Dateland, Arizona Truck Stop & Commercial Staging Guide, Arizona

Dateland, Arizona, located in the lower Gila River Valley of eastern Yuma County, occupies a vital strategic position along the southern transcontinental freight corridor. Situated at Milepost 67 on Interstate 8, this desert enclave bridges the critical 115-mile transit span between Yuma and Gila Bend. Commercial motor carriers traversing between Southern California ports, agricultural hubs in the Imperial and Yuma valleys, and major distribution networks across metropolitan Phoenix and Tucson rely on Dateland as an essential mid-route relief and refueling waypoint. While unincorporated and rural, Dateland provides critical staging capabilities for long-haul drivers contending with isolated desert stretches. With Interstate 8 serving as an alternate high-volume commercial bypass to Interstate 10, Dateland's travel center facilities allow heavy trucks to refuel, conduct pre-trip inspections, manage driver hours-of-service mandates, and rest safely without having to navigate congested urban corridors.

Truck Stops with Showers in Dateland, Arizona

Dateland Travel Center (Chevron)
1737 S Avenue 64 E, Dateland, AZ 85333
Phone: (928) 454-2772

Pilot Dealer #1235 (Tacna Travel Center / Shell)
9250 S Avenue 40 E, Tacna, AZ 85352
Phone: (928) 239-5764

Love's Travel Stop #296
820 W Pima St, Gila Bend, AZ 85337
Phone: (928) 683-2210

Parking Spaces, Services & Facilities

Dateland and its adjacent I-8 corridor hubs provide essential rest areas, commercial diesel islands, and basic driver amenities to sustain long-haul carriers operating through southwest Arizona. Truck parking ranges from designated paved spaces to packed gravel staging lots, supported by the following facility amenities:

• Semi-Truck Parking: Estimated 30?50 dedicated and informal truck/trailer parking spaces at Dateland Travel Center, with an additional 40 paved spaces at Pilot Dealer #1235 in nearby Tacna.
• Commercial Fueling Lanes: Multiple high-flow commercial diesel canopies capable of pumping high volumes, alongside DEF (Diesel Exhaust Fluid) dispensers and bulk propane.
• Driver Rest Facilities: ADA-compliant public restrooms, air-conditioned traveler lounges, outdoor pet relief areas with shaded misted kennels, and overnight rest authorization.
• Showers & Sanitation: Full driver shower facilities available at neighboring corridor stops (Pilot Tacna and Love's Gila Bend).
• Connectivity & Convenience: Free Wi-Fi access on travel plaza grounds, on-site ATMs, Transflo document scanning, lottery, and commercial vehicle maintenance supplies.

Interstate Corridors & Exit Guide

Interstate 8 is the primary commercial artery traversing Dateland, linking San Diego and the California border to Interstate 10 in south-central Arizona. Drivers can easily access Dateland-area services and nearby relief stations via the following major exits:

• Interstate 8, Exit 67 (Avenue 64E / Dateland): Direct access to the Dateland Travel Center, featuring fueling islands, convenience stores, and staging parking immediately adjacent to the freeway ramps.
• Interstate 8, Exit 55 / Milepost 56 (Mohawk Rest Area): ADOT public rest facility located 11 miles west of Dateland, offering dedicated commercial truck and combination-vehicle parking lanes in both eastbound and westbound directions.
• Interstate 8, Exit 42 (Avenue 40E / Tacna): Located approximately 25 miles west of Dateland, serving Pilot Dealer #1235 with high-flow diesel bays, truck parking, and CAT scale equipment.
• Interstate 8, Exit 115 & Exit 119 (Gila Bend Junctions): Major commercial hubs located approximately 48 miles east of Dateland connecting to AZ-85 North (direct transit to I-10 and Phoenix), serving Love's #296 and Pilot #1243.

Nearby Truck-Accessible Restaurants

Dateland Date Bakery & Ice Cream Corner
1737 S Avenue 64 E, Dateland, AZ 85333
Phone: (928) 454-2772

Subway at Pilot Dealer #1235
9250 S Avenue 40 E, Tacna, AZ 85352
Phone: (480) 223-7150

Weigh Stations, Truck Repair, Fuel Stations & CAT Scales

1. Weigh Stations / DOT Inspection Facilities

• ADOT Yuma Eastbound Port of Entry I-8 MP 1, Yuma, AZ 85365 | Phone: (928) 783-0495
• ADOT San Luis II Commercial Port of Entry 1127 S County Ave E, San Luis, AZ 85349 | Phone: (928) 247-8850

2. Semi-Truck Repair & Mobile Roadside Services

• Western Truck Service (Mobile Roadside Service) 6969 W Pima St, Gila Bend, AZ 85337 | Phone: (928) 830-1034
• JR's Mobile Service, Inc. 2697 S Avenue 2 1/2 E, Yuma, AZ 85365 | Phone: (928) 257-8979

3. Commercial Diesel Fuel Stations

• Dateland Travel Center (Chevron) 1737 S Avenue 64 E, Dateland, AZ 85333 | Phone: (928) 454-2772
• Pilot Dealer #1235 (Tacna Travel Center / Shell) 9250 S Avenue 40 E, Tacna, AZ 85352 | Phone: (928) 239-5764

4. Certified CAT Scale Locations

• CAT Scale at Pilot Dealer #1235 9250 S Avenue 40 E, Tacna, AZ 85352 | Phone: (928) 239-5764
• CAT Scale at Pilot Travel Center #1243 3006 S Butterfield Trl, Gila Bend, AZ 85337 | Phone: (928) 580-5987

Local Driver Tips & Route Insights

Operating commercial vehicles through Dateland requires thorough planning due to remote Sonoran Desert conditions and severe seasonal weather. Between May and September, daytime temperatures routinely exceed 110F to 115F, placing severe thermal stress on cooling systems, turbochargers, and tires. Monitor tire pressure closely before entering this corridor to avoid high-heat blowouts along the isolated stretches between Yuma and Gila Bend. Staging lots and designated truck spaces at Dateland Travel Center and the nearby Mohawk Rest Area (Exit 55) typically begin filling by 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM as regional drivers stage to beat morning rush-hour traffic into Southern California or Phoenix. High crosswinds and localized dust storms (haboobs) are frequent during the summer monsoon season; when dust advisories trigger near the Mohawk Mountains, visibility can drop to zero instantly. Regarding idling, while Arizona does not have a statewide diesel anti-idling statute, local jurisdictions regulate excess emissions; idling for sleeper berth climate control during extreme heat is legally protected under state safety exemptions, but running an auxiliary power unit (APU) is highly recommended to protect engines.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can commercial trucks park overnight at the Dateland Travel Center?
Yes. Dateland Travel Center accommodates commercial trucks and combination vehicles for mandatory rest breaks and overnight staging. Because space is limited compared to mega-plazas, drivers should plan to arrive in the late afternoon or early evening to secure a spot, or utilize the ADOT Mohawk Rest Area located 11 miles to the west at Milepost 56.

Where is the closest certified CAT Scale to Dateland, Arizona?
The closest certified CAT Scale to Dateland is located approximately 25 miles west at Pilot Dealer #1235 (Exit 42, Tacna, AZ). If traveling eastbound toward Phoenix or Tucson, the nearest certified scales are located in Gila Bend at Pilot Travel Center #1243 (Exit 119) and Love's Travel Stop #296 (Exit 115).

What should truckers do during extreme heat and dust storms on I-8 near Dateland?
During severe summer heat, verify engine coolant levels and tire integrity before departing staging areas. If a dust storm or haboob reduces visibility along I-8, pull completely off the roadway into a paved facility or far onto the shoulder, place the vehicle in park, turn off all exterior lights (including tail lights) so following vehicles do not attempt to follow you off the road, and keep your foot off the brake pedal until conditions clear.