When TravelCenters of America took over a small Boise, Idaho, Burns Bros. truckstop in 1998, the location had recently been totally rebuilt. An entirely new building and new fuel islands attracted more travelers and drivers to the site.

But since becoming part of the TA network, the location has grown into a full-service travel center, complete with emergency road service, a Taco Bell, a Country Pride restaurant and a driver's lounge. And business has never been better.

"We've had a big increase in customer traffic that has really fueled business," says the General Manager, Dan Davidson. So much so that the Boise TA added a Subway sandwich shop in March of this year and a travel store that was set to be completed May 1.

With 12 showers, laundry room, weigh scales and a ProntoPay window, drivers can lay over and relax or just breeze through and get right back on the road. And, whether a long highway drive or a long day of sightseeing lies ahead, be sure to feast your eyes on one of Idaho's famous baked potatoes at the Country Pride Restaurant.

The Boise TA sees a lot of commuters driving between Salt Lake City and Portland, Ore. Tourists also flock to the Idaho city to check out local attractions.

If you've got a chance to be a paid-by-the-mile tourist yourself, here are some suggestions:

Just 35 miles south of Boise you'll find the Snake River National Birds of Prey Conservation Center, home to the largest concentration of nesting raptors in North America. The NCA contains 485,000 acres, including 81 miles of the Snake River, 65,000 acres of critical nesting habitat and 420,000 acres of prey habitat. Among the birds are golden eagles, long- and short-eared owls, red-tailed hawks and prairie falcons.

Or maybe you'd prefer to see the Old Idaho Penitentiary, built in 1870 and used until 1973. Walk along cell blocks, through solitary confinement and past the gallows, where Wild West outlaws were brought to justice.

Sun Valley, the number one ski resort in the U.S., is just east of Boise and draws skiers from all over the country.

Summer visitors enjoy the Boise River Festival, this year from June 21-24. Over 80 hot air balloons fill the sky. Carnival rides, a parade with animated floats and fireworks are among the festival's other attractions. The event draws more than 750,000 people to the valley.

Or for a low-key afternoon, take a walk along 25 miles of trails in the Boise Greenbelt. This linear urban park stretches from downtown along the Boise River, a popular fishing spot. Visitors can also fish and boat in a large lake in Veterans Memorial Park off State Street, northwest of downtown.