The world’s largest truck stop: Inside Iowa 80, a road trip destination like no other
Off Interstate 80 in eastern Iowa is what is perhaps one of the most uniquely American establishments ever created: the Iowa 80 Truckstop, the self-proclaimed “world’s largest truck stop.” A haven for long-haul truckers, road trippers and tourists alike, the Iowa 80 Truckstop is something you must see to believe. For instance, here are some superlative figures to start:
- 225-acre property
- 900 truck parking spots
- 250 car parking spots
- 20 bus parking spots
- 42 car and RV fuel pumps
- 34 diesel pumps
- 10 EV chargers
- 130,000-square-foot main building
Open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, the stop boasts it hasn’t closed its doors since first opening them in 1964. In addition to a convenience store and nine restaurants (one of which includes a buffet or à la carte), there’s also a workout room, 24 private showers, truck service center, a movie theater, a library, an arcade, a laundry center, two dog parks, a pet wash, a barber shop, a massive gift shop, a custom embroidery and print shop, a chiropractor and a dentist.
Finally, its onsite museum tells the story of trucking in the U.S. It houses more than 130 antique trucks, with the oldest one built in Iowa in 1903 and the most modern one made in 1996. Admission is free.
In short, visiting the Iowa 80 Truckstop is like being in a small city.
MotorTrend stopped here for lunch as part of the cross-country road trip we took in our long-term 2025 Honda Civic Hybrid sedan, and it was possibly the smartest move we made on the whole trip. Grab a seat at the Iowa 80 Kitchen for the tasty and filling buffet, or order a sizable burger cooked to perfection.
Once you’ve refueled yourself, we highly encourage you to wander through the massive gift shop and truck parts store to take it all in. Here you can purchase anything and everything you’d ever need as a trucker or road tripper. Besides obvious items like snacks, chargers and seat cushions, you can buy truck mattresses, pillows, sheepskins, DVDs, books on tape, guitars, high-visibility clothing and a truly impressive array of... swords. If you budget enough time, you can even get something custom vinyl embroidered.
A man, a plan, a new interstate highway truck stop
The Iowa 80 Truckstop’s history began with the passing of the Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1956 and the subsequent need to place truck stops along Interstate 80.
Upon returning from service in the Korean War, founder Bill Moon worked as a district representative and location scout for Standard Oil. A bit of farmland beside the highway caught his eye. It was about three hours from Des Moines and Chicago, and six hours from Detroit and Omaha. At mile marker 284, just north of Walcott, Iowa, Standard Oil broke ground.
Opening in 1964, the early truck stop was modest compared to what it is now. Customers were welcome to a single-bay service area, a handful of fuel pumps, a communal shower, a communal and cot-filled sleeping room and a 24-hour car and truck wrecker service.
The Moon family eventually bought the truck stop from Standard Oil of Indiana (or Amoco, as it was known by then) in 1984. From then to 2004, they began turning it into the destination it is today by expanding the service center, store and restaurant; installing individual showers; and adding amenities like the arcade and movie theater. There were even fax machines for those needing to do business before the internet was a thing.
The completion of the Iowa 80 Kitchen was a cornerstone event between 2004 and 2024, transforming the food options from a cafe to a 300-seat restaurant and buffet.
Bill Moon died in 1992, so he never saw the completed work. But his legacy lives with the family members that survive him and anyone who visits the stop. Under the Iowa 80 Group, the Moon family — now in its third generation — also owns and operates the Joplin 44 Petro and Kenly 95 truck stops in Joplin, Missouri and Kenley, North Carolina. But the Iowa 80 location is undoubtedly the family portfolio’s crown jewel.
A trucker’s shopping dream
As for being “the world’s largest truck stop,” how can the family make such a claim?
“Acreage and amenities, and we’ve checked with other truck stops,” Iowa 80 Group spokesperson Lee Meier told MotorTrend. “Our Kenley and Joplin locations are probably No. 2 and No. 3 in terms of size and amenities. So we’re beating ourselves here. Plus, we’ve been called the ‘world’s largest’ since we were branded [as] Amoco. That probably started in the ’80s.”
Iowa 80 serves nearly 6,000 customers per day, and that volume is split approximately 50/50 between truckers and people in passenger cars. Summertime sees more families and vacationers, but Meier said there really isn’t a “slow” time for the truck stop. Its busiest days depend on the weather and season.
“Some of our customers are fourth- or fifth-generation customers, which is very cool and pretty humbling,” Meier said. “Sometimes we have the same customers three or four times a week, depending on routes, and other times we don’t see people for a couple of months. Maybe once a year we have this same customer, but we’re glad to see them however often they visit us.”
The sheer variety of things to do at Iowa 80 is what keeps them all coming back, so it’s a pretty great place to spend a mandated break if you’re on one. There’s plenty to choose from if you’re there for more than one meal, and the staff keeps the showers clean and running around the clock.
Meier said the on-site chiropractor and dentist are particularly popular. Both accept walk-ins and insurance, depending on the provider, and even take emergency appointments at odd hours.
“[A truck driver’s] truck is their [only] vehicle [when they’re out on the road], and oftentimes, parking lots for normal dentist offices can’t accommodate a semi-truck and trailer,” Meier said. “So it’s nice they don’t have to worry about parking or getting some kind of rideshare to a dentist office in order to fix an emergency.”
By far, though, the most interesting wing is the Super Truck Showroom. Here, truckers can buy seemingly any part for their trucks under the sun. Hood ornaments, trumpets, bumper guards, mud flaps, mirrors, seats and stacks were just a few of the things we saw for sale. Up and down the aisles, truck drivers strolled with salespeople, chatting specs and prices.
For the casual road tripper, the Iowa 80 Truckstop is a highly unique place to visit, as well. The Iowa 80 Kitchen is a relaxing place to sit, and you don’t feel like you’ll be chased out as soon as you finish your food. The convenience store is stocked with what looks like every snack and beverage known to humankind, and the gift shop has some truly spectacular options, such as these shoes.
The stop’s aesthetic is a bit of a time capsule, as you can see the different eras of development in the decor. But each is a testament to Iowa 80’s continued expansion. No doubt cherished by truckers and travelers alike, the Moon family has managed to craft some permanence into an industry built on transience.
Photos by MotorTrend. Additional photography courtesy of Iowa 80 Truckstop.