A few years ago, I first found out that the Broadway Flying J in Tacoma, Washington, had become -- at least, as far as I know -- the first truck stop to offer a wireless Internet connection to its customers. I was ecstatic -- never mind the fact that I have never been able to find a parking place anywhere near this truck stop, let alone in the parking lot.

Even though I knew I'd never use a Wi-Fi connection there, I was equally sure that it was just a matter of time before Wi-Fi spread across the country and became widely available at truck stops where I could park. And I was right. Before I knew it, truck stop after truck stop was becoming a hotspot. The early drawback was, however, that a few start-up WISPs bit the dust shortly after signing up a bunch of long-term customers. Others, though, (like Flying J and TA TravelCenters) became WISPs themselves or (like Pilot, Petro, and Love's) partnered with companies that demonstrated a level of stability and business sense that mirrored their own.

These days, a majority of truck stops and travel centers -- both chains and independents -- make wireless Internet connections available to those who find food and refuge in their restaurants and parking lots. Because of the number of independents and small chains offering Wi-Fi, a complete and comprehensive list is not forthcoming but what follows is a pretty good list of the major players.

Flying J Travel Plazas: I have to list them first. They were the first to offer Wi-Fi, and they might well be the most widely available hotspot operator catering to truckers and RV enthusiasts. Besides offering Wi-Fi at their travel centers, they also have hotspots set up at various extended areas.

TA TravelCenters: Offering what they call TA SpeedZone WiFi Hotspots at more than 150 of their travel centers, TA has to rank near the top of any truck stop hotspot list.

Pilot Travel Centers: Pilot (like many others desiring to offer Wi-Fi to their customers) went through some hotspot growing pains, but now, with SiriCOMM, they've partnered with a very stable WISP.

Love's Travel Stops: I include them just below Pilot because (like Pilot) they suffered through similar Wi-Fi woes, and now, (like Pilot) they've partnered with SiriCOMM as their wireless Internet access provider.

IdleAire Technologies: IdleAire is an attractive choice because they're not a chain-specific service. You're as likely to find them located at a Pilot or Petro as you are to find them at a Love's or TA. Wi-Fi is only one small portion of what this company offers at truck stops equipped with their award-winning Advanced Truckstop Electrification (ATE) system. IdleAire, undergoing a rapid expansion, is popping up all over the place at truck stops and travel plazas.

Bosselman Travel Centers: Although they're not a large, nationwide, chain, Bosselman is among the very few truck stops to offer free Wi-Fi at their locations in Nebraska, Kansas, and Iowa.