Iowa 80: Have You Been to the World’s Largest Truck Cease?

The Iowa 80, positioned proper off exit 284 on the I-80 is the world’s largest truck cease, and someplace that nearly each OTR truck driver has been to at the very least as soon as. However have you learnt about all of the distinctive providers they provide or the way it turned the world’s largest truck cease? Right here’s the whole lot you’ll want to know concerning the historic truck cease.  

What’s the Iowa 80?

The Iowa 80 opened its doorways for the primary time in 1964, earlier than Interstate 80 had accomplished development. Invoice Moon, founding father of the Iowa 80 noticed that the brand new freeway was going to be a significant freight hall and truck drivers had been going to wish a spot to refuel, refresh and calm down from the street.

The Iowa 80 began out as a small gasoline station the place drivers may get the requirements earlier than heading again out on the street. It wasn’t till the early 1980’s that Invoice was capable of develop the providers and choices of the Iowa 80 and the remainder cease started to resemble what it seems like at this time. 

We had been capable of communicate with Heather DeBaillie, Vice President of Advertising with the Iowa 80. She talked to us concerning the cease’s historical past and what it has to supply for truck drivers. 

“The Moon Household has all the time reinvested in Iowa 80. We speak to drivers and ask them what they want when on the street. What are their ache factors? What may we offer that will make their lives simpler?  We’ve added all of these issues when possible. Lots of what we construct is round saving the driving force time and offering them consolation. Our aim was all the time to be the very best truck cease and alongside that journey we turned the largest too. Now, we attempt to maintain each titles.”

What Providers Does the Iowa 80 Supply?

The Iowa 80 affords the whole lot drivers anticipate from a standard truck cease and way more. They’ve 16 diesel gas lanes, two dozen non-public showers, 10 eating places, and 900 parking spots. It’s all a part of their ideology of constructing greater so drivers don’t have to attend.  

“We need to make drivers’ lives simpler by having the whole lot they want in on cease.  We even have a 7-bay Truck Service Middle, canine wash, Gasoline Middle that along with 16 gas lanes features a small retailer and two meals choices; a CAT Scale and a 3-bay Truckomat Truck Wash. We’ve added these choices to make our buyer’s lives simpler.”

Through the years, the Iowa 80 has continued to develop, because of the Moon household investing within the cease. It quickly turned the most important truck cease on this planet, providing drivers luxurious providers like a film theatre, barber store, and on-site chiropractor.  

Right here’s a listing of among the providers the Iowa 80 affords: 

• Gasoline Middle 
• Truck Service Middle 
• CAT Scale 
• Film Theatre 
• Chiropractor 
• Dentist 
• Barber Store 
• Self-Serve Dogomat Pet Wash 
• Laundry Space 
• Customized Printing Store 

Does the Iowa 80 Maintain Occasions?

Other than the distinctive providers, the Iowa 80 holds an annual occasion every summer season often called the Walcott Trucker’s Jamboree. The occasion has taken place yearly since 1979 and consists of truck reveals, an vintage truck show, tremendous truck magnificence contest, trucker Olympics, pet contest, dwell music, meals, and extra. 

“The Walcott Trucker’s Jamboree is our manner of claiming thanks to the hundreds of thousands of drivers who work arduous to ship what we’d like and hold the financial system rolling. The occasion is free to attend and in addition offers non-truckers an opportunity to come back and see some actually cool rigs and be taught extra concerning the trade we rely on to get us the whole lot we use. It’s the largest Trucking get together within the nation.”

This 12 months’s Walcott Trucker’s Jamboree shall be happening July 14-16th.  

For those who’re a historical past buff, The Iowa 80 has one thing for you as effectively. You may try the Trucking Museum which options among the earliest recognized vans, petrolinia and classic gasoline station collectables, and vintage toy vans. 

Heather completed with these ideas, 

“Like many trucking firms, Iowa 80 is a household owned and operated enterprise. We’re household pleasant and at the moment are serving fourth and fifth technology driver prospects. We reinvested quite a bit again into the truck cease to create a spot we hope drivers get pleasure from and really feel welcomed. There aren’t any locks on our doorways, as we’ve been open repeatedly since our first day of operation in 1964.”