Truckers, Showers & Steak: 10 Friendly Stops Near Gurnee, IL

by TRUCKERS VA
(UNITED STATES)

🛣️ INTRO – GURNEE’S GOTTA GIFT THE ROLLING NATION

Let’s be honest. If you're a trucker rolling through northern Illinois, it can feel like the options for food, rest, and sanity are slimmer than a steer on keto. But surprise—Gurnee ain't just home to roller coasters and outlet malls. There are some legit spots to fuel your belly, reset your mind, and maybe even enjoy a slice of humanity.

So if you’re hauling through this part of the Midwest, here’s your unfiltered list of trucker-friendly spots around Gurnee that won’t leave you hangry, ticketed, or sleeping in a sketchy corner lot.

1. 🛑 Gurnee Truck Stop – The OG Parking Savior

Location: 36725 US-41, Gurnee, IL
Open 24/7 | Showers | Parking | Diesel | Diner vibes

This is the go-to lifeline in Gurnee for truckers. You can fuel, park, shower, and scarf down a burger faster than dispatch can say “just one more load.”
Why it hits:

Overnight parking that doesn’t feel like a war zone

Restaurant on-site that’s open late

Real truck stop energy, not just a gas station pretending to be useful

2. 🍖 Stevens’ Steakhouse – For the Grown Folks’ Palate

Location: 401 N Riverside Dr, Gurnee, IL

You drove all week, fought with dispatch, dodged 4-wheelers in rush hour… you deserve a steak that didn’t come from a microwave.
Pro tip: Call ahead to make sure they’ve got room for truck parking (or bobtail nearby and Lyft it).

3. 🚿 TA Waukegan (Technically in Waukegan, but Close Enough)

Location: 200 N Green Bay Rd, Waukegan, IL

Classic TA setup — plenty of truck parking, showers, and fast food if you’re in no mood for frills.
Why it makes the list: It’s consistent. You won’t be wowed, but you won’t be cussing either.

4. 🍩 Dimples Donuts – Wake Up Sweet

Location: 4949 Grand Ave, Gurnee, IL

Local donut spot that opens early. Friendly folks and strong coffee that'll slap you awake better than a logbook audit.
Parking? Not ideal for 18-wheelers, but bobtails or van drivers might be able to sneak in early morning.

5. 🏋️‍♂️ Planet Fitness – For Truckers Who Lift

Location: 3900 Fountain Square Pl, Waukegan, IL

They don’t always have truck parking,

but they do have hot showers, clean restrooms, and a place to get the blood moving after a long haul.
Why truckers love it: $10/month gym pass. And they don’t judge.

6. 🍜 Pho Roll – Unexpected Vietnamese Vibes

Location: 5101 Washington St #4, Gurnee, IL

Sometimes you need something lighter than fried chicken and heavier than lettuce. Pho Roll is that balance.
Try it if: You’ve got a taste for something different — and your stomach needs a break from truck stop pizza.

7. 🧺 Gurnee Laundry & Dry Clean

Location: 4614 Grand Ave, Gurnee, IL

Long week on the road? Clothes starting to smell like sadness? Pull over and reset.
Why it helps: Decent parking and fast washers mean you’re not wasting half a day doing laundry.

8. 🥤 Culver’s (with Lot Wiggle Room)

Location: 4435 Grand Ave, Gurnee, IL

They’ve got the best trucker milkshake therapy in town, and while it’s not a truck stop, some say you can squeeze a rig in early or late when it’s quiet.

9. 🛠️ Rush Truck Center – When the Truck’s Sick

Location: 40488 N Green Bay Rd, Beach Park, IL

Because sometimes it ain’t you — it’s the truck. Solid shop with a rep for getting trucks back on the road without milking your wallet too bad.
Truckers say: The staff here know what they’re doing, and they don’t give you fluff.

10. 🛏️ Country Inn & Suites by Radisson

Location: 5420 Grand Ave, Gurnee, IL

Need a proper reset? This place is clean, cozy, and even has semi-friendly parking if you check in advance. Some drivers bobtail and crash here before a reset.

🚦Bottom Line: Gurnee’s Better Than You Thought

You don’t have to dread a reset or 34-hour hold near Gurnee. These spots are proof that you can eat good, clean up, and handle business like a boss — even when you're far from home.

And if you’re still stuck thinking trucking’s your only income?

🧠 Start stacking that off-duty income with online tools and AI — while you’re still rollin’.