Love’s Travel Stop coming to Belmont County

BELMONT — Construction has begun on a Love’s Travel Stop and Country Store off exit 208 on Interstate 70.

The travel stop, just across Ohio 149 from an existing Pilot station on the site of the former Crooked Creek Golf Course, is being built by Harris United Construction of Tulsa, Oklahoma.

“We’re hoping 180 days. We have a lot of dirt to move and some rock to blast, but we’re hoping to be open before Christmas,” General Superintendent of Harris United Bill Campbell said.

Although Harris United just recently broke ground on the site, Campbell is hopeful that the construction of the foundation and structure of the travel stop will begin by the end of August.

“It’s going to be a little rambunctious around here for a little bit but when it’s done, what Love’s brings to the communities is second to none,” Campbell said.

Local leaders are working with the new developer.

“From the county’s perspective, with any project we try to be as accommodating as possible and make sure we can help alleviate any problems the project may face,” Belmont County Commissioner J.P. Dutton said.

Dutton added that Love’s has had a close working relationship with the Belmont County Sanitary Sewer District regarding the sewage demands of the project.

“We have recently gone out to bid for a project that not only addresses their project, but really will address future development from exit 208 in Morristown working back towards the east to our county sewer plant off of Hammond Road, sort of near the Belmont County Jail,” Dutton added. “That entire stretch of U.S. 40 from State Route 331 to exit 208 will be able to handle future demand from a water and sewer perspective because of the project we are taking on right now.”

The project that recently went out to bid is to upgrade the sewer line from the Morristown area back to the sewer plant. The contractor who won the bid is Ohio-West Virginia Excavating, based in Shadyside.

After the completion of the Love’s Travel Stop construction, Harris United and the Ohio Department of Transportation will be teaming up to implement an interchange improvement project at the I-70/Ohio 149 interchange. That work is anticipated to begin in 2026 and last at least two years. It will involve widening Ohio 149 and replacing the existing bridges on I-70.

“We’re in the very beginning stages of this project, so we don’t have too many details on it but we’re active on it. Within the next six to eight months we’ll have more information,” ODOT District 11 Public Information Officer Lauren Borell said.

Belmont County Tourism Council Executive Director Jackee Pugh is excited about Love’s Travel Stop setting up shop in the area.

“Anytime we can offer travelers more amenities to get off the Interstate when passing through Belmont County, the better!” Pugh said. “Tourists spending at gas stations contributes to our local economy. This spending can lead to a positive ripple effect, benefiting other local businesses. Hopefully they will stop to get gas or snacks and check out the other attractions nearby like Barkcamp State Park, Tri-State Military Veterans Museum or Epworth Park, to name a few.”

In addition to offering gasoline and diesel fuel, the new business reportedly will feature a Hardee’s restaurant and a Godfather’s Pizza.

According to its website, Love’s Travel Stops a network of 644 Love’s locations in 42 states. It was founded in 1964 and is headquartered in Oklahoma City. The site states the company remains family-owned and operated and employs more than 40,000 people.