World’s Largest Truck Stop (Walcott, Iowa USA)

Hello, inquisitive people. Wander Woman here.

Over the summer of 2022, I helped my boyfriend move from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to San Rafael, California, to be closer to me. We’d done the long-distance relationship thing for three years and were ready to take the next step and live near each other. He was the brave one who took the plunge, agreeing to move 2,500 miles (4,023 km) away from everything familiar to him.

We made the drive over the course of 6 days in a 12’ (3.6 m) moving truck. It was my first, and probably also my last, time traversing this great nation of mine in a truck. Therefore, when I learned that our route would take us directly past the most prominent truck stop in the world, I knew we had to stop and check it out.

The world’s most significant truck stop sits next to Interstate 80 in eastern Iowa. It has amenities for professional truck drivers and any and all travelers who might stop in for a break from the road. Its actual name is Iowa 80 Truckstop, and it’s worth a quick visit if you’re in that part of the country, no matter what you might be driving.

The list of amenities is inspiring! The establishment boasts 100,000 sft (9,290 square meters) of retail space and serves approximately 5,000 people per day. Most American truck stops and travel plazas have gas stations and convenience stores.

In addition to these standard amenities, Iowa 80 offers electric vehicle chargers, private showers, a barber shop, a chiropractic office, a dental office, a Truckomat (truck wash) and Dogomat (pet wash), a large automotive store, a food court, a sit-down restaurant, a recreation room, a workout room, a laundromat, a library, a movie theater, and a gift shop! I purchased a magnet to commemorate my brief but enjoyable visit.

It is an authentic slice of Americana,

so if you ever do stop by, I’d recommend sitting down at the restaurant and enjoying a piece of apple pie!