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Non-Road Boards => Off-Topic => Topic started by: BigMattFromTexas on August 07, 2010, 05:52:02 PM

Title: You Favorite Local/Area Gas Station/Convenience Stores.
Post by: BigMattFromTexas on August 07, 2010, 05:52:02 PM
I got this idea when I saw the "Sheetz" thread. But what are you're favorite gas station chains in your area? Here in Angelo and all over West Texas, we have a store called Town & Country. It's pretty successful, they have a food store inside a lot of them called "Country Cookin'" their burgers are AWESOME. They have great potato wedges too. But unfortunetly they were bought out by Stripes... But Stripes is still a Texas company, so it's all good. But what are y'alls favorite local gas stations/convenience stores in y'all area (state, region, city, etc.)?
BigMatt
Title: Re: You Favorite Local/Area Gas Station/Convenience Stores.
Post by: corco on August 07, 2010, 06:12:09 PM
Ranked in order of preference in the areas I normally drive

1. Maverik
2. Loaf 'n Jug (and other Kroger gas stations)
3. am/pm
4. Casey's General Store
5. Kum 'n Go
6. QT

I've never been to Sheetz, but I have a feeling if I ever went to one I'd quickly become a loyalist
Title: Re: You Favorite Local/Area Gas Station/Convenience Stores.
Post by: Ian on August 07, 2010, 06:35:13 PM
Wawa. That's it.
Title: Re: You Favorite Local/Area Gas Station/Convenience Stores.
Post by: Michael in Philly on August 07, 2010, 07:37:54 PM
I went through a boycott-Wawa phase when they seemed to be pulling out of Center City.  But it hasn't happened (fingers crossed) and I missed ciabatta melts and free ice.
I wish Sheetz would get closer to us than Morgantown, though.  A recent two-day road trip to Pittsburgh and Erie was enough to get me addicted to a certain iced-latte drink.  And the Sheetz in Carlisle is the only place east of Breezewood I've ever seen the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
Title: Re: You Favorite Local/Area Gas Station/Convenience Stores.
Post by: austrini on August 07, 2010, 07:56:02 PM
Racetrac!
They have (surprisingly) healthy food.
Title: Re: You Favorite Local/Area Gas Station/Convenience Stores.
Post by: BigMattFromTexas on August 07, 2010, 09:00:05 PM
I like Racetrac too. They have some good Icees. ;)
Title: Re: You Favorite Local/Area Gas Station/Convenience Stores.
Post by: allniter89 on August 07, 2010, 09:14:22 PM
Tom Thumb, they have a earned discount on purchases program and $1 a gallon off gas deal and unlimited fountain drink refills if you buy a reusable cup for cheap.
Title: Re: You Favorite Local/Area Gas Station/Convenience Stores.
Post by: TheHighwayMan3561 on August 07, 2010, 11:06:31 PM
Holiday for me. Not even really a debate; I don't go anywhere else if I can avoid it. The food is good and they are more aesthetically pleasing to me than SuperAmerica (the other main local chain here).
Title: Re: You Favorite Local/Area Gas Station/Convenience Stores.
Post by: US71 on August 08, 2010, 09:08:53 AM
It's a toss up between QT and Kum n Go.

The newer KnG's beat the pants off most QT's, though.

Locally, I usually patronize Shell/Pic n Tote, because they have good prices on their canned sodas, which they make up for on their fountain drinks.  :-P

Their gas, however, is usually the second highest in town. They are often the fastest to go up (many times WAY up) and the slowest to go back down. Just this last week, they went up 10 cents on gas and everyone followed. Next day, they went up 10 cents again but most everyone else went up 5 cents, so they came back down 3 cents.   :pan:
Title: Re: You Favorite Local/Area Gas Station/Convenience Stores.
Post by: SP Cook on August 08, 2010, 09:37:42 AM
I never go in conv. stores, the sole exception being Sheetz, which does business in my local area but not exactly in a conv. (pun intended) set of locations to me.  Conv. stores are full of people playing scratch offs who hand the ticket to the clerk and ask "did I win?" and people buying smokes by the pack and beer by the quart.  Therefore, I look for places that have "pay at the pump" and mostly the modern version of that which uses a fixed link to credit card world HQ and approves instantly rather than the ones that place a phone call while I wait; and which have fill-latches left on the pumps.

Title: Re: You Favorite Local/Area Gas Station/Convenience Stores.
Post by: US71 on August 08, 2010, 09:48:42 AM
Quote from: SP Cook on August 08, 2010, 09:37:42 AM
I never go in conv. stores, the sole exception being Sheetz, which does business in my local area but not exactly in a conv. (pun intended) set of locations to me.  Conv. stores are full of people playing scratch offs who hand the ticket to the clerk and ask "did I win?" and people buying smokes by the pack and beer by the quart.  Therefore, I look for places that have "pay at the pump" and mostly the modern version of that which uses a fixed link to credit card world HQ and approves instantly rather than the ones that place a phone call while I wait; and which have fill-latches left on the pumps.

Pic n Tote has a special table for people to scratch off their tickets, but it doesn't stop the idiot who won $20 from coming to the cash register and being indecisive about what tickets he wants to buy next with his winnings.

It's not as bad as waiting in line at Wal-Mart (5 people in line, so they close a check out lane and now have 10 people waiting)
Title: Re: You Favorite Local/Area Gas Station/Convenience Stores.
Post by: PAHighways on August 08, 2010, 08:03:01 PM
Sheetz and GetGo
Title: Re: You Favorite Local/Area Gas Station/Convenience Stores.
Post by: yanksfan6129 on August 08, 2010, 10:19:43 PM
I've been to a Wawa once or twice before and thought it was neat, and now that it's finally coming into my area I'll have a chance to really test it.

I was at a Sheetz outside of Pittsburgh coming home from the Youngstown, OH road meet a year or so ago, but all I did was buy gas.

The only option in my area currently is 7-11.
Title: Re: You Favorite Local/Area Gas Station/Convenience Stores.
Post by: WillWeaverRVA on August 09, 2010, 01:05:36 AM
I used to like Racetrac until they started disappearing from this area. Now it's just Sheetz (especially the iced lattes and smoothies) and occasionally Wawa.
Title: Re: You Favorite Local/Area Gas Station/Convenience Stores.
Post by: realjd on August 09, 2010, 08:02:48 AM
I'm not picky about gas brands. At home, I usually just go to the Chevron near my house or to the BJ's where I get a member discount. I know folks who drive all over town looking for cheap gas, but I've never seen the point. Even a 10c difference in price is only around $1.50 in my case, so I'd rather just save time and get it close to home.

As for convenience stores, the Chevron near my house has a Kangaroo Express that I'll go to because it's close. I'll also regularly go to the Circle K near work, but 7-Eleven is my favorite.

If I'm on a road trip, Flying J tends to be my usual stop. If nothing else, they usually have cleaner bathrooms than regular gas stations.

Quote from: corco on August 07, 2010, 06:12:09 PM
5. Kum 'n Go

Wait, what? That's really a brand?
Title: Re: You Favorite Local/Area Gas Station/Convenience Stores.
Post by: agentsteel53 on August 09, 2010, 10:37:15 AM
Quote from: realjd on August 09, 2010, 08:02:48 AM

Wait, what? That's really a brand?

yep, tends to be upper plains states.  North Dakota and Montana come to mind.
Title: Re: You Favorite Local/Area Gas Station/Convenience Stores.
Post by: jgb191 on August 09, 2010, 10:40:53 AM
Buc-ee's (http://www.bucees.com/photos.htm)  They have the greatest selection of beverages and coffee.
Title: Re: You Favorite Local/Area Gas Station/Convenience Stores.
Post by: Brandon on August 09, 2010, 11:42:58 AM
I'm not too picky about gasoline brands.  Gas is gas, and the lowest price wins my hard earned cash.  Locally, I've been going to the Food4Less (owned by Kroger) as they have the lowest price around.  That is always subject to change though.  Gasbuddy.com is a wonderful resource.  :cool:

As for items, I never stop at convenience stores often enough to notice a difference.  I tend to prefer grocers over them (lower prices typically, and a better selection).
Title: Re: You Favorite Local/Area Gas Station/Convenience Stores.
Post by: Bryant5493 on August 09, 2010, 01:23:00 PM
I like QuikTrip (QT) and Kroger for gas.


Be well,

Bryant
Title: Re: You Favorite Local/Area Gas Station/Convenience Stores.
Post by: deathtopumpkins on August 09, 2010, 02:42:01 PM
I'm not picky about gas either, so I generally just go for the lowest price, but there are a few places I won't stop at: Really ghetto or redneck stations, and ones that still have old-fashioned gas pumps. I prefer to stick to the clean(ish), modern 7-Elevens, Wawas, etc.
Title: Re: You Favorite Local/Area Gas Station/Convenience Stores.
Post by: corco on August 09, 2010, 02:44:59 PM
As far as gas goes- I won't stop at a non chain or non-branded fuel location. If the fuel is debranded, it has to be a chain like Maverik or Loaf 'n Jug, and if it's an independent gas station, the fuel has to be branded (most Sinclair stations are that way, except the Stinker stores, which I should add is a c-store I really like). I just don't trust Wally's Debranded Gasoline Store in middle-of-nowhere Wyoming to sell me fuel of a decent enough quality (or correct quantity)

Old pumps aren't a huge deal- I like to be able to pay at the pump, but if it's cheaper I won't turn my nose up at it, especially since I'm usually filling up on the road and want to take a piss at the gas station anyway.
Title: Re: You Favorite Local/Area Gas Station/Convenience Stores.
Post by: agentsteel53 on August 09, 2010, 03:07:04 PM
a gas station without a bathroom (or one where I have to ask for the key) will not get my business. 
Title: Re: You Favorite Local/Area Gas Station/Convenience Stores.
Post by: BigMattFromTexas on August 09, 2010, 04:34:51 PM
Quote from: agentsteel53 on August 09, 2010, 03:07:04 PM
a gas station without a bathroom (or one where I have to ask for the key) will not get my business. 

Amen.
BigMatt
Title: Re: You Favorite Local/Area Gas Station/Convenience Stores.
Post by: mightyace on August 09, 2010, 04:35:57 PM
As mentioned in the other thread, I like Sheetz when I'm in their territory.

Locally, it's mainly Kroger with Mapco a distant second.  There is also an old-style general store on Carter's Creek Pike called Huff's Grocery that I sometimes fill up at.  They close at 6pm but their pumps are always on if you've got a credit card.  (currently serving Marathon)

As as aside, I suspect their business will be picking up in the near future as they are just 1/4 mile from the Carter's Creek Pike exit on the new part of TN 840 that's being built.
Title: Re: You Favorite Local/Area Gas Station/Convenience Stores.
Post by: Ian on August 09, 2010, 04:40:57 PM
I mean, I do like Sheetz. It is a great place to eat and I like the environment of it. But as I said, I like Wawa, since it's close to home, and it has some pretty good "hoagies".
Title: Re: You Favorite Local/Area Gas Station/Convenience Stores.
Post by: triplemultiplex on August 09, 2010, 06:38:54 PM
If I need a snack in Wisconsin and there's a Kwik Trip nearby, I'm stopping there.  Good selection, descent prices and way better than the average roller-grill.

Interesting to learn there's a franchise of the same name, but different spelling elsewhere in the country.
Title: Re: You Favorite Local/Area Gas Station/Convenience Stores.
Post by: Bryant5493 on August 10, 2010, 05:53:11 PM
^^ Go figure. Never heard of Kwik Trip... of course, I've never been to Wisconsin. ;-)


Be well,

Bryant
Title: Re: You Favorite Local/Area Gas Station/Convenience Stores.
Post by: BigMattFromTexas on August 10, 2010, 06:04:24 PM
Not really local, but I enjoy stopping at Travelcenters of America, Love's, Petro Stopping Centers, and Pilot Travel Centers.
BigMatt
Title: Re: You Favorite Local/Area Gas Station/Convenience Stores.
Post by: realjd on August 11, 2010, 07:40:50 AM
Quote from: BigMatt on August 10, 2010, 06:04:24 PM
Not really local, but I enjoy stopping at Travelcenters of America, Love's, Petro Stopping Centers, and Pilot Travel Centers.
BigMatt

Flying J is the king of the truck stops IMO.
Title: Re: You Favorite Local/Area Gas Station/Convenience Stores.
Post by: US71 on August 11, 2010, 08:17:30 AM
Quote from: realjd on August 11, 2010, 07:40:50 AM

Flying J is the king of the truck stops IMO.

I'm curious if they will remain so now that Pilot owns them?
Title: Re: You Favorite Local/Area Gas Station/Convenience Stores.
Post by: Scott5114 on August 11, 2010, 08:20:15 AM
Quote from: agentsteel53 on August 09, 2010, 10:37:15 AM
Quote from: realjd on August 09, 2010, 08:02:48 AM

Wait, what? That's really a brand?

yep, tends to be upper plains states.  North Dakota and Montana come to mind.

Kum & Go is pretty awesome. They're all over MO and some of NE OK (haven't seen one west of OK 99 though). I tend to stop at them whenever I can. They named it that because the founders' initials were K&G.

QT is pretty cool, but because of an agreement between QT and 7-11, OKC only has 7-11s and Tulsa only has QTs.

When I worked at Burger King we had a symbiotic relationship with the Circle K next door, so I kind of like Circle K's.

Quote from: agentsteel53 on August 09, 2010, 03:07:04 PM
a gas station without a bathroom (or one where I have to ask for the key) will not get my business.  

There was this asshole running a shitstain of a Conoco in Big Cabin, OK (http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Big+Cabin,+OK&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=46.092115,93.076172&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Big+Cabin,+Craig,+Oklahoma&ll=36.52495,-95.219707&spn=0.091872,0.181789&z=13&layer=c&cbll=36.539204,-95.224011&panoid=dT9L9lCty3J3K_SzlaKteg&cbp=12,337.14,,0,3.56) who refused to tell me where the bathroom was before I bought something! I had to pee bad enough I bought some 69¢ candy bar and never went there again! Fuck you, Big Cabin!

Also had to deal with some bitchy woman running the register at a gas station in Okmulgee who refused to take my money because I was paying with $2 bills! Seems she thought they were cursed. Way to let your irrationality interfere with your business, lady! She forced me to trade my $2s for $1s with some other guy in the gas station who had a "omg you can't be serious" expression on his face.
Title: Re: You Favorite Local/Area Gas Station/Convenience Stores.
Post by: jgb191 on August 11, 2010, 11:23:21 AM
I love QuikTrip, but my area doesn't have those around here, even though their HQ is in the VERY SAME STATE as me!   :banghead:  
Title: Re: You Favorite Local/Area Gas Station/Convenience Stores.
Post by: hbelkins on July 24, 2020, 06:36:42 PM
Decade-long thread bump!

Not sure how I missed this one way back when, but Sheetz is my favorite anywhere (as if no one here didn't know that).

I know Buc-ee's is huge in Texas, and it looks like they're coming to Kentucky even before Sheetz does. A news item on the WKYT-TV evening news today indicated that Buc-ee's is looking to locate along I-75 in Madison County.
Title: Re: You Favorite Local/Area Gas Station/Convenience Stores.
Post by: US71 on July 24, 2020, 08:16:48 PM
Locally, I patronize Casey's or "Wal-Murphy". Occasionally, I'll patronize Joey's Snuff & Suds,  but their pumps are old and cantankerous.

On the road, it's often Casey's or Shit & Git Kum and Go.
Title: Re: You Favorite Local/Area Gas Station/Convenience Stores.
Post by: Takumi on July 24, 2020, 09:10:07 PM
In my area Sheetz and Wawa overlap, so I frequent both. For coffee I prefer Wawa, but I like Sheetz’s food better. Notably, their territory diverges south of Petersburg: Sheetz reappears in North Carolina (first ones past Petersburg are Roanoke Rapids on 95 and Henderson on 85), while Wawa heads southeast to Hampton Roads, but further south of there doesn’t reappear until Florida. The likes of 7-Eleven and Circle K are a step down, but for gas I frequent a Sunoco/7-Eleven near my house because Wawa, and possibly Sheetz, uses 92 octane gasoline and I prefer 93. I’ve yet to visit a Royal Farms but have seen them and, despite my ex being from Arkansas, I haven’t been west of Tennessee so can’t comment on non-coastal chains like Casey’s or K&G.
Title: Re: You Favorite Local/Area Gas Station/Convenience Stores.
Post by: formulanone on July 24, 2020, 09:32:23 PM
I'm also not a big loyalist to any one type. I almost never eat any warm grilled items, fountain drinks, nor hot coffee; just snacks, drinks, gas, and restrooms. Each regional area seems to have their better gas station and c-store combo which is more reliable than most no-names. But sometimes the one-offs have some really bizarre stuff that's fun to marvel at.

One thing I've noticed with Buc-ees is that they never seem to have sales. Many convenience stores always seem to have some sort of beverage at a discount price, but not at the Brand of the Big Beaver. (I'm not terribly loyal to any brand of water, soda, juice, or energy drink...I tend to look for what's on sale, new, unusual, or rare/hard-to-find elsewhere. )

That said, the no-waiting restrooms are worth the trouble. And the beaver nuggets.
Title: Re: You Favorite Local/Area Gas Station/Convenience Stores.
Post by: Scott5114 on July 24, 2020, 10:14:02 PM
Quote from: Scott5114 on August 11, 2010, 08:20:15 AM
QT is pretty cool, but because of an agreement between QT and 7-11, OKC only has 7-11s and Tulsa only has QTs.

How much changes in 10 years. Because 7-11 is no longer locally owned (it was a franchise that was bought out by the national 7-11 chain), this agreement is no longer in effect. QT has yet to expand into OKC, however.

That being said, in the interim, a Stillwater-based chain called OnCue has been building basically near-exact clones of QT in the OKC area. They are finally building one on my side of Norman, and I'm looking forward to it. Unfortunately, their gas is more expensive than 7-11, so I'll probably keep going there for gas, but OnCue will get my business for any actual convenience store purchases.
Title: Re: You Favorite Local/Area Gas Station/Convenience Stores.
Post by: US71 on July 24, 2020, 11:37:10 PM
Quote from: Scott5114 on July 24, 2020, 10:14:02 PM
Quote from: Scott5114 on August 11, 2010, 08:20:15 AM
QT is pretty cool, but because of an agreement between QT and 7-11, OKC only has 7-11s and Tulsa only has QTs.

How much changes in 10 years. Because 7-11 is no longer locally owned (it was a franchise that was bought out by the national 7-11 chain), this agreement is no longer in effect. QT has yet to expand into OKC, however.

That being said, in the interim, a Stillwater-based chain called OnCue has been building basically near-exact clones of QT in the OKC area. They are finally building one on my side of Norman, and I'm looking forward to it. Unfortunately, their gas is more expensive than 7-11, so I'll probably keep going there for gas, but OnCue will get my business for any actual convenience store purchases.

I've seen one or two along I-40 in Oklahoma.  Kum & Go seems to be expanding a lot in Central Arkansas, but in my area they are run down, tiny and dirty.
Title: Re: You Favorite Local/Area Gas Station/Convenience Stores.
Post by: US 89 on July 25, 2020, 01:14:10 AM
I usually choose Maverik when I'm on the road in the inland west. Their gas tends to be cheaper than most other stations, and I can usually rely on them for clean restrooms inside - especially if it's a newer location.
Title: Re: You Favorite Local/Area Gas Station/Convenience Stores.
Post by: DandyDan on July 25, 2020, 06:22:21 AM
Quote from: Bryant5493 on August 10, 2010, 05:53:11 PM
^^ Go figure. Never heard of Kwik Trip... of course, I've never been to Wisconsin. ;-)


Be well,

Bryant
In Iowa, Kwik Trip is Kwik Star because the Des Moines area has Quik Trip but now that Mason City has one finally, everyone I know goes there. Soon, there will be a second with a third waiting government approval for sale of land. Clear Lake likes it so much they now have one on each side of I-35 at the US 18/IA 122 interchange, with the west one geared more toward local business. There's also Casey's for pizza and some people I know also like the other stuff they make, but I only ever get their pizza. Clear Lake has their Kum n Go's and Mason City has their Yesways, which are mostly just there. No one I know admits to liking Yesway for anything, including apparently the people who work there.
Title: Re: You Favorite Local/Area Gas Station/Convenience Stores.
Post by: kevinb1994 on July 25, 2020, 09:08:43 AM
We already have plenty of these in our area here...GATE is an original, and has seen their founder give way to his son who was (not long ago) Mayor of this city. My father happened to visit nearly a decade ago. He was on a business trip. He doesn't like having to pay for air in his tires, though...that's where Daily's/Dash comes in (they're actually known as First Coast Energy). Wawa is, for better or worse, here to stay as they slowly add locations in Florida (here and down there) and elsewhere. I'm more of a QuickChek person though. I wish they still sponsored the NJ Festival of Ballooning, but I digress. Royal Farms I can't tell you when or where I last went there. Good to see them have more locations than in the past. Same with Sheetz. I can't say when I'll set foot in Ohio, though...
Title: Re: You Favorite Local/Area Gas Station/Convenience Stores.
Post by: kphoger on July 25, 2020, 11:09:17 AM
Locally, I fill up at Kwik Shop, which is the gas station chain linked to Dillon's grocery stores.  That's only because of the discount I receive with my shopper's rewards card.  The Wichita local religion, however, is QuikTrip.  If there are three gas stations at a given intersection and you need to meet up with someone there, it's pretty much a guarantee that they'll tell you to meet them at QuikTrip.

While traveling in Missouri or Iowa, I prefer to stop at newer-construction Casey's stations.  When traveling in Texas, I prefer to stop at Stripes stations (many of which are co-branded with Alon or Sunoco).

Whenever possible, though–in any area–my go-to truck stop chain is Love's.
Title: Re: You Favorite Local/Area Gas Station/Convenience Stores.
Post by: bing101 on July 25, 2020, 11:36:00 AM
https://abcstores.com/


ABC Stores in Hawaii its a tourist shop and a convenience store at the same time when I went there.
Title: Re: You Favorite Local/Area Gas Station/Convenience Stores.
Post by: In_Correct on July 25, 2020, 03:14:29 PM
The most important thing finding NON Ethanol Gas and they must be open 24 hours, with the Pay With Card AND Get Receipt At Pump. (Usually the NON Ethanol gas stations have the NON Ethanol, but they lack every thing else. And even if they have Card At Pump, I often run in to the "Clerk has receipt." and "Receipt in store.".)

As a result of finding high quality NON Ethanol Gas Stations, I am a regular customer at Buc-ee's.

Curiously, it is the size of a truck stop, but Buc-ee's does not have any truck stops.
Title: Re: You Favorite Local/Area Gas Station/Convenience Stores.
Post by: TheHighwayMan3561 on July 25, 2020, 03:16:41 PM
Quote from: TheHighwayMan394 on August 07, 2010, 11:06:31 PM
Holiday for me. Not even really a debate; I don't go anywhere else if I can avoid it. The food is good and they are more aesthetically pleasing to me than SuperAmerica (the other main local chain here).

Well, a lot has changed in a decade.

Kwik Trip has taken my #1 over Holiday; new stores have rapidly expanded into Minnesota in the last five years, and better food choices. SuperAmeirca no longer exists after being bought out by former co-brand partner Speedway, but still sucks.
Title: Re: You Favorite Local/Area Gas Station/Convenience Stores.
Post by: renegade on July 25, 2020, 10:02:05 PM
Speedway.  I've got lots of roller-dog points to show for it.   :awesomeface:
Title: Re: You Favorite Local/Area Gas Station/Convenience Stores.
Post by: cjk374 on July 26, 2020, 09:07:43 AM
I was shown a fb post (by my wife) saying that Ruston was going to get Louisiana's very first Qwik Trip store. Anyone care to fill me in on what makes a QT a big deal?
Title: Re: You Favorite Local/Area Gas Station/Convenience Stores.
Post by: US71 on July 26, 2020, 09:30:13 AM
Quote from: cjk374 on July 26, 2020, 09:07:43 AM
I was shown a fb post (by my wife) saying that Ruston was going to get Louisiana's very first Qwik Trip store. Anyone care to fill me in on what makes a QT a big deal?

Modern ones have made to order pizza, a good selection of fountain beverages. a variety of roller grill items, usually 2 cashiers on duty,
Title: Re: You Favorite Local/Area Gas Station/Convenience Stores.
Post by: 1995hoo on July 26, 2020, 02:02:18 PM
I hardly ever go to convenience stores. I usually stop for gas at the Liberty station about a mile from home, unless I have grocery store points or need to get the car washed, in which case I go to the Shell just down the street from there.
Title: Re: You Favorite Local/Area Gas Station/Convenience Stores.
Post by: SP Cook on July 26, 2020, 03:51:17 PM
I've only been in Texas once, not counting airports and there was no Buc-ees along my route so I have no idea.  There seems to be a lot of internet and YouTube love for the the place.  The deal seems to be that its just BIG and carries a lot of trucker and traveler items, right.   I'll reserve judgement, but most well traveled interstates have extra large places that welcome both truckers and non-truckers.

Still, a single outlet in Kentucky seems pretty far off their map. 
Title: Re: You Favorite Local/Area Gas Station/Convenience Stores.
Post by: webny99 on July 27, 2020, 02:22:55 PM
Holiday is popular in the Midwest, Sheetz and Wawa in the Mid-Atlantic.

I'm not too picky: we don't have anything that particularly stands out around here, although Fastrac is usually pretty nice.
Title: Re: You Favorite Local/Area Gas Station/Convenience Stores.
Post by: TravelingBethelite on July 27, 2020, 02:47:36 PM
For when I've been in the Columbia area, I've frequented Break Time, MFA's convenience store chain (incidentally, they're headquartered in Columbia). Cheap drinks and decently priced ready-to-eat options. My major gripe with them is that they seem to very capriciously change their gas prices.
Title: Re: You Favorite Local/Area Gas Station/Convenience Stores.
Post by: tman on July 27, 2020, 09:52:51 PM
Kwik Trip wins for me, and is my preferred stop wherever they're located (much of WI and a good chunk of Minnesota).
They are simply fantastic - impeccably clean, cheap produce (bananas/potatoes/onions for 38 cents a pound), eggs/butter/milk/drinks, great service, Top Tier gas. Their only ding is that they are often the first to raise their gas prices and the last to lower.

Holiday stores are usually not bad, and I have no problem using them when I don't see a Kwik Trip. Decent hot food options, Top Tier gas, and usually clean.

I'm not a huge fan of Speedway or Casey's - the stores tend to be a bit dirtier, and the gas isn't Top Tier either. Kum and Go seem to be similar to Casey's, but in a smaller market.

A bit further south, I don't mind QT (but do prefer Kwik Trip by a long shot).

On the road, it'll usually be a local chain (Kwik Trip, Sheetz, etc.), grocery store (HyVee, Kroger) or a truck stop like Pilot/Flying J/Love's. I'll stop at a random Shell/BP/Mobil/Exxon/Conoco/Phillips 66/Chevron/Texaco/Marathon, etc. but those tend to have the potential to be much worse than corporate stores when they are a "miss". I'm not too picky as long as it's a decent chain or a branded station.

Lowest in my hierarchy would be one-off stations selling unbranded gas - Bob's Gas, River Mart Gas, etc. I'd have to be fairly low on fuel to consider those, or the gas would have to be substanitally cheaper. As far as Sam's Club and Costco are concerned, I'll stop if I'm in the area, but the lack of bathrooms/snacks/drinks at the fuel pumps means that I don't usually use them on road trips. Ditto for stores like Kroger.
Title: Re: You Favorite Local/Area Gas Station/Convenience Stores.
Post by: hbelkins on July 28, 2020, 10:50:06 AM
I hear a lot of good things about Rutter's in central Pennsylvania. It seems to be extremely localized, though. I've never seen one, and had the bad luck to have one open up somewhere around Hollidaysburg shortly after I last passed through the area.
Title: Re: You Favorite Local/Area Gas Station/Convenience Stores.
Post by: TheHighwayMan3561 on July 28, 2020, 11:26:31 AM
Quote from: tman on July 27, 2020, 09:52:51 PM
Kwik Trip wins for me, and is my preferred stop wherever they're located (much of WI and a good chunk of Minnesota).
They are simply fantastic - impeccably clean, cheap produce (bananas/potatoes/onions for 38 cents a pound), eggs/buttermilk/drinks, great service, Top Tier gas. Their only ding is that they are often the first to raise their gas prices and the last to lower.

Holiday stores are usually not bad, and I have no problem using them when I don't see a Kwik Trip. Decent hot food options, Top Tier gas, and usually clean.

I'm not a huge fan of Speedway or Casey's - the stores tend to be a bit dirtier, and the gas isn't Top Tier either. Kum and Go seem to be similar to Casey's, but in a smaller market.

A bit further south, I don't mind QT (but do prefer Kwik Trip by a long shot).

On the road, it'll usually be a local chain (Kwik Trip, Sheetz, etc.), grocery store (HyVee, Kroger) or a truck stop like Pilot/Flying J/Love's. I'll stop at a random Shell/BP/Mobil/Exxon/Conoco/Phillips 66/Chevron/Texaco/Marathon, etc. but those tend to have the potential to be much worse than corporate stores when they are a "miss". I'm not too picky as long as it's a decent chain or a branded station.

Lowest in my hierarchy would be one-off stations selling unbranded gas - Bob's Gas, River Mart Gas, etc. I'd have to be fairly low on fuel to consider those, or the gas would have to be substanitally cheaper. As far as Sam's Club and Costco are concerned, I'll stop if I'm in the area, but the lack of bathrooms/snacks/drinks at the fuel pumps means that I don't usually use them on road trips. Ditto for stores like Kroger.

Casey's has become a good 2B option in my book. A lot of places in MN they've replaced aging in-town stores with brand new stations.
Title: Re: You Favorite Local/Area Gas Station/Convenience Stores.
Post by: thspfc on July 28, 2020, 01:45:05 PM
Kwik Trip without a doubt.
Title: Re: You Favorite Local/Area Gas Station/Convenience Stores.
Post by: jmd41280 on July 28, 2020, 02:21:35 PM
In SW PA, it would Sheetz, GetGo, and Speedway in that order.
Title: Re: You Favorite Local/Area Gas Station/Convenience Stores.
Post by: ftballfan on July 29, 2020, 09:11:27 PM
In western Michigan, it would have to be Wesco. They're based in Muskegon and they go north to Benzonia, east to Lake City, and south to Coloma/Watervliet, but they also have stores in Jackson, Brooklyn, and Adrian, nowhere near any other stores.
Title: Re: You Favorite Local/Area Gas Station/Convenience Stores.
Post by: roadman65 on July 30, 2020, 11:26:21 AM
Wawa and Racetrac are mine.  Both have great items, but the former has made to order hoagies.  Racetrac tried to copy Wawa and failed, so their sandwiches are made off site and delivered to them.

I only wish QT were here in Florida as I liked them when in KS and OK and even Atlanta area have them, and next to Buc-ees in Texas, they are the second largest store that I have seen in square feet inside.
Title: Re: You Favorite Local/Area Gas Station/Convenience Stores.
Post by: kevinb1994 on July 30, 2020, 11:39:20 AM
Quote from: roadman65 on July 30, 2020, 11:26:21 AM
Wawa and Racetrac are mine.  Both have great items, but the former has made to order hoagies.  Racetrac tried to copy Wawa and failed, so their sandwiches are made off site and delivered to them.

I only wish QT were here in Florida as I liked them when in KS and OK and even Atlanta area have them, and next to Buc-ees in Texas, they are the second largest store that I have seen in square feet inside.
Can't wait for Buc-ees. I agree with you on QT. Funny how there's a Race Track Road in an area filling up with...RaceTrac.
Title: Re: You Favorite Local/Area Gas Station/Convenience Stores.
Post by: ghYHZ on July 30, 2020, 03:48:11 PM
Irving Big Stop/Circle K  They advertise 'Clean Restrooms' ......and don't make you feel like you have to buy something!

https://goo.gl/maps/xQUbaMX3e5zeYyQK6
Title: Re: You Favorite Local/Area Gas Station/Convenience Stores.
Post by: NWI_Irish96 on July 30, 2020, 05:20:18 PM
My favorite gas station is whatever is plentiful near where I live and with competitive prices and a decent rewards program. Right now that happens to be Speedway.
Title: Re: You Favorite Local/Area Gas Station/Convenience Stores.
Post by: thenetwork on July 30, 2020, 09:50:14 PM
I travel for business a lot in the 4-Corners states (AZ being the least traveled).

At least for the moment, there are 4 big name C-stores that all meet in the region with very little overlap:

UT/CO -- Maverik
CO/NM -- Speedway
CO -- Kum & Go

And Circle K pops up here and there in the above 3 states, with more dominance that I have seen in AZ.

Down in NM and extreme Southern CO, Speedway bought up the Giant (Shell) chain and at least one other C-store chain to the point where in some towns, you could have 2 OR MORE Speedways within easy sight of each other (In Aztec, NM along US-550, there are 3 Speedways within 750 feet of each other).

As much as I like Maverik's rugged, outdoorsy look (mostly in their newer stores), I prefer Speedway over the rest because of their loyalty card deals and their $.69 fountain drinks -- especially now since most C-Stores have banned using refill cups and or free glasses of Ice Water (using a refill cup) and/or use of water fountains (where applicable) due to the COVID restrictions.

Another Speedway oddity -- off the main drag in Farmington, NM, there is a Speedway store that does NOT sell any gasoline.  Of course, the "full-service Speedways" are just a few blocks away...

Title: Re: You Favorite Local/Area Gas Station/Convenience Stores.
Post by: epzik8 on July 31, 2020, 10:48:44 PM
Quote from: hbelkins on July 28, 2020, 10:50:06 AM
I hear a lot of good things about Rutter's in central Pennsylvania. It seems to be extremely localized, though. I've never seen one, and had the bad luck to have one open up somewhere around Hollidaysburg shortly after I last passed through the area.
Rutter's is headquartered in York, so a lot of them are in York County. I like the ones in Fawn Grove and Stewartstown since they're close to the state line and I used to have an easy trip up there from Maryland.
Title: Re: You Favorite Local/Area Gas Station/Convenience Stores.
Post by: epzik8 on July 31, 2020, 10:49:49 PM
I like Royal Farms, Wawa, Sheetz, Rutter's, Turkey Hill and High's.