So, What Is Utah's First Stop?

I'm almost always up for a road trip. Probably was more apt to hit the road when I was younger, but even today, if a friend or family member says it's time for a drive, I'm usually up for it. Be it a drive to take in the beauty of Bryce Canyon or the North Rim, or the uniqueness of the Little Ale' Inn out in Rachel, Nevada, I'm ready to go.

I don't know about you, but there was a ritual I and my travel companions would go through at the start of the journey. That would be the stop for the gas fill up and the snack acquisition. Making a trip to Utah, if we had enough gas leaving the mountains above San Bernardino, we would go down the back way and head to the desert to the truck stop just before getting to Barstow. I think it is a Love's now, but back then it was an independent place (can't remember the name) that usually had the best gas prices, and any kind of snack a car full of hungry young men could want. It just had to happen before the trip could really begin. I'm guessing I'm not the only one with this first of the road trip ritual.

a display in a grocery store filled with chips — Photo by Osarugue Igbinoba on Unsplash

So where do we in Utah stop before we hit the road? According to a recent analysis by Hartley Law, the answer is Maverik. And once we're inside, we're apparently grabbing a bag of Reese's Pieces before pointing the hood ornament toward our next adventure.

Google Trends Used In The Study

The study examined a year's worth of Google Trends data to identify each state's favorite gas station chain and road trip snack. While the rankings reflect online search interest rather than actual purchases, they still paint an entertaining picture of America's travel habits.

For Utahns, the choice of Maverik probably won't surprise anyone. With locations sprinkled across the Beehive State, the "Adventure's First Stop" slogan has become part of the landscape. Whether the destination is Zion National Park, Bryce Canyon, Fish Lake, Bear Lake, or simply Grandma's house two counties over, many road trips seem to begin under Maverik's familiar red-and-blue sign.

Circle gasoline station — Photo by Diego Carneiro on Unsplash

The snack selection is a little more curious. Reese's Pieces claimed Utah's top spot, edging out countless chips, candy bars, and trail mixes. Maybe it's because they're easy to eat without leaving chocolate fingerprints all over the steering wheel. Or maybe Utahns simply appreciate the timeless combination of peanut butter and chocolate. Whatever the reason, it seems our sweet tooth travels with us.

Nationally, gas station preferences varied widely, with Buc-ee's, Mobil, and Shell each topping three states. Snack choices were just as diverse, ranging from Häagen-Dazs ice cream to Little Debbie Swiss Rolls and Planters Trail Mix.

Read More: What's Utah Grilling The Most?

Of course, every experienced road tripper knows there are a few unwritten rules. Fill the gas tank before it reaches empty. Make one last restroom stop, even if you don't think you need to. Buy more water than you think you'll drink. And never underestimate how quickly a family-sized bag of Reese's Pieces can disappear somewhere between Cedar City and the next exit.

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Whether Utah's choices perfectly match your own or not, one thing is certain. Half the fun of a road trip isn't just arriving at the destination. It's that first stop along the way, where the tank gets topped off, the snack stash gets replenished, and the adventure officially begins.