It’s Official – Kent Is Home To The UK’s Top Truck Stop

Ashford International Truckstop has been named the Best Truck Stop of the Year 2026 after a national search by business group Logistics UK.

More than 200 nominations were received, as HGV drivers around the UK had their say and highlighted the roadside facilities they thought were deserving of recognition, with Logistics UK then scrutinising the entries.

The initiative, 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 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 Maddi Solloway-Price, Logistics UK’s Interim Deputy Director of Policy; Sue Alty, My Truck Stop co-founder and Director, and Chris Holloway, founder of Motorway Buddy.

The panel of judges shortlisted six truck stops worthy of special attention, with Ashford International being named the overall winner.

Logistics UK’s President Phil Roe, who visited Ashford International Truckstop 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 and see 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 is 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.”

Commenting on the award, Darren Smith, Operations Director at Ashford International Truckstop, 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.”

GSE Truckstop Developments, the operator of Ashford International Truckstop, has plans to create a 600-space truck stop, offering safe and secure 24/7 parking at the Capel Interchange and the closest junction to the Port of Dover, modelled on Ashford’s success.

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.

For more information about the organisation and its work, visit logistics.org.uk. For information on the winning truck stop visit ashfordtruckstop.co.uk.