New Stop in Laurel, Montana

Laurel sits along Interstate 90 at Exit 432, a route that sees steady traffic moving through southern Montana and the Billings area. The new store is positioned to give drivers a reliable stop in a region where parking can fill up fast.

What’s at this location:

• 21,532 square feet
• 177 truck parking spaces
• Nine diesel bays
• Seven showers
• Laundry facilities
• CAT Scale
• Dog park
• Self-checkout options
• Fresh food items prepared daily, including salads, sandwiches, and fruit
• Arby’s opening April 6

New Stop in Albuquerque, New Mexico

The Albuquerque location sits near the junction of Interstate 25 and Interstate 40, one of the Southwest’s busiest freight corridors connecting the West Coast, Midwest, and southern lanes.

What’s at this location:

• 10,457 square feet
• 39 truck parking spaces
• Five diesel bays
• Four showers
• Laundry facilities
• CAT Scale
• Dog park
• Self-checkout options
• Fresh food items prepared daily
• Dunkin’ opening April 6
• Subway opening April 6

Built for Current Needs and What’s Next

Both locations are set up with space for future EV charging. The company noted that this allows them to work with local utility providers and add chargers if demand picks up.

Community Contributions

To mark the openings, the company is supporting local organizations in each area:

• Laurel: $5,000 to Community Hope of Laurel and $5,000 to Shodair Children’s Hospital
• Albuquerque: $5,000 split between Lowell Elementary School and East San Jose Elementary School, plus $5,000 to UNM Children’s Hospital

What This Means on the Road

Parking continues to be one of the biggest daily challenges. Adding more than 200 spaces across two high-traffic regions gives drivers more flexibility when planning stops, especially along long-haul routes that cross multiple regions.

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Carhenge – Alliance, Nebraska

Visible From: Highway 87

Nebraska brings a unique spin to roadside art with Carhenge, a cheeky homage to Stonehenge crafted entirely from vintage cars. Nestled in Alliance, the cars are painted gray to mimic the iconic stone slabs of England’s ancient monument. Travelers heading along Highway 87 can take a quick detour to experience this quirky tribute to automotive history and artistic ingenuity.

Teapot Dome Service Station – Zillah, Washington

Visible From: Interstate 82

With its distinct teapot shape, the Teapot Dome Service Station stands out as one of the most whimsical roadside sights in Washington. Located in Zillah and once a fully functioning gas station, it now serves as a historic nod to the Teapot Dome Scandal of the 1920s. This charming attraction can be spotted off Interstate 82 and is a fun reminder of history wrapped in roadside charm.

The Shoe Tree – Middlegate, Nevada

Visible From: U.S. Route 50

Along U.S. Route 50, often referred to as “The Loneliest Road in America,” you’ll find the peculiar Shoe Tree near Middlegate, Nevada. Over the years, countless travelers have contributed to the tree’s branches, now adorned with a colorful array of shoes. Mysterious origins and growing fame make it a unique pit stop that adds a touch of fun to a lonely stretch of highway.

Cadillac Ranch – Amarillo, Texas

Visible From: Interstate 40

Cadillac Ranch is a must-visit for anyone traveling through Amarillo, Texas. This iconic stop features ten classic Cadillacs half-buried nose-first into the dirt, all open for visitors to decorate with spray paint. Located just off Interstate 40, this evolving art installation is a favorite roadside attraction where truckers can unwind, stretch their legs, and leave their mark.

The Paper House – Rockport, Massachusetts

Visible From: Route 127

The Paper House in Rockport is a one-of-a-kind architectural wonder. Made entirely of newspaper—including the furniture—this unusual attraction is worth the short detour for trucking enthusiasts exploring Route 127. Its remarkable craftsmanship showcases creativity and serves as an inspiring stop for those who appreciate roadside curiosities.

The World’s Largest Ball of Twine – Cawker City, Kansas

Visible From: U.S. Route 24

Cawker City, Kansas, proudly hosts The World’s Largest Ball of Twine, an impressive accomplishment that began in 1953 and continues to grow. Travelers along U.S. Route 24 can’t miss this massive ball, a quirky and delightful slice of Americana that never fails to capture attention and spark a smile.

The Mystery Spot – Santa Cruz, California

Visible From: Highway 17

Nestled among Santa Cruz’s redwood forests lies The Mystery Spot—a gravitational anomaly where laws of physics seem to bend. For truckers passing along Highway 17, the tilted structures and intriguing surroundings stand as a visual cue to the weird and wonderful. Park nearby to uncover its secrets or enjoy the strange sight from the road.

Why These Landmarks Matter for Truckers

For many drivers, moments spent exploring these gems transform an ordinary trip into an unforgettable experience. Whether it’s a quick photo-op or a chance to marvel at creativity and ingenuity, these landmarks bring joy and fresh perspectives to the road.

Next time you’re on the open road, take a moment to explore beyond the pavement. From whimsical art installations like Cadillac Ranch to the mysterious Shoe Tree, these iconic spots provide more than just a place to pause—they’re opportunities to engage with a side of America most never see.

Image: Visit Nebraska

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The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) reported that prior to the hurricane, the U.S. Highway 70 bridge accommodated an average of 16,000 vehicles daily. Its closure had diverted traffic to alternative routes, intensifying congestion on nearby Interstate 40 and Interstate 240 in the Asheville area.

Tom Veazey, Division 13 resident engineer, explained the process of repairing the bridge in an official statement. “From the ground up, we identified that we had to rehab the substructure, then come behind and build a reinforced retaining wall to establish the roadway again,” he said.

Hurricane Helene’s Impact and Repairs

Hurricane Helene left substantial damage to the bridge, affecting its core structural components and the eastern roadway approach. Repairs to this critical passage cost approximately $900,000, according to NCDOT.

The reopening of the U.S. Highway 70 bridge is a significant milestone in restoring transportation infrastructure in Buncombe County. While all U.S. highways in the county are now operational, sections of several state highways, including Highway 81 and Highway 197, remain closed.

Road Recovery Progress

NCDOT has reopened 1,230 roads in western North Carolina as of Dec. 17, with 123 reopened in just the past week. Fewer than 200 roads are still out of service. Despite this progress, restrictions remain for trucks over 30 feet in length, which are prohibited from using 55 specific routes across the state.

A complete and up-to-date list of reopened roads can be accessed on the North Carolina DOT website.

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) Emergency Declaration

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration issued a regional emergency declaration back in October to enable the rapid recovery of damaged infrastructure. This declaration, which provides regulatory relief for motor carriers and drivers aiding recovery efforts, has been extended for North Carolina and Tennessee through Dec. 26.

The exemption covers carriers delivering critical supplies or operating utility service vehicles. Notably, drivers are eligible for this relief regardless of their trip’s origin, as long as they are contributing directly to restoration efforts.

Source: Land Line

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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

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