USA TODAY 10Best
Readers vote Kwik Trip Best Gas Station Brand of 2022
Best Gas Station Brand (2022)
On December 1, 1913, America’s first drive-in gas station opened in Pennsylvania. Instead of hauling gasoline cans from pharmacies, motorists could now pull up, refuel, and keep on driving. As more and more families owned cars (and lived further and further from city centers), fueling stations began popping up along highways across America. Today, we measure a gas station experience by much more than just the fuel. How clean are the bathrooms? How fresh is the coffee? What snack options are available? These gas station brands cater to the needs of drivers in all of these ways.
- TravelCenters of America
- RaceTrac
- Sheetz
- Love's Travel Stop
- QuickChek
- Maverik
- Rutter's
- Parker's
- Hy-Vee
- Kwik Trip
Photo courtesy of TravelCenters of America
No. 10:
Celebrating its fiftieth year of operations in 2022, TravelCenters of America spans North America, with 276 full-service locations in 44 states. Each site offers a variety of services, including gas and diesel fuel, full-service and fast-food restaurants, and travel stores stocked with groceries and snacks, electronics, clothing, and Grab ‘N Go foods. Their friendly staff recognizes that no two travelers are alike, and their goal is to “return every traveler to the road better than they came.”
Photo courtesy of RaceTrac, Inc.
No. 9:
Operating across the southeastern United States since 1934, RaceTrac’s stations are always open with friendly service and competitive, affordable gas prices. Their “Whatever Gets You Going” commitment offers endless options and high-quality ingredient foods from breakfast sandwiches to pizza to Roller Grill hot dogs to Swirl Whirl ice creams and yogurts. Don’t forget to grab a beverage or cup of freshly brewed coffee before you leave!
No. 8:
If you’re in Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, Ohio or North Carolina, be sure to stop at Sheetz, a combination gas station and made-to-order sandwich shop. The menu is available 24/7, with options like subs, sandwiches, salads, wraps and smoothies.
Photo courtesy of Love's Travel Stops
No. 7:
Love's Travel Stops & Country Stores are truck stops open 24 hours, where truck drivers and motorists can purchase gasoline and other fuel supplies, visit a variety of different restaurants, and buy snacks and travel-related items. They are headquartered in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and have more than 550 locations throughout the United States.
Photo courtesy of QuickChek
No. 6:
QuickChek got its start as a dairy farm and has since grown into a convenient store and gas station chain known for its made-to-order sandwich counters. Drivers will find more than 150 QuickChek stores across New York and New Jersey, each serving fresh food and locally roasted coffee.
No. 5:
Maverik is a bit like an outdoor adventure store disguised as a gas station. Based in Utah, the company operates nearly 400 locations in 12 Western states, all known for their outdoorsy vibe and top-notch food (try the breakfast tacos).
No. 4:
Rutter’s began as a dairy farm in 1921 in York, Pennsylvania. The second generation of the Rutter family founded the convenience store brand, and the third and fourth generations continue to manage it. The food menu ranks among the most extensive for any gas station, with options ranging from burgers and sandwiches to pizza and tacos to fried rice bowls and fried seafood platters.
Photo courtesy of Parker's
No. 3:
Headquartered in Savannah, Parker’s operates 71 stores across Georgia and South Carolina. The company has become a favorite convenience store in the South for its Parker’s Kitchen food lineup, which includes Southern favorites like fried chicken, fresh-baked biscuits and sweet tea.
Photo courtesy of Courtesy of Hy-Vee
No. 2:
Hy-Vee, an employee-owned company, prides itself on excellent customer service; the company slogan is “A Helpful Smile in Every Aisle.” Drivers will find these aisles in eight states throughout the Midwest. While the company began as a general store in 1930, it’s expanded to offer adjacent convenience stores and gas stations as well.
Photo courtesy of Kwik Trip
No. 1:
This Wisconsin-based, family-owned company operates more than 600 stores in Wisconsin, Minnesota and Iowa. In-store bakeries make more than two dozen different items each day, and all milk sold gets bottled within 24 hours of reaching the Kwik Trip dairy.
A panel of experts partnered with 10Best editors to pick the initial nominees, and the top 10 winners were determined by popular vote.
Congratulations to all these winning gas stations!
About 10Best Readers' Choice Awards
Nominees are submitted by a panel of experts. 10Best editors narrow the field to select the final set of nominees for the Readers’ Choice Awards. Readers can vote once per category, per day. For any questions or comments, please read the FAQ or email USA TODAY 10Best.
The Experts
Chez Chesak
‘Chez’ Chesak is Executive Director of the Outdoor... Read More
‘Chez’ Chesak is Executive Director of the Outdoor Writers Association of America, an adventure travel writer, board member of the Society of American Travel Writers and 22-year veteran of the outdoor and travel industries. While he’s lived all over the U.S. and traveled to more than 30 countries, he has the most fun when he’s exploring with his wife Sally and two daughters. An avid outdoors person, he’s happiest on a trail, on skis, or nestled into a sleeping bag. Learn more about him and his work at www.chezconnects.com.
Chez Chesak
‘Chez’ Chesak is Executive Director of the Outdoor Writers Association of America, an adventure travel writer, board member of the Society of American Travel Writers and 22-year veteran of the outdoor and travel industries. While he’s lived all over the U.S. and traveled to more than 30 countries, he has the most fun when he’s exploring with his wife Sally and two daughters. An avid outdoors person, he’s happiest on a trail, on skis, or nestled into a sleeping bag. Learn more about him and his work at www.chezconnects.com.
Nicky Omohundro
Nicky Omohundro is the founder and editor of Read More
Nicky Omohundro is the founder and editor of LittleFamilyAdventure.com, the popular family travel & lifestyle website that inspires families to leave no child left inside. Since 2013 LFA has been providing inspiration to get families outdoors, eat well, and travel everywhere from their own backyard to around the world. Always up for a family adventure, she has traveled to 37 states and 6 countries to zip-line through a Costa Rican rainforest, see Finland’s Northern Lights, and go camping throughout the US. Nicky is the co-founder of Tourism WorX a travel consultancy group. Connect with her Twitter and Instagram.
Nicky Omohundro
Nicky Omohundro is the founder and editor of LittleFamilyAdventure.com, the popular family travel & lifestyle website that inspires families to leave no child left inside. Since 2013 LFA has been providing inspiration to get families outdoors, eat well, and travel everywhere from their own backyard to around the world. Always up for a family adventure, she has traveled to 37 states and 6 countries to zip-line through a Costa Rican rainforest, see Finland’s Northern Lights, and go camping throughout the US. Nicky is the co-founder of Tourism WorX a travel consultancy group. Connect with her Twitter and Instagram.
Catherine Smith
Catherine Smith, Readers' Choice Awards... Read More
Catherine Smith, Readers' Choice Awards Production Manager and Social Media Director for USA TODAY 10Best, has a special interest in unique culinary experiences and off-the-beaten-path adventures. Catherine is the founder of Her Bags Were Packed where she focuses on helping women release emotional baggage through solo travel and self-discovery.
Catherine Smith
Catherine Smith, Readers' Choice Awards Production Manager and Social Media Director for USA TODAY 10Best, has a special interest in unique culinary experiences and off-the-beaten-path adventures. Catherine is the founder of Her Bags Were Packed where she focuses on helping women release emotional baggage through solo travel and self-discovery.
10Best Editors
USA TODAY 10Best provides users with original,... Read More
USA TODAY 10Best provides users with original, unbiased and experiential travel coverage of top attractions, things to see and do, and restaurants for top destinations in the U.S. and around the world.
10Best Editors
USA TODAY 10Best provides users with original, unbiased and experiential travel coverage of top attractions, things to see and do, and restaurants for top destinations in the U.S. and around the world.
