There are chain operations including AMBEST, Bosselman, Flying J, Giant, Love's, North American Truck Stop Network (NATSN), Petro, Pilot, QuikTrip (QT), Rip Griffin, Sadler, Sapp Brothers, Sinclair, Speedway, TA (TravelCenters of America), and WilcoHess Travel Centers. There are also independent operations.

Not all locations sell the same products or services.

Some of the common products that we have seen sold at a truckstop are fuel, fuel additives, truck parts and accessories, security devices, maps and atlases, office supplies, electronics (particularly CB radios and GPS systems), clothing, food, snacks and candy, drinks, cleaning products, tools, appliances, coolers, cooling and heating products, cell phone equipment and accessories, tobacco-related and smoking-alternative products, books, CDs and DVDs, magazines, cards, gifts and toys.

We are seeking product reviews on these and other items that drivers find at these locations.

We particularly like one chain's automated queuing system. A driver swipes his truckstop chain-issued card through the kiosk and may "sign up" to be on the shower list.

Truck stop restaurants have a blend of products and services. The product part is the food; the service part comes from the server.

In chain locations, a buffet is often available. These self-serve counters generally feature a variety of meats, vegetables, soups, breads and desserts. The vegetable section may contain a salad bar.

Many sit-down restaurants also offer menu items in case you don't want the buffet.

These programs usually work this way: for every gallon of fuel purchased, the driver receives on his personally issued card one point, which may then be used like cash for selected products or services.

Professional drivers often seek out a large place in which to park during their mandated rest breaks.

Parking lot layouts vary, as do some parking space sizes. If you would care to review a travel center on this basis, please do so.

One can generally find good quality clothing in retail stores for less. (Additionally, truckers' home support teams can find bargains at consignment stores, thrift shops, and resale or second hand establishments.)

However, in mid-summer 2009, we found one Virginia truck stop was selling the polo-type shirts that we are wearing in this photo (even the large shirt Mike is wearing) for just $5 apiece.

They also had t-shirts on sale for $3 each. Granted, it was a clearance sale, but we saved money nonetheless.

The magazine Consumer Reports contains "reviews and comparisons of consumer products and services based on reporting and results from its in-house testing laboratory."*

In this case, you are the consumer; you do your own testing. Just because a truck stop has room for trucks to park does not mean that it provides a good value for drivers. If you find something particularly appealing or disturbing, your review can mean the difference between a fellow driver frequenting that location or not. Think of it as either a personal recommendation (like a money saving tip) or a personal warning like you would give face-to-face.

Good truck stops deserve business. Even the ones that aren't so good deserve to receive positive criticism so that improvement opportunities can be implemented. You decide which is which.