WESTLAKE, Ohio -- TravelCenters of America LLC, operator of the TA and Petro Stopping Centers travel center brands, has recently opened several new locations.
On May 28, it opened a newly rebuilt Petro facility in Gary, Ind. Located at I-80/I-94, Exit 9 on 29 acres of land, Petro Gary opened with a ribbon cutting event attended by TravelCenters senior management and location staff, Gary Mayor Karen Freeman-Wilson and members of the Common Council.
TravelCenters designed and decorated the facility's interior to commemorate the City of Gary, also known as Steel City, as well as the many truckers who have hauled steel and myriad other materials and products. TravelCenters and Gary officials have worked closely to ensure that this newly constructed facility will have a positive impact on the city and its economic development, as well as provide professional drivers and local customers the finest in travel center amenities.
Specifically, Petro Gary, open 24/7/365, offers:
- 450 truck parking spaces, 62 car parking spaces.
- 16 diesel lanes, all equipped to pump bulk DEF, and 12 BP-branded gasoline fueling locations.
- An eight-bay Petro:Lube truck service facility, and RoadSquad emergency roadside service, available 24/7/365.
- A 160-seat Iron Skillet full-service restaurant with a buffet and StayFit menu options, and designated seating for professional drivers.
- A 5,000 square-foot travel store stocked with driver merchandise, beverages and fresh to-go meal options, including better-for-you snack choices.
- A combination Taco Bell/Pizza Hut quick-service restaurant.
- 15 driver showers operated by a fully automated reservation system, also accessible through the TA/Petro TruckSmart mobile app.
- A free StayFit fitness room (free to professional drivers who are UltraONE Driver Rewards Program members).
- A laundry facility with machines that accept credit/debit card payments and send the user a text message when the cycle is finished.
- A full-service Verizon UltraMobile wireless store.
- Reserve-It Parking that allows professional drivers to reserve a parking space.
- Professional driver movie, TV and game rooms.
- WiFi, ATM, check cashing, TripPak services.
TravelCenters purchased the Petro Gary 29-acre site in May 2011. A groundbreaking event in collaboration with the city of Gary was held November 20th of last year. In just over six months, after battling a severe winter and numerous spring storms, it developed 23 acres, including more than 46,000 square feet of building space.
This the 13th location within the TA and Petro full-service network with more than 400 truck spaces, more than four times the number of locations offering this amenity than other truckstop chains combined, according to the company.
"We rebuilt this travel center with the professional driver in mind. I hope you will come see the grand driver entrance, the wide open space and the level of care and planning that went into this facility. I'm particularly proud of the huge, well-lit parking lot," said Tom O'Brien, president and CEO of TravelCenters. "TA and Petro locations average nearly 200 truck parking spots per location."
On May 15, TravelCenters of America announced the acquisition and rebranding of the newest TA travel center, located at I-40, Exit 170 (1670 U.S. Hwy 601 North) in Mocksville, N.C.
Amenities at the new always-open TA currently include 145 truck parking spaces; eight diesel lanes; a fully stocked travel store; seven showers, a full-service, sit-down restaurant; TA Truck Service facility with three service bays; RoadSquad emergency roadside service, available 24/7/365; and UltraONE Rewards Program kiosk and swiping system.
This location also offers a variety of other full-service professional driver amenities, including Wi-Fi, weigh scale, and ATM, check cashing and TripPak services. Gasoline is offered at four fueling lanes.
"While this location is currently offers most of our full-service amenities, we do plan to invest in the restaurant and truck service facility to completely rebrand it as a TA location, as well as add a Popeyes quick-service restaurant next fall," said O'Brien.
On May 3, TravelCenters of announced the acquisition and rebranding of the only travel center in the state of Rhode Island. The newest TA travel center is located in West Greenwich, at I-94, Exit 5B. TA and Petro locations can now be found in 42 states.
Amenities at the new TA currently include 200 truck parking spaces; six diesel lanes; a travel store; five showers; full-service restaurant; emergency roadside service, available 24/7/365; and UltraONE Rewards Program kiosk and swiping system.
This location also offers a variety of other full-service professional driver amenities, including Wi-Fi, weigh scale, and ATM, check cashing and TripPak services. Gasoline is offered at six fueling lanes.
"We plan to add a number of new amenities to this location," said O'Brien. "We expect to invest in the restaurant to transform it into a full-service Country Pride, and perform extensive renovations to the TA Truck Service facility. Additionally, we plan to add our state-of-the-art laundry system, remodel the driver's lounge, and pave the parking lot."
On April 24, TravelCenters of America announced the acquisition and rebranding of a travel center in Wells, Nevada, to the Petro Stopping Centers brand. Petro Wells is located at I-80, exit 352A.
Amenities at the new Petro now include 300 truck parking spaces; six diesel lanes; a fully stocked travel store; five showers; a full-service restaurant; emergency roadside service, available 24/7/365; and UltraONE Rewards Program kiosk and swiping system.
This location also offers a variety of other full-service professional driver amenities, including Wi-Fi and ATM, check cashing and TripPak services. A CB shop and casino are also offered. Gasoline is offered at six fueling lanes.
We will soon be adding a newly built Petro:Lube truck service facility and investing to transform the restaurant to the fabulous Iron Skillet brand in order to bring a more complete full-service offering to professional drivers," said O'Brien.
TravelCenters of America, Westlake, Ohio, is a leading travel-center business in 42 states and Canada operating under the TA and Petro Stopping Centers brands, with nearly 250 full-service locations.
Members help make our journalism possible. Become a CSP member today and unlock exclusive benefits, including unlimited access to all of our content. Sign up here.