US drivers: why is Loves the preferred travel stop for most of you?
It seems like loves is the first choice travel stop for most US based professional drivers. Since I am from Canada, I personally prefer PFJ since they operate north of the border and therefore I can use their showers much more regularly.
With that said, here are the main disadvantages of loves in my experience:
Virtually all of them have <100 spaces. I began referring to them (along with any other location with a low amount of parking) as “midget truckstops”. Loves tends to fill up quickly, and many of them are also way smaller than PFJ and TA/Petro locations, so backing into the single spot left can be extra challenging.
Their showers, while usually cleaner and better maintained. Often lack good water pressure, and are very scarce. Most loves locations I have been to only have 5 showers, and there is almost always a long wait. Many loves locations also lack laundry machines too.
So what exactly makes loves the preferred stop for most US based drivers? It seems like PFJ would make more sense given that they are bigger than Loves, but less dilapidated and disgusting than TA/Petro.
Anyone able to offer their input?