The new location is situated at 265 Opportunity Way near Exit 174 and fills a gap between existing Love’s travel stops in Cottondale and Lee. The site is designed to serve professional drivers, RV travelers, and motorists moving through the Florida Panhandle.

According to Love’s, the additional parking and fueling capacity support freight movement along a heavily traveled transportation corridor while providing drivers with access to amenities and services on the route.

New Travel Stop Includes Driver Amenities

The Gretna location features 121 truck parking spaces and eight diesel bays.

Additional amenities include:

• Six showers
• Laundry facilities
• CAT Scale
• Dog park
• Self-checkout option
• Love’s Fresh Food

An Arby’s and a Dunkin’ are also scheduled to open at the location on June 15.

Grand Opening Includes Community Donations

As part of the grand opening, Love’s announced donations to several organizations.

Gretna Elementary School and West Gadsden Middle School will each receive $2,500. The company also announced a $5,000 donation to Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital.

Site Includes Space for Future EV Chargers

The new travel stop includes space designated for future electric vehicle charging infrastructure.

According to Love’s, the company can work with local utility providers to install charging stations if customer demand develops in the future.

Love’s Continues Expansion Efforts In 2026

The Gretna opening is part of a broader expansion and renovation effort across the Love’s network.

The company recently completed upgrades at its country store in Elk City, Oklahoma, and its travel stop in Roscoe, Illinois. Both locations reopened with remodeled sales floors, renovated restrooms, and updated layouts intended to improve traffic flow.

Love’s said it has opened 10 new locations and completed updates at 18 stores so far in 2026.

The Truck Drivers USA editorial team creates practical, driver-focused content covering industry topics, job trends, and real-world decisions that impact drivers at every stage of their careers. Each article is written to provide clear, accurate information that drivers can use.

Last updated: June 18, 2026

Source: Truckers News

Image Source: Love’s Travel Stops

The post Love’s Adds 121 Truck Parking Spaces Along I-10 In Florida appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.

The emergency declaration, which dates back to October, was initially renewed on November 8. The latest extension accommodates the specific requests from each state, with the new expiration dates as follows:

• Florida: December 2

• Georgia: December 11

• North Carolina: December 26

• Tennessee: December 26

This extension primarily benefits those involved in transporting essential supplies or operating utility service vehicles to restore critical services. Importantly, drivers providing direct assistance to hurricane recovery efforts are eligible for the relief, regardless of their trip’s origin.

Restrictions and Updates on Travel

Several roads in western North Carolina and Tennessee remain restricted to essential travel only. Additionally, vehicles longer than 30 feet are still prohibited on some routes.

While major road construction projects in North Carolina are paused for the Thanksgiving weekend, portions of key highways like Interstate 26 and Interstate 40 are still closed. Drivers planning trips in the area should proceed with caution.

Meanwhile, the National Weather Service in Morristown, Tennessee, has forecast potential snow accumulations and freezing conditions over the weekend, adding further challenges to travel in these regions.

Need Assistance?

For updates on road closures, routing assistance, or emergency declarations by state, the FMCSA has detailed resources available on its website.

Stay safe and informed as recovery efforts continue.

Source: Land Line

The post FMCSA Extends Emergency Declaration for Hurricane Recovery appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.

Expansion Details

• Chicago, IL: The 30-acre site located at 70 Airport Road in West Dundee will provide over 1,000 semi-truck parking spots, boosting Illinois’ truck parking capacity by nearly 9%.

• Fort Lauderdale, FL: Located at 12754 Wiles Road in Coral Springs, this 14-acre facility offers 370 parking spaces, serving as an entry point to the Southeast U.S. and Latin American markets.

• Fontana, CA: Outpost’s first California yard at 15122 Ceres Avenue encompasses 4.5 acres with close to 100 parking spaces, ideal for logistics operations throughout Southern California.

• Laredo, TX: The 11-acre yard at 18702 Metropolitan Rd, close to significant border crossings, provides 320 spaces, facilitating smooth cross-border trade with Mexico.

“As our network continues to expand, motor carriers increasingly look to Outpost as a strategic partner for positioning their fleets, improving asset visibility, and optimizing their real estate investments,” said Trent Cameron, Outpost co-founder and CEO. “This can only be accomplished through our combination of purpose-built technology and the operational expertise of managing yards at scale. Our four new properties strengthen our ability to help these fleets operate more efficiently in critical freight corridors across the US.” To reserve a space or learn more about the facilities, visit Outpost’s official website.

Source: The Trucker

The post Outpost Takes a Big Step Forward with New Facilities and 1,700 New Truck Parking Spaces! appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.

Coordinated Road Checks Across State Lines

This yearly campaign sees state and local law enforcement agencies from the five participating states working in unison to identify and remove impaired drivers from the roads. Officers will conduct simultaneous road checks across state borders, focusing on catching drunk and drugged drivers, while also issuing citations for speeding, distracted driving, and seatbelt violations, including improper car seat usage.

“We are fortunate to have neighbors who are as committed as we are in Georgia to saving lives on our roads and that they are always ready to work with us during the year on other projects that promote safe driving,” remarked Allen Poole, Director of the Georgia Governor’s Office of Highway Safety. “Hands Across the Border sends a message to every driver in the southeast to slow down, buckle up, and drive sober and alert before the Labor Day holiday travel period.”

A Longstanding Tradition of Safety

The Hands Across the Border campaign began in 1991 as a friendly challenge between the Georgia State Patrol and the Florida Highway Patrol to see which state could reduce alcohol-related traffic deaths over Labor Day weekend. The initiative quickly expanded, with all states bordering Georgia now participating in joint road checks along their state lines. The primary aim of this effort is to intercept impaired drivers before the final holiday weekend of the summer, contributing to safer roads for all.

“Our ultimate goal at any time of year is to get dangerous drivers off the roads and help reduce traffic crashes, injuries and fatalities,” said Roger Hayes, Law Enforcement Services Director at GOHS. “But with a major travel weekend coming up and so many warm weather vacation destinations across the southeast, we want everyone to make sure they drive sober, put down their phones, slow down and that everyone in their vehicle is properly buckled up.”

Addressing the Southeast’s Traffic Fatality Rates

Campaigns like Hands Across the Border are crucial, especially given the concerning traffic fatality rates across the southeastern United States. In Georgia alone, there were 1,504 traffic-related deaths in 2018, a slight decrease from the 1,540 recorded in 2017. However, alcohol-related fatalities rose from 356 in 2017 to 375 in 2018, and speed-related deaths also saw an increase from 248 to 267 over the same period.

Hayes further emphasized the importance of this collaborative effort, stating, “We partner with our state line neighbors in communities along the South Carolina, Florida, and Tennessee borders for road checks, enforcement, and awareness. This isn’t about raising revenue, but rather lowering fatalities.”

Ensuring a Safer Labor Day Weekend

With millions expected to travel for Labor Day, the Hands Across the Border campaign plays a vital role in keeping drivers safe. By working together, these five states aim to make the roads safer and remind everyone of the importance of driving responsibly.

Source: The Trucker

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Severe Weather Strikes Florida

Florida faced the brunt of Hurricane Debby, with the Orlando Sentinel reporting wind speeds reaching up to 95 mph. The storm triggered numerous tornado warnings and caused extensive flooding in the Gulf Coast and North Florida regions.

The state has issued two separate emergency declarations due to the storm. One is set to expire on Thursday, August 8, while the other will remain effective until August 15. These orders provide relief to motor carriers and drivers offering emergency services or supplies to the affected areas by waiving IFTA, IRP, and size and weight regulations for divisible loads.

According to an emergency order released, up to 12 inches of rain could fall within the week.

“These conditions could damage the operational capability of critical infrastructure to include major interstates and roadways, bridges, airports, schools, hospitals, power grids and other critical infrastructure,” the Hurricane Debby declaration stated.

Georgia’s Response to Hurricane Debby

Georgia’s emergency declaration offers regulatory relief from hours-of-service and size and weight restrictions for commercial vehicles distributing goods and services in response to the storm.

“This storm has the potential to produce severe impacts to citizens throughout south central and southeast coastal Georgia,” the emergency order emphasized. “Assistance from the state is necessary to provide for the public’s safety, protect public and private property, and maintain the social and economic welfare of the state.”

Commercial vehicles operating outside regular weight, height, and length limits will receive permits from the Georgia Department of Public Safety. The emergency also enforces the state’s prohibition on price gouging of motor fuel, diesel fuel, and other petroleum products.

South Carolina’s Emergency Measures

South Carolina’s executive order highlights the potential for significant property damage and disruption of essential services. Thus, regulations concerning registration, permits, length, width, weight, and load are suspended for commercial and utility vehicles traveling on non-interstate routes for up to 120 days, provided these vehicles do not exceed a gross weight of 90,000 pounds or a width of 12 feet.

Additionally, time-of-service suspensions for commercial and utility vehicles on both interstate and non-interstate routes are in effect for up to 30 days.

Source: Land line

The post Emergency Declarations in Three States as Hurricane Debby Hits appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.

A Significant Addition to Central Florida’s Fueling Infrastructure

Located strategically near Highway 27, Interstate 4, and the Florida Turnpike, the new station is designed to cater to heavy-duty trucks and other fleet vehicles that ply these busy routes. RNG, derived entirely from organic waste, offers a significant advantage over diesel by reducing carbon emissions by approximately 300%.

Aligning with Advanced Technology

This new station’s opening coincides perfectly with the release of Cummins’ X15N natural gas engine, a groundbreaking innovation for heavy-duty trucking fleets aiming to switch to cleaner fuel options without sacrificing performance. This engine, having undergone rigorous testing by top fleets like Walmart, Knight-Swift, UPS, and Amazon, has been lauded for its remarkable power, torque, fuel efficiency, and substantial reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

“Clean Energy has seen a strong demand for RNG fuel from both new and existing customers. The Davenport station is in a great location to supply a clean fuel to the many fleets that operate in the central Florida area,” said Chad Lindholm, senior vice president of Clean Energy. “The investments being made by Clean Energy and many others in RNG production will ensure a steady flow of RNG fuel to this station and hundreds of others that are in our network around the country.”

Station Specifications and Network Expansion

Situated on a 3.7-acre site at 2450 Access Road, Northwest Davenport, Florida, 33897, the new station includes five fast-fill dispensers and 98 time-fill fueling hoses, making it convenient for quick and efficient fueling. Clean Energy currently operates over 600 fueling stations across North America and is consistently expanding this network with facilities designed specifically for heavy-duty truck fleets.

Commitment to Sustainability

Clean Energy is also heavily investing in RNG production at dairy farms, addressing the significant emissions from agriculture and transportation, which together account for nearly 38% of U.S. GHG emissions according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. By capturing methane from farm waste and converting it into RNG, Clean Energy is able to significantly lower GHG emissions over the entire fuel lifecycle compared to diesel. This makes RNG one of the few transportation fuels capable of achieving a negative carbon-intensity score, thanks to its dual role in reducing emissions both at the source and during vehicle operation.

Source: The Trucker

Image: Clean Energy

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This family-oriented event will bring together over 300 of Florida’s top commercial motor vehicle drivers, who will demonstrate their exceptional driving skills and industry knowledge as they battle it out for the prestigious title of Grand Champion. Driving a truck is not just about navigating roads; it involves a deep understanding of vehicle mechanics, safety regulations, and situational awareness.

“The Florida Truck Driving Championships offer a platform to recognize and honor the best professional truck drivers in our state. Their dedication to professionalism and, most importantly, safety, make them ambassadors of our industry,” said Alix Miller, president and CEO of FTA. “These drivers are the backbone of our nation’s economy, and this annual event showcases their impressive abilities and unwavering dedication to performing their duties with safety and efficiency.”

This year’s participants come from reputable firms such as UPS, FedEx, Amazon, Publix, Walmart, Sysco, Oakley, and Florida Rock and Tank Lines.

Competitors will participate in various categories, including straight truck, tank, sleeper, twins, 3-to-5-axle, auto transport, flatbed, and step van. All scores will contribute to the final Grand Champion rankings.

The competition kicks off with a written regulatory exam, which tests the drivers’ knowledge of the laws and safety practices essential for driving a truck. This is followed by a pre-trip inspection, and then the driving skills course.

Winners of the Florida TDC will qualify for the National Truck Driving Championships hosted by the American Trucking Associations, scheduled for August 21-24 in Indianapolis. This offers a national stage to celebrate the highest levels of proficiency in driving a truck.

The event is free and open to the public, who are encouraged to attend to learn more about the trucking industry and witness some of the best professional truck drivers in action.

Source: The Trucker

The post Florida Truck Driving Championships 2024 appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.

According to a news release, this new building increases the company’s capacity by 300%, allowing it to better serve the growing Treasure Coast market in Florida. All 110 ESOP members are thrilled about this significant step forward.

The facility boasts several features, including a mandatory bike rack, specialized water fountains, over 100 trees, and 16 full-service bays. It also has a comprehensive hydraulic shop for rebuilding cylinders and pumps.

Additionally, the building includes a 5,000-square-foot showroom to boost retail space and 26,000 square feet of parts storage to accommodate $1 million worth of stock. This expanded storage will help the company streamline storage and redistribution across its other five branches.

Later this year, the facility will also offer full alignment, DPF cleaning, and fabrication services.

The grand opening is scheduled for July 19, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., and everyone is invited to attend.

Source: The Trucker

Photo: Total Truck Parts

The post Total Truck Parts Announces Grand Opening Event for New Port St. Lucie Facility appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.

Jorge Alfaro and Clare Dougal, both residents of The Acreage and professional truck drivers, have been parking their trucks at home since at least 2003. However, this changed a few years ago when they began receiving fines for illegal parking following changes to the county’s Unified Land Development Code. In February, the Palm Beach County Board of Commissioners passed an ordinance effectively banning truck parking on residential properties in The Acreage.

Less than two months later, Alfaro and Dougal filed a lawsuit against the county, asserting that the truck parking ban infringes upon their rights as property owners. They argue that the removal of parking ordinance exemptions for The Acreage was part of a targeted effort to gentrify the rural area, displacing blue-collar residents in favor of attracting white-collar residents through zoning changes.

“Amid the housing crisis and expanding population, Palm Beach County began a targeted campaign of rural gentrification for Palm Beach County seeking to retain and attract white-collar residents by slowly changing zoning ordinances to push out blue-collar commercial residents,” the lawsuit states.

The Acreage, a rural section of Palm Beach County, had historically been exempt from parking ordinances for residential zones. Despite the county’s implementation of a Unified Land Development Code in 2003, which stopped commercial vehicles from parking in residential districts, The Acreage remained excluded from this regulation.

However, amendments to the code in the following years began to break down and hurt this exemption.

In 2019, the county removed The Acreage’s exclusion from residential district parking ordinances, focusing instead on excluding only legally established nonresidential uses in agricultural residential districts. A further amendment in 2020 exacerbated the situation, resulting in enforcement actions against truckers who had been parking their trucks at home for nearly two decades.

Despite requests for exceptions, the county clarified truck parking rules in February, ultimately allowing only smaller vehicles at home-based businesses in The Acreage, effective from July 1.

Alfaro and Dougal argue that the truck parking ordinance effectively constitutes an eviction notice for residents of The Acreage and amounts to a regulatory taking of property. They claim that the county’s actions have not only deprived them of the intended use of their property but have also led to a decrease in property value.

“Accordingly, individuals such as plaintiffs now face the lose-lose option to remain on their land and receive continued citations and fines from the county’s rural gentrification efforts or leave their land and livelihoods behind,” the lawsuit states.

As a remedy, they seek a declaratory judgment against the county, asserting that the ordinances and associated citations violate their rights and requesting that the county be prohibited from enforcing the violations.

Palm Beach County has not provided comment.

Source: Land Line

The post Residential Truck Parking Ban Prompts Two Truckers to Sue their County appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.

In December, the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) submitted a request to FMCSA, proposing that the three-part CDL skills test be conducted and completed in a different order: starting with the pre-trip inspection, followed by basic vehicle control skills, and concluding with on-road skills.

FLHSMV’s proposal aimed to grant testers the discretion to continue assessing an applicant who failed either the pre-trip inspection or basic vehicle control skills portions of the test. Subsequently, applicants could return at a later date solely to retake the failed segment(s). FLHSMV argued that this exemption would optimize compliance staff’s time and resources by streamlining the monitoring of third-party testers.

Support for the exemption was voiced by the Commercial Vehicle Training Association (CVTA) and the National Tank Truck Carriers (NTTC) during the public comment period.

In its denial the FMCSA “believes that conducting the elements of the CDL skills test in the required order (i.e., pre-trip inspection, vehicle control skills test, on-road skills test) is the best practice for the safety of the CDL applicant, the examiner, and any motorists who must share the public roadway with the CDL applicant during the on-road portion of the CDL skills test.”

However, FMCSA countered by highlighting the existing flexibility within current regulations regarding retesting. The regulations already accommodate retesting based on the specific stage at which a candidate fails the three-part CDL skills test. If an applicant fails the pre-trip inspection, they are required to retake the entire test.

If they pass the pre-trip but fail the vehicle control portion, they must return to repeat only the vehicle control segment before proceeding to the on-road test. Finally, if a candidate passes both the pre-trip and vehicle control segments but fails the on-road test, they are only obligated to retake the on-road test.

By denying the exemption request, FMCSA maintains adherence to existing regulations while ensuring consistency and standardization in CDL skills testing procedures.

“The sequence of the skills test ensures that an applicant has demonstrated sufficient knowledge and skills to safely attempt the next step in the testing process,” FMCSA said. “The current regulations also provide flexibility, in that generally, applicants are not required to retake portions of the test which have been successfully completed. Moreover, with the implementation of the federal Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) requirements, the agency believes [states] should see a reduction in the percentage of applicants who fail portions of the CDL skills test.”

Source: Commercial Carrier Journal

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