When road-tripping through the Lone Star State, knowing the best places to stop for rest, gas, or electric charging can make all the difference. In this article, we’ll explore the top-rated rest stops and gas stations in Texas, as well as the best locations of the popular Buc-ee’s chain.
We analyzed rest stops and service stations across the United States based on Yelp data to identify the highest-rated and most visited locations, then narrowed our focus to Texas to give you all the information you need to plan your next road trip with confidence.
Key Takeaways
- On average, Hawaii, South Dakota, and Idaho have the highest-rated gas stations in the U.S., while Hawaii, Delaware, and North Dakota have the highest-rated rest stops.
- Graham’s Service Center (State College, PA) is the highest-rated gas station, and The Bike Hut (Half Moon Bay, CA) is the highest-rated rest stop in the U.S.
- New Braunfels, TX: Calhoun, GA; and Saint Augustine, FL, are home to the highest rated Buc-ee’s in the U.S.
- New Braunfels, Fort Worth, and Terrell are home to the highest-rated Buc-ee’s in Texas.
The Nation’s Top Gas Stations and Rest Stops
First, let’s see which states boast the highest-rated pit stops across the country.
On average, Hawaii, South Dakota, and Idaho had the highest-rated gas stations in the U.S., while Hawaii, Delaware, and North Dakota had the highest-rated rest stops. Although Hawaii topped each of those lists, this state wasn’t home to either of the top-rated gas stations or rest stops. The single highest-rated gas station in the country was Graham’s Service Center in State College, Pennsylvania, and the highest-rated rest stop was The Bike Hut in Half Moon Bay, California.
The top 10 highest-rated rest stops in the U.S. were:
- The Bike Hut (Half Moon Bay, CA)
- Walker County Rest Area Southbound (Huntsville, TX)
- Arkansas Welcome Center of Blytheville (Blytheville, AR)
- Tillamook River Rest Area (Tillamook, OR)
- Welcome Center (Grand Island, NY)
- Herbert S. Miles Safety Rest Stop Northbound (Red Bluff, CA)
- Six Mile Marina & RV Park (Hemphill, TX)
- Granville County Rest Area Southbound (Oxford, NC)
- Tiffin Rest Area (Tiffin, IA)
- Grass Lake Rest Area (Grass Lake Charter Township, Michigan)
And the top 10 highest-rated gas stations in the U.S. were:
- Graham’s Service Center (State College, PA)
- Paul’s Auto Center (Freeport, NY)
- Chet’s Service (Costa Mesa, CA)
- Town Line Service (Lynn, MA)
- Tyrone 32 (New York, New York)
- Tony’s Auto Service (Philadelphia, PA)
- Larkin Service Center (Trenton, NJ)
- J & K Service Station (Massapequa, NY)
- Shue’s Marathon (Medina, OH)
- T & V Automotive Concepts (Rockville Centre, NY)
Graham’s Service Center is also an Exxon. Since this franchise was last on our list of America’s favorite gas stations, there must be something special about Graham’s!
The Best Buc-ee’s Locations
Buc-ee’s has become a beloved chain of rest stops and gas stations, famous for its large convenience stores and travel centers offering a huge selection of snacks, meals, and gifts. It may be known best in Texas, where it originated and has the most locations. Let’s take a look at the highest-rated Buc-ee’s locations in the U.S. and Texas.
The highest-rated Buc-ee’s locations in the U.S. were in New Braunfels, Texas; Calhoun, Georgia; and Saint Augustine, Florida. These locations have garnered praise from travelers for their exceptional amenities, spacious layouts, and unique offerings, setting them apart from traditional rest stops and gas stations.
The New Braunfels Buc-ee’s was also the best in the great state of Texas, followed by those in Fort Worth and Terrell. These locations have become popular destinations for road trippers, offering a wide array of Texas-themed gifts, locally sourced snacks, and signature dishes like brisket sandwiches and Beaver Nuggets (caramel-covered corn puffs). These top-rated Buc-ee’s locations in Texas provide a memorable and enjoyable experience for all travelers looking to refuel or stretch their legs.
Make the Most of Your Next Road Trip
Knowing where to find the highest-rated locations can make your next road trip as comfortable and convenient as possible, whether cruising through the Lone Star State or beyond. From the top-rated rest stops and gas stations in various states to the best Buc-ee’s locations, we hope our insights help you plan your next journey. Take advantage of these places to rest, refuel, and recharge during your travels.
Methodology
For this study, we leveraged the Yelp Fusion API to gather all rest stops and service stations in all U.S. zip codes with populations over 1,000.
About Payless Power
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