Martin's Trailside Carwash

For drivers in East Earl, Pennsylvania, and those traveling through Lancaster County's picturesque Amish Country, a convenient and reliable stop for vehicle care is often a top priority. Whether you're looking to quickly clean off the road grime or fuel up for your next journey, having a comprehensive service center nearby makes all the difference. Today, we're focusing on Martin's Trailside Carwash, an integral part of Martin's Trailside Express, located at 168 Toddy Dr, East Earl, PA 17519. This location offers more than just a car wash, aiming to be a complete solution for both personal and commercial vehicles, encompassing fuel, a convenience store, and various amenities. While recent customer experiences have brought some challenges to light, it's important to understand the full scope of services and features offered by this establishment.

Martin's Trailside Carwash, as part of Martin's Trailside Express, enjoys a highly accessible and strategic location at 168 Toddy Dr, East Earl, PA 17519. This address places it just off US Route 322 (Division Highway), a significant east-west route in Lancaster County. Its proximity to this major highway makes it an ideal stop for a wide array of drivers, including local residents of East Earl, commuters traveling through the region, and even truckers utilizing the adjacent truck stop facilities. The design of the complex, incorporating fuel lanes, a convenience store, and car wash bays, is geared towards easy entry and exit, ensuring a smooth and efficient experience. This central and well-connected location significantly enhances its suitability as a go-to destination for vehicle services in the East Earl area, attracting both daily users and those on longer journeys.

Martin's Trailside Carwash, as part of the larger Martin's Trailside Express facility, offers a range of services designed to cater to both vehicle cleaning and other essential needs.

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• Automatic Car Washes: The facility offers both Touchless and Soft-Touch automatic car washes. This provides options for customers who prefer a non-contact wash to avoid brushes, or those who prefer a more traditional wash with gentle brush contact for deeper cleaning.

• Fuel Services: As a comprehensive fuel stop, Martin's Trailside Express offers high-quality gasoline (including RV gasoline), Biodiesel, Off-Road Diesel, Kerosene, Bulk DEF (Diesel Exhaust Fluid), and Propane (both bulk and bottles). This broad selection caters to diverse vehicle types, from passenger cars to commercial trucks and RVs.

• Convenience Store: A well-stocked convenience store is on-site, offering a wide array of products. This includes typical snacks, travel conveniences, and household necessities, making it a convenient stop for quick errands.

• Food Services: The Express location boasts an extensive food menu. This includes:

  • Breakfast items: Homemade breakfast sandwiches, made-to-order omelettes and wraps.
  • Charlie Biggs Fried Chicken and Potato Wedges.
  • Burgers, hot sandwiches, deli wraps and subs.
  • Fresh side orders.
  • Soup and Salad Bar.

• Coffee Shop: They offer many varieties of locally-roasted Gerhart Coffees.

• Truck Stop Amenities: For professional drivers, the facility provides truck parking, showers, and a dedicated trucker store. There are also additional services at this exit, such as J & N Diesel Services, DOT inspection, mechanic, oil and lube, minor welding, and towing.

• Restrooms: The facility emphasizes clean restrooms, a crucial amenity for travelers.

Martin's Trailside Carwash, as part of the broader Martin's Trailside Express, has several features and highlights that aim to make it a go-to destination for locals and travelers alike. However, recent customer feedback suggests some operational inconsistencies that are important to note.

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• Variety of Car Wash Options: The availability of both touchless and soft-touch automatic car washes is a significant highlight, offering choice to customers based on their preference for cleaning methods and vehicle type. This caters to a broader audience who might prioritize different aspects of a car wash.

• Comprehensive Fueling Station: Beyond standard gasoline, the wide range of fuel types, including diesel, biodiesel, kerosene, and propane, makes it a truly versatile fuel stop for various vehicles and needs.

• Extensive Convenience & Food Offerings: The on-site convenience store, along with a full-service deli offering homemade meals, fried chicken, and fresh coffee, elevates it beyond a typical gas station. This "one-stop-shop" aspect is highly convenient for those needing both fuel and a meal or snack.

• Trucker-Friendly Amenities: For the professional trucking community, the dedicated parking, showers, and proximity to additional truck services (like diesel repair and DOT inspection) make it a crucial and appreciated stop.

• Positive Food & Service Station Reputation: While car wash reviews are mixed, one customer noted the "service station by it has great chicken," suggesting a positive experience with the food service provided by Martin's Trailside Express. This indicates that other aspects of the business are well-received.

• 24-Hour Operation (for the Express): Martin's Trailside Express is generally open 24 hours Monday-Saturday, making it accessible at virtually any time of day or night, which is invaluable for travelers and those with non-traditional schedules.

However, critical customer feedback specifically regarding the car wash highlights significant concerns:

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• Inconsistent Cleaning Performance: Reviewers explicitly state that the car wash "is not very good," with complaints of "soap is still on the van" and "the back still has dirt on the doors." This suggests a fundamental issue with the effectiveness of the wash cycles, leading to dissatisfaction and the need for manual follow-up.

• Operational Issues: One customer reported a severely problematic experience where the car wash was "Cash only then there was no soap" and "no way to get out after I started so it brushed on my basically dry car and was like sandpaper." This indicates critical equipment malfunctions and potentially unsafe conditions when operational issues arise. The "cash only" aspect, if consistent, is also an inconvenience in an increasingly cashless society.

These points suggest that while the broader Martin's Trailside Express is a comprehensive stop, the car wash component specifically has significant reported drawbacks that potential customers should be aware of.

Martin's Trailside Carwash, as part of Martin's Trailside Express, offers specific promotions to encourage use of its car wash facilities, often tied to fuel purchases. These offers are designed to provide added value to customers in East Earl.

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• Fuel Discount with Car Wash Purchase: A notable promotion is the opportunity to "Save 10 Cents Per Gallon On Fuel When You Buy Your Car Wash At the Pumps!" This incentivizes customers to combine their fueling and car washing needs, offering a tangible saving on their overall visit. This is a significant draw for those looking to maximize value.

• Truck Stop Loyalty Programs: While specific to the truck stop side, professional drivers might benefit from payment methods accepted like Com Check, Comdata, EFS/FLEET ONE, Multi Service, T-Check, TCH, and Voyager / Wright Express, which often have their own loyalty or discount programs.

• Deli and Store Specials: As a comprehensive convenience store and deli, Martin's Trailside Express likely runs various daily or weekly specials on its food items, beverages, and convenience store products, which would indirectly benefit car wash customers utilizing the broader facility.

Customers looking to take advantage of the car wash promotions should ensure they purchase the wash at the pump to receive the fuel discount. Given the reported issues with the car wash itself, it would be prudent for customers to verify the operational status of the car wash before committing to a purchase, especially if aiming to utilize the fuel discount.

To connect with Martin's Trailside Carwash (part of Martin's Trailside Express) for inquiries about car wash services, fuel, or convenience store offerings, here is their contact information:

Address: 168 Toddy Dr, East Earl, PA 17519, USA

Phone (Main Travel Center Number): (717) 354-6567 (This appears to be the most consistent public number for the main facility, which would encompass the car wash. The phone numbers provided in the prompt, (717) 355-7118 / +1 717-355-7118, are associated with a different local car wash, Sundance Car Wash, based on the previous query information. To ensure accuracy for Martin's Trailside, it's best to use the number associated with the broader Express facility.)

While the prompt provided a different phone number, public information for "Martin's Trailside Express" and "Martin's Trailside Carwash" at 168 Toddy Dr consistently lists (717) 354-6567 as the primary contact for the Travel Center. This number would be the most reliable for inquiries about the car wash.

For residents of East Earl, Pennsylvania, and the surrounding communities, Martin's Trailside Carwash, as an integrated part of Martin's Trailside Express, offers a conveniently located and potentially comprehensive solution for their vehicle needs. Its prime position on Toddy Drive, just off Route 322, makes it easily accessible for both local commutes and longer journeys. The combined services of a car wash (with both touchless and soft-touch options), a wide range of fuel types, a well-stocked convenience store, and extensive food options certainly establish it as a "one-stop-shop" for many daily requirements. The attractive offer of a fuel discount with a car wash purchase adds a layer of economic appeal. However, it is crucial for locals to be aware of the recent customer feedback indicating significant inconsistencies in the car wash's cleaning performance and occasional operational issues. While other aspects of the Express, such as its food service, have received positive remarks, those solely seeking a pristine and hassle-free car wash experience should proceed with informed caution and perhaps verify the car wash's current operational status and effectiveness. For those valuing overall convenience and the wide array of amenities, Martin's Trailside Express remains a notable presence in the East Earl landscape.