Before becoming a part of the Travel Centers of America network in 1995, the Janesville, Wis., TA was no more than a small Mobil fuel stop on the corner of I-90 and Hwy 14.

"We called it 'The Shack,'" says Mike Benson, general manager. "It was just this small station with a couple of diesel pumps that Cambeck Petroleum had owned since 1982."

When the company's owner, Jim Campbell, agreed to become a franchisee in the TA network of travel centers, "the shack" was replaced by a new facility.

"We began building a new travel center next to the old building at the same location. The transition between the facilities went smoothly, because we kept the old store open until the new facility was fully operational," says Benson. "We shut down our fuel lines for about 30 seconds, pulled the drawer out of the cash register and walked next door to the new building."

Being a part of the fuel and transportation industry comes naturally to owner Campbell, whose parents owned a fuel and oil business when he was growing up. "Jim started out driving a truck, making fuel deliveries for his parents' business, so he really knows what it's like," Benson says. "He is a hard worker, and he's made his own way in this industry."

As an Express Travel Center, the Janesville TA offers all of the amenities of a regular TA, except a shop and a full-service restaurant. With 85 parking spaces, a 130-seat Wendy's restaurant, a travel store and drivers' lounge, the travel center is the perfect place to stop for a breather, especially if you're interested in checking out the many local parks.

Known as "Wisconsin's Park City," Janesville offers several parks where drivers can refresh themselves during the long haul. The well-known Rotary Garden features several internationally themed and specialty gardens.

Where: I-90 and Hwy, 14, Exit 171-C Phone: (608) 752-8700 Fax: (608) 752-4604 Parking: 85 spaces Services: ProntoPay satellite pumps 130-seat Wendy's Drivers' lounge Travel store Laundry room Permit Services CAT weigh scales Emergency road service

The Janesville TA employs about 60 people. Many have been with Cambeck Petroleum since before it became a TA franchise. Benson has worked for the company for 26 years, and Amy Wescott, the bookkeeper and fuel desk manager, has been there almost 14 years.

"I have stayed for so long because I like all of the people who come into the travel center," Wescott says.

That's the sentiment of most of the employees at the TA just across the Illinois border.

Chad O'Leary came to work as a cashier in the travel store after his father, Jeff, had worked as the assistant manger for almost two years.

"I like this job because it's never boring," the younger O'Leary says. "It's interesting to meet all of the people who come through here. Working at a travel center, I get to meet anybody and everybody."

Traffic through the Janesville TA is very diverse, but there is a steady stream of drivers delivering to the local General Motors assembly plant, Benson says. O'Leary says his job as cashier is good experience for the accounting degree he is working toward at nearby Black Hawk Technical college.

Just this year, all the Janesville employees got a first-hand lesson on work ethic from Chad's dad, Jeff. The elder O'Leary underwent a liver and kidney transplant and returned to work at the truck stop in 30 days.

Benson hopes that type of dedication is apparent to visitors at the Janesville TA. "Jeff had major surgery and then was back on the job in an unbelievable amount of time," said Benson. "It was really amazing."