Pilot Flying J Expands Network in Permian Basin to Serve West Texas

Stephanie Myers, External Communications Supervisor

Pilot Flying J is expanding its network in West Texas, announcing the opening of three new travel centers this spring to better serve the exponential growth and rising traffic in the Permian Basin. The travel centers feature full amenities for area residents, people working in the region and the traveling public, including motorists and professional drivers, while adding approximately 150 local jobs and other economic benefits to the community.  

“Pilot Flying J is thrilled to serve the Reeves and Winkler County communities and contribute to the local economy with our new travel centers,” Pilot Flying J President Ken Parent said. “Our goal at Pilot Flying J is to connect people and places with comfort, care and a smile at every stop. By expanding our network in the Permian Basin, we are bringing the best service and amenities available on the road to deliver convenience, quality, comfort and added value to area residents and those traveling through the region.”

On April 14, Pilot Flying J opened a new Pilot Travel Center in Orla, Texas, signifying the first truck stop along US Hwy 285 between Carlsbad, New Mexico and Pecos, Texas. The company will also open a Pilot Travel Center in Kermit, Texas on April 21, followed by its second location in Pecos in the coming weeks. The travel centers will bring full amenities and provide 84 truck parking spaces to meet the needs of the industry traffic and underserved communities that are along these routes. Store amenities include: 

Pilot Travel Center #1134 -- 3752 US Hwy. 285 N., Orla, Texas 79770

• PJ Fresh
• Dunkin Donuts Express
• 50 truck parking spots
• 6 diesel lanes, 2 RV lanes and 10 gas fueling positions
• 3 showers
• CAT scale
• Western Union

Pilot Travel Center #1147 -- 127 W. State Hwy. 302, Kermit, Texas 79754

• PJ Fresh
• Dunkin Donuts Express
• 25 truck parking spots
• 6 diesel lanes and 12 gas fueling positions
• 3 showers
• CAT scale
• Western Union

Pilot Travel Center #1146 -- 2400 S. Bickley Ave., Pecos, Texas 79772

• PJ Fresh
• Dunkin Donuts Express
• 9 truck parking spots
• 5 diesel lanes and 10 gas fueling positions
• 3 showers
• Public laundry
• CAT scale
• Western Union

The new travel centers will add approximately 150 local jobs and are expected to contribute $5.8 million annually in state and local tax revenues. Unique to these openings is the fact that Pilot Flying J is providing permanent housing to 94 team members that relocated to the Pecos and Kermit areas from other regions of Texas.

Cumulatively, Pilot Flying J’s footprint in Texas will grow to 76 locations, including travel centers, dealers and card locks – the most of any U.S. state. To support this growth, as the fourth-largest tanker fleet in the nation, Pilot Flying J is also hiring approximately 140 crude, fuel and DEF drivers in the state this year.

In addition to opening three new travel centers in the Permian Basin, Pilot Flying J is enhancing its existing location in Pecos, which opened in 1989. As part of the company’s 2017 commitment to invest $485 million over the next five years in upgrades to its network of existing stores, the Flying J Travel Center located at 100 E Pinehurst will provide an improved guest experience with new restrooms, enhancements to food and deli, and additions to retail including a shop-in-shop experience from Bass Pro Shops, offering customers access to a selection of best-selling Bass Pro merchandise and its RedHead clothing line. The existing location will better serve area residents and the traveling public with its expanded amenities, while continuing to offer professional drivers 200 parking spaces, 12 diesel fueling lanes and nine showers.

Guests can make the most out of their experience at Pilot and Flying J locations by saving time and money with the myPilot® app, including a 3-cent gas or auto diesel discount. Using the myOffers® feature in the app, guests can save in-store with valuable weekly deals on food and beverages. MyPilot app users also have access to trip planners and features for professional drivers including mobile fueling, parking and shower reservations.

The combined network of more than 750 Pilot and Flying J Travel Centers across North America serves more than 1.6 million customers daily. For more information on Pilot Flying J, visit www.pilotflyingj.com.

About Pilot Flying J

Pilot Flying J, the largest operator of travel centers in North America, is committed to connecting people and places with comfort, care and a smile at every stop. Headquartered in Knoxville, Tennessee, Pilot Flying J has more than 750 retail locations in 44 states, Roadside assistance available at over 145 locations nationwide and growing as part of its Truck Care program, 44 Goodyear Commercial Tire and Service Centers, and 34 Boss Shops. The Pilot Flying J network provides drivers with access to more than 72,000 parking spaces for trucks with Prime Parking at more than 400 locations, 5,200 deluxe showers and more than 6,200 diesel lanes with 5,200 offering Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) at the pump. Pilot Flying J is currently ranked No. 15 on Forbes' list of America's Largest Private Companies. Visit www.pilotflyingj.com/ for more information.