Halfway between Mobile, Alabama and Pensacola, Florida, take exit 53 on I-10 to Derailed Diner. There's a fun atmosphere with truck-themed interiors and gas station memorabilia – you’ll feel like you never left the road. Alongside diner classics, it serves Hobo Baskets – beef steak, baby carrots, red potatoes, corn on the cob, onions and celery, all slow-roasted in tin foil – with fries and coleslaw. The stop is also famed for its flip-flop fudge.

Truckers in need of comfort food while ploughing through snowy Alaska will be pleased to encounter Hilltop Truck Stop. The joint is known for decadent desserts – people rave about the pies which include coconut cream and blueberry. Its savoury menu includes an all-day breakfast with reindeer sausage and a fried halibut sandwich.

Tucson Truck Terminal – or Triple T as it’s fondly known – is home to Omar’s Hi-Way Chef. It's scooped second place on Food Network’s top truck stops in the country and has been crowned the best breakfast in Tucson. Order the I-10 Belly Buster (three eggs, two strips of bacon, two sausage patties, two pancakes and grilled ham) and the signature apple pie which comes with a mountain of ice cream.

Out in the Arkansas boonies, Workman’s Travel Center is a welcome rest stop. When eating at the complex’s Hillbilly Hideout, there’s a good choice of burgers, sandwiches, steaks and salads. But truckers often praise the 24-hour breakfasts – choose between omelettes served with hash browns and toast; chocolate chip waffles; French toast; or eggs, bacon, sausage, biscuits and gravy.

Claiming to supply the best chicken fried steak on Highway 101, Wildhorse Cafe on the outskirts of King City serves Southern-inspired sustenance when trucking on the West Coast. Customers love the corned beef hash and chile verde omelettes, but don’t just stop by in the morning. The post-breakfast menu is decidedly Californian and many of the dishes are served with generous amounts of avocado.

While traversing the Centennial State, satisfy your sweet treat cravings at Johnson’s Corner on the I-25. It claims the cinnamon rolls are world famous and it’s no wonder people come screeching off the interstate to snack on them. Fluffy and dripping with sugary icing, they’re the ideal pick-me-up for a long-haul journey. Other baked goods include jumbo doughnuts and apple fritters.

Connecticut is thin on the ground for great truck stops but offers a couple of quirky options just off the interstate. Our top choice is Magee’s Curbside, a “delicious diamond in the rough”. We can’t get enough of the granola-crusted cherry French toast or oozing breakfast sandwiches with eggs, cheese, and short rib chilli. Its green gingham tablecloths in the dining room will make you feel right at home.

Upon entering Delaware from Maryland, the main road will direct you to 301 Plaza Restaurant. Hungry truckers may be interested in checking out the tiki-themed buffet or big burgers. For more up-market options, there’s prime rib with roast potatoes or prawn linguine. The fried chicken dinner also comes with high praise.

Naturally, the wildest place to pull up your truck in Florida is just north of Miami, on the periphery of the Everglades. Not only is Cafe 27 a popular truck spot, but it’s also a meeting place for petrolheads and turns into a bar with metal bands at night. When it comes to food, start with the gator bites or dolphin fingers (actually mahi mahi), before tucking into a mahi sandwich served grilled, blackened or fried.

On the way into Alabama from Atlanta and getting that country food craving? Old Time Country Kitchen at Newborn Truck Stop has got you covered. Ignore the salad bar and head to the buffet. There’s fried chicken, fried green tomatoes, cream corn, hot bread rolls, green beans, tender roast beef and all the Southern trimmings. Customers call it one of the last great truck stops.

Although not technically a truck stop, Ted’s Bakery is a decent spot to stop if you’re looking for food while cruising along Kamehameha Highway. With ocean views, sit down with the surfers to a meat-filled rice omelette or pan-fried garlic shrimp. Don’t miss out on a free slice of cream pie either, if it's on offer.

One of the oldest continually-operating businesses in Idaho, Boise Stage Stop opened in 1891. It’s also one of the best-loved truck stops in the US. There are a variety of cuisines on offer at the restaurant including Mexican, classic American and Italian, but it’s best known as a fantastic steakhouse. It serves sirloin with shrimp, a range of steaks and hearty burgers. You can even get a T-bone at breakfast.

Open 24/7, R-Place Family Eatery has become a must-visit for those travelling around the Chicago area. The mains such as chicken pot pie are excellent but the bakery is equally impressive. Everything is made from scratch, from pastries and cupcakes to brownies and buns. If you haven’t eaten yourself into a food coma, try the burger challenge and see if you can stomach a four-pound burger in under an hour.

If you’re seeking comfort food on Highway 70 between Indianapolis and Columbus, you’ll feel like you’re back in grandma’s kitchen at Gas Grill Family Restaurant. Here you’ll find well-priced and hearty rib-eye sandwiches; country fried steak and gravy; mashed potatoes; and beans. For dessert, there's ice cream, rice pudding or Jell-O.

Encompassing a mind-boggling 100,000 square feet (9,290 sqm) of space, Iowa 80 is reportedly the world’s largest truck stop. There are many fast food options but make a beeline to Iowa 80 Kitchen. The all-American buffet includes favourites such as meatloaf, fried chicken and pot roast, and its salad bar is 50 foot (15.2m) long.

It’s not just truckers who love Russell’s Restaurant – locals from all over Salina dine here for well-priced food and huge portions. Rustic and low-key, the place serves all-you-can-eat fried chicken, plus chicken livers and gizzards. The menu also includes Midwest comfort food like smothered steak or the catfish dinner.

Find the most charming roadside diner in every state

Bypass the chains at London Auto Truck Center and head for HomeCooker where you’ll find fried chicken, steaks, cheese fries and loaded nachos on the menu. Restless truckers can also pick up something for later at the grab-n-go section.

A stop loved locals and truckers alike, Frog City Travel Plaza Restaurant in Rayne, Louisiana, is a Cajun affair. Visitors feast on dishes like seafood gumbo and gator burgers. You don’t have to be in France to try frogs' legs either as they’re a menu favourite here. Open 24/7, there’s also a casino. Who knows, maybe you’ll win back your meal’s worth back.

When visiting Bangor, Dysart’s Truck Stop is a must-visit. Favourites include their best-selling chicken pot pie and meatloaf but there’s also poutine and lobster rolls. Pick up some sweet treats for the road from the bakery – choose between chocolate cream pie, whoopie pies and cookie platters.

Before you cross the Maryland border into Pennsylvania, ensure you make a pit stop at Belle Grove Grocery. Rotating specials such as barbecue pork sandwiches and hamburger macaroni casseroles keep the menu fresh, while the staples – “pies to die for” and “the best burger around” – keep customers coming back for more.

Brody’s Diner is an unpretentious dining spot offering humongous stacks of buttermilk pancakes, and chunky ham, pepper and onion omelettes. Customers comment on the huge portions. Comedian Jerry Seinfeld even reportedly wrote a Yelp review describing the coffee mugs as “big enough to wash your feet in”.

Ten miles south of Grand Rapids, 76th Street Truck Stop Diner is a haven for hungry truck drivers. All the diner’s burgers, sandwiches and wraps come with fries or homemade chips. The Big Mother Trucker is two half-pound patties, three slices of sourdough, cheddar, Monterey Jack, sauce and salad. Or you can build your own skillet – to a base of scrambled eggs, potato and cheese, you can add items like bacon, sausage and ham.

One of Minnesota’s best bakeries can be found at a truck stop in Clearwater. Highlights at Nelson Bros. include doughnuts the size of your head and fritter bread in five heavenly flavours. The attached restaurant’s menu goes on for miles with homemade meals such as pizza, meatloaf and fritter French toast. There’s even a Nelson Bros. pub.

Good food options are limited on the route down towards the beautiful beaches of Mississippi, Alabama and Florida, but Crazy K’s Food & Fuel is an exception. It serves classics such as brisket and fried chicken, and the staff are even known to bring food to passengers who have broken down on the surrounding roads – how’s that for Southern hospitality.

If you’re driving down Route 66 from St. Louis to Springfield, take a left at the giant chicken to pull up at Cookin' from Scratch for some great truck stop eats. Naturally there's fried chicken, but you'll also find prime rib and fries to tuck into too. Your plate will be piled high but it’s so finger lickin’ good that you won’t want to let a crumb go to waste.

North of Yellowstone National Park, Broadway Diner at the Broadway Flying J Travel Plaza is a welcome sight for weary travellers and truckers. It offers a big breakfast selection such as blueberry pancakes, biscuits and gravy with eggs, bacon and hash browns, and BLTs on rye at reasonable prices. It's part of a chain but the quick and friendly service is that of an independent.

While most roadside truck stop diners usually serve classic American dishes, this spot is all about authentic Indian curries. At Taste of India, dive into satisfying plates of butter chicken, biryanis, chana masala and garlic naan in a convenience store setting. It’s a truly original experience that has people driving across the Cornhusker State for.

Between Death Valley National Park and Las Vegas, Area 51 Alien Center is an out-of-this-world pit stop in the desert. A cracking photo opportunity, it’s a lime green alien-themed gift shop with a small but unexpectedly good diner attached. Stop in for shakes, root beer floats, cheeseburgers and fries.

The Common Man Roadside North is a multiplex with something for everyone. The Hi-Way Diner a kitsch, 1950s-inspired joint with outstanding veggie options. For something sweet, there’s the Uncommon Barista serving coffee, cookies and cream cakes. Alternatively, pick up some fast food – here that means salads, wraps and smoothies. Or head to the Italian Farmhouse for pizza.

For its abundance of traditional American restaurants, the Garden State should have been nicknamed the Diner State. Truck Stop Diner is one of these great New Jersey canteens. The menu stretches eight pages and customers praise the farmers’ frittata with cheese, the ribs, lamb, apple pie, cheesecake and wonderful service. Rock band U2 have even stopped in for a bite.

On the cusp of New Mexico and Texas, Russell’s Travel Center offers truckers a historic Route 66 experience with its classic diner and museum. While there are plenty of standard burgers on offer, why not opt for a Tex-Mex dish. It serves great chiles rellenos, refried beans and beef tamales. While you're there, check out all the vintage memorabilia and gain free entry to the classic car museum.

Start your early morning right with a savoury breakfast bowl from Mapleview Family Restaurant. The Farmers Bowl includes homefries, scrambled eggs, sausage gravy and cheddar. Small details such as real maple syrup are an unexpected treat at a truck stop. Arrive later in the day for Philly cheese steaks, Reubens and roast beef melts that come with gravy.

For an upmarket truck stop experience, head to Haywood 209 Cafe in Waynesville, North Carolina which is known as a favourite on the interstate. Visitors rave about the tenderloin beef tips served with mushroom gravy, the meatloaf and country fried steak. Afterwards, check out the dessert case full of freshly-baked pies and cakes made by an in-house baker.

More than just a gas station breakfast, Schatz Crossroads in Minot, North Dakota, serves a steak and eggs plate that comes with hash browns and toast – if you're heading north, it'll tide you over all the way to Canada. If that doesn’t tickle your fancy, try a ham and cheese hoagie or a chicken Philly. The caramel rolls are also said to be the best around.

When hitting the roads of northern Ohio, make sure to take advantage of Country Corral’s special trucker deals. Top up your vehicle and receive a free coffee or soda when paying cash. Before you leave in a hurry, stay for a bite and try the chicken tenders and ribs.

Oklahoma’s favourite mom-and-pop shop, Leo & Ken’s has been open since 1963. Make sure you stop in for food – the hamburger steak, lemon Jell-O and fresh cheesecake are dishes to write home about. It’s open 24/7 but cash only so make sure you keep some spare dollars in your truck.

On your next trip up Highway 5 to Portland, stop in at Pioneer Villa Truck Plaza's restaurant. On the menu is meatloaf, succulent pork chops and corned beef on rye bread, served in a dark wood dining saloon. The service is top notch too.

Truckers love this central Pennsylvanian haunt for its friendly service and generous portions. This is the place for cheese-lovers – the menu has an entire melt section including tuna, chicken and bacon, and a Reuben with mounds of corned beef, sauerkraut and Swiss cheese. Also, if you like your steaks cooked rare, grab a table here.

As the smallest state in America, good truck stops are hard to come by in Rhode Island. To get away from fast food chain options, head to Cafe Tempo Coffee House further into Warwick for incredible coffee and bagels. It serves plain and onion bagels with cream cheese, egg, ham, bacon or sausage. It's well worth the small detour.

Heading down to Myrtle Beach? Be sure to schedule a stop at Little Fisher Truck Stop & Restaurant, a family-owned convenience store open every day of the year. Known for their hospitality, George or Johnny B are there to assist with all your hunger pangs. Order fried chicken, pork chops and gravy, mac and cheese, baked beans and hot dogs. It's reasonably priced too.

Adjacent to Truck Street in Kimball, South Dakota, Ditty’s is an inviting spot to pull up for a rest. There are pre-packed deli sandwiches and salads if you’re hungry and in a hurry, but we urge you to stay a while and try the loaded baked potato with pulled pork or beef barley soup.

Pops BBQ is a big-name flame joint at The Tennessean Truck Stop in Cornersville. The rack of ribs and pulled pork are its most beloved dishes. If you don’t have time to sit and indulge, many of the firm favourites are pre-wrapped and kept warm for you to take back to your truck.

The Lone Star State has more top-notch roadside pit stops than you can shake a stick at but The Big Texan Steak Ranch might just be the best. It hosts a 72-ounce steak competition (served with shrimp cocktail, baked potato, salad and a roll). Looking for something smaller? How about Rocky Mountain oysters, fried chicken or rack of baby back ribs?

Get your Mexican fix on l-15 between Salt Lake City and Las Vegas at Kan Kun Mexican Restaurant which stays open until around 10pm. Its speciality is homemade tamales but its customers are also big fans of the chile verde, shredded beef tacos and margaritas. For those doing the driving, there's Mexican Coca-Cola.

Check out Coca-Cola flavours from around the world for more rare bottles.

If you’re heading up Highway 2 (or down, for that matter) in Danville, Vermont, swing into Marty’s 1st Stop for a gourmet trucker’s lunch and all your supplies. The soft-shell crab is a winner and the rotation of soups including clam chowder, chop suey, potato bacon and chicken rice will be sure to warm you up on chillier days. A true one-stop shop, it's also got you covered for groceries.

Next time you’re road tripping through Virginia, stop in at Joe’s Diner at the Harrisonburg Travel Center. A classic 24-hour diner, it serves rotating daily specials such as Salisbury steak, spaghetti and pork tenderloin. If you’re in a hurry, order online so you’re back on the road in minutes.

What else would you have for breakfast in Washington but a Sasquatch Skillet? Served at Gee Cee’s Truck Stop off exit 57 on I-5, it’s ham, sausage, onions, peppers and tomatoes served with three scrambled eggs and hash browns, topped with cheese. For something a little less heavy, there are salads but whatever you order will be huge. That’s why truckers love it.

Among the most unique things found at truck stops is Liberty Truck Stop’s livestock auction, which could have you leaving with more than you came for. But if you’re strictly here for food only, the bean soup and crispy bacon sandwich with fries is said to be a good value option. Round things off with a coconut pie or chocolate milkshake.

When heading up l-94 and Highway 26, hold out for the Pine Cone Travel Plaza at exit 267, which, for a truck stop, has a lot of fans. Choose the eggs benedict or the steak and eggs, then stock up on cream puffs, cookies and éclairs for onward journey.

Now discover the best retro diner in every state

Broken Wheel Truck Stop do their bit to help truckers combat the Wyoming winter cold. On Tuesdays, anyone who comes through the door gets a free cup of coffee, no purchase necessary. But while you’re inside, fill up your stomach with one of its cracking breakfast options.

For fast food heaven, find the best burger and fries joint in every state