Truckers have one of the most deadly jobs in America and are more exposed to road accidents than other drivers because of the sheer length of time they spend driving. They also contend with loneliness, fatigue, and poor road conditions. While plenty of stops exist for them in America and worldwide, they refuse to stop at these 17 places.
Deserted Highway Diners
Truckers share stories of paranormal activities they have experienced at deserted highway diners, dissuading others from stopping there. The isolation of these vacant diners, which haven’t served food for decades, makes them unappealing truck stops.
Abandoned Gas Stations on Route 66
Abandoned gas stations on Route 66 once serviced thousands of trucks for decades before the highway began declining in the 1950s. Today, the dilapidated state of these buildings makes them unappealing to truck drivers, but as The Mother Road notes, many of the gas stations have been restored and are now popular tourist spots.
Death Valley
Commercial trucks are banned from park roads in Death Valley, except for the state highway CA-190. Its unbearable heat during the summer and chilly temperatures make stopping at Route 190 unappealing.
Burlington-Bristol Bridge
This bridge crosses the Delaware River and is infamous for being narrow and having a 36-ton weight limit, which makes it unappealing for truckers. Locals driving smaller vehicles are known for avoiding it, so truckers will only stop on this high bridge in emergencies.
Areas Near Chernobyl
Chernobyl has an outer exclusion zone of 18 miles (30 km) to protect the public from its high levels of radioactive contamination. Despite areas outside the zone being deemed safe to drive through, lingering radiation fears keep truckers away.
Interstate 70 in Colorado
This section of I-70 is infamous for its icy weather in the winter, with snowstorms and the risk of avalanches causing crashes. The challenging driving conditions require truckers’ undivided attention, and they generally won’t stop on the route unless it’s an emergency.
Route 50 West Virginia, Near the Flinderation Tunnel
Route 50 in West Virginia runs alongside the North Bend Rail Trail, home to the haunted Flinderation Tunnel. The tunnel is said to be one of the most haunted in the state, with reports of a lady in red haunting the area, so truckers avoid stopping near it.
Pilot Travel Center #341, I-15 Exit 48, North Las Vegas
This truck stop in North Las Vegas is infamous for being filled with abandoned equipment, day cabs, and dropped trailers, making it difficult for truck drivers to fill up their vehicles. Trucking 101 also notes that it has been reported to have safety concerns.
Abandoned Warehouse Districts in Detroit
Abandoned warehouses in Detroit are known for attracting crime, scattered old industrial equipment, and metal drums that store chemicals. Truckers generally avoid driving in these areas, which lack basic amenities, making them impractical stops.
Forest Roads in Oregon
Forests cover around a quarter of Oregon, and many roads that travel through these regions are known for their confusing turns and poor signage. Breaking down on these remote roads is inconvenient for truckers, where assistance is far away.
Petro Atlanta #6322, I-285 Exit 12, Georgia
This stop in Atlanta is infamous for being a dangerous place to park. High-value loads are targeted by organized crime. Truckers who stop there avoid keeping valuables in their vehicles, and many travel with a partner to keep an eye out.
Western Avenue at Peterson Avenue, Chicago
Pfaff, Gill & Ports, Ltd. notes that this intersection of Western and Peterson in Chicago has around 50 wrecks a year. Speeding motorists and those running red lights make it a dangerous place for truckers pulling out of stops.
Near Rodney Ghost Town, Mississippi
Rodney was once an important river port between St. Louis and New Orleans and was almost voted the capital of Mississippi in 1817. Today, it’s a ghost town prone to flooding, and truckers avoid stopping near the eerie settlement.
Briarcliff Road and North Druid Hills Road Intersection, Atlanta
This intersection is infamous for its blind spots, challenging left turns, and heavy congestion. Accidents frequently occur due to complex traffic patterns, pedestrian activity, and the sheer volume of vehicles converging, so truckers tend to avoid stopping there.
Sinking Villages in Alaska
Climate change is impacting the Arctic more than anywhere else on the planet. Alaskan communities and villages like Kwigillingok suffer from thawing permafrost, high erosion rates, and crumbling infrastructure. The dangerous traveling conditions in these sinking villages make them unappealing truck stops.
Louisiana Highway 57
Louisiana Highway 57 is infamous for being haunted. Only in Your State notes that some argue the highway is “haunted because it was built upon the burial grounds of Indigenous peoples to the area.” Truckers generally avoid stopping across the highway’s 25-mile route.
Dryden, Texas
This ghost town in Texas is infamous for its vintage abandoned cars, dilapidated buildings, and a general sense of unease. The town is popular with tourists interested in forgotten places, but truckers driving on Route 90 stay clear of it.