The Best 10 Gas Station Brands Across the United States 2025-2026
- RoadTour.Net Editor
- Jan 4
- 4 min read
Gas stations are an integral part of the quintessential American road trip adventure, serving not only as refueling points but also as vital hubs for travelers seeking rest and refreshment along their journeys. Each of these gas stations brands offers a unique experience, providing essential services to weary travelers. RoadTour.Net has meticulously curated its list of the top 10 gas stations for the period 2025-2026, a resource that aims to enhance the road trip experience for consumers.
In compiling this list for 2025-2026, we adopt a comprehensive approach that prioritizes the consumer standpoint, ensuring that our evaluations are grounded in real-world experiences. Our criteria for assessment encompass several crucial factors, including cleanliness, which is paramount for any establishment that caters to the public. A clean gas station not only signifies attention to detail but also ensures the health and safety of its patrons. Equally important is the quality of customer service, which can make or break a traveler's experience. Friendly and knowledgeable staff who are eager to assist can turn a routine pit stop into a pleasant encounter, while unhelpful or indifferent service can leave a lasting negative impression. We also take into account the design and layout of each gas station. An inviting and well-organized space can enhance the overall experience, making it easier for customers to navigate the facilities, find what they need, and feel comfortable during their visit. Most of these brands have been visited multiple times in 2025.
Out of all the different gas station brands in the U.S., to be in Road Tour's Top 10 is a great accomplishment.
We plan to present awards to the top 5 of the 10 gas stations over the next few months of 2026.
Road Tour also has an active ranking that changes throughout the year based on our visits. Final results will be for the 2026-2027 list. Click here.
No. 10 - ROYAL FARMS
We typically enjoy our stops at Royal Farms. More friendly cashiers would be a delight though. Royal Farms is based in Baltimore, Maryland. It runs 200+ locations across Maryland, Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Virginia, West Virginia, and North Carolina.
No. 9 - RACETRAC
Good visits to RaceTrac are common, though they struggle with cleanliness in their restrooms and exterior areas on our visits. Based in Atlanta, RaceTrac operates a chain of gas stations throughout the Southern and Midwestern United States. They are in the top 3 on our best gas station pizza list.
No. 8 - KWIK TRIP
There is no doubt that Kwik Trip offers the best baked good and grocery-like selection of any gas station we've visited. They have struggled with customer service and restroom cleanliness. We have also seen some locations without paper towels. Even with some of those setbacks, they still crush many of their competitors in service and have a cult-like following. Kwik Trip was established in 1965, with locations across the Upper Midwest.
No. 7 - LOVE'S TRAVEL STOPS
Love's does serious double duty accommodating a high volume of truckers at it's location, which makes cleanliness a serious struggle. Based out of Oklahoma City, they have a wide footprint across the U.S.
No. 6 - SHEETZ
Out of the multiple visits to Sheetz in 2025, we mostly encountered good friendly service and clean restrooms with some issues on the speed of checkout as we've waited for a cashier on occasion. With over 800 locations, it is based out of Altoona, PA.
No. 5 - WAWA
Superior to many of it's competitors in the taste of their food, Wawa has obtained a cult-like following. Based out of Wawa, PA, the company is supercharging it's growth into the Midwest at the moment.
No. 4 - QUIKTRIP (QT)
There is no gas station chain with the combination of the best speed of service and most friendly than QuikTrip. They do need to work on keeping up with the restroom cleanliness though. QuikTrip (QT) is headquartered in Tulsa, Oklahoma, with locations throughout the Midwestern, Southern, and Western United States.
No. 3 - UNITED DAIRY FARMERS (UDF)
It's in their name. Started in 1938, UDF offers dairy products as well as coffee and gasoline. Typically great customer service, clean gas stations, and no issues. The chain has about 200 locations throughout the Cincinnati, Dayton, and Columbus, Ohio metro areas. UDF is based in the Cincinnati, Ohio area.
No. 2 - WALLY'S
In a league of it's own, many might try to compare Wally's to Buc-ee's because of it's size, but Wally's stand out with it's own vibe and culture as the home of the great American road trip. The store features flavored popcorn, BBQ, and also offers ice cream, pizza, beef jerky, baked goods, and Sloosh slushies. With only 2 locations as of Jan 2026, with 1 opening in the Indianapolis area sometime in 2026.
No. 1 - BUC-EE'S
The number one gas station chain hands down, Buc-ee's routinely has great customer service and clean restrooms, though it can be a nightmare to visit on the weekends because of how busy it is. Buc-ee’s is a Texas-based chain of large travel centers known for its clean restrooms, massive stores, and wide variety of food and merchandise. The company is especially famous for its fresh barbecue, Beaver Nuggets snacks, and branded products, making Buc-ee’s a popular stop for travelers across the Southern United States and soon to be expanding into the Midwest in Ohio and Wisconsin.
PREVIOUS RANKINGS FOR 2024-2025:
Road Tour only had the top 8 last round.
8 - RaceTrac
7 - Sheetz
6 - Love's Travel Stops
5 - United Dairy Farmers (UDF)
4 - QuikTrip (QT)
3 - Wawa
2 - Wally's
1 - Buc-ee's
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