US Trucking Directory
Strategically positioned in St. Francis County along the vital Interstate 40 freight corridor, Forrest City serves as an essential staging and transit outpost in east-central Arkansas. Perched along Crowley's Ridge between Little Rock and the major logistics terminal complex of Memphis, Tennessee, this regional hub connects cross-country long-haul carriers, regional agricultural reefers, and distribution fleets operating between the Midwest, the Deep South, and southwestern freight corridors via I-40, US-70, and Arkansas State Highway 1. Because Memphis is roughly 45 miles to the east, Forrest City offers professional drivers an ideal staging haven to complete mandatory Hours of Service (HOS) breaks, undergo equipment checks, and secure overnight parking before navigating the high-density metropolitan choke points and river crossings ahead. The area surrounding Forrest City provides robust tractor-trailer access, high-capacity commercial diesel lanes, dedicated overnight lots, and heavy-duty roadside repair infrastructure built for over-the-road freight movements.
Truck Stops with Showers in Forrest City, Arkansas
Chubby's at Forrest City
2496 AR-1 N, Forrest City, AR 72335
Phone: (870) 519-2202
Speedway (#9305)
2900 N Washington St, Forrest City, AR 72335
Phone: (870) 581-4101
Love's Travel Stop (#275)
1010 N Main St, Palestine, AR 72372
Phone: (870) 581-5004
Parking Spaces, Services & Facilities
Forrest City and its immediate interchange radius deliver dependable tractor-trailer capacity, bulk fueling, and driver amenities designed to handle heavy interstate freight demands. Professional operators will find well-lit overnight staging options, commercial fleet services, and 24/7 travel plazas along the primary junctions.- Estimated Parking Capacity: Approximately 200 combined commercial parking spaces across Forrest City and adjacent junction exits, including private bookable fleet staging lots along AR-1 and 88 dedicated spaces at Love's Exit 233.
- High-Flow Diesel & DEF: Master-satellite high-flow diesel dispenser lanes equipped with bulk DEF at the pump across Speedway, Love's, and local commercial fuel centers.
- Driver Rest Amenities: 5 private shower suites, driver lounges, on-site laundry facilities, clean restrooms, and commercial vehicle maintenance bays.
- Connectivity & Logistics Support: High-speed Wi-Fi, 24/7 ATM access, Transflo express scanning, fax/copy capabilities, and commercial fleet card acceptance (Comdata, EFS, Fleet One, Wex).
Interstate Corridors & Exit Guide
Commercial haulers traversing St. Francis County rely on key interchange exits off Interstate 40 and overlapping state highways for quick access to truck stops, logistics yards, and services.- I-40, Exit 233 (AR-261 / Palestine): Immediate access to Love's Travel Stop #275, offering 24/7 commercial diesel, CAT scale certified weighing, Speedco tire care, and overnight truck parking.
- I-40, Exit 241 (AR-1 / Crowley's Ridge Parkway): Direct artery southward into Forrest City's primary industrial and freight corridor, serving Chubby's travel plaza, truck staging yards, and equipment yards.
- I-40, Exit 242 (AR-284 / N Washington Street): The central commercial entrance into Forrest City, connecting drivers directly to Speedway #9305, Jordan's Kwik Stop commercial pumps, sit-down dining, and lodging.
- I-40, Exit 247 (AR-38 / Widener): Feeds eastern St. Francis County staging and the 247 Truck Stop complex.
- U.S. Route 70 (Broadway Street): The secondary east-west freight alternative paralleling I-40, providing surface access to municipal delivery centers and local heavy-duty repair garages.
Nearby Truck-Accessible Restaurants
Waffle House (#668)
2340 N Washington St, Forrest City, AR 72335
Phone: (870) 633-0926
Iguanas Mexican Restaurant
2241 N Washington St, Forrest City, AR 72335
Phone: (870) 630-1606
Weigh Stations, Truck Repair, Fuel Stations & CAT Scales
1. Weigh Stations / DOT Inspection Facilities
Arkansas Highway Police Weigh Station - Lehi (I-40 Eastbound)
I-40 EB Mile Marker 274, West Memphis, AR 72303
Phone: (479) 384-3976
Arkansas Highway Police Weigh Station - Riverside (I-40 Westbound)
I-40 WB Mile Marker 283, West Memphis, AR 72301
Phone: (479) 384-3983
2. Semi-Truck Repair & Mobile Roadside Services
Straight To It Roadside, LLC
817 W Broadway St, Forrest City, AR 72335
Phone: (870) 317-2872
White Motor Co Towing & Recovery
675 Eaton Dr, Forrest City, AR 72335
Phone: (870) 633-1000
3. Commercial Diesel Fuel Stations
Speedway (#9305)
2900 N Washington St, Forrest City, AR 72335
Phone: (870) 581-4101
Jordan's Kwik Stop #58 (Exxon Diesel)
2319 N Washington St, Forrest City, AR 72335
Phone: (870) 633-2545
4. Certified CAT Scale Locations
Love's Travel Stop #275 CAT Scale
1010 N Main St, Palestine, AR 72372
Phone: (870) 581-5004
TA Earle #33 CAT Scale
408 Highway 149 N, Earle, AR 72331
Phone: (870) 657-2105
Local Driver Tips & Route Insights
Parking Fill-Up Times: Public and travel center truck parking lots in and immediately around Forrest City typically reach full capacity between 6:30 PM and 7:30 PM CST. Because I-40 carries substantial freight between Memphis and Dallas/Oklahoma City, many westbound drivers shut down in Forrest City to avoid late-night lot congestion in Little Rock, while eastbound carriers stage here before crossing the Mississippi River bridges. Drivers are strongly advised to secure parking before 6:00 PM or utilize pre-booked reservations along AR-1.
Topography, Crosswinds & Seasonal Weather: While the surrounding Arkansas Delta is largely flat, Forrest City sits on Crowley's Ridge, creating modest rolling grades on surface connectors. Strong lateral crosswinds frequently impact empty dry vans and high-profile reefers traversing the open agricultural flats of I-40 during severe spring storms and winter cold fronts. During winter months, elevated overpasses over the St. Francis and L'Anguille river bottoms are notorious for rapid black ice formation before bridge road crews can apply brine.
Idling & Local Regulations: Arkansas enforces state environmental anti-idling statutes for heavy-duty commercial motor vehicles, limiting unnecessary idling to 515 minutes, with standard exceptions for extreme cold weather, sleeper berth heating/air conditioning during mandatory rest periods, cargo refrigeration, and APU operation. Commercial truck parking on municipal streets or non-designated commercial retail lots in Forrest City proper is strictly ticketed and towed by local law enforcement.
Staging & Traffic Choke Points: The primary interchange choke points occur at Exit 242 (N Washington Street / AR-284) during morning and afternoon shift transitions. In addition, construction-related bottlenecks and lane restrictions along I-40 between Forrest City and West Memphis (Mile Markers 245 to 275) often generate sudden deceleration backups; drivers should monitor Arkansas ARDOT traffic advisories and keep a safe following distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I find overnight truck parking near Forrest City, Arkansas?
Overnight commercial tractor-trailer parking is accessible at Love's Travel Stop #275 at I-40 Exit 233 (88 truck spots), Chubby's at Forrest City along AR-1 (Exit 241), and the public I-40 Forrest City Rest Areas located around Mile Marker 235 eastbound and Mile Marker 242 westbound. In addition, several secure reservation-based commercial lots operate near AR-1 and West Broadway.
Are there certified CAT scales located in or near Forrest City?
Yes. The nearest certified CAT scale serving the Forrest City freight market is located at Love's Travel Stop #275 (1010 N Main St, Palestine, AR) at I-40 Exit 233, roughly 8 miles west of downtown Forrest City. Eastbound haulers can also access certified CAT scales at TA Earle #33 off I-40 Exit 260.
What DOT weigh stations should I expect near Forrest City on Interstate 40?
Arkansas Highway Police (AHP) operate major fixed weigh and motor carrier inspection stations roughly 30 to 40 miles east of Forrest City in Crittenden County. Eastbound traffic encounters the Lehi Weigh Station at I-40 Mile Marker 274, while westbound traffic from Tennessee must clear the Riverside Weigh Station at I-40 Mile Marker 283. Both facilities utilize PrePass and Drivewyze bypass technologies.
