Ashford International Crowned Logistics Uk's Best Truck Stop Of The Year

(Copyright Logistics UK, reproduced with kind permission)

Following an abundance of nominations for truck stops nationwide, Ashford International Truckstop has been crowned the overall winner of business group Logistics UK's national search for the Best Truck Stop of the Year 2026. Over 200 nominations were submitted, as HGV drivers around the UK had their say and highlighted the roadside facilities they thought were most deserving of recognition. 

The initiative, which was launched in March, 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. Nominations were scrutinised by an expert judging panel, consisting of Logistics UK's Interim Deputy Director of Policy Maddi Solloway-Price, My Truck Stop Co-Founder and Director Sue Alty and Motorway Buddy Founder Chris Holloway. The panel shortlisted six truck stops worthy of special attention, from which Ashford International was determined the Overall Winner. 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's President Phil Roe, who visited Ashford International Truckstop today (7 September) to present the award, said: "Professional drivers are the backbone of the UK economy, and Logistics UK's Best Truck Stop of the Year is a crucial initiative recognising 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. However, their excellent standards are the exception and not the rule - 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." 

Darren Smith, Operations Director at Ashford International said, "We are honoured to be recognised by Logistics UK as Best Truck Stop of the Year 2026. 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. I would like to thank our dedicated team for their professionalism and commitment, as well as Logistics UK and the judging panel for this prestigious recognition. We remain focused on supporting the road transport industry by providing a safe, secure and dependable environment that enables drivers to rest, recharge and continue their journeys with confidence." 

Sue Alty, Co-Founder of My Truck Stop said, "The number of nominations we received goes to show that when truck stops do a good job, drivers notice. It was a pleasure to be a part of this initiative and judging panel." 

Chris Holloway, Founder of Motorway Buddy added, "Security is a huge part of a driver's overall experience at a stop and as this initiative shows, it cannot be an afterthought. I enjoyed judging all the nominations and recognising the truck stops that are doing a fantastic job." 

According to Logistics UK, there is a national shortage of safe and secure lorry parking, and 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. 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. 

Logistics UK is one of the UK's biggest business groups, representing logistics businesses which are vital to keeping the UK trading, and more than seven million people directly employed in the making, selling and moving of goods. With decarbonisation, new technology and other disruptive forces driving change in the way goods move across borders and through the supply chain, logistics has never been more important to UK plc. Logistics UK supports, shapes and stands up for safe and efficient logistics, and is the only business group which represents the whole industry, with members from the road, rail, water and air industries, as well as the buyers of freight services such as retailers and manufacturers whose businesses depend on the efficient movement of goods. For more information about the organisation and its work, please visit logistics.org.uk