! They are mostly all built the same, and are usually clean, and the fuel islands are accessible.

Sure, there are a few smaller ones that are a PITA, but MOST have medium size parking, and many have LARGER lots! The worst chain, by far, is the LOVES!!

Obviously, the Bosselman's are some of the best! (BTW, Grandma Max's IS a chain restaurant!) But some of the other newer ones, with larger lots, and clean facilities are:

#140 in OKC... #395 in KTown... Ripon, CA... #9 in Lake Havasu... Amarillo, TX.... #185 in Bellemont, AZ (replaced an older truck stop).... Salina, KS.... Lebanon, TN..... Heck, the list goes on!

They're ALL about the same, and only the older ones with smaller parking lots are really a problem! A Pilot is a Pilot!!!! I can find the M&M aisle with my eyes closed! There's nothing wrong with MOST Pilots!!! Anyone who thinks the ones (NOT IN THE N.E.) are "dumps" is...... you guessed it..... a WUSS!! And shouldn't be in the trucking business! :wink:

If you HAVE to fuel at Pilots, you could do WORSE!! You know, you don't HAVE to shut down where you FUEL!! Hit just about ANY Pilot during the day for fuel and fast food, then find another place to shut down if you like! Most Pilot's don't have a T.V. room!! [T/A's DO!!!]

As far as chains go..... the cleanest buildings are Petros (and maybe the best buffets,) but the cleanest (and most open) fuel islands and restrooms are T/A's. Followed by Pilots, and only if you have no other choice..... a Love's!!

 

The new Pilot in New Braunfels Texas was the best, till I messed up the restroom best I could to make it as dirty as a TA. :wink: Now no one has a reason to avoid it, they'll feel right at home.

I can't stand any truckstop that had water dribbling out the sinks (no hot water), and no paper towels. That would be most of the TA's.

jonboy

 

Yes, that's Rising Fawn in Ga exit 4. good parking there