The Tennessean Travel Stop off Exit 22 down I-65, located in Cornerville, Tennessee, is already worth adding to your travel bucket list. If you’ve never had a chance to visit, you’ll be pleasantly surprised by this family owned operation, which has been around since 1974. It’s far more than just a gas station, though the facility’s clean restrooms and kind employees are certainly nothing to overlook.
Step inside and you’ll find a sit-down restaurant with a daily buffet, a killer smoked bologna sandwich, hand-scooped ice cream, a full coffee shop, round-the-clock fresh doughnuts, fried chicken that far surpasses a gas station standard, and, get this, occasional live music.
The Tennessean has long been a traveler favorite for the Volunteer State, and, next summer, it’ll get the full Dolly Parton treatment.
It was recently announced that Dolly’s Tennessean Travel Stop will be unveiled in summer 2026, giving the flagship travel stop a makeover fit for the Queen of Country. The new-and-improved Tennessean will “redefine Southern hospitality on the highway,” the website states, as well as encourage regional development, create jobs, and bring more tourist dollars into rural, underserved counties.
The revamp is already moving through permits and partnership phases, though what it’ll entail has been tightly kept under wraps. (We might guess, though, that a few butterflies will find their way to Marshall County!)
According to the website, Dolly’s Tennessean Travel Stop will “introduce an evolved travel experience that integrates modern amenities, curated dining, and authentic regional retail with the approachable comfort travelers expect.” Each of these proposed aspects seems to be in strong alignment with The Tennessean Travel Stop’s current offerings of home-cooked meals, locally sourced products, and convenience amenities like showers, laundry, and a fenced-in dog park.
“I have spent the bulk of my life on the road, and more specifically on a bus,” Parton said in the announcement. “All the years spent visiting greasy spoon cafes, truck stops, and roadside pit stops have given me an understanding of what travelers desire on the road. Whether you are driving a truck, a bus, or a car, you want a place that feels like home and recharges you for the rest of your journey. I believe we will fill a void out there on the highways, all while bringing the heart and soul of Tennessee.”
Through the rebranding process, The Tennessean Travel Stop will remain open.
“The Tennessean has long been a ‘home away from home’ for truck drivers, travelers, and locals alike. Our roots in this community run deep—we’ve created jobs, built connection, and welcomed generations of people through our doors,” said Gregory H. Sachs, Chairman and CEO of the Tennessean Travel Stop and Sachs Capital Group.
“This new partnership allows us to carry that legacy forward in a way that celebrates everything special about Tennessee. Together with Dolly and her team, we’re reimagining what a travel stop can be—transforming it into a warm, inviting destination where everyone feels welcome to slow down, kick up their feet, and stay awhile.”
Though the location in Cornersville will be the first Dolly-branded stop in Tennessee, it certainly won’t be the last. Additional locations are already in the works, both for Parton’s home state (Go Vols!) and across the nation. The travel stops will cater to both truck drivers and family road-trippers—a little something for everyone with Parton’s signature bejeweled flair.
With the Dolly treatment, we’re positive that this revamped travel stop will be worth the detour. Mark those calendars, y’all—we’ll see you next summer!
