UK drivers spend an average of just 16.5 minutes at service stations, prioritising speed and efficiency.
The findings come from a survey of over 1,600 drivers conducted by webuyanycar, the UK’s leading online car buying service, which investigated service station habits and preferences during long journeys.
The Dream Service Station report found that bathrooms, not petrol pumps, are the biggest reason people pull into service stations. 70% of drivers will stop to use bathroom facilities, compared to just 53% for fuel.
While necessities might draw drivers in, the real profit for service stations lies in high-margin items like refreshments. Nearly half (47%) of all travellers stop specifically for food and drinks, making having the right retail options essential.
Of the commonly available chains in service stations, M&S is the most popular among motorists looking for refreshments during their travels—52% say they want to see this option available.
Greggs claimed second place with 43% of drivers wanting to see the fast-food chain at service stations, beating competitors like McDonald’s (38%) and KFC (23%).
Richard Evans, head of technical services at webuyanycar, says: “Our findings show how having a swift and hassle-free journey is the top priority for road users that are stopping on motorways. When it comes to a service station, what people really want is decent food and drink options, as well as the essentials like bathrooms and fuel options, including electric chargers. People may like to have the variety, but ultimately people will tend to stick with what they know.
We understand how important convenience is to drivers, and this is no less true when it comes to long journeys. Convenience saves time and effort, which makes for an overall less stressful travel experience. Having minimal delays and eliminating complicated decisions when you have to stop at a service station is all part of making a long journey go smoothly.”
According to the survey, 43% of people stop at a service station to get a beverage. Costa was the most popular coffee shop preference, with over a third of road trippers wanting to see this chain.
Whilst some service stations feature sit-down restaurants like Nando’s and Pizza Express, none of the common restaurant options made it into the top 10. What’s more, only 7% of people claim to stop at a service station for a sit-down meal, emphasising the preference for convenience and affordability when on long journeys.
