Truckstop and Travel Plaza Membership

Join NATSO online here.
Dues: 2023 dues are $1,250 per location. Open to all travel plaza owners and operators. Join online here.

From advocacy to education, NATSO delivers the tools that help operators maintain their competitive edge. The association is committed to providing exceptional resources at an extreme value. Members receive the following benefits:

Advocacy 
As the industry’s only national trade association, NATSO advocates the industry’s goals with the lawmakers and regulatory agencies.

On the federal front, NATSO is the voice of truckstops and travel plazas on issues that impact the industry. The association serves as your advocate to Congress and federal regulatory agencies. Your dues dollars help to fund NATSO’s aggressive advocacy efforts that preserve the livelihoods of hundreds of thousands employed in the industry.

On the state scene, NATSO monitors and reports on legislation that affects the industry, alerting you to advocacy efforts you can advance locally. There are many instances where NATSO contacted a local mayor or local representative and utilized NATSO’s research and talking points to make a difference.

NATSO Day on Capitol Hill Conference


Participate in the highly acclaimed NATSO Day on Capitol Hill for NATSO members only. Inform key Members of Congress about the hot issues that affect your business. Meet with your congressional representatives during appointments arranged by NATSO to help advance the industry’s position with decision-makers. You will receive in-depth briefings and a personalized pocket agenda to make the most of your access to key Members of Congress. The conference will be a memorable experience that makes a historical impact.

NATSO Connect

At NATSO Connect, hundreds of innovative, senior-level truckstop operators and industry partners will come together to connect. During the event, companies from all over the US share insights and best practices to convert ideas into action and re-invent how truckstops and travel plazas do business. The event combines exclusive, executive briefings with opportunities for operators to gain specific guidance on how to succeed by speaking directly with experienced operators and vendor partners. The conference includes retail study tours, a great ideas workshop, a government affairs meeting, and the NATSO Foundation Full House Fundraiser.

New for this year’s conference are dedicated areas for vendors specializing in:

  • Alternative fuels
  • Technology
  • Innovation 

Who Should Attend?
Travel plaza or truckstop owners, operators, managers, buyers and staff who want to increase their industry knowledge, gain business intelligence and see new products. Industry partners who want to showcase their brand in front of truckstop leaders.

Contact Pamela Hayes at phayes@natso.com for additional information.

Truckstop and Travel Plaza New Hire Orientation and Training Guidebook

Employees are at the heart of every truckstop and travel plaza operation, but finding and keeping quality staff can be a time-consuming and challenging process. To help businesses succeed, NATSO has released its updated employee handbook. The Truckstop and Travel Plaza New Hire Orientation and Training Guidebook has been designed to help operators maximize the human resources they need to run their travel plazas successfully. Purchase the Truckstop and Travel Plaza New Hire Orientation and Training Guidebook here.

Truckstop and Travel Plaza Training Manual
Training is an essential element in the success of any operation. To help truckstop operators, the NATSO Foundation offers an electronic Truckstop and Travel Plaza Training Manual. The manual is designed to help operators create their own store- and company-specific operations training manual. Learn more about the NATSO Foundation's Truckstop and Travel Plaza Training Manual.

Stop Watch Magazine
NATSO's bi-monthly magazine is packed with news and feature articles that will give you insights into new ways of running your business. By implementing the ideas you get from the magazine, you will save money and increase your profits. Read the latest issue of Stop Watch magazine here.

Biz Brief
Keep up-to-date with NATSO's daily electronic newsletter. Learn the latest government, regulatory and business developments that affect your business. NATSO members can request Biz Brief here.

Online Buyers’ Guide
Looking for a new supplier or vendor? Check NATSO’s online Buyers’ Guide for a complete list of suppliers that have proven their dedication to the travel plaza industry by joining NATSO as allied members. The guide is a great reference resource for truckstop and travel plaza operators. Support allied partners that support you! Access NATSO's Buyers' Guide here.

NATSO Membership Programs

NATSO wants you to make the most of your membership. Take advantage of the programs and resources that can help you streamline your operations, save money and better meet your customers’ needs.

Travel Center Profit Drivers

NATSO’s Travel Centers Profit Drivers program is NATSO’s solution to the challenges that exist for NATSO truckstop members managing the complex issues surrounding truckstop management. Led by Darren Schulte, NATSO’s Vice President of Membership, the custom assessment of your truckstop includes recommendations for every aspect of your facility, including actionable ideas to improve revenue and tactical ways to improve your net operating costs. Learn how to get a road map to success for your truckstop here

Discounted Payment Card Merchant Processing
In 2005 NATSO joined with First Data to develop a direct, cost-effective and competitive solution for payment processing that is fast, convenient, and secure. You may use First Data now but that doesn’t mean you are covered by the remarkable NATSO/First Data program! The NATSO/First Data program includes a “cost+” rate structure with numerous reduced fees that include a $0 chargeback fee. Utilizing the vast payment industry experience of First Data coupled with direct oversight of NATSO industry experts, our program supports practically all forms of electronic payments including fleet, credit and pin debit cards plus customized gift & e-loyalty programs. For more information and to get started, contact Dan Hudson at (703) 398-5831 or email  daniel.hudson@fiserv.com. You can also contact Kimberly Roberts, NATSO’s member care specialist, at (703) 739-8573 or kroberts@natso.com.

NATSO Check-Link™
Check-Link™ is a member-only program that provides check verification for thousands of professional drivers and offers NATSO’s assistance in collecting bad debt for an additional fee of $30 per month. While the Check-Link™ program already had data on bad check writers at truckstops, the SCAN network is comprised of data from the nation's largest retailers (such as Kmart and Wal-Mart).  In other words, NATSO members now have access to much more information on the check writer’s history. If your location is not currently a Check-Link location and would like to become apart of the Check-Link network, sign up today!

NATSO Check-Link™ Directory Listing
All NATSO member locations are listed through an online directory provided to over 10,000 registered drivers who consult this resource for participating NATSO truckstop and travel plaza member locations. Various search criteria allow drivers to locate Check-Link locations while on the road. View the listing of participating truckstops here

Discounted Business Services
Benefit from the “members only” discounts on products and services negotiated by NATSO with member suppliers to increase your competitiveness and boost your bottom line. NATSO is constantly working on improved relationships in bringing you a NATSO advantage. When you shop with NATSO allied members, you’ll see results that will improve your business. View NATSO's Buyers Guide here.