You know the scenario. It’s late, you’ve been driving for hours, and the red light on your tank monitor is glowing with silent judgment. You’re rolling up I-95, one of the busiest arteries on the East Coast, and you just need a quick, reliable, no-fuss place to dump your tanks. This is not the time for scenic detours or charming camp stores. This is the time for pure, unadulterated, 24/7 convenience. This is the time for a Love’s Travel Stop. Specifically, Love’s #317, right at Exit 4 in Skippers, Virginia, is the answer to that urgent "RV dump station near me" search. For the road warrior, places like this are essential infrastructure. They are the pit stops that keep us moving, offering a streamlined fuel-and-flush combo that gets you back on the road with minimal downtime.
Skippers itself is a small community that serves as a gateway to Virginia’s Southside region. While you’re stopped, it’s worth knowing what’s just a short detour away. The massive Lake Gaston is a major draw for boaters and anglers. You can also find some classic roadside Americana at places like the Good Earth Peanut Company, where you can stock up on some of the best snacks for the road. Just ten minutes up the road in Emporia, you can find a bit of Civil War history or, if you’re traveling with kids, the local KOA Holiday boasts a water park. These little detours can break up a long travel day and add a bit of local flavor to an otherwise utilitarian stop.
The experience of using a dump station at a major truck stop like Love’s is a study in controlled chaos. This is a high-traffic environment. You’ll be navigating around professional truck drivers fueling up their massive rigs, families in SUVs making a pit stop, and fellow RVers all vying for the same services. The Love’s RV dump stations are typically located near the auto or RV diesel islands, making it easy to combine tasks. The process is standardized and efficient. You’ll go inside to the cash register to pay the fee, which is often around ten dollars, though it’s always best to verify the current price at the desk. You can pay with a card or use the Love’s Connect app. Once you’ve paid, the clerk will activate the dump station, which usually gives you a 30-minute window to get the job done. Be prepared for a fast-paced environment and be patient.
The amenities at a Love’s are all about efficiency for the professional driver, but they translate perfectly to the needs of an RVer. You can fill up your chassis with gas or diesel and top off your generator tank at the same time. Many Love’s locations, including this one, offer propane cylinder refills, usually at a station in the side yard. It’s a good practice, especially in winter when demand is high, to call ahead and make sure someone is available to handle the refill. The paid trucker showers are one of the best-kept secrets of the road. For a small fee, you get access to a private, surprisingly spotless shower room, which can feel like a five-star hotel after a long day of driving. The large trash cans on the forecourt are great for getting rid of accumulated garbage, just be sure to follow the rules and avoid disposing of things like cardboard or used oil filters. And for pet owners, there’s usually a designated grassy strip along the edge of the car parking area for a quick walk, but always come prepared with your own bags.
One of the most important things to be aware of at any truck stop dump station is the water situation. The official listing for this location shows "No Water." However, in practice, many Love's dump stations do have a rinse hose. The issue is that they can be unreliable. They might be out of order, or they might be shut off during colder months to prevent freezing. The smartest thing an RVer can do is to never rely on it. Always have your own backup plan, whether that’s a jug of water and a sprayer or a dedicated rinse hose. Also, it’s critical to sanitize everything you touch. That shared hose nozzle has been used by thousands of rigs, so a good pair of gloves and some hand sanitizer are your best friends.
For a truly smooth visit, here are some pro tips. When pulling up to the dump port, give yourself plenty of room and swing wide, as they are often positioned close to a curb. The absolute best time to visit a truck stop is during the off-peak hours, typically between 2 a.m. and 6 a.m. This allows you to avoid the long queues of long-haul truckers who are on a tight schedule. Using the Love’s app can be a huge time-saver. You can often preload your payment and even check the live status of the pumps.
So, what’s the final verdict? For sheer, round-the-clock availability, Love’s #317 is an unbeatable option on the I-95 corridor. It’s not a glamorous stop. It’s loud, it’s busy, and it’s utilitarian. But it offers quick highway access, fuel, propane, and clean showers all in one place. These conveniences easily offset the uncertainty of the rinse water situation. Just be sure to call to confirm the current dump fee, come prepared with your own rinse water, and try to roll in during the quietest hours for a stress-free drain-and-go experience. It’s the perfect pit stop for the RVer on a mission.
770 Moore's Ferry Rd, Skippers, VA 23879
(434) 336-0203
Cost: Price not available
Category: Truck stop
No Water
loves.com/locations/317