Truckers Reveal America’s Best Coffee Stops On The Road

Thinking about heading off on a fall road trip? Then you might want to follow in the footsteps of experienced long-haul truckers and choose the right fuel. And that starts by picking the perfect coffee.

In October, JW Security Bonds released its findings on truckers’ fueling habits. To get to the bottom of which coffee shops reign supreme on the road, the team surveyed more than 220 truck drivers about their “go-to snacks, caffeine consumption, and how their eating patterns affect their performance and well-being.”

“We’ve produced a number of studies and surveys about truckers, and we’ve always been curious about the human side of trucking,” Eric Weisbrot, the digital marketing manager at JW Surety Bonds, shared with Food & Wine. “Food may seem like a small detail, but for long-haul drivers, snacks and drinks help them deal with fatigue, stress, and time management. We wanted to learn more about these habits and uncover what truckers really choose to eat and drink on the road, how much money they spend, and how these choices affect their performance and health.”

After analyzing the data, the team discovered that when it comes to coffee, most drivers prefer to keep it simple by pouring a basic truck stop brew, which they note is both accessible and consistent on the road. However, this is followed by another longtime favorite, McDonald’s McCafé, followed by Starbucks, rounding out the top three.

Caffeine appears to be a significant part of a trucker’s diet. The survey revealed that 66% of respondents reported consuming “moderate” amounts of caffeine while driving (201-400 milligrams a day), and an additional 22% reported drinking “high” amounts (401-600 milligrams a day). An additional 4% even admitted to consuming a “very high” amount at 600 milligrams, which equates to about five cups per day.

As for what they pair with all that coffee, the most-reached-for snack is fresh fruit, followed by protein bars, Snickers, Kit Kat, and Slim Jims.

All these snacks and drinks, however, come at a fairly significant cost. According to the study, truckers spend about $30 per week on snacks and $33 per week on drinks on average, totaling more than $3,200 annually. Some 12% of the survey’s respondents even said they spend over $100 weekly on snacks and drinks, for a total annual cost exceeding $10,000.

Still, nearly all truckers said they’d pay top dollar for healthier, convenient options “Almost all (93%) said they would try a healthy snack subscription if truck stops offered one, and over half would pay up to $50 a month for it,” the report said. It noted that interest in healthy choices was highest among Gen Z drivers at 97%.

“That kind of interest shows a desire to eat better. The will is there. It just needs to be met with options that are practical on the road,” Weisbrot said. “One of the biggest surprises was how honest and self-aware the drivers were. The fact that 65% of them admitted to lying to their partners about snacking demonstrates just how closely food is tied to emotions.”

As for what the average road tripper can take away from these findings, Weisbrot said it doesn’t matter if you’re on the road for a day or a month, the lesson remains the same. “Food affects performance. Based on the findings, caffeine is not a cure-all: 79% of drivers reported still being tired after consuming energy drinks or coffee. That’s a solid reminder to road trippers to prioritize nourishment over just stimulants. Timing, nutrition, and even just stopping for a snack all play a role in staying alert on the road.”

Still, to all the road-trippers, he had a message: “Skip the sugar, schedule snack breaks, and don’t feel too bad if you reach for a Slim Jim — it appears most people do the same.”