[Rev.Vassago]

If I'm in the Cincinnati area, I go to Jungle Jim's grocery store in Fairfield. The place is friggin huge, and it's fun to just walk around and see all the odd items they carry. Plus, they have one heck of a hot sauce department.

[wimpy]

Well for me my favorite truck stop would have to be the "Space Age" t/s in Hermiston, Or. right off the
I-84, it's extremely clean (might be a new t/s I dont know) also I pull doubles and I've never ever had trouble finding parking even at 3a.m. Everytime I go to Seattle I stop there and grab an order of their miniature deep fried tacos, I lik'em you guys should try them some time. The fuel desk clerks are always nice, not like your typical flying j or pilot employees.

My favorite rest area would have to be the rest area on the I-24 in Paducah, Ky. about 7 miles before you get into Illinois. I like it, it's an old, old house thats been restored and made into a rest area, they have tours but I never get there during business hours, very clean, plenty of truck parking. They got coffee and vending machines.

Now my favorite t/s with motel would have to be the "Jubitz" t/s in Portland, Or. Reason I like this place is they have lots of truck parking, they have fuel, they have a restaurant, they have a deli, they have a nice sized laundry facility and if your a lazy person they even have a team there that will wash and dry your laundry (little pricy though, better off doin it yourself), very clean, they have a boot shop, they have a chiropractor and a barber shop and oh ya the motel. Half the motel is older, but they have added more rooms so ask for the new rooms, their nice and have really good CDL rates. Its right downtown Portland so if you have a pickup or delivery you wont be far away at all and it's right off the I-5 just before you get into Washington, if you go over the bridge you went too far.

[rkeck]

In the real world of trucking, you'll find that often you can't be too choosy about where you park ... you will have to take whatever presents itself.

Walmarts or ok, but I'd say at least half are not truly 'truck friendly'. In many areas of the country, sun-thu nights, the major chain truckstops are full at or shortly after dark. If I'm too late to find parking (or assume parking will be non-existent or difficult) I'll stop at whatever place I can find that is safe and preferrably not right near the roadway, then get up and proceed to the the next major truck stop where I have shower credits to arrive after about 6:00-7:00am and you'll not have any problems finding a good parking spot then, and there's rarely a wait for a shower in the mornings.

When travelling out west, finding safe, quiet parking is rarely an issue in the remote areas. Friday and Saturday nights are typically the lightest times at the major truck stops.

[golfhobo]

Originally Posted by Pack_Rat

My favorite is the Boise Stage stop in Boise Id.

Ah yes.... a man after my own heart! This place is almost incredible! the food is not so good, but the showers are to DIE for! A HUGE room.... bigger than my living room! A double sink with wood framed mirrors and candlabras. A separate tub from the shower. A toilet AND a bidet (for those who need one) a wall heater. This is a shower room right out of an old Western novel! :clap:

Plenty of parking. A HUGE T.V with surround sound for movie watching. DOUBLE big white towels for your shower "experience." This ain't no skimpy PILOT!!

[golfhobo]

Originally Posted by wimpy

Well for me my favorite truck stop would have to be the "Space Age" t/s in Hermiston, Or. right off the
I-84, it's extremely clean (might be a new t/s I dont know) also I pull doubles and I've never ever had trouble finding parking even at 3a.m. Everytime I go to Seattle I stop there and grab an order of their miniature deep fried tacos, I lik'em you guys should try them some time. The fuel desk clerks are always nice, not like your typical flying j or pilot employees.

My favorite rest area would have to be the rest area on the I-24 in Paducah, Ky. about 7 miles before you get into Illinois. I like it, it's an old, old house thats been restored and made into a rest area, they have tours but I never get there during business hours, very clean, plenty of truck parking. They got coffee and vending machines.

Now my favorite t/s with motel would have to be the "Jubitz" t/s in Portland, Or. Reason I like this place is they have lots of truck parking, they have fuel, they have a restaurant, they have a deli, they have a nice sized laundry facility and if your a lazy person they even have a team there that will wash and dry your laundry (little pricy though, better off doin it yourself), very clean, they have a boot shop, they have a chiropractor and a barber shop and oh ya the motel. Half the motel is older, but they have added more rooms so ask for the new rooms, their nice and have really good CDL rates. Its right downtown Portland so if you have a pickup or delivery you wont be far away at all and it's right off the I-5 just before you get into Washington, if you go over the bridge you went too far.

Good to see you again, Wimpy! How are you doing?

Been to the Space Age many times. Nice clean place. Even has an A&W with Root Beer floats!

Been to that rest area in Paducah, too. Missed the tour myself.... but, what history to be found!

Jubitz is a great place, too! But, you foirgot to mention the Country Western Bar with the local ladies that come to dance with the truckers! :lol2:

BTW, if you're laid over at Jubitz, you can take a bus to a light rail line to downtown Portland, and see all the sights for a few bucks! Oh, and the MOVIE theaters onsite! And the buffet, is World Class!

[golfhobo]

Originally Posted by Rev.Vassago

If I'm in the Cincinnati area, I go to Jungle Jim's grocery store in Fairfield. The place is friggin huge, and it's fun to just walk around and see all the odd items they carry. Plus, they have one heck of a hot sauce department.

So SAD, Rev! Sorry you can't do REAL trucking like some of us do! A grocery store? Hot sauce? :rofl::rofl::rofl:

[golfhobo]

Originally Posted by newdriver2009

Is it gas stations? Malls?

Where exactly and why?

No, it's NOT "gas stations." And Malls are not always friendly.... but, it's not always a bad choice. What's wrong with truckstops? You been listening to the ogres here too long?

Synchro mentioned a few good ones. Wheeler Ridge Petro has GREAT showers, a fantastic restaurant and ALL the "amenities" that dwellers would need!

The T/A in North Bend, WA has a shuttle to a nearby town where you can get a bus into downtown Seattle! The showers are great, and the restaurant ain't bad!

But, if you are totally against truckstops, here's a few other choices. The Big Texan in Amarillo, TX. Great steaks and a limo service from the truckstops (although they have their own truck parking.)

Lake Havasu, AZ. There's a big mall parking lot a short walk from the London Bridge! Gondolas for romantic evenings, or a shuttle boat to take you across the lake to a casino.

Speaking of Casinos..... that would almost always be a good bet! GREAT buffets/restaurants. Big screen T.V's! Pretty women! The Spotlight 29 in Coachella is good. So is the one at the 102 in New Mexico (forget the name.) Heck... just about ANY of them are good! In fact, if you're in Elko, NV.... they have downtown parking for trucks with Casinos all around you AND a "red light" district nearby!

It depends on what you want, dude. Don't be afraid to go right downtown in some areas, and look for a parking spot (if trucks are allowed!) You don't HAVE to consider yourself an outcast... or a second class citizen! There are spots along beaches... there are spots near monuments or State Parks. There are spots near "rapid transit" systems or buslines!

Heck.... there is truck parking at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas! And, coming over the hill (from either direction) into Laughlin, NV.... is like looking at an Oasis, and they have TRUCK parking!

I can't tell you MUCH about the prudish, congested areas of the NorthEast. I'd have to think about it, but even THERE you can find places to park near harbor towns and such! But, if you go WEST.... young man.... you will FIND the spots you like! There are BBQ places in Texas with truck parking! There are mountain towns in Colorado with truck parking close to Jeep rental companies!

It's HARD for me to name the BEST places, because there are THOUSANDS of places to park a truck with access to a good time, and/or a worthwhile experience! You just have to sometimes think "outside the box."

If "I" were a SOLO driver again, I would load my truck up with a Fridge and a BBQ "kit," some steaks and potatoes, and a fishing rod, and I'd find me a place next to a river.... yes, I've seen it done.... and I'd get out my lawnchair, and start a fire. I'd set out my boombox connected to my inverter, and I'd have a party EVERY night!

But, I'd make sure to let the "townies" KNOW where this party is happening! Cuz, I'm a "social" type of guy! :thumbsup::thumbsup:

I know the "RIG" looks big and cumbersome to you right now.... but, it will FIT where you WANT it to fit! The choice is always in YOUR MIND!

Happy Trails, driver!

[belpre122]

Let's just go ahead and wrap up yet another Golfhobo hot air fest with this appropo graphic..................

[Jumbo]

Fisherman's Wharf is nice to visit. Good food.

[jonp]

The problem with Jubitz is that the movies used to be free and now you have to pay for them. The Lee-Hi in Virginia is quiet, has lots of parking and the food is good. I love the penguin in Little America, Wyoming. The Mexican food at the Giant in Jamestown, New Mexico used to be great as was the coffee but its been bought out and is just average now. The 4 K on I 10 in Arizona had good chicken burritos that last time I was there. The pie in Bend, OR was big and good for sure. There is a little truckstop in Liberal, Kansas on US 54 that has huge bowls of Cream of Wheat and the cottage from The Wizard of Oz is almost across the street. For a really good meal at a fair price I dont think that you can beat Dysarts in Bangor, ME.