The U.S. trucking industry is facing a challenge that affects nearly every driver, every day: the nationwide shortage of safe, available truck parking.
This issue, long acknowledged but still unresolved, continues to rank as a top concern among truck drivers, according to the American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI). And for good reason. Inadequate parking isn’t just an inconvenience—it’s a growing safety, efficiency, and regulatory compliance crisis.
At PrePass Alliance, we believe the industry must address this challenge with urgency, supported by technology, infrastructure investment, and policy reform. Here’s a closer look at the scope of the problem and what can be done about it.
Why Truck Parking Matters
Truck drivers are legally required to take rest breaks and adhere to Hours of Service (HOS) regulations. When safe, legal parking isn’t available, drivers are forced to make difficult choices:
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Park in unauthorized or unsafe locations, such as highway shoulders, ramps, or retail lots
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Continue driving in violation of HOS limits in search of legal parking
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Lose time and productivity circling full rest areas
Each of these outcomes poses risks. Improper parking creates hazards for all road users, increases driver stress, and puts carriers at risk of compliance violations. According to a U.S. DOT report, drivers may spend an average of 56 minutes per day searching for parking—that’s time not spent resting, earning, or delivering.
What’s Behind the Crisis?
The problem stems from several converging factors:
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Insufficient investment in public rest areas and truck stops
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Growing freight volumes, with truck activity outpacing infrastructure growth
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Zoning restrictions and community opposition to truck parking expansion
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Lack of real-time data to help drivers find available spots
Exploring the Solutions
1. Infrastructure Investment
Public and private entities must expand safe, dedicated truck parking capacity. The 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act allocated funding for this purpose, but progress varies state by state. States and municipalities need to prioritize projects that add capacity in high-traffic corridors.
2. Smart Parking Technology
Several states and transportation agencies have begun implementing real-time parking information systems. These use sensors and GPS to track parking availability and share updates via highway signs, mobile apps, or in-cab alerts.
3. Public-Private Collaboration
Partnerships between government agencies and private truck stop operators can help scale solutions. Grants, tax incentives, and streamlined permitting can encourage private investment in parking infrastructure.
4. Driver-Centric Solutions
Fleets can support drivers by:
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Encouraging the use of parking locator apps
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Offering route planning tools that include parking availability
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Supporting flexible dispatch strategies that accommodate parking needs
How PrePass Helps
While PrePass does not directly provide parking, our solutions reduce wasted time and unplanned stops, helping drivers reach available rest areas more efficiently:
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Legal bypass of weigh stations keeps drivers on schedule and improves planning
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Safety score visibility helps carriers manage compliance and avoid unnecessary delays
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Fleet analytics tools give safety managers insights to help route drivers effectively and avoid bottlenecks
Fewer delays mean drivers have a better chance of reaching rest areas before they fill up—an often overlooked but important part of improving access to parking.
Moving Forward
The truck parking crisis is not new, but it is urgent. Safety, efficiency, and compliance all depend on a reliable place to rest. The industry cannot afford to let the issue linger.
Through smarter infrastructure planning, supportive policies, and thoughtful use of technology, real progress is possible. PrePass Alliance supports these efforts and remains committed to helping fleets operate more safely, efficiently, and predictably—mile after mile.
Explore how PrePass can improve efficiency and safety on the road.