Big Three truck stop chains report widespread closings

All of the Big Three truck stop brands have reported closed locations because of the winter conditions that have descended on Texas and Louisiana.

Jon Osburn, skipper of OOIDA’s tour trailer, the Spirit of the American Trucker, is parked at the Petro in San Antonio. Yesterday morning,  Feb. 17, he reported it was a mess.

“Everything is closed,” Osburn said. “No food, no fuel, no showers, no DEF – no nothing.”

At his location at the San Antonio Petro, he said reserved parking had been opened up for truckers for free. He has heard reports of broken water pipes closing truck stops, power outages closing fuel pumping, and other issues.

As of the morning of Feb. 18, conditions were still difficult, he said. With no water, drivers were coming into The Spirit looking to use the potty there, he said. There isn’t one. Drivers said someone should get portable toilets delivered, but Osburn reported that facility managers weren’t able to do that. Portable toilet companies were unwilling to send their delivery trucks out on icy roads.

Also, with pumps gelling up or otherwise inoperable or fuel not delivered, drivers like him were stuck without enough fuel to drive out of the problem area, he said.

He also has heard from drivers about problems of icy approaches to Mississippi River bridges making it difficult for tractor-trailers to cross.

TA & Petro

As of 3 p.m. Central on Feb. 19, TravelCenters of America, which operates TA & Petro truck stops, reported weather-related closures and problems in Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas and elsewhere.

In Texas, TA & Petro reported that most cities were experiencing rolling blackouts.

There is no water at TA Bernardo, San Antonio, Petro Beaumont, TA Ganado, Petro Pearsall, and TA Big Spring. Water pressure at TA Denton is low and showers are closed.

Portable toilets are available at Petro Beaumont and Petro Pearsall.

Diesel pumps are down at TA New Braunfels, Petro Carl’s Corner, and Petro Hillsboro.

In Louisiana, there is no water or diesel TA Tallulah. There is no water at  TA Lafayette, TA Greenwood and Petro Shreveport.

Click here for a complete list of closed or restricted TA & Petro truck stops, restaurants and services because of the weather.

Love’s

As of 3 p.m. Central on Feb. 19, Love’s reported facilities closed the Greenwood, La., Speedco.

In addition, Love’s lists widespread diesel outages as well as power, water, truck service, and restaurant closures on its website.

Power was out at 14 locations. Diesel was out at 11 locations, in Texas, Louisiana, Arizona, Mississippi, Kansas, and Colorado. Check here for updates.

Pilot Co.

As of 3 p.m. on Feb. 19,  the Pilot Co. reported all locations closed because of winter weather had been reopened.

It also listed 23 truck stop locations in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas that were not scheduled to get deliveries.

Check the updated list for the Pilot Co. here. LL