While microwaving a meal in my truck, I began to think if my efforts to save money while on the road would one day be costing me in the long run.
Years ago, trucks were not equipped with the fine amenities offered today. Most trucks didn’t even have a sleeper berth. Today’s new trucks on the market offer refrigerators, microwaves, entertainment centers and cooking capabilities. In fact, some custom sleepers offer a well-equipped bathroom. With these fine amenities offered inside our trucks, travel centers and services may become unnecessary and most importantly… unprofitable.
Through out the years we have went from almost total dependence on truck stops for fuel, food, showers, and even sleeping rooms to now basically using the truck stops for parking areas. Now we cook our supper in our trucks, use our phones and computers to stay in touch with family and friends, some take showers in the trucks and now we have different needs from our parking areas.
I’ve become aware that over the years, the restaurants inside these travel centers aren’t always full. Yet, the parking lot may be overflowing with overnight truck drivers. Are those drivers using all that the travel center offers? Many times, drivers may only go inside to use necessary facilities or grab a cup of coffee. My concern is in the future if we stop patronizing the travel center and only use the parking facilities… what happens to the travel center? If we think we have parking issues now, what happens when the travel centers becomes a fuel only stop?
