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Travel Center Review

December 11 2024 – Kaykeel Dillard

kaykeel

I didn’t do much research on truck stops and travel centers because I was under the impression that they were just for truckers. LIES! Trucks, RVs, campers, and regular cars can all park overnight at these places. The stores are open 24 hours, offer tons of snacks, have clean bathrooms, and even SHOWERS! I downloaded the app for one travel center, and now I incorporate stops at their locations whenever I travel. I chose this chain because they are everywhere, which is great for several reasons: if something ever happens to my car, I’ll have shower access, snack options, bathroom facilities, and—most importantly—gas.

Running out of gas in the middle of nowhere is something I’d prefer to avoid. It can be scary, and sometimes there’s no cell reception, so why risk it? I plan around my gas stops and never let my tank get below 100 miles from empty before searching for a station.

The first night I stayed at a Travel Center, I was nervous. But when I asked a few questions, the clerk explained that we pay for the shower at the register, and once our number is called, we can use the shower for as long as we need. It’s that simple. The parking lot is always full of cars, so I try to park somewhere in the middle, not too close to other cars to avoid feeling boxed in. I cover all the windows, set up our car mattress, and adjust the temperature depending on the weather.

We eat before bed to avoid late-night snacking, and I try to shower before eating, so we can just relax in the car afterward. We drink water, watch a movie together, and I plan my content, choose our next destination, and play with the boys a bit—if I have the energy. So far, everyone has been super nice, and the weather has been great. I try not to get too used to it, but I’m definitely grateful. Every day feels like I’m chasing a sunset, and I often find myself missing it, ready to rest for the night. The boys nap during the day but still have tons of energy by bedtime, so I’m working on figuring out how to balance that.

I’ve stopped at three travel centers so far, and I’m really enjoying the experience.

Oh, I almost forgot to mention! Many of the travel centers also have washers and dryers, which means I can do our laundry while I’m there. I was planning to stop at a laundromat, but since they have the facilities, and I’ll be showering anyway, I’ll just take care of it there to make life easier. Some centers even have gyms, which I’d use if I weren’t already running around with the boys. I get quite the workout just keeping up with them!

I’m heading to a travel center in Tampa next and am excited to fully explore all it has to offer. Right now, we’re at Marco Island, and I’m typing up my blogs while the boys rest. I’m not sure if I’ll find a place to stay here or just start driving again soon.