Alpharetta, Georgia — Mountain Express announced Thursday that it will permanently shut down all 19 Pilot‑branded convenience stores under its umbrella, ending fuel and retail services at those locations effective immediately.

The closure hits a critical segment of the trucking supply chain. Pilot stations serve as refueling hubs, rest stops, and parts depots for long‑haul drivers. When a site disappears, drivers must reroute, lose downtime, and risk missing delivery windows. For owner‑operators who rely on predictable pit stops, the loss of even a single station can add hours and fuel costs to a trip.

Mountain Express Oil, founded in 2000 in Alpharetta, operates a network of 855 sites nationwide, including 27 travel centers and 171 retail stores. Pilot, the largest travel‑center operator in the United States, runs more than 870 locations across 44 states and six Canadian provinces and is majority‑owned by Berkshire Hathaway. Senior Vice President of Sales David Hughes issued a memo stating the stores are “temporarily closed” and promised customers can still refuel at nearby Pilot locations. Hughes added, “We appreciate your business and look forward to continuing to serve you at our more than 800 locations across North America.” Employees at the 19 sites were terminated, but the company pledged payment of all back wages.

What This Means for Drivers

CDL‑A drivers hauling OTR routes will need to adjust trip planning tools to avoid the shuttered sites, especially in the Southeast where the majority of the closures sit. Owner‑operators may face higher out‑of‑pocket fuel expenses as they detour to the nearest alternative Pilot stations, which could be 20‑30 miles away. Fleet managers must update routing software and inform dispatchers that the 19 locations are no longer viable fueling points, reducing the margin of error in delivery schedules. The uncertainty around a possible reopening forces carriers to renegotiate contracts that once counted on those stops for driver amenities and compliance with FMCSA hours‑of‑service rules.

Industry Reaction

Trucking associations have expressed concern that the sudden loss of retail fuel sites could strain already‑tight capacity on major corridors. The American Trucking Associations (ATA) noted that any reduction in available truck‑stop infrastructure puts pressure on drivers to find safe parking and compliant rest areas, a persistent issue in the industry. Some regional carriers have already begun negotiating temporary agreements with competing travel‑center operators to secure dedicated lanes for their fleets. Meanwhile, independent owner‑operators are turning to mobile fueling services and apps that locate the next best price, hoping to offset the inconvenience.

Key Points

• Mountain Express ends operations at 19 Pilot‑branded convenience stores as of September 9, 2026.
• The company rejected existing lease and fuel‑supply contracts, leading to immediate closures.
• Senior VP David Hughes assures customers that alternative Pilot locations remain open and the closures are “temporary.”
• Drivers must reroute, potentially adding 20‑30 miles per trip and increasing fuel costs.

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