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Finding the perfect gas station when you’re cruising down the highway in your RV can feel like searching for a needle in a haystack. You need more than just fuel—you need easy access, clean bathrooms, decent snacks, and maybe even a place to park for the night. With over 11 million RV-owning households in America, the demand for RV-friendly fuel stops has never been higher.
Wild RV Life put three of America’s most popular travel stops to the ultimate test. Love’s Travel Stops, Buc-ee’s, and Pilot Flying J went head-to-head in four crucial categories that matter most to RVers. From ease of fueling to cleanliness standards, each gas station earned points that would determine the ultimate winner.
So which one came out on top? The results might surprise you—especially if you’ve been loyal to one brand for years.
1. Love’s Travel Stops: The RV Park Surprise
Ease of Fueling: 6/10
Love’s makes getting in and out pretty straightforward with their truck-friendly layout. The wide lanes designed for semi-trucks mean your big rig won’t feel cramped trying to navigate around regular cars. However, there’s one major buzzkill that knocked their score down significantly.
The prepay requirement at truck pumps is a deal-breaker for many RVers. Having to walk all the way inside the store just to authorize your fuel feels like stepping back into the 1990s. In an age where pay-at-the-pump is standard everywhere else, this extra step adds unnecessary time and frustration to your fuel stop.
You’d think with all those fancy truck pumps, they’d trust you enough to pay after filling up. But nope—get ready for that cardio workout to the cashier and back.
RV Amenities: 9/10
Here’s where Love’s absolutely crushes the competition. They’ve got entire RV parks attached to their travel stops, complete with full hookups, dog parks, pickleball courts, and splash pads. The Cordell, Georgia location featured in the video offers sites starting at $58 per night with a Good Sam discount (pull-through sites run about $79).
According to Love’s official data, they have more RV parking and amenities than any other national travel stop network. Most locations feature:
- 30 and 50-amp electrical service
- Water and sewer hookups
- Wi-Fi access
- Bulk propane refills
- RV dump stations
- Laundry facilities
- Private showers
- Dedicated dog parks
Love’s is expanding rapidly, with plans to have nearly 90 RV Stop locations by the end of 2024. Each site is designed to feel like a legitimate RV park rather than just a parking lot next to a gas station.
You came for gas and somehow ended up at what looks like a resort. Now you’re wondering if you should just move in permanently.
| Amenity | Available? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Full Hookups | ✅ Yes | 30/50 amp electric, water, sewer |
| Dog Park | ✅ Yes | Multiple waste stations |
| Wi-Fi | ✅ Yes | Free for RV Stop guests |
| Dump Station | ✅ Yes | Available even if not staying overnight |
| Propane | ✅ Yes | Bulk fill and tank exchange |
| Laundry | ✅ Yes | Washers and dryers on-site |
Snacks: 7/10
Love’s offers a solid variety of standard gas station fare. You’ll find all the usual suspects—chips, candy, energy drinks, and hot food options. The Cordell location also has a Bojangles attached, giving you fast-food chicken as an option.
The coffee station gets decent marks with multiple flavoring options and creamers. The lighting above the snack shelves is surprisingly good, making it easy to browse without squinting. However, finding everything feels like a scavenger hunt since items are scattered around the store.
You went in for coffee creamer and somehow walked out with grapes, eggs, and three things you didn’t know you needed. Classic gas station shopping.
Snack Variety Breakdown
- ✅ Coffee bar with multiple flavors
- ✅ Fresh fruit options (grapes, apples)
- ✅ Grab-and-go meals
- ✅ Standard candy and chip selection
- ✅ Energy drinks and sodas
- ❌ Nothing unique or specialty items
Cleanliness: 7/10 (Downgraded after comparing to competition)
Initially rated at 8/10, Love’s cleanliness score took a hit after seeing what true spotless conditions look like. The bathrooms were decent, and there was an employee actively cleaning during the visit. However, upon closer inspection, some corners and crevices showed signs of grime buildup.
For a busy truck stop, it’s pretty good. But when you’ve seen perfection (spoiler alert: Buc-ee’s), you realize there’s always room for improvement.
It’s clean enough that your germaphobe aunt would use the bathroom, but she’d definitely use extra paper towels on the door handle.
Love’s Total Score: 29/40
2. Buc-ee’s: The Snack King (With Parking Challenges)
Ease of Fueling: 7/10
Getting into Buc-ee’s can feel like navigating an obstacle course during rush hour. They don’t cater to semi-trucks, which means RVers are competing with regular passenger vehicles for pump access. The Florence, South Carolina location proved easier than usual, but past experiences show it’s not always this smooth.
The saving grace? They have a bajillion pumps. With dozens of fueling stations, even during busy times you’ll eventually find a spot. The pumps are well-spaced with decent room for maneuvering your rig. However, Buc-ee’s is known for competitive fuel prices—often 10¢ to 30¢ cheaper than surrounding stations.
You’ll circle the pumps like a shark looking for the perfect spot, but hey, at least you’re saving money on fuel.
| Feature | Rating | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Pump Quantity | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | 100+ pumps at most locations |
| Lane Width | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Adequate space between pumps |
| Entry/Exit | ⭐⭐⭐ | Can be challenging with large RVs |
| Fuel Price | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Consistently among the lowest |
RV Amenities: 5/10
Here’s where Buc-ee’s loses ground to the competition. There are no RV-specific amenities like dedicated fuel lanes, overnight parking options, or dump stations. The massive parking lots offer plenty of space, but finding a spot big enough for your truck and trailer combo requires strategic planning.
What Buc-ee’s lacks in RV infrastructure, they make up for in general traveler amenities:
- ❌ No RV dump stations
- ❌ No dedicated RV fuel lanes
- ❌ No overnight parking allowed (per company policy)
- ❌ No propane filling services
- ✅ Massive parking lots
- ✅ Wide turn radiuses
- ✅ Multiple pet relief areas
According to their FAQ, Buc-ee’s specifically prohibits overnight parking, stating customers cannot park vehicles in their lots to rest overnight. This policy distinguishes them from truck stop competitors who welcome RV travelers.
Buc-ee’s basically said “we love your money, but don’t get too comfortable.” It’s the gas station equivalent of a friend who says you can visit but can’t spend the night.
Snacks: 10/10
This is where Buc-ee’s absolutely dominates. Walking into a Buc-ee’s feels less like entering a gas station and more like stepping into a food wonderland. The sheer variety is unmatched by any competitor.
Wild RV Life walked out with:
- Sliced brisket ($26/pound)
- Smoked sausage ($17/pound)
- Buc-ee’s Beaver Nuggets (birthday cake flavor)
- Glazed pecans
- Habanero-flavored peppers
- Drizzled caramel popcorn
- Buc-ee’s BBQ sauce
- Iced coffee
The verdict? “It don’t get better than this.” The brisket alone could convert someone into a Buc-ee’s evangelist. The smoked meats are prepared fresh daily, and the Beaver Nuggets have achieved cult status among road trippers.
You came for a bag of chips and left with enough barbecue to feed a small army. Your wallet is crying, but your taste buds are throwing a party.
Fun Facts About Buc-ee’s Food:
- 🥩 Brisket is slow-smoked for 14+ hours
- 🌭 They serve over 1,000 different food items
- 🍩 Fresh pastries are made on-site daily
- ☕ Coffee bar rivals most specialty coffee shops
- 🌮 Breakfast tacos are a morning favorite
Cleanliness: 10/10
Buc-ee’s sets the gold standard for gas station cleanliness. During the visit, bathrooms were spotless with zero fingerprints on stainless steel surfaces. Multiple employees actively patrol restrooms throughout the day, cleaning after every few customers.
The coffee machines looked brand new, with no drips, stains, or sticky residue. Even in high-traffic areas, floors were mopped and surfaces were wiped down constantly. This legendary cleanliness is a major point of pride for Buc-ee’s—they’ve built their reputation on having the cleanest bathrooms in America.
The bathrooms are so clean you could probably eat off the floor. (But please don’t—there’s a massive food section for that.)
Cleanliness Stats:
- 🚻 Bathroom attendants on duty at all times during peak hours
- 🧼 Cleaning stations located throughout the store
- 📊 Hundreds of stalls at larger locations (120+ toilets!)
- ⭐ Regular awards for “Best Restroom in America”
Buc-ee’s Total Score: 32/40
3. Pilot Flying J: The RV-Friendly Original
Ease of Fueling: 9/10
Pilot Flying J earned the highest score in this category, and for good reason. They were pioneers in creating RV-friendly travel stops before it was trendy. The entrance and exit at their North Carolina location was described as “the easiest in”—literally turn into the driveway and go straight to RV-specific fueling lanes.
Each RV pump comes equipped with:
- Diesel fuel options
- DEF (Diesel Exhaust Fluid) dispensers
- Dump station access right at the pump
- Clean fuel handles (cleanest of all three tested!)
- Straightforward payment systems
Historical fact: Pilot Company was founded in 1958 by Jim Haslam as a single gas station in Gate City, Virginia. By 1981, they built their first travel center, and throughout the 1990s, they became known as the original RV-friendly fuel stop chain.
Pilot Flying J treats RVers like VIPs from the 1950s who actually know what they’re doing. They basically rolled out the red carpet but made it a fuel lane instead.
RV Amenities: 8/10
Pilot Flying J checks nearly every box for RV travelers. The North Carolina location boasted 19 dedicated RV parking spaces, plus additional amenities that make extended stops comfortable.
Available RV amenities include:
✅ Dedicated RV fuel lanes (separate from truck lanes)
✅ Bulk propane filling stations
✅ RV dump stations (many accessible right at fuel pumps)
✅ Compressed air stations
✅ Designated RV parking (19+ spaces at this location)
✅ Overnight parking allowed
✅ Easy app for finding RV-friendly locations
The Pilot Flying J app lets you filter locations by RV amenities, making trip planning incredibly easy. You can see exactly which stops have RV lanes, dump stations, and propane before you even leave your campsite.
They thought of everything except maybe a butler to pump your fuel for you. Give them another decade and they’ll probably add that too.
| Service | Availability | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| RV Parking | Free | $0 |
| Dump Station | Pay-per-use | ~$10-15 |
| Propane Fill | By gallon | Market rate |
| Overnight Parking | Allowed | Free |
| Air Station | Available | Usually free |
Snacks: 5/10
This is where Pilot Flying J falls short. The snack selection is basic gas station fare—nothing exciting, nothing terrible. They had standard chips, candy bars, energy drinks, and basic grab-and-go items.
There was no attached restaurant at this location, which would’ve bumped the score up. The gummy bears were good (because gummy bears are always good), but overall, nothing about the snack situation makes you want to write home about it.
The snack aisle looks like every other gas station you’ve ever been to. Which is fine, but after Buc-ee’s, your expectations might be unfairly high.
What You’ll Find:
- 🍫 Standard candy and chip brands
- ☕ Basic coffee station
- 🥤 Soda fountain and energy drinks
- 🌭 Roller grill hot dogs
- ❌ No specialty or unique items
- ❌ No fresh-made food options
Cleanliness: 6/10
This was Pilot Flying J’s weakest category. While the fuel handles were surprisingly clean (possibly new equipment), the interior store and restrooms showed wear and tear. The facilities weren’t disgusting, but they weren’t impressive either.
Specific issues noted:
- 🚽 “Droplets on the toilet” in the first stall
- 🧹 Corners and crevices had visible grime
- 🚪 Had to switch stalls due to cleanliness concerns
- 📉 Looked “okay” on surface inspection, but problems appeared on closer look
For a busy truck stop, it meets basic standards. But when compared to Buc-ee’s spotless facilities or even Love’s decent upkeep, Pilot Flying J needs to step up their cleaning game.
The bathroom makes you think twice before touching anything. You’ll do the awkward door-open-with-your-elbow move on the way out.
Pilot Flying J Total Score: 28/40
The Final Showdown: Which Gas Station Wins?
After visiting three of America’s most popular travel stops and rating them across four crucial categories, the results are in:
🏆 CHAMPION: Buc-ee’s with 32 points
Breakdown:
- Ease of Fueling: 7/10
- RV Amenities: 5/10
- Snacks: 10/10
- Cleanliness: 10/10
🥈 Second Place: Love’s with 29 points
Breakdown:
- Ease of Fueling: 6/10
- RV Amenities: 9/10
- Snacks: 7/10
- Cleanliness: 7/10
🥉 Third Place: Pilot Flying J with 28 points
Breakdown:
- Ease of Fueling: 9/10
- RV Amenities: 8/10
- Snacks: 5/10
- Cleanliness: 6/10
Buc-ee’s wins by just 2 points, proving that legendary snacks and pristine bathrooms can overcome limited RV-specific amenities. However, it’s worth noting that each gas station excels in different areas.
| Gas Station | Best For | Skip If… |
|---|---|---|
| Buc-ee’s | Snacks, bathrooms, fuel prices | You need overnight parking or RV dump |
| Love’s | Overnight stays, full amenities | You hate prepaying inside |
| Pilot Flying J | Easy RV fueling, quick stops | You want exciting food options |
The Bottom Line
You really can’t go wrong with any of these three gas stations. Each one offers something valuable to RV travelers, and your “best” choice depends on what matters most to you:
Choose Buc-ee’s if you’re a foodie who appreciates spotless facilities and cheap fuel. Choose Love’s if you need a place to spend the night with full hookups and resort-like amenities. Choose Pilot Flying J if you want the smoothest, easiest RV fueling experience with dedicated lanes and dump stations.
RV travel in America continues to grow, with the RV market valued at over $56 billion globally in 2024. As more people hit the open road, these gas station chains are stepping up their game to meet RVer needs. The competition benefits everyone—better amenities, cleaner facilities, and more RV-friendly options nationwide.
So next time you’re cruising down the highway with an empty tank, you’ll know exactly where to stop. And if you’re like most RVers, you’ll probably just hit whichever one you see first and hope for the best.
SOURCES
- Wild RV Life YouTube Channel – “The TRUTH About The Best Gas Stations For RVers” – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pi-VKHBIJPg
- Love’s Travel Stops Official Website – RV Stops Information – https://www.loves.com/RVFAQs
- RV Business – “Love’s RV Travel Stops to Number Nearly 90 by Year’s End” – https://rvbusiness.com/loves-rv-travel-stops-to-number-nearly-90-by-years-end/
- Buc-ee’s Official Website – https://buc-ees.com/
- Buc-ee’s Menu – Gas Station Prices Information – https://bucees-menu.com/buc-ees-gas-station-prices/
- Pilot Company – RV Services Page – https://pilotcompany.com/rv-services
- Pilot Company – About Us (Company History) – https://pilotcompany.com/about-us
- Fortune Business Insights – “Recreational Vehicle Market Size, Trends, Value” – https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/recreational-vehicles-rv-market-105474
- Emergency Assistance Plus – “RV Statistics for 2025: Key Insights and Future Trends” – https://www.emergencyassistanceplus.com/resources/rv-statistics/
- Camper Champ – “USA RV Camping Statistics 2024” – https://camperchamp.com/usa/rv-camping-statistics/
