Best Gas Station Brand (2024) - USA TODAY 10Best Readers' Choice Awards (2025)

Pit stops to plan for

Best Gas Station Brand(2024)
May 15, 2024

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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, though. How clean are the bathrooms? How fresh is the coffee? What snack options are available? These 10 brands — selected by an expert panel and voted by readers as the best in the U.S. — cater to the needs of drivers in all of these ways.

Photo courtesy of Buc-ee's

No. 10:

Buc-ee's

Texas-based Buc-ee’s operates convenience stores and larger travel centers throughout the South, all known for their immaculate restrooms and massive snack selection (think more than a dozen types of fudge, a deli counter, and house-made potato chips). The Sevierville, Tennessee, location holds the record for World’s Largest Convenience Store.

Photo courtesy of QuikTrip

No. 9:

QuikTrip

From the first store in Tulsa, Oklahoma, QuikTrip has expanded to more than 1,000 stores in 17 states. QuikTrip (or QT) is beloved for its made-to-order food (like BBQ sandwiches and breakfast tacos) and soft-serve ice cream, enjoyed alongside a range of convenience store items and grab-and-go snacks.

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Photo courtesy of TravelCenters of America

No. 8:

TravelCenters of America

TravelCenters of America spans North America, with more than 270 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-and-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 Rutter's

No. 7:

Rutter's

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.

Photo courtesy of Maverik — Adventure's First Stop

No. 6:

Maverik

Maverik is a bit like an outdoor adventure store disguised as a gas station. Based in Utah, the company operates more than 400 locations in 12 Western states, all known for their outdoorsy vibe and top-notch food (try the breakfast burrito).

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Photo courtesy of Diana DeGracia

No. 5:

RaceTrac

Operating across the Southern United States since 1934, RaceTrac’s stations provide friendly service and competitive, affordable gas prices. Their “Whatever Gets You Going” commitment means offering a rewards program and high-quality foods, from breakfast sandwiches, pizza, and roller grill hot dogs to Swirl World ice creams and yogurts. Don’t forget to grab a beverage or cup of freshly brewed coffee before you leave.

Photo courtesy of Royal Farms

No. 4:

Royal Farms

Royal Farms is popular for road trippers because of their clean bathrooms and vast variety of high-quality fast food meals and snacks. More than 200 locations can be found across seven states: Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, North Carolina, Virginia, and West Virginia.

Photo courtesy of Casey's

No. 3:

Casey's

Casey’s, found along roadsides in Iowa and several surrounding states, has earned a loyal following for carrying just what you need when you need it. Hungry drivers appreciate the selection of food made in-store, including sandwiches and pizza (their breakfast pizza is particularly popular).

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Photo courtesy of Hy-Vee

No. 2:

Hy-Vee

Hy-Vee, an employee-owned company, prides itself on excellent customer service, with a company slogan of “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.

Photo courtesy of Kwik Trip

No. 1:

Kwik Trip

Kwik Trip, a Wisconsin-based, family-owned company, operates more than 800 stores in Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, Michigan, South Dakota, and Illinois. Their bakeries make more than two dozen different types of items each day, and all milk is sourced from dairy farms within a 100-mile radius of La Crosse, Wisconsin.

Chez Chesak

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.

Jamie Davis Smith

Jamie Davis Smith

Jamie is a travel writer who has visited over 50 countries, many of them with her children in tow. She loves visiting everything from theme parks to ancient ruins and packs strictly carry-on-only. Jamie can be reached at jamiesmithwrites@gmail.com.

Jenny Peters

Jenny Peters

Jenny Peters – aka Jet Set Jen – is a Los Angeles-based freelance journalist, editor and party columnist specializing in travel, entertainment, film, food, wine, fashion and the other good things in life. She is a founding/voting member of the Critics Choice Association, who present the Critics’ Choice Awards every January. Her favorite places to be are on the beach in Southern California playing volleyball, scuba diving with the sharks in warm tropical waters or strolling the streets and soaking in the atmosphere of one of the world's great cities (New Orleans and Florence are her favorites).

Melanie Reffes

Melanie Reffes

Melanie is an island girl at heart . Born in Manhattan, she now lives on the sunny island of Montreal and covers the Caribbean for a variety of publications including USA TODAY 10Best, CaribbeanTravel.com and MarryCaribbean.com.A journalist with a boatload of writer awards under her belt, Melanie's affection for the Caribbean started young when her family vacationed in Puerto Rico. An avid fan of spicy food, Melanie enjoys the diversity of Montreal - especially during the warmer months -when she's not en route to the Caribbean. She holds a Masters Degree in Social Work from the University of Toronto.

Molly O'Brien

Molly O'Brien

Molly O'Brien is a Los Angeles-based freelance travel journalist, who writes and edits for a variety of international travel and lifestyle outlets including Fodor’s Travel, Travel + Leisure, and Business Insider among others. She's lived on both coasts from Massachusetts to California and has so far made Greater Boston, the San Francisco Bay Area, San Luis Obispo, Barcelona, and Los Angeles her home.Molly earned her journalism degree at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo on the Central Coast of California and since then has worked professionally in the fields of hospitality and travel PR and most recently, as a freelance travel writer and editor.Molly especially enjoys covering feature profiles about interesting people doing interesting things such as chocolate making, beekeeping, wing-walking, and interesting destinations like under-the-radar wine spots, the best brewery towns, and lesser-known ski destinations.She also loves to write about a boutique hotel with a good story. When she's not writing, Molly enjoys spending time outdoors, exploring new coffee shops and breweries, and of course, traveling.Her favorite city in the world (so far) is Barcelona, Spain, but she loves traveling anywhere that offers sunny weather and ample hiking opportunities. She loves spending time in the mountains, enjoys connecting with nature through camping and glamping adventures, and is always up for learning about the world through fun, immersive experiences (and then sharing those stories!).You can connect with Molly here:Instagram: @metropolitanmollyTwitter: @Molly_A_OBrienFacebook: @MetropolitanMollyLinkedIn: @mollyannobrienwww.metropolitanmolly.com

Olivia Christine Perez

Olivia Christine Perez

Olivia Christine Perez is an outdoor + travel wellness expert, author, and the creator ofO. Christine: a travel and wellness platform inspiring thousands of people to travel more and get outdoors for their wellness. Living with an autoimmune disease herself, Olivia helps people find wellness through the outdoors, self-care adventures, and mindful travel experiences. You can follow her work atochristine.comandinstagram.com/ochristine.

Tamara Gane

Tamara Gane

Tamara Gane is an expert panel member for 10Best Readers' Choice Awards. She's based in Reno/Lake Tahoe and in addition to USA Today 10Best, her work has been published in Travel & Leisure, Fodor's Travel, The Washington Post, SF Gate, Houston Chronicle, Lonely Planet, and more.

10Best Editors

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.

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