Technology is Transforming the Way Truck Stops and Travel Centers Operate
Several members of the NATSO Foundation’s 2025 Technology Steering Council shared their insights into what technology is disrupting the industry and moderated table discussions during last month’s Fast Forward Focus.
“We operated in a world where the business fundamentals were largely unchanged for over 30 years, creating stagnation and complacency in all areas of our landscape. That world is over, whether we are ready for it or not, due to intense pressures on efficiency on those moving freight who consume our diesel,” said Jeremie Myhren, cofounder and CIO of ONRAMP.
From mobile payment systems to app-based promotions and advanced customer engagement tools, operators are rethinking how they serve drivers. New solutions are creating more innovative, convenient and engaging experiences for drivers, helping operators boost loyalty and grow revenue. Operators have to stay current on the technology landscape to remain relevant.
“Technology is moving fast, and POS/keypads will require more investment more frequently,” said Erika Curtis, delivery lead for W. Capra. “There are more POS systems in the marketplace and that will expand the offering of commercial card acceptance to be broader than just truck stop locations. It will also give operators more flexibility and options then what was previously there and will help streamline operations.”
Members of the NATSO Foundation’s 2025 Technology Steering Council include ONRAMP’s Myhren, along with Tony Caputo, director of business development for Warren Rogers, Erika Curtis, delivery lead for W. Capra, Meghann Erhart, executive vice president for Relay Payments, Chris Oliver, chief marketing officer for Trucker Path, and Peter Rasmussen, CEO and founder of Convenience and Energy Advisors.
All technology investments can take time to pay off, including those related to payments. “I think the most important thing for operators is to be forward-thinking enough to realize that things are going to change. It might pivot, but they need to get started,” Erhart said. “A good example of that was with chips at the pump. We started planning when it was still three years out.”
“If I were an operator, I would be looking for things driven around efficiency—staff efficiency, maintenance efficiency, delivery efficiency, driver efficiency—anything that makes the staff’s work easier and eliminates the spreadsheets so they can focus on things that are more customer-centric,” said Caputo.
Myhren added that trucking has been experiencing an extended recession, and pressures on fleet operators to control costs and operate as efficiently as possible are intense. “We have to ensure we are prepared with data and tools to optimize our offer—fuel discounts, product mix, site amenities—and provide an efficient and frictionless experience for drivers, giving them what they need, when they need it, at the right price, and as quickly and painlessly as possible,” he said. “This is done with singular point- of-sale platforms, brand synthesis tools, integrated payments solutions, and reliably fast pumps and systems.”
Vendors looking to join the NATSO Foundation’s Technology Steering Council in 2026 should contact atoner@natso.com.
The NATSO Foundation and members of the NATSO Foundation 2025 Technology Steering Council recently created a Technology Roadmap to help travel center operators stay current on the technology landscape. Purchase a copy to gather their insights into how operators can use technology to their advantage and the most impactful tools travel centers should deploy today.
Subscribe to Updates
The NATSO Foundation and NATSO provide a breadth of information created to strengthen travel plazas’ ability to meet the needs of the traveling public in an age of disruption. This includes knowledge filled blog posts, articles and publications. If you would like to receive a digest of blog post and articles directly in your inbox, please provide your name, email and the frequency of the updates you want to receive the email digest.
