Pilot Travel Center #279 (Altoona)

What they do. Who they serve.

Pilot Travel Center #279 sits just off I-80 at Exit 142 in Altoona, Iowa, serving eastbound and westbound freight moving through the Des Moines metro corridor. Open around the clock, this location offers 24/7 fueling, ample truck parking, and the basics owner-operators and fleet drivers expect when staging between Chicago and Omaha runs. The stop handles steady volume from cross-country haulers and regional carriers alike, making it a reliable fuel-and-rest option on one of the nation's busiest east-west interstates. Amenities are straightforward: diesel islands, DEF at the pump, and dedicated truck parking for overnight staging or reset breaks. Light services are available, though this is primarily a fuel-and-park stop rather than a full-service plaza. For drivers running I-80 through central Iowa, Pilot #279 delivers dependable access and quick turnaround when you need to top off and log hours before pushing into Illinois or back toward Council Bluffs.