Ashford International Truckstop has won the top spot in Logistics UK’s national search for the Best Truck Stop of the Year 2026.

The competition attracted more than 200 nominations from commercial vehicle drivers across the country, who voted to celebrate the roadside facilities that provide the highest standard of service.

The initiative is part of Logistics UK’s ongoing efforts to draw attention to the need to raise the standards of truck stops across the UK roadside network and recognise the critical role they play for the nation’s drivers.

Drivers were invited to nominate truck stops based on how well they performed against criteria including security, lighting, food availability and value for money.

Ashford International Truckstop was crowned the overall winner after an expert judging panel evaluated the entries to shortlist six standout facilities.

The panel included Maddi Solloway-Price (Logistics UK’s interim deputy director of policy), Sue Alty (co-founder and director of My Truck Stop), and Chris Holloway (founder of Motorway Buddy).

The five other shortlisted truck stops were: The Old Fox (Grantham); The Hollies (Cannock), AWJ Penrith (Penrith); Formula – Premier (Ellesmere Port); and Route 74 (Lesmahagow).

Logistics UK president Phil Roe visited Ashford International Truckstop to officially present the award.

Roe emphasised that professional drivers serve as the absolute backbone of the nation’s economy, and said the initiative recognises the truck stops that provide drivers with an invaluable and essential service as they keep the economy moving.

“Ashford International Truckstop is a deserving winner of this search, and it was a pleasure to be given a tour of the site today and see firsthand its first-class facilities,” he commented.

Darren Smith, operations director at Ashford International, added: “This award reflects our ongoing commitment to delivering high-quality facilities, industry-leading security and exceptional customer service for the thousands of professional drivers who rely on Ashford International Truckstop each year. Our investment in infrastructure, operational excellence and driver welfare is central to our business, and this recognition reinforces the standards we continually strive to achieve.”

Logistics UK also warned that there is a national shortage of safe and secure lorry parking.

The business group continues to urge government to conduct a national review of the availability of rest facilities for logistics workers and for truck stops to be incorporated into planning frameworks as standard.

Phil Roe continued: “Too often, professional drivers around the country are contending with a lack of acceptable roadside facilities or forced to take their legally mandated rest breaks in locations that aren’t up to standard. That’s why we believe it is important to shine a light on the great truck stops that are improving the working lives of commercial drivers nationwide and encourage the operators of other locations to follow their example.”

In addition, the organisation is pressing for a specific crime code to be introduced for freight crime to enable better data collection and appropriate sentencing.