Iowa 80 facts for kids
Iowa 80 is known as the world's largest truck stop. You can find it along Interstate 80 at exit 284 in Walcott, Iowa. This massive stop covers 220 acres of land. That's three times bigger than most truck stops!
Around 5,000 people visit Iowa 80 every day. Its main building is 67,000 square feet. It has parking for 900 trucks and 15 diesel fuel pumps. There are also special pumps for bulk diesel exhaust fluid. About 450 people work at this huge complex. Iowa 80 is currently part of the TravelCenters of America chain.
Contents
History of Iowa 80
Bill Moon bought the land and built the first truck stop in 1964. He was a manager for Standard Oil at the time. The stop was built along the new I-80 highway. This highway would connect San Francisco with New York.
Bill Moon's daughter, Delia Meier, shared that her father looked for land to build truck stops. The first building was small and white. It had a simple store for truckers, one repair bay, and a restaurant. Bill Moon took over running the stop in 1965. He bought the site from the company in 1984.
In 1992, after Bill Moon passed away, Iowa 80 became a TravelCenters of America franchise. However, the Moon family still owns and runs the facility. The Iowa 80 Group also owns other truck stops. These include the Joplin Petro in Missouri and Kenly 95 in North Carolina.
What You'll Find at Iowa 80
Iowa 80 has many services for truckers and travelers. It's designed to meet all their needs on the road.
Outside the Truck Stop
Iowa 80 has a very large parking lot for trucks. It also has truck scales and many fueling stations. This is common for a truck stop.
Fueling Up Your Vehicle
There are fifteen fuel stations available. Each station has nozzles on both sides. This means trucks can fill both tanks at the same time. Newer trucks need diesel exhaust fluid (DEF). So, the fuel island at Iowa 80 now has pumps for bulk DEF.
Vehicle Services and Charging
Iowa 80 has a service center. Here, you can get vehicle checks, small repairs, oil changes, or tire rotations. There is also a small convenience store right on the fuel island. Iowa 80 even has a truck washing facility. You can even get the engine washed! For electric vehicles, there are Tesla Super Chargers and ChargePoint stations.
CAT Scales for Trucks
CAT (Certified Automated Truck) scales were started by Bill Moon, the owner of Iowa 80. Now, CAT is the biggest scale company in the world. It has over 2,000 locations in the United States and Canada. There's even an app called "weigh my truck." It lets drivers get their truck's weight info on their phone. They can also pay for it using the app.
Inside the Truck Stop
The Trucker's Warehouse Store
The Iowa 80 building has a huge, two-story showroom. It covers 30,000 square feet. This is the largest trucker's store in the country. Here, customers can buy many items. These include chrome accessories, books, DVDs, and cell phone items. You can also find CB radio equipment, clothes, and cleaning supplies. There are even chrome stacks and bumpers for trucks.
You can see custom-built show trucks inside. One is on a spinning platform. A large wall, 20 by 40 feet, shows 500 lit-up truck lights. The store also has a vinyl graphics shop. You can get custom T-shirts and embroidery done here too.
Places to Eat
Many food places are located at the truck stop. These include Blimpie, Wendy's, Caribou Coffee, and Dairy Queen. You can also find Orange Julius, Taco Bell, Einstein Bros. Bagels, and Pizza Hut.
The Iowa 80 Kitchen offers a big salad bar. It also serves 'home-cooked' meals. This restaurant serves 1 million cups of coffee each year. It also uses 90 tons of meat annually. The Iowa 80 Kitchen can seat 350 people. A banquet room adds space for 60 more guests.
Other Useful Facilities
Iowa 80 has twenty-four private shower and toilet rooms. You can ask for these at the fuel pump. There's also a game room and a Driver's Den Lounge. The lounge has comfy leather chairs and a fireplace for relaxing.
Iowa 80 also offers a business center. It has fax machines, logbooks, and work stations. There's also a small, free gym. You can watch a movie in the 60-seat theater. There's even a barbershop on site.
Health Services for Drivers
The facilities also include a dentist's office and a chiropractic clinic. The dentist often arrives around 9 AM. Some of his patients are local people, not just truckers. The dentist helps truckers by treating pain. This service is very helpful for drivers. They might not get to see a dentist often due to their travel. The dentist's office accepts many dental insurance plans. This makes it easier for drivers to get care.
Next to the dentist's office is a chiropractic clinic. This clinic offers chiropractic adjustments. They also provide Department of Transportation physicals. These are important health checks for drivers.
Images for kids
-
A wide shot of the exterior captures the scope of the building's size.
-
The exit-ramp sign boasts this is the "World's Largest Truckstop".
