Beyond Cruising: 10 Best Diner Chains According to Truckers

Navigating the highways across the country, big rig truckers need a place to pull over for a hearty meal, ample parking, and a moment to rest on the long journey. There are a number of diner chains you should visit across the states that offer comfort and convenience after a hard day of work on the road. While there are many others out there, here are 10 of Commercial Truck Trader’s best diner chains for commercial truckers when you’re in need of a place to stop during your long-haul adventure.

1. Penny’s Diner

A 1950s-themed diner, Penny’s Diner dishes out American classics like hamburgers, malts, and sundaes for an indulgent pick-me-up when you need it. They’re open all 24 hours each day, so even during those grueling overnight drives you can grab a seat and a bite to eat to break up the journey. Check for parking and specials available at their locations with 27 restaurants across 15 states, including Glendive, Montana right off I-94 and next to hotels and fueling stations.

2. Cracker Barrel

An American favorite, Cracker Barrel has earned a following for travelers on long roadtrips for its homestyle cooking and country store shopping that pairs comfort food with a welcoming atmosphere. While you can expect all-day breakfast, many offer free overnight parking for larger vehicles, just check in advance for each restaurant’s policies for truckers. Cracker Barrel locations like the one in Zanesville, Ohio near I-70 are convenient for pulling right off the road and grabbing something to eat when you need it most.

diner breakfast

3. Denny’s

Serving up pancake stacks and juicy hamburgers, Denny’s can be found with locations nationwide, often right off the freeway exit. Expect a paved lot to park and rest, a buzzing kitchen with big portions, some with the option to park and stay overnight, plus dining near hotels, grocery stores, fueling stations, and shopping malls. If you’re in the South and on I-10 or its interchange around the Gulfport–Biloxi area, look for Denny’s and more popular chains for filling up within town.

4. Perkins

Appetizing American classics are offered at Perkins, with breakfast and baked goods served around the clock for hungry drivers. You can check specific locations for parking based on the size of your truck, but many of their diners are adjacent to accommodations for longer stays. Find their locations in the areas like Duluth, Minnesota–Superior, Wisconsin off I-35 and strategically located near other highways for truck driving.

5. IHOP

IHOP is famous for its pancakes, breakfast served throughout the day, and generous portions of your favorite foods served whenever you feel like it. They’re open 24/7, 365 days a year, so if you need to take a detour on a route, their doors will be open. IHOP restaurants like those found in the Sherman, Texas–Ada, Oklahoma area are near shopping centers, hotel accommodations, gas stations, and the highway.

6. Broadway Diner at Flying J Travel Plaza

Fuel, food, and a place to take a breather on the road are all included at Broadway Diner at Flying J Travel Plaza. They have five locations along Interstate 90, 80, and U.S. 395 in the West, and are known as a truckers’ haven with wifi, showers, ATMs, and of course, delicious dining with steak, pasta, and breakfast—the list goes on! If you’re making your way through trucking destinations like Great Falls in Montana and remote routes in the northwest, you’re never too far from one of their diners.

refueling at truck stop

7. Country Pride

Country Pride is part of TravelCenters of America’s chain of full-service restaurants, made for truckers and travelers alike that are looking for a tasty meal, a place to pull over and refuel, and truck service for commercial vehicles. Originally founded in the Midwest, they’ve expanded around the country and have a number of sister restaurants with similar offerings that help you save time on your route. If you’re in the region of West Palm Beach–Fort Pierce, Florida, make a stop at their Vero Beach location, a favorite among fleet operators right off I-95.

8. Iron Skillet

Your driving route across the country requires you to make a number of stops, and easy parking and dining should be the least of your concerns. Going hand-in-hand with the signature diner chains on this list, Iron Skillet at Petro Stopping Centers puts together steaks, chicken, burgers, pasta, and much more to keep you moving down the road. If you’re going somewhere like Knoxville by way of the Tri-Cities of Tennessee and Virginia, there’s an Iron Skillet along with a nearby Shell station and CAT Scale for certified and accurate weighing.

diner burger

9. Waffle House

Southern breakfast food might not be better at any other chain than Waffle House, which has a long history of serving hungry drivers that need to get off the road and relax. You’ll find a full breakfast menu for those craving those crispy waffles, plus lunch and dinner with handhelds like burgers and sandwiches. With accessible parking at many of their locations, it’s worth adding them to your trip, especially if you’re going through a heavily congested area like Miami–Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

10. Fuddruckers

Another popular dining destination with a retro feel, Fuddruckers is situated in a number of states, but their TravelCenters’ stops in Georgia and Florida combine a number of trucking amenities like refueling, parking, and access to nearby lodging. If you’re working up an appetite for a hamburger in a place like Roanoke–Lynchburg, Virginia or making your way around the I-95 interchange near Richmond, look for their Ashland stop for lunch and dinner.

These are just a few of our favorite diner chains around the country that cater to truckers with a place to eat, whether it’s late at night or early in the morning, plus they have more room to put your vehicle in park if you need to stay awhile. If you’re ready to get out on the road, be sure to visit the nation’s largest marketplace of new and used vehicles at CommercialTruckTrader.com.