US Trucking Directory
Situated in Crawford County in the upper Arkansas River Valley, Alma serves as one of the critical commercial freight crossroads in the mid-South. Alma marks the vital intersection of Interstate 40?the foremost transcontinental east-west shipping corridor connecting the West Coast to North Carolina?and Interstate 49, the primary north-south freight route linking the industrial and corporate distribution hubs of Northwest Arkansas to points south. Because of this strategic geographic footprint, Alma functions as an essential logistics staging base for national fleets, refrigerated carriers hauling regional food and poultry production, and flatbed operators hauling through the Ozarks. Drivers routinely utilize Alma's travel plazas and staging aprons to consolidate hours of service, conduct pre-trip inspections, and stage loads before confronting the steep, winding mountain passes of the Boston Mountains along northbound I-49.
Truck Stops with Showers in Alma, Arkansas
Love's Travel Stop #635
8060 AR-282, Alma, AR 72921
Phone: (479) 632-0587
Workman's Hilltop Travel Center
8265 AR-282, Alma, AR 72921
Phone: (479) 632-1356
Alma Travel Mart
300 US-71 N, Alma, AR 72921
Phone: (479) 632-2291
Parking Spaces, Services & Facilities
Alma provides robust commercial infrastructure engineered to accommodate cross-country tractor-trailers, offering modern driver amenities and high-capacity diesel facilities. Overnight parking capacity is anchored at the Exit 24 corridor off I-49, providing broad turning radiuses and secure staging options.- Truck Parking Capacity: Approximately 140 dedicated semi-truck parking spaces across primary locations, including roughly 55 spaces at Love's Travel Stop #635 and 80 dedicated spaces at Workman's Hilltop Travel Center.
- Commercial Fueling & Bulk DEF: Multi-lane high-flow commercial diesel islands with dispenser-integrated bulk DEF at both Love's and Workman's Hilltop.
- Driver Rest Amenities: Clean, private shower suites, modern commercial laundry equipment, driver lounges, and dog parks.
- Connectivity & Digital Access: High-speed Wi-Fi, DAT and Transflo scanning kiosks, and commercial fleet payment integrations (Comdata, EFS, Fleet One).
- On-Site Food Concepts: 24-hour restaurant options including the Ozark Mountain Grill, Red Hog Deli, Subway, and Chester's Chicken.
Interstate Corridors & Exit Guide
Alma provides direct arterial connectivity between transcontinental I-40 and regional artery I-49, ensuring streamlined truck routing without navigating urban congestion.- Interstate 49, Exit 24 (AR-282 / Rudy / Alma): The central commercial hub for major truck stops, including Love's Travel Stop #635 and Workman's Hilltop Travel Center, designed with wide aprons for heavy equipment.
- Interstate 40, Exit 13 (US-71 / AR-162 / Alma): Primary exit accessing local service stations such as Alma Travel Mart, commercial dining, and regional parts stores.
- Interstate 40, Exit 12 (I-49 Interchange): The direct freeway-to-freeway interchange connecting east-west freight between Oklahoma and Central Arkansas to north-south routes heading toward Fayetteville, Springdale, and Bentonville.
Nearby Truck-Accessible Restaurants
Catfish Hole Alma
24 Collum Ln W, Alma, AR 72921
Phone: (479) 632-9718
Airedale Diner
39 Collum Ln E, Alma, AR 72921
Phone: (479) 632-1014
Weigh Stations, Truck Repair, Fuel Stations & CAT Scales
1. Weigh Stations / DOT Inspection Facilities
Arkansas DOT Weigh Station (I-40 Westbound MM 9)
I-40 Westbound at Mile Marker 9, Van Buren, AR 72956
Phone: (479) 474-6074
Arkansas DOT Weigh Station (I-40 Eastbound MM 9)
I-40 Eastbound at Mile Marker 9, Van Buren, AR 72956
Phone: (479) 474-6074
2. Semi-Truck Repair & Mobile Roadside Services
Love's Truck Care #635
8060 AR-282, Alma, AR 72921
Phone: (479) 632-0587
Newtown Truck Service
7419 Alma Hwy, Alma, AR 72921
Phone: (479) 670-2710
3. Commercial Diesel Fuel Stations
Love's Travel Stop #635
8060 AR-282, Alma, AR 72921
Phone: (479) 632-0587
Workman's Hilltop Travel Center
8265 AR-282, Alma, AR 72921
Phone: (479) 632-1356
4. Certified CAT Scale Locations
CAT Scale at Love's Travel Stop #635
8060 AR-282, Alma, AR 72921
Phone: (479) 632-0587
CAT Scale at Workman's Travel Center (I-40 Exit 35)
3202 Pence Ln, Ozark, AR 72949
Phone: (479) 667-0711
Local Driver Tips & Route Insights
Parking Fill-Up Trends: Due to heavy transcontinental transit along I-40 and regional logistics out of Northwest Arkansas, free truck parking at Exit 24 typically begins filling up by 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM on weeknights. Drivers arriving after 8:30 PM should consider paid reserve spaces or plan staging further east near Ozark or west near Roland, Oklahoma.
Mountain Grade Preparation: Drivers transitioning from Alma to I-49 North enter the rugged Boston Mountains within 15 miles. This corridor features sustained 5% to 6% ascending and descending grades, sharp curvature, and transit through the Bobby Hopper Tunnel. Verify engine retarders (Jake brakes), air lines, and cooling systems in Alma before commencing northbound mountain transit.
Valley Fog and Wind Conditions: Alma sits adjacent to the Arkansas River basin, which often leads to severe, localized morning radiation fog during autumn and winter months, impairing visibility on I-40. Additionally, strong crosswinds can impact high-profile empty trailers crossing the elevated spans over the Arkansas River and tributary bridges.
Anti-Idling & Rest Enforcement: Arkansas state regulations permit commercial motor vehicle engine idling during mandatory federal Hours of Service (HOS) rest breaks when outdoor temperatures drop below 32F or rise above 75F. ARDOT Highway Police actively monitor weight compliance near Mile Marker 9 on I-40, making certified scale weigh-ins in Alma prudent prior to passing inspection points.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the primary truck stop exits for commercial parking in Alma, Arkansas?
The primary concentration of full-service truck parking in the Alma area is located off Interstate 49 at Exit 24 (AR-282 / Rudy/Alma). This interchange accommodates large-scale commercial facilities including Love's Travel Stop #635 and Workman's Hilltop Travel Center, both offering dedicated overnight parking lots, wide turnarounds, and driver facilities.
Where can commercial drivers find certified CAT Scales in Alma?
A fully certified, multi-platform CAT Scale is operational 24 hours a day at Love's Travel Stop #635, located at 8060 AR-282 (Exit 24 off I-49) in Alma. Alternatively, drivers eastbound along the I-40 corridor can access a certified CAT Scale at Workman's Travel Center at Exit 35 in Ozark, AR.
How close are the nearest Arkansas Highway Police weigh stations to Alma?
The nearest fixed state weigh stations are the Arkansas Department of Transportation facilities located along Interstate 40 at Mile Marker 9 in Van Buren, approximately 4 to 5 miles west of Alma. Both eastbound and westbound commercial traffic are subject to screening, PrePass clearance, and standard DOT Level I-III safety inspections.
