ALEXANDRIA, VA — NATSO, representing truck stops and travel centers, SIGMA: America’s Leading Fuel Marketers, and the National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS), urged the Environmental Protection Agency to modify […]
08-31-2026The NATSO Foundation has released its 2026 Annual Professional Driver Buying Behavior at Travel Centers Survey Toolkit, giving truck stop and travel center operators new insights into the factors shaping where professional drivers choose to stop, their wants and needs, and what makes them return to a location.
The survey revealed that truck stops and travel centers are competing not only on location and fuel price, but also on the overall stopping experience. Operators focusing on efficiency, safety, cleanliness and value have incredible opportunities to attract customers, increase loyalty and convert customer traffic into sales.
Key findings include:
Loyalty programs influence drivers’ decisions on where to stop and can be a powerful tool to attract value-minded consumers. More than a one-third of drivers prefer to redeem loyalty program points for free showers, followed by in-store discounts and merchandise discounts…
06-26-2026The NATSO Foundation has released its 2026 Annual Professional Driver Buying Behavior at Travel Centers Survey Toolkit, giving truck stop and travel center operators new insights into the factors shaping where professional drivers choose to stop, their wants and needs, and what makes them return to a location.
The survey revealed that truck stops and travel centers are competing not only on location and fuel price, but also on the overall stopping experience. Operators focusing on efficiency, safety, cleanliness and value have incredible opportunities to attract customers, increase loyalty and convert customer traffic into sales.
Key findings include:
Very few drivers plan their stops far in advance, making awareness and visibility critical to attracting customers. Most drivers—42%—said they plan their fuel stops the same day. The top factors drivers consider when choosing a truck stop are fuel prices, plenty of parking and easy access to the interstate…
06-17-2026The NATSO Foundation has released its 2026 Annual Professional Driver Buying Behavior at Travel Centers Survey Toolkit, giving truck stop and travel center operators new insights into the factors shaping where professional drivers choose to stop, their wants and needs, and what makes them return to a location.
The toolkit found that while fuel prices remain important, drivers increasingly evaluate travel centers based on the overall experience, including parking availability, cleanliness, safety, lighting, convenience and loyalty rewards.
“Drivers are making decisions based on the full experience, not just cost,” said Amy Toner, executive director of the NATSO Foundation. “Operators that invest in safe, clean and efficient locations will be better positioned to attract drivers and ensure repeat visits.”
06-09-2026The partial government shutdown ended February 3, 2026, after President Trump signed five of the remaining FY2026 appropriations bills plus a two-week extension of Homeland Security funding. This means that […]
02-05-2026Rep. David Rouzer (R-N.C.) on Oct. 8 introduced the Non-Domiciled CDL Integrity Act (H.R. 5688), legislation that seeks to revise how commercial driver’s licenses (CDLs) are issued to individuals residing outside […]
10-16-2025
Congressman Neal Dunn on February 25 reintroduced the Right to Equitable and Professional Auto Industry Repair Act or the “REPAIR Act,” (H.R. 1566) in the 119th Congress. The bill is […]
03-05-2025The demographics of professional truck drivers are evolving, which is altering the needs and preferences of drivers on the road. Adapting to these changes not only helps operators better serve their customers but also ensures long-term success.
“We know we are seeing more younger drivers, women and minorities, but it is important for operators to really get to know the specific demographics they are serving, including if they are long-haul, short-haul or day drivers,” said Darren Schulte, NATSO’s Interim CEO. “It is also important to understand if they are company drivers or owner operators because that will influence their purchases and top priorities.”
02-12-2025 NATSO President and CEO Lisa Mullings underscored industry calls for public policy that encourages private sector investment in electric vehicle charging for both heavy-duty trucks and passenger cars during a […]
09-13-2024 The Clean Freight Coalition (CFC), of which NATSO is a member, urged the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to deny California’s request for a Clean Air Act waiver to implement the […]
08-21-2024ALEXANDRIA, VA. and OMAHA, NE — NATSO, representing truck stops and travel plazas, and Werner Enterprises, Inc. (WERN), one of the nation’s largest transportation and logistics providers, today kicked off […]
06-24-2024
