Dolly is Getting Her Own Truck Stop
Dolly's Tennessean Travel Stop opens summer 2026
A good truck stop is amazing. As a kid, driving south to Miami Beach from New York, I remember all the signs for Stucky’s and South of the Border. On a long drive, truck stops provided so much more than gas — a chance to stretch your legs, get a beverage, take a bathroom break, eat something, and browse for a souvenir or two.
On the drive from Rome to Napoli, I was enthralled by the Autogrills that offered not only a bathroom break, but freshly made espresso and even wine by the glass.
And last year, I visited a Buc-ees where I fell utterly and completely in love with the sheer vastness of this beaver-themed mecca of snacks, tchotchkes, and clean bathrooms.
Nothing, however, beats the travel stop set to open this summer, which combines the Great American Road Trip with America’s most loved human being: Dolly’s Tennessean Travel Stop.
Yesterday, the team behind the Tennessean Travel Stop announced it would rebrand its flagship Cornersville, Tennessee location to honor the country music icon, which should open mid-2026 with more to follow.
While the partners are keeping specific design details under wraps until the official unveiling, the venture is already moving through the necessary permitting and partnership phases.
If any other celebrity put their name on a truck stop, it would reek of a money grab. But Dolly Parton’s reasoning sounds downright home-spun.
In a press release, Ms. Parton makes a good case for why she wanted to imprint her name upon a truck stop. “I have spent the bulk of my life on the road, and more specifically on a bus. All the years spent visiting greasy spoon cafes, truck stops, and roadside pit stops have given me an understanding of what travelers desire on the road. Whether you are driving a truck, a bus, or a car, you want a place that feels like home and recharges you for the rest of your journey. I believe we will fill a void out there on the highways, all while bringing the heart and soul of Tennessee.”
Not much is known about this new truck stop collaboration, except that the flagship location (which will remain open during renovation) will “introduce an evolved travel experience that integrates modern amenities, curated dining, and authentic regional retail with the approachable comfort travelers expect from both brands”.
The new venture also promises to bring jobs and attention to underserved counties across Tennessee, with Dolly, as usual, finding a way to help her native state.
If I could have a wish list of what I’d like to see at Dolly’s Tennessean Travel Stop, I’d like to see some of the favorite foods served at Dollywood, like the cinnamon bread and travel-sized versions of the 25-pound apple pies. I’m also a fan of all Dolly merch, so bring it on. The Tennessean Truck Stop, as it is, already has happy hour, live music, and a restaurant with a country buffet, so some minor Dollyification is all that’s needed.
In any event, summer is the perfect time for a road trip — and some fueling up, Dolly-style.