Tasty Pit Stops And Iconic Treats
Road trips carry their own kind of magic, where the miles blur together and small stops turn into lasting memories. Somewhere between refueling the tank and stretching your legs, gas stations become more than pit stops—they become places where comfort food and cravings thrive. These gas stations prove that good food can be found in unexpected places, and we'll even take a closer look at what snacks are worth pulling over for. Let’s start with the gas stations first.
1. Buc-ee’s
At Buc-ee’s in New Braunfels, Texas, travelers find more than 120 fueling stations alongside an 80,000-square-foot convenience store—the largest in the world. Its reputation for freshly prepared BBQ, fudge, and hot food draws crowds. Buc-ee’s mascot is so popular that it inspires cult merchandise collecting.
2. Wawa
More than 195 million cups of coffee are poured every year at Wawa, a chain that began as a dairy store in 1964. Now ranked among the nation’s best convenience stores, it’s loved for hoagies, and its “Hoagiefest” celebrations feature discounted subs.
The original uploader was Anthony at English Wikipedia. on Wikimedia
3. Sheetz
Touchscreen ordering for meals became a Sheetz trademark back in the 1990s. Operating since 1952, this chain offers subs and sandwiches around the clock. Its quirky “Walking Tacos” delights travelers, while regular appearances on “best road food” lists show it’s reputation.
4. Kwik Trip
Selling over 44 million Glazers Donuts each year, Kwik Trip has carved out a place in Midwestern culture so strong that it even became a meme in Wisconsin. This chain prepares pizza and hot meals fresh daily while sourcing dairy and produce directly from its own facilities.
5. Casey’s General Store
With more than 2,900 locations, Casey’s dominates the Midwest while serving as the fifth-largest pizza chain in the United States. About 28 million pizzas are sold annually, and their breakfast pizza—topped with eggs and gravy—has a cult following.
6. Love’s Travel Stops
Love’s operates more than 660 travel centers across the United States, serving millions of travelers with sandwiches, pizza, and fresh salads. The company began in 1964 with just one Oklahoma gas station. Many stops include drive-thru partners such as Subway or Chester’s Chicken.
7. Pilot Flying J
Serving millions annually, Pilot Flying J offers fresh food and buffet-style meals and has more than 900 locations. Co-founded in 1958, the brand is now North America’s largest travel center network. Its branded coffee is roasted specifically for frequent travelers.
8. Maverik Adventure’s First Stop
Maverik dominates the Mountain West with over 800 locations and a reputation for adventurous dining. Their BonFire menu focuses on flame-grilled and hearty road trip foods. Stores use mountain-inspired décor, and the brand is a sponsor of extreme sports events.
Maverik: An Adventure in Sound by maverikadventure
9. RaceTrac
It was in 1934 that RaceTrac opened in St. Louis, Missouri, and now, it has expanded to nearly 800 Southern locations. Travelers enjoy Swirl World soft serve, hot dogs, pizza, and endless drink combinations at its fountain stations.
10. QuickChek
Famous for hoagies and subs, QuickChek pioneered touchscreen ordering ahead of many competitors. Its loyalty app rewards locals with free food and drinks, and it hosts an annual sub competition during the New Jersey Balloon Festival. Fans praise the customizable mac and cheese bowls.
Now that you know the best stops, let’s show you the best snacks to get from them.
1. Buc-ee’s Beaver Nuggets
Buc-ee’s signature Beaver Nuggets are a road trip-only treasure, sold exclusively at its stores. Fans compare them to caramel corn, but with a softer crunch, and buy bulk bags to take home. Many travelers admit they stop at Buc-ee’s just for them.
Eating Everything at the World’s Largest Gas Station (Buc-ee’s) by Babish Culinary Universe
2. Wawa Soft Pretzels
Freshly baked every day and sold in nearly all locations, Wawa’s soft pretzels have become a Pennsylvania and New Jersey staple. Locals often pair them with the chain’s signature yellow mustard. Preferred by many over stadium pretzels, some fans even freeze them for later.
3. Sheetz Shmuffins
Among Sheetz’s most-ordered items is Shmuffins, bringing all-day breakfast to hungry travelers across multiple states. Made on English muffins, fans pile on toppings like jalapeño poppers or mozzarella sticks. Some swear these creations beat typical fast-food breakfasts for both quality and creativity.
Sheetz Made To Order Shmuffin - Breakfast Sandwich by #SweatPantsJoeEATS
4. Kwik Trip Glazers Donuts
Selling over 44 million each year, Glazers Donuts are Kwik Trip’s bakery signature and a favorite in Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Iowa. Long lines formed when they were once given away free, and many Midwesterners call them the best gas station donuts.
You Won’t Believe What’s Inside Kwik Trip’s Secret Bakery by Wisconsin Foodie
5. Casey’s Breakfast Pizza
Casey’s Breakfast Pizza, topped with eggs, cheese, and breakfast meats, has achieved cult-classic status. Critics have ranked it among the best gas station foods ever made. Travelers ship slices home, and millions have been sold since this beloved item debuted in the 2000s.
6. Love’s Roller Grill Taquitos
Among the most-purchased items at Love’s, Roller Grill taquitos are cooked fresh on-site and come in flavors like beef and cheese. Their low price makes them one of the cheapest hot foods on the road, and long-haul truckers form a cult following.
food review new Roller grill Taquitos by AUDITS AND MORE
7. Pilot Flying J Cinnamon Rolls
Pilot Flying J’s oversized cinnamon rolls are baked fresh daily in-store, not pre-packaged. Offered nationwide across 750+ locations, the rolls are so large that many customers split them. Fans say they rival popular bakery chains while costing just a fraction of the price.
Tour Of A Cinnabon/Flying J In Seffner, FL by escandelev
8. Maverik BonFire Burritos
Grilled-to-order BonFire Burritos stand out as a Maverik’s signature food item and one of its most popular. Customers choose hearty fillings like steak or BBQ chicken, and the burritos are so large they’re often comparedto sit-down Mexican restaurant portions.
9. RaceTrac Swirl World Ice Cream
At RaceTrac’s Swirl World, customers create their own soft-serve cones topped with unlimited choices. Kids especially enjoy the mix-your-own candy bar toppings. As a signature food station across Southern locations, it inspires travelers to post wild mixes online.
10. QuickChek Subs
Freshly made to order, QuickChek subs consistently rank among the brand’s most popular items. Many locals in New Jersey even say they prefer them to Wawa hoagies. Touchscreen ordering encourages unusual toppings, and the chain highlights the sandwiches through annual festivals and promotions.
