There's a reason seasoned RVers often have a mental map of every Flying J between point A and point B. They are the workhorses of the open road, the reliable, predictable pit stops we can always count on. The Flying J Travel Center in Lebanon, Indiana, just off the I-65 corridor, is a textbook example of why these truck stops are so beloved in the RV community. It checks all the essential boxes: it’s open 24/7, it has three dedicated RV lanes so you’re not competing with the big rigs for fuel, and it offers a dump station for a very reasonable fee, widely reported to be around $10. When you’re rolling through the heart of the Midwest, this is exactly the kind of no nonsense, efficient stop you want to have programmed into your GPS.
The location in Lebanon is perfectly placed for anyone traveling through Central Indiana. It sits almost exactly halfway between Indianapolis, about 30 miles to the southeast, and Lafayette, 36 miles to the northwest. This makes it an ideal pit stop whether you're heading to an event at the Indy Motor Speedway, visiting one of the college towns for a festival, or just making the long trek between Chicago and Louisville. If you have some time to kill and need to stretch your legs, you can take a short drive into Lebanon and stroll around the historic Boone County Courthouse square. It’s a charming slice of small town America. And if you happen to be overnighting and traveling with family in the summer, the local Seashore Water Park is a great place to cool off and have some fun. This Flying J isn’t just a stop; it’s a convenient anchor point for exploring the surrounding area.
Dumping your tanks at a high traffic truck stop like this one is an experience in organized chaos, and there’s a certain rhythm to it. The first thing to appreciate is the sheer scale of the operation. You have 24 hour access to both gasoline and diesel, and they have CAT scales on site. This means you can refuel, weigh your rig to make sure you’re within your limits, and handle your tanks all in a single, efficient visit. One of the best modern features is the ability to use the Pilot Flying J mobile app. You can actually reserve a spot in the shower queue right from your phone while you’re parked at the dump lane, which is a brilliant time saver.
You do need to be prepared for the possibility of a line, especially on weekends or during peak travel seasons. These lanes are popular with everyone from full time RVers and weekend warriors to livestock haulers. Good line etiquette is key: have your gloves and hoses ready to go before it’s your turn, work efficiently, and clean up after yourself. It’s a community space, and everyone appreciates a considerate neighbor.
Let’s break down the amenities. The separate RV lanes for gas and diesel are a huge plus. It makes maneuvering a large rig or a tow vehicle so much easier and less stressful than trying to squeeze into the car lanes. The showers and laundry facilities inside the main building are a godsend for anyone who’s been on the road for a few days. You can pay for them in the store or directly through the myRewards app, and I always recommend bringing your own flip flops. The restrooms inside the store are generally kept very clean, consistently rated above average for a travel center.
Now for the trade offs. This is not a campground. There are no electric hookups and no full hookup campsites. If you choose to overnight here, you’ll be dry camping in the designated truck parking area. This means you should expect a certain level of engine noise throughout the night from idling trucks. It’s part of the trade off for the convenience and the free parking. You’ll also need to be prepared to walk your trash to the main bins located on the forecourt by the fuel pumps, as there are typically no trash cans right at the dump pad. Lastly, while many Flying J locations offer metered propane, it’s not always available at every single site. The Lebanon location may or may not have it, so if you’re counting on a refill, you absolutely must call ahead to verify.
The value here is undeniable. A $10 dump fee, which can often be reduced to $7.50 or even made free with a Good Sam membership or enough points on the myRewards app, is highly competitive for an interstate travel center. When you factor in the unlimited water fill that comes with the fee and the option for free overnight parking, the value is incredibly hard to beat. Just remember that prices can fluctuate, so it’s always a smart move to verify the current rate at the payment kiosk or in the app before you pull out your sewer hose.
Here are a few insider tips from years of using these stations. When you pull in, enter through the truck side of the travel center and follow the signs specifically for RVs. Some locations have automated bollards to prevent cars from accidentally going the wrong way, and following the signs will get you where you need to go without any trouble. Always carry a 45 degree clear sewer elbow in your kit. The sewer risers at many Flying J stations sit a bit high off the pavement, and this little adapter will give you the right angle for a smooth, gravity fed drain. When you’re filling your fresh water tank, be aware that the water timers often shut off automatically after a couple of minutes. You may need to press the button again to continue filling.
In summary, the Flying J in Lebanon, Indiana, delivers exactly what it promises: classic truck stop efficiency. You get fuel, food, showers, and a reasonably priced dump station that’s open all night long. The noise and the lack of hookups are the known trade offs for the incredible ease of access right off I-65. It’s the perfect, reliable workhorse stop for any RVer bound for Indianapolis, Lafayette, or anywhere in between. Just verify the current dump fee in the app before you get started, and you’ll be serviced and back on your way in record time.
520 S State Rd 39, Lebanon, IN 46052
Cost: Price not available
Category: Gas station
No Water
pilotflyingj.com