Truck Parking Shortage: What’s Going to Happen in 2024?

According to ATRI's research from November 2023, truck parking shortage is the second most prominent issue the trucking industry faces. That is not a big surprise, considering the fact that there are approximately 350,000 available spaces for more than 3.5 million trucks in the United States.

The truck parking shortage presents not only a nuisance to truckers, but also a safety concern. Due to the lack of secure space, truck drivers sometimes opt for unsafe choices, such as leaving their vehicles near highways and in unmarked places. This can lead to accidents, as well as cargo theft.

Can We Expect Improvements in the Near Future?

Trucker Path reports that the situation with truck parking improved in the past 2 years. Steady improvement is expected in 2024, too, but that simply won’t be enough to resolve the problem. 

“[Parking] is not something that gets fixed quickly and easily. I think the raised awareness will certainly contribute to it not getting worse, but I don’t expect it to magically improve and become amazing this year,” said Chris Oliver from Trucker Path.

The congress is trying to address the problem with the Truck Parking Safety Improvement Act which would grant $755 million to expand truck parking capacity across the country. Still, the government’s effort is not going to fix the problem entirely, as the private sector also needs to make a collective contribution.

How Do I Cope With the Parking Shortage as a Truck Driver?

The best solution to finding a safe parking spot your vehicle is thorough trip planning and good time management. It’s easier done than said, surely, but those tactics are simply necessary at the moment if you want to avoid unsafe parking or breaching the HOS regulations. You can also try to ask your dispatcher for help with booking a parking spot.

Furthermore, you can use certain apps to find available parking spots throughout the nation, such as the one we already mentioned - Trucker Path. And if you’re located in the Chicago-area or just passing through, you can always contact our representatives to find and book parking space(s) for you in no time! Our partners can provide you with secure spots at multiple locations across Illinois.

Conclusion

Certain improvements in terms of truck parking availability are definitely expected in 2024, but it will still remain one of the leading issues in the industry. Therefore, be prepared to invest some more time into preparing your trips and consult with Get Your ELD’s experts for assistance!