We’ve all been there — hungry after midnight — admittedly, at the end of a night on the town after one too many cocktails. Or, we’re road-tripping and trying to make good time, taking turns driving but in need of a strong coffee and some grub to push through.
No matter the reason your stomach screams “Feed me!” in the middle of the night, there are a host of 24-hour fast-food spots at the ready to satiate your hunger and cravings for junk food.
30. GoMart
Arkadij Schell / Getty Images
Year founded: 1971
Headquarters: Gassaway, West Virginia
No. of states with a location: 3
*Note: While this list of late-night places features mostly 24-hour spots, many of these are franchises that make their own hours and may not provide 24-hour service in certain areas. Make sure to check an individual restaurant's hours so you don’t arrive at a dark drive-thru and have to leave hangry.
Why GoMart Is a 24-Hour, Fast-Food Hotspot
Arkadij Schell / Getty Images
A 24-hour convenience store filled with snacks and drinks is less convenient if it's only available in three states.
But if you happen to be in Ohio, Virginia or West Virginia, this true, round-the-clock spot is a go.
29. Albertsons
Albertsons
Year founded: 1939
Headquarters: Boise, Idaho
No. of states with a location: 15
Why Albertsons Is a 24-Hour, Fast-Food Hotspot
Albertsons
A 24-hour grocery store on a dining list?
Hear us out: Those pre-made meals sitting in warmers and under heat lamps (especially the fried chicken) will do the trick when your belly is rumbling and you’re not ready to go home.
28. Cumberland Farms
Mike Mozart / Flickr
Year founded: 1939
Headquarters: Framingham, Massachusetts
No. of states with a location: 8
Why Cumberland Farms Is a 24-Hour, Fast-Food Hotspot
JJBers / Flickr
Cumbies may be a convenience store, but it is a must when late-night munchies overcome in New England and New York.
From its Steak Bomb sub to a hot slice of pizza topped with pepperoni, you can fuel up here as you fuel up to get home. But you’re outta luck outside the Northeast.
27. The Majestic
Keizers / Wikimedia Commons
Year founded: 1929
Headquarters: Atlanta, Georgia
No. of states with a location: 1
Why The Majestic Is a 24-Hour, Fast-Food Hotspot
David / Flickr
Why is there a restaurant with only one location on this list? Because this hotspot in the heart of Atlanta’s nightlife-centric Little Five Points is a 2 a.m. rite of passage for Southerners.
Breakfast all day and ALL night. Well, until 2:30 a.m., but close enough.
26. Taco Cabana
Andreas Praefcke / Flickr
Year founded: 1978
Headquarters: San Antonio, Texas
No. of states with a location: 2
Why Taco Cabana Is a 24-Hour, Fast-Food Hotspot
Alicia H. / Yelp
Tex-Mex food at all hours is a treat. Sadly, this one's only available for those in Texas and New Mexico.
Darnit.
25. In-N-Out Burger
GDMatt66 / Getty Images
Year founded: 1948
Headquarters: Irvine, California
No. of states with a location: 5
Why In-N-Out Burger Is a 24-Hour, Fast-Food Hotspot
GreenPimp / Getty Images
Mouthwatering In-N-Out Double Double Burgers and a secret menu are simply the best after a night out.
Unfortunately, these restaurants typically close at 1:30 a.m., but to keep this late-night spot off the list would be a mistake.
24. GetGo
Amy Sancetta / AP Photo
Year founded: 1985
Headquarters: Ross Township, Pennsylvania
No. of states with a location: 5
Why GetGo Is a 24-Hour, Fast-Food Hotspot
GetGo / Facebook
Fish sandwiches in the middle of the night may not be the best idea, but as Mom always says, “nothing good happens after midnight” anyway.
After a few drinks, those fish sandwiches are especially tasty!
23. Carl’s Jr.
baileystock / Getty Images
Year founded: 1941
Headquarters: Franklin, Tennessee
No. of states with a location: 14
Why Carl’s Jr. Is a 24-Hour, Fast-Food Hotspot
Carl's Jr. / Wikimedia Commons
With locations in only 14 states, this Burger King wannabe isn’t high on the list.
But it will definitely do when cravings hit and you can find one open all night.
22. Hardee’s
helen89 / Getty Images
Year founded: 1960
Headquarters: Franklin, Tennessee
No. of states with a location: 31
Why Hardee’s Is a 24-Hour, Fast-Food Hotspot
Jerry Huddleston / Flickr
Hardee’s and Carl’s Jr. were once separate restaurants but are now part of the same company — except Hardee’s has more locations and better food.
Case in point: the Monster Angus Burger.
21. Wawa
Philip Rozenski / Getty Images
Year founded: 1964
Headquarters: Wawa, Pennsylvania
No. of states with a location: 6
Why Wawa Is a 24-Hour, Fast-Food Hotspot
aimintang / Getty Images
Anyone who thinks Wawa is just a gas station has obviously never had one of its fresh, made-to-order hoagies. And that is so sad — as is the fact they are only found in six states in and around Pennsylvania.
[Insert cry for expansion here.]
20. Del Taco
hapabapa / Getty Images
Year founded: 1964
Headquarters: Lake Forest, California
No. of states with a location: 15
Why Del Taco Is a 24-Hour, Fast-Food Hotspot
MattGush / Getty Images
Who doesn’t love tacos at. 2 a.m.?
If only Del Taco acted more like Taco Bell and expanded its locations and hours, it would be higher on this list.
19. Dunkin’
Marina113 / Getty Images
Year founded: 1950
Headquarters: Canton, Massachusetts
No. of states with a location: 41
Why Dunkin’ Is a 24-Hour, Fast-Food Hotspot
dvulikaia / Getty Images
Admit it: 24-hour coffee shops that keep travelers awake on road trips can’t be beaten.
Unless, of course, you stumble across a Dunkie and can grab a dark roast with a crueler.
18. Katz’s Delicatessen
Beyond My Ken / Wikimedia Commons
Year founded: 1888
Headquarters: New York, New York
No. of states with a location: 1
Why Katz’s Delicatessen Is a 24-Hour, Fast-Food Hotspot
City Foodsters / Wikimedia Commons
Katz’s practically invented 24-diner dining. Even though there is only one Katz’s, on a Saturday night in Manhattan, it can be as busy as Grand Central Station.
And any traveler looking to have a proper wild night in NYC should plan on ending here.
17. Steak 'n Shake
Getty Images
Year founded: 1934
Headquarters: Indianapolis, Indiana
No. of states with a location: 30
Why Steak 'n Shake Is a 24-Hour, Fast-Food Hotspot
Daniel / Wikimedia Commons
Old-fashioned homemade milkshakes that hit the spot Every. Single. Time.
That's all we really need to say.
16. Jack in the Box
Melissa Kopka / Getty Images
Year founded: 1951
Headquarters: San Diego, California
No. of states with a location: 21
Why Jack in the Box Is a 24-Hour, Fast-Food Hotspot
Eric Broder Van Dyke / Getty Images
Jack in the Box says, “Get it when you crave it.” And they mean it.
And now we're craving their curly fries.
15. White Castle
patty_c / Getty Images
Year founded: 1921
Headquarters: Columbus, Ohio
No. of states with a location: 13
Why White Castle Is a 24-Hour, Fast-Food Hotspot
magnez2 / Getty Images
The original fast-food burger makes us all want to be like Harold and Kumar and go on an epic road trip to White Castle.
Unfortunately, some of us will have to drive pretty far since it's only available in 13 states.
14. Taco Bell
cosmonaut / Getty Images
Year founded: 1962
Headquarters: Irvine, California
No. of states with a location: 50
Why Taco Bell Is a 24-Hour, Fast-Food Hotspot
Juanmonino / Getty Images
Late-night cravings boxes with tacos, burritos, nachos and a drink for $5?
Yo quiero Taco Bell.
13. Pilot Flying J
Pilot Flying J / Facebook
Year founded: 1958
Headquarters: Knoxville, Tennessee
No. of states with a location: 50
Why Pilot Flying J Is a 24-Hour, Fast-Food Hotspot
Why Pilot Flying J / Facebook
Sure, Pilot Flying Js are fuel stations, but when you’re driving down a dark highway, a Pilot Flying J is a beacon.
Fuel up while eating fried chicken, pizza and burritos; play some games in the game room; and even take a shower — this is what America is all about.
12. Circle K
tupungato / Getty Images
Year founded: 1951
Headquarters: Tempe, Arizona
No. of states with a location: 48
Why Circle K Is a 24-Hour, Fast-Food Hotspot
JHVEPhoto / Getty Images
Strange things may be afoot at the Circle K, but this convenience store always has pizza, sandwiches and hot dogs at the ready.
What more could you ask for?
11. 7-Eleven
winhorse / Getty Images
Year founded: 1927
Headquarters: Dallas, Texas
No. of states with a location: 38
Why 7-Eleven Is a 24-Hour, Fast-Food Hotspot
Tevarak / Getty Images
Nachos, taquitos, wings, burgers … 7-Eleven locations ignore its name and often welcome hungry travelers into the wee hours.
10. QuikTrip
hapabapa / Getty Images
Year founded: 1958
Headquarters: Tulsa, Oklahoma
No. of states with a location: 16
Why QuikTrip Is a 24-Hour, Fast-Food Hotspot
QT Kitchens provides fresh-to-order food for breakfast, lunch, dinner, on-the-go and late night. What’s not to love?
You can find them and their delicious QuikShakes mostly in the Southeast.
9. Casey’s
Martin Bravenboer / Flickr
Year founded: 1959
Headquarters: Ankeny, Iowa
No. of states with a location: 16
Why Casey’s Is a 24-Hour, Fast-Food Hotspot
Casey’s / Facebook
Casey’s pizza can go toe to toe with the likes of Papa Johns and Dominos, and it also delivers 24/7 in many locations.
We think they just out-pizza’d the Hut.
8. Perkins
Corey Coyle / Wikimedia Commons
Year founded: 1958
Headquarters: Memphis, Tennessee
No. of states with a location: 22
Why Perkins Is a 24-Hour, Fast-Food Hotspot
Perkins / Facebook
Breakfast foods offered whenever you want them.
Mmm… pancakes.
7. Speedway
JHVEPhoto / Getty Images
Year founded: 1959
Headquarters: Enon, Ohio
No. of states with a location: 32
Why Speedway Is a 24-Hour, Fast-Food Hotspot
Yonikasz / Wikimedia Commons
Owned by 7-Eleven, the Speedy Café has all-day options made just for you and throws in a free cup of coffee when you get a breakfast sandwich.
Score!
6. Denny’s
Mike Mozart / Flickr
Year founded: 1953
Headquarters: Spartanburg, South Carolina
No. of states with a location: 49
Why Denny’s Is a 24-Hour, Fast-Food Hotspot
Denny’s / Facebook
Lunch and dinner may be on the menu, but it’s the all-day breakfast that calls.
No other eatery provides late-night T-Bone steak and eggs, build-your-own omelets and, of course, its famous Moons Over My Hammy.
5. McDonald’s
sshaw75 / Getty Images
Year founded: 1940
Headquarters: Chicago, Illinois
No. of states with a location: 50
Why McDonald’s Is a 24-Hour, Fast-Food Hotspot
Getty Images
Not every McDonald’s is open 24 hours, but you’ll often find them in places where staying open all night can be profitable.
Think big cities with late-night bars because is there another time you’re jonesing for McDonald’s French fries as much as after a night imbibing?
4. Burger King
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Year founded: 1954
Headquarters: Miami, Florida
No. of states with a location: 50
Why Burger King Is a 24-Hour, Fast-Food Hotspot
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Found in every state of the U.S., the flame-broiled Whopper is just the right fast food needed in the middle of the night.
If only more BKs were open 24 hours a day.
3. IHOP
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Year founded: 1958
Headquarters: Glendale, California
No. of states with a location: 50
Why IHOP Is a 24-Hour, Fast-Food Hotspot
Wendy Van / Getty Images
Five words: Rooty Tooty Fresh ‘N Fruity.
And don’t get us started on the variety of flavored syrups and compotes available for its wide selection of pancakes.
2. Whataburger
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Year founded: 1950
Headquarters: San Antonio, Texas
No. of states with a location: 14
Why Whataburger Is a 24-Hour, Fast-Food Hotspot
Mike Kalasnik / Flickr
Forget those fast-food burger joints that offer “late-night” menus.
Whataburger really is 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
1. Waffle House
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Year founded: 1955
Headquarters: Norcross, Georgia
No. of states with a location: 25
Why Waffle House Is a 24-Hour, Fast-Food Hotspot
J. Michael Jones / Getty Images
Every Waffle House is open 24 hours, so there is comfort in knowing that, when you have the munchies, a Waffle House near you will be ready with hot waffles and maple syrup.
If you don’t live in a state with a Waffle House, that’s really just too bad.