A truck stop is an eating establishment, usually located near a busy road, with a large carpark for trucks and other heavy vehicles. The stop usually offers a range of services for professional vehicle drivers to rest and refresh themselves, often with other amenities available.

Depending on the size of the facility, services might include a diner restaurant, a refueling area, and possibly a motel.

Some very small towns in remote areas exist as little more than a truck stop, with the entire local economy relying on a continuous stream of travellers passing through. Coldfoot, Alaska is an example of such a town.

Fictional depictions

Truck stops are often depicted in films and novels as being somewhat seedy (e.g. in the Kurt Russell film Breakdown), and they have a reputation for being frequented by prostitutes, aggressive bikers and petty criminals. However this view is a somewhat unfair stereotype and most truck stops are "wholesome" establishments.

See also

• Lay-by