How to Find a Truck Stop Health Clinic

Truck Stop Health Clinics: Accessible, On-the-Road Care for Truckers

For truck drivers, staying healthy while on the road can be a serious challenge. Trucking can be a physically and mentally demanding job, with long hours, extended periods of sitting, and sharp mental focus required to make split-second decisions while driving. When on a route, truckers face the challenge of limited access to healthcare facilities, particularly clinics that will work with their home-state insurance. As a result, truckers often delay treatment for health issues until they become unavoidable.

But a growing number of truck stop health clinics are changing that. These healthcare clinics are geared toward commercial drivers, providing direct access to primary, urgent, and occupational healthcare right where truckers already stop.

What Is a Truck Stop Health Clinic?

Truck stop health clinics are walk-in or appointment-based medical centers located directly at or adjacent to major truck stops, such as Pilot Flying J’s, TA-Petro, or Love’s. 

These clinics provide a wide range of services, such as:

• Pre-employment and DOT physicals
• Drug screening
• Urgent care for minor illnesses and injuries
• Primary care and chronic condition management
• Preventative care and wellness checks
• Telehealth and mail-order prescription services

While finding a location to pass your DOT physical has become easy, finding a trucker- and truck-friendly healthcare clinic for commercial drivers remains difficult. There have been several new truck stop health clinics that have opened in recent years, but the need for truck stop health clinics far exceeds the supply. One of these newcomers, THTGroup (formerly Urgent Care Travel), closed all of their clinics in 2021 and filed for bankruptcy, leaving truckers with even fewer options for affordable care on the road. 

Luckily, truckers still have access to truck stop health clinics by Interstate Health, a healthcare company that has partnered with major travel center chains to bring convenient, affordable care to drivers at truck stops, eliminating the need to search for city-based clinics that often lack truck parking or the flexible hours truckers need for appointments. The company currently has five locations, three of which are in Tennessee, another in Wentworth, Georgia, and one in Sturtevant, Wisconsin.

Why Truckers Use Truck Stop Clinics

Truck stop clinics offer big benefits to commercial drivers. If you’re thinking about switching to one of these clinics, keep these in mind so you can make the most of your visit.

1. Convenience That Fits a Trucker’s Life

For many drivers, getting care often means taking time off, navigating urban traffic, and either renting a car or hunting for a clinic with truck parking. That can take hours. Truck stop clinics are located right where drivers already pull over to refuel, eat, and shower—no detours, no lost productivity. According to research from the American Transportation Research Institute, this convenience can save the industry over $700 million annually in lost time.

2. Health Monitoring That Protects Your CDL

Chronic conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, and obesity are common among truckers and can limit a driver’s DOT certification to less than the standard two years, requiring more frequent DOT physicals. Clinics at truck stops help manage those conditions with care plans, follow-up visits, and medication oversight, keeping drivers road-ready and reducing the risk of surprise DOT disqualifications.

3. Affordable Options With or Without Insurance

Many truckers are uninsured or underinsured. Some truck stop health clinics offer flat monthly rates with no deductibles or copays, covering everyday services truckers need to stay in good health wherever they are, from DOT physicals, to primary care, or 24/7 telehealth visits. While not the same as medical insurance, truck stop health clinics that offer affordable basic care can help truckers stay healthy when they’re away from home.

4. Consistent Care, Anywhere

Many clinics share electronic medical records across their networks, allowing drivers to receive follow-up care at different locations without starting over. This continuity of care means better outcomes and a more personalized experience, even while constantly on the move.

How to Find a Truck Stop Health Clinic While Traveling

While finding a truck stop health clinic is still a challenge, there are a few options available to long-haul truckers.

First, ask your fleet. Many carriers partner with specific clinic networks and may cover or subsidize costs. When booking an appointment, always call ahead to confirm availability, parking for your truck, walk-in policies, and whether or not they’ll take your insurance, if you plan on using it. When it’s time to renew your physical, check out our guide on how to find a DOT physical provider.

Some popular locations of truck stop health clinics include:

• Interstate Health Clinics, with locations in Tennessee, Georgia, and Wisconsin
• Independent truck stops such as Iowa 80 in Walcott, Iowa (offering dental and chiropractic care) and Jubitz in Portland, Oregon, which offers an outpatient medical clinic and chiropractor services
• Infinity Medical Services, with one clinic located in Bordentown, New Jersey

Tips and FAQs: Making the Most of a Truck Stop Clinic Visit

Do I need insurance to visit a truck stop clinic?

Not necessarily! Many clinics welcome self-pay patients. Others will bill your insurance if they accept it—just make sure to bring your insurance card. Call ahead beforehand to ask about their insurance policy if needed.

What should I bring for a DOT physical?

If you want to get a DOT physical at a truck stop health clinic, be sure to bring the following with you:

• Your current driver’s license
• Previous DOT medical card (if available)
• A list of current medications and medical history
• Eyeglasses, hearing aids, or other medical devices
• Your insurance card (if applicable)

Are walk-ins usually accepted at truck stop clinics?

Yes, walk-ins are common and often expected at truck stop clinics, especially since drivers’ schedules are unpredictable. However, calling ahead can help you confirm hours and wait times.

What conditions can these clinics help manage?

Truck stop clinics often help drivers manage high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, and obesity. Many provide structured care plans with regular visits, medication adjustments, and even phone check-ins. Always call ahead if you have specific questions or concerns to ensure you can receive the care you need.

Is telehealth available through truck stop health clinics?

Telehealth access is growing, with many truck stop clinics providing telemedicine services for issues like cold symptoms, medication refills, or mental health support while on the road.

Healthcare That Moves With You

Truck stop health clinics ensure that professional drivers never have to put their health in the back seat.

The growth of truck stop health clinics offer more than just convenience—they’re a lifeline for drivers trying to balance work, health, and life on the road. As more healthcare services become available at travel centers, truckers will no longer need to choose between their health and their schedules.

Take Charge of Your Health and Career with Truck Driver Institute

Truck stop health clinics are transforming the way drivers care for themselves, offering reliable, on-the-road access to medical services that keep you healthy and working. At Truck Driver Institute, we recognize that health and career go hand in hand. That’s why our CDL training programs don’t just prepare you for your license; they equip you with the tools and knowledge to thrive behind the wheel for years to come.

Ready to launch a career that supports your well-being as much as your paycheck? Call TDI today and take the first step toward a strong, healthy future in trucking.