ATMORE, Ala. — Creek Travel Plaza on Jack Springs Road has been ranked the second most preferred truck stop in Alabama by users of the Trucker Path mobile app, the Atmore business announced this week.
The annual Trucker Path rankings draw on reviews from more than 500,000 truckers covering more than 6,000 truck stops across the country. The app, widely used in the trucking industry for navigation and freight matching, helps drivers locate truck stops, available parking, rest areas and open or closed weigh stations.
A repeat honoree
The recognition is nothing new for the independent travel center, which is owned by the Poarch Band of Creek Indians and managed through the Creek Indian Enterprises Development Authority. In 2017, Trucker Path users named it the number one independent truck stop in the nation and the top stop in Alabama, and in 2016 it ranked as the 24th most preferred stop in the country. No rankings were issued in 2018 or 2019.
General Manager Tammy Smith, one of the facility’s first employees when it opened in 2012, said she was proud of her team’s recognition for customer service. CIEDA President and CEO Cody Williamson said the award reflects a long-standing commitment to giving drivers a clean, safe place to refuel and relax, while Tribal Chairwoman and CEO Stephanie A. Bryan credited Smith’s team with keeping travelers coming back.
What drivers value
According to the survey results, drivers favor stops that offer abundant parking, clean facilities, friendly service, laundry, free Wi-Fi and competitive diesel prices. On-site dining also matters: the Diner at Creek Travel Plaza scored high among drivers choosing where to stop.
The plaza serves traffic along U.S. Highway 21 and nearby Interstate 65 corridors in Escambia County, an area where long-haul drivers have few full-service options between Montgomery and the Gulf Coast.