How Truck Stops Are Serving Truckers While Keeping Them Safe
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The nation's truck stop chains and travel centers are working hard to remain open and serve drivers during the coronavirus crisis, while also taking steps to ensure safety. However, services are reduced in many cases.
In addition, the Customized Logistics and Delivery Association has advice from its members on how to protect the supply chain and the health of the workers involved. For drivers it includes spraying the interior passenger space of their vehicle with a disinfectant at the beginning and end of the day. Here are more of their tips. Natso also has a handy reference page with quick links to resources.
RELATED: Thanking truckers | Chains offer meals, parking | Food trucks OK'd
Here's a rundown of what Pilot Flying J, TA and Petro Stopping Centers, and Love's are doing, with links to more information:
Pilot Flying J
A Pilot Flying J truck stop in Midland, Texas. (Pilot Flying J)
Pilot is requiring face coverings at its owned and operated locations as of July 28. Stores are open, including fueling stations and showers. Drivers lounges are closed. All dining room seating areas are following occupancy and social distancing restrictions based on state and county orders. Self-serve food stations, including roller grills and soup stations, are open at select locations and in accordance with state and county restrictions. Pre-packaged deli food is available for purchase.
State-by-state information from Pilot Flying J's website.
TA and Petro Stopping Centers
The Davy Crockett TravelCenter, off Interstate 81 in Greenville, Tenn. (Peggy Smith/Transport Topics)
All locations and all fuel lanes and showers/restrooms are open. Fitness centers, driver lounges and game rooms are closed. Food options vary depending on local, state and federal directives, with dining room service available in some locations. Hot and cold pre-packaged items are available in travel stores. Face coverings or masks are required while inside the travel centers.
State-by-state information from TA-Petro.com.
Love's
A Love's location in Abilene, Kan. (Love's Travel Stops and Country Stores)
As of July 29, customers are required to wear face coverings while inside a store. Love’s has returned to customer self-service at its roller grills, fountain drink stations and delis, where allowed by local and state regulations. Dine-in service has resumed where allowed with limited capacity. Select restaurants have returned to 24-hour-a-day operation; restaurants that have not will continue to offer take-out and drive-thru options, most typically between the hours of 6 a.m. and 10 p.m. Private showers are available.
Love's FAQ on the status of its services from its website.
Iowa 80
The food court entrance at the Iowa 80 Truck Stop. (Iowa 80 Truck Stop)
The Iowa 80 truck stop in Walcott, Iowa, which bills itself as the world's largest truck stop, remains open 24 hours and says its housekeeping teams have increased the frequency of cleaning and sanitizing of “high-touch surfaces” in public areas. Curbside pickup is offered from the Iowa 80 Kitchen between 11 a.m. and 9 p.m. for call-ahead, credit card orders.
More Iowa 80 COVID-19 information here.
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