Article created for the digital issue of the NATSO Foundation’s magazine
There is a lot to consider when embarking on a new build, starting with the location. Selecting the best site for a truck stop requires careful consideration of various factors.
You’ll want to look at:
- Accessibility,
- Local demographics,
- The potential workforce in the area,
- The amount of passenger traffic;
- and the amount and type of trucks and professional drivers that pass the location.
When you first start looking for your ideal side, key considerations include:
Proximity to Traffic: You’ll want to look for locations near major highways, interstates or trucking routes. Also consider nearby tourist attractions, sporting and concert venues, colleges and universities, and industries.
The Amount of Land Available: You need to have enough land to create easily accessible entries and exits
and for large trucks, buses, RVs and passenger vehicles to maneuver easily. You also want to ensure you have enough space for the amenities you plan to include, such as truck parking, truck scales, food offerings, c-store, etc.
Demographics: You’ll want to look at the demographics of customers passing the site as well as those who live in the area. While areas with a high concentration of trucking traffic are an ideal choice, you should dig into the type of truck traffic that is passing the location.
During the retail tour at NATSO Connect 2023, for example, Chad Stanford, vice president of real estate for QuikTrip, said QuikTrip tries to find locations with trucking customers and population density to support employment and provide local customers.
Future Growth and Development: While assessing potential sites, consider their potential for future growth and expansion. Evaluate the long-term economic prospects of the surrounding area and any planned infrastructure developments.
Competition: Closely evaluate the competitive landscape in the area. Today’s travelers and professional drivers have more choices than ever along the interstate. Research existing truck stops and travel centers nearby to understand their offerings and pricing structures but don’t stop there. Look at c-stores, stand-along quick serve restaurants and retailers that could be your potential competitors.
Ordinances: You’ll also want to look at local ordinances that could create a challenge for building at that location.
The Cost of Land: Truck stops and travel centers can require significant acreage, making the cost of land a top factor during the site selection process.
Are you embarking on a new travel center build?
The NATSO Foundation’s Travel Center and Truck Stop New Build Toolkit was created to help travel center operators develop new locations. Access the NATSO Foundation’s Travel Center and Truck Stop New Build Toolkit here.
The toolkit was made possible with support from Zippin.
// This article was created for Stop Watch magazine, the magazine of the NATSO Foundation. The NATSO Foundation is the research, education and public outreach subsidiary of NATSO, Inc. The NATSO Foundation provides programs and products to strengthen travel plazas’ ability to meet the traveling public's needs through improved operational performance and business planning. Visit www.natsofoundation.org for more information. (Donate to the NATSO Foundation here.)
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