Have You Ever Stopped at Any of the 5 Best Truck Stops in the UK?

Driving a truck is hard work; that’s why it’s so important that when you take a break, you do it in an environment that understands what a "trucker" needs and goes out of its way to provide it.

Service station ‘pit stops’ can provide a quick fix, but eating at another fast food place that looks the same and serves the same food won’t get it placed in our best truck stops list.

The very best truck stops offer a lot more – in this article we’ll be looking the best of the best for 2016.

Route 74 Truckstop

Route 74 won the Best Truck Stop of the Year in 2015 – that’s no mean feat for a truck stop that’s only been open for a couple of years.

Route 74 deserves its place in the list of best truck stops as it offers a host of amenities for heavy goods vehicles, coaches and even the general public.

• Parking for 150 trucks
• Automated truck and coach wash
• Shop and amenities open 24/7
• Restaurant open from 6 in the morning till 9 at night
• Male and female shower facilities
• Wi-fi
• 24/7 security guards
• Fuel bunkering 24/7

Parking is free for up to two hours and overnight parking rates are very reasonable: you can even book a parking space in advance.

Where:

26 miles south of Glasgow at Lesmahagow, South Lanarkshire – take junction 10 of the M74.

Bolster Moor Farm Shop

Just three miles off Junction 23 on the M62 close to Huddersfield, the hungry driver in need of meal and a break will find the Bolster Moor Farm Shop. The truck stop and farm shop are a well-known institution in the area and a regular stopping place for truck drivers from across the country.

They provide fresh, homemade food including fantastic award-winning pies. They have been awarded the prestigious innovative sausage award and the Best Bacon Butty award – surely every driver’s dream! The warmth of their northern hospitality and its peaceful surroundings all go together to make Bolster’s a truck stop not to be missed.

Where:

1a Bolster Moor Road, Golcar, Huddersfield, HD7 4JU

Ashford Truck Stop

The Ashford Truck Stop (or Ashford International Truckstop, to use its official name) must be on the international list of best truck stops. It located not too far from Dover and Folkestone and is the perfect stop off for incoming and outgoing international loads.

If they gave truck stops stars, this would be a six star operation as they have everything the long haul truck driver could want. They’re also extremely responsive to feedback and are always changing and updating to give drivers what they ask for. They even have a fully equipped gym!

• Secured parking 24/7
• CCTV
• Separate parking areas for specialised loads
• Shop & restaurant open 24/7
• Free Wi-Fi
• Eurovignette machine
• Male and female shower facilities
• Laundry facilities
• 6 breakfast voucher if you park for 24 hours
• And much, much more.

Where:

Kent – junction 10 on the M20.

New Hollies Truck Stop & Café

The Road King Transport Café, formerly New Hollies, is said to be the oldest truck stop in the UK, going back to the 1930s.

This is a favourite stopping off place for many drivers because of the great food, friendly service and the range of facilities they provide their customers.

These include:

• Cafe & restaurant open 24/7
• Amusements
• Secure parking & changeovers 24/7
• Refurbished toilets and washrooms
• Private showers
• Twin and single rooms (with or without breakfast)
• Free Wi-FI
• A bar
• Drivers TV room
• Cash point
• Launderette
• And more

Where:

In the West Midlands, take junction 12 on the M6.

Chippenham Pit Stop

The motto of this next truck stop since it opened in 1988 has been, "You take care of the driving, we’ll take care of you". And that’s just what they do!

It’s a family run business and they make drivers feel really at home. The food is excellent, toilets and showers immaculate and there’s a 24/7 fuel station. There’s even a barber shop and Driver CPC courses.

If you’re a regular, take advantage of their "Privilege Card" and earn points for everything you buy on the premises. Then you can use the points to get a £10 voucher for the restaurant or shop. But there’s more – just show your card and get a steaming cup of coffee or tea for just £1!

Parking is free for up to one hour and overnight parking rates are very fair.

Where:

Chippenham – just off Junction 17 of the M4.

2016 Best Truck Stops Short List

The short list for Truck Stop of the Year 2016 has been announced on the Transport Cafe website. Their "secret judges" will be evaluating each stop, so check back for the final results.

Author Plate

Norman Dulwich is a Correspondent for Haulage Exchange, the leading online trade network for the road transport industry. Connecting professionals across the UK and Europe through their website, Haulage Exchange offers a valuable service providing information on things like fuel costs, the best truck stops and the other latest news from the industry. Matching delivery work with available vehicles, over 4,000 transport exchange businesses are networked together through their website, trading jobs and capacity in a safe 'wholesale' environment.

Writer and Online Marketing Manager in London.