Love's Travel Stops does not accept SNAP benefits at most locations, but some individual stores may take EBT for certain items in their convenience sections.
Love's is primarily a truck stop and convenience store chain, not a grocery store. SNAP (the federal food benefit program, formerly called food stamps) has strict rules about where you can use your EBT card — only at stores that are authorized retailers. Most Love's locations are not authorized SNAP retailers, which means the card will not work there for any purchase.
However, some Love's stores in certain states have applied for and received SNAP authorization. If a Love's location is authorized, you can use your EBT card only on food items that meet SNAP rules — things like bread, milk, eggs, canned goods, and fresh produce. You cannot use EBT to buy hot food, prepared items, fuel, tobacco, or anything else that is not an may be able to access food product.
The easiest way to know whether a specific Love's location accepts EBT is to call the store directly or check the USDA's SNAP retailer locator online. You enter your zip code and it shows you which stores near you are authorized to take EBT.
Key Takeaways
- Most Love's Travel Stops are not authorized SNAP retailers and will not accept EBT cards for any purchase.
- A small number of Love's locations in some states have SNAP authorization and will accept EBT only for may be able to access food items like bread, milk, and canned goods.
- You can search the USDA SNAP retailer locator by zip code to find which stores near you take EBT.
- Even at authorized Love's locations, you cannot use EBT to buy hot food, prepared items, fuel, or non-food products.
How to learn about your local Love's takes EBT
The USDA maintains a searchable database of all stores authorized to accept SNAP benefits. Go to the SNAP retailer locator at fns.usda.gov/snap/retailer-locator, enter your zip code, and search for Love's by name. The results will show you the exact addresses of any Love's locations in your area that are authorized retailers.
If the search shows no Love's stores in your area, that means none of them are currently authorized SNAP retailers. You can also call the Love's location directly and ask whether they accept EBT — the staff will know immediately.
What you can and cannot buy with EBT at an authorized Love's
SNAP rules are the same no matter where you shop. Your EBT card works only on food items meant to be eaten at home. At a Love's store, this means items like packaged bread, milk, cheese, eggs, canned vegetables, frozen fruits, nuts, beans, and other shelf-stable foods.
You cannot use EBT to buy hot food from a deli counter, prepared sandwiches, coffee, energy drinks, or anything from the hot case. You also cannot buy fuel, tobacco, lottery tickets, or any non-food item. The cashier's register will reject the EBT card if you try to pay for an ineligible item.
Why most truck stops don't accept SNAP
Truck stops like Love's are designed primarily for travelers buying fuel and convenience items. They stock mostly prepared food, drinks, and travel supplies — not the shelf-stable groceries that SNAP is designed to help people buy. Becoming a SNAP retailer requires the store to stock a certain variety of may be able to access foods and to follow federal record-keeping rules, which many truck stops choose not to do.
The stores that do become authorized retailers are usually those with a larger convenience section that carries basic groceries. Even then, the authorization process takes time and the store has to maintain compliance with SNAP rules.
What to do if you need groceries and can't find an authorized Love's
If there is no authorized Love's near you, look for a grocery store, supermarket, or convenience store that does accept EBT. The USDA retailer locator will show you all authorized stores in your area, not just Love's. Most grocery chains, many independent grocers, and some larger convenience stores are authorized.
If you are traveling and need to use your EBT card, search the retailer locator for your destination area before you leave. This way you will know where you can shop when you arrive.
Using EBT at other travel stops and convenience stores
Other major truck stop chains like Pilot Flying J and TA/Petro also do not widely accept SNAP. However, some individual locations may be authorized. Again, the USDA retailer locator is the fastest way to check. If you are a frequent traveler, it is worth searching your regular routes to find which stops accept EBT.
Smaller independent convenience stores are more likely to be authorized SNAP retailers than large chains. If you see a convenience store that is not a national brand, it may accept EBT even if the big chains in the area do not.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my EBT card at Love's to buy anything besides food?
No. SNAP benefits work only on food items meant to be eaten at home. At Love's or any other store, you cannot use EBT to buy fuel, drinks, hot food, tobacco, or any non-food product. The register will decline the card if you try.
What if I am traveling and need to buy food with EBT?
Use the USDA SNAP retailer locator to search for authorized stores along your route before you travel. Grocery stores and supermarkets are your best bet. Some convenience stores are authorized, but most truck stops are not. Call ahead if you are unsure about a specific location.
Does Love's accept other forms of government assistance besides SNAP?
Love's does not accept WIC (Women, Infants, and Children) benefits or TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) at most locations. These programs have their own lists of authorized retailers, which you can check through your state's program office.
If Love's is not authorized in my area, can I ask them to become one?
You can contact Love's corporate office to ask, but the decision to become a SNAP retailer is up to each company. Most truck stops choose not to because their product mix does not fit SNAP rules. Your state's SNAP office can also tell you which stores are authorized and may have information about applying retailers.