TravelCenters of America Seed Oil Report Card
Based on our menu research, TravelCenters of America cooks with: soybean/canola (assumed for fryer/roller-grill and grab-n-go items; TA's official nutrition pages list total fat and saturated fat but do not name the fry oil, so PUFA here is estimated from a soybean-oil-dominant blend, the common commodity fryer oil at US travel centers). Across the 35 menu items we analyzed, it averages 8.2g estimated PUFA per item, earning a seed-oil grade of D (Very High Risk).
Safest Orders at TravelCenters of America
Learn this once: a salad with grilled protein and the dressing left off is nearly always the lowest seed oil order anywhere. So the list below sticks to real meals, salads included, never just a water.
Cleanest full order: Buttermilk Chicken Sandwich + Iced Coffee (Unsweetened), 8.0g total
| Item | PUFA |
|---|---|
| Pork Chop Dinner | 2.0g |
| Grilled Chicken Dinner | 4.0g |
| NY Strip Dinner | 4.0g |
| Pancake Combo | 5.0g |
| French Toast Combo | 5.0g |
What to Avoid at TravelCenters of America
| Item | PUFA |
|---|---|
| Onion Rings | 31.0g |
| Fried Chicken Dinner | 23.0g |
| Turkey Club Sandwich | 18.0g |
| Shrimp Basket | 17.0g |
| Nashville Hot Chicken Sandwich | 15.0g |
Frequently asked
Does TravelCenters of America use seed oils?
Based on our menu research, TravelCenters of America cooks with: soybean/canola (assumed for fryer/roller-grill and grab-n-go items; TA's official nutrition pages list total fat and saturated fat but do not name the fry oil, so PUFA here is estimated from a soybean-oil-dominant blend, the common commodity fryer oil at US travel centers). Across the 35 menu items we analyzed, it averages 8.2g estimated PUFA per item, earning a seed-oil grade of D (Very High Risk).
What oil does TravelCenters of America cook with?
Our research indicates: soybean/canola (assumed for fryer/roller-grill and grab-n-go items; TA's official nutrition pages list total fat and saturated fat but do not name the fry oil, so PUFA here is estimated from a soybean-oil-dominant blend, the common commodity fryer oil at US travel centers). Preparation can vary by location, so treat PUFA numbers as estimates.
Does TravelCenters of America use beef tallow?
No. Our research indicates TravelCenters of America cooks with soybean/canola (assumed for fryer/roller-grill and grab-n-go items; TA's official nutrition pages list total fat and saturated fat but do not name the fry oil, so PUFA here is estimated from a soybean-oil-dominant blend, the common commodity fryer oil at US travel centers), not beef tallow. For chains that fry in tallow or other real fats, see Tallow Watch.
Is TravelCenters of America seed oil free?
No. Our research indicates TravelCenters of America cooks with soybean/canola (assumed for fryer/roller-grill and grab-n-go items; TA's official nutrition pages list total fat and saturated fat but do not name the fry oil, so PUFA here is estimated from a soybean-oil-dominant blend, the common commodity fryer oil at US travel centers), which includes seed oils. See the lower-PUFA orders above for the cleanest picks.
What is the safest thing to order at TravelCenters of America?
Pork Chop Dinner is the lowest-PUFA item we analyzed at TravelCenters of America, at an estimated 2.0g PUFA. See the Safest Orders list on this page for more options.
What should I avoid at TravelCenters of America?
Onion Rings is the highest-PUFA item we analyzed at TravelCenters of America, at an estimated 31.0g PUFA. Fried items and creamy, mayo-based sauces are usually the heaviest.
What are seed oils?
Seed oils — canola, soybean, sunflower, corn, and similar vegetable oils — are extracted from seeds using high heat and chemical solvents. They are very high in polyunsaturated fats (PUFAs), which are unstable at cooking temperatures and can oxidize easily. Many health-conscious eaters choose to minimize seed oils and prefer foods cooked in beef tallow, butter, coconut oil, or olive oil instead. This page shows estimated PUFA grams per menu item to help you make more informed choices. These are estimates — actual values vary by preparation and location. Curious why people avoid them? Read the evidence.
Compare other chains
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See where TravelCenters of America lands on the full Seed Oil Index, or check which chains cook in real fats on Tallow Watch. Wondering about a specific dish instead? The Is It Seed Oil food guide answers it for 200+ everyday foods, and the distributor oils page covers what independent restaurants fry in.