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There are two types of road trips: the ones where you stop “wherever” for a quick splash of gas and a stale bag of chips, and the ones where you plan your entire route around the pit stops.
When you’re logging hundreds of miles on a summer road trip, the journey truly is as important as the destination. Across the country, there are legendary pit stops that have evolved from simple convenience stores into full-blown tourist attractions. These are the places where you pull over to stretch your legs and end up staying for an hour.
Here is a quick guide to some of the best “destination stops” to add to your summer road trip itinerary!
Buc-ee’s: The Texas-Sized Titan
If you’re driving through the South (especially Texas, Florida, or Georgia), stopping at Buc-ee’s isn’t just recommended—it’s mandatory. It is part gas station, part snack headquarters, and part retail fever dream.
- The Vibe: A chaotic but incredibly well-oiled machine. Some locations boast over 120 gas pumps and are up to 74,000 square feet inside.
- What to get: You have to grab a bag of Beaver Nuggets (sweet, puffed corn snacks), a fresh-cut hot brisket sandwich, and homemade fudge.
- The Real MVP: Their restrooms. Buc-ee’s has won actual awards for having the cleanest, most spacious public restrooms in America.
South of the Border: The Quirky Classic
If you’ve ever driven down I-95 through the Carolinas, you’ve seen the billboards. Hundreds of them. Counting down the miles until you reach South of the Border, resting exactly on the state line between North and South Carolina.
- The Vibe: Pure, unfiltered roadside kitsch. It’s a retro, neon-soaked fever dream that has been a highway staple since 1949.
- What to do: Take a ride to the top of the 200-foot Sombrero Observation Tower, stretch your legs in the massive arcade, or grab a tamale at the diner.
- Why stop: It’s less about culinary excellence and more about experiencing a piece of classic Americana highway history.
Wall Drug: The King of Billboards
Much like South of the Border, Wall Drug in South Dakota relies on a legendary billboard campaign that stretches for hundreds of miles across I-90. What started in 1931 as a tiny pharmacy offering “Free Ice Water” to parched travelers has turned into a sprawling roadside empire.
- The Vibe: A frontier town trapped inside a shopping mall.
- What to get: They still offer free ice water, but you’re really there for the 5-cent coffee and their famous homemade donuts.
- What to do: Take a photo on the giant Jackalope, pan for gold, and wander through the endless maze of souvenir shops and western wear. It’s the perfect stop before hitting the Badlands.
Iowa 80: The World’s Largest Truckstop
If you are trekking across the Midwest on I-80, you have to pull off in Walcott, Iowa. It literally bills itself as the “World’s Largest Truckstop,” and it feels more like a small, self-sustaining city than a place to get diesel.
- The Vibe: Industrial scale meets highway hospitality. It serves over 5,000 customers a day.
- The Amenities: This isn’t just food and gas. Inside, you’ll find a movie theater, a barber shop, a chiropractor, a dentist, a workout room, and private showers.
- What to check out: The Super Truck Showroom (which features custom big rigs) and the sprawling food court to fuel up for the long flat drive ahead.
The Takeaway: The next time you map out your route, factor in some extra time for these mega-stops. Stretching your legs is a lot more fun when it involves brisket, neon sombreros, or a 5-cent cup of coffee.
