Jim Mitten Trucking begins in Oakley.
Jim Mitten and his wife Estelene moved to Oakley and purchased the L.W. Swart and Breckinridge trucking operations. Jim Mitten Trucking became known around Kansas for its bright red-and-green “Cow Taxi” trucks.
Our History
The Mitten's
story.
The story begins with Jim Mitten Trucking in 1966 and the purchase of the Oakley truck stop the following year.
Skelly Oil approaches Jim Mitten.
Skelly Oil Company approached Jim about operating a new truck stop in Oakley — a place they could describe as a truck stop operated by a trucker. Within the first year, Skelly chose to sell the operation, and Jim bought it.
The family joins the business.
Jim's daughters Toni and Tami, together with their husbands Gary Johnson and Larry Bley, joined the business and helped turn the truck stop into a true family operation.
Different flags. Same family ownership.
The site operated under Skelly, Texaco, Shell and TravelCenters of America over the years while ownership remained with the Mitten family.
SkellyTexacoShellTA
Mitten's today.
Today the operation is led by Jim Mitten's grandson Matt Mildenberger and his wife Misty with a broad team of professionals. Mitten's includes a full-service IHOP, Sonic, Subway, Hunt Brothers Pizza, a deli, 24-hour fueling and convenience, Blue Beacon Truck Wash, a six-bay 24-hour repair shop, three roadside service trucks, CAT certified scales, bulk fuel, oil and DEF delivery, Urgent Care, laundry, driver amenities, a fenced dog park, playground, family restroom and the Sleep Inn & Suites across the street.
The business has grown well beyond the original truck stop, but it remains family owned and based in Oakley.