Chicago, Illinois — A new study released by the Truck Parking Club and transportation economist Noel Perry assigns a $100 billion annual price tag to the nationwide shortage of truck parking.
The research underscores how the lack of safe, legal parking spots forces drivers to violate FMCSA rest‑time regulations or spend extra miles and money to find a place to pull over. Truckers must log at least 10 hours of rest in a 14‑hour window, a requirement that depends on having a secure parking space. When that space is unavailable, drivers must improvise, often pulling onto shoulder lanes or private property that may not be safe or legal.
According to the report, 2.4 million parking spots are needed to satisfy the rest needs of the nation’s heavy‑haul fleet. Today, only 697,000 spots are publicly available. While 23.4 million heavy‑duty truck spaces exist nationwide, a staggering 98 % are reserved for company fleets, leaving independent drivers scrambling for alternatives. Perry notes that the detours add an average of 15 miles of “circuity,” costing drivers $59 in fuel and lost time, and an early stop to secure a spot can add $110 in operating expenses.
What This Means for Drivers
Owner‑operators and CDL‑A drivers face higher fuel costs and tighter schedules when they must drive extra miles to find a spot. The increased mileage can erode profit margins, especially on long‑haul routes where margins are already thin. Trucking companies hiring for OTR routes are forced to account for these hidden costs in their load‑to‑pay calculations. Drivers who stop an hour early to secure a parking spot may incur up to $110 in additional expenses, directly impacting their bottom line.
Industry Reaction
Carriers and driver advocacy groups echo the study’s findings, calling for expanded public parking and better enforcement of FMCSA parking regulations. The Trucking Association of America has urged lawmakers to support infrastructure projects that create dedicated truck stops and improve signage to reduce illegal parking. Meanwhile, independent owner‑operators report that the shortage pushes them to take longer routes, increasing wear on their rigs and adding to maintenance costs.
Key Points
- Nationwide parking shortage costs the U.S. economy $100 billion each year.
- Only 697,000 of the 2.4 million required spots are publicly available.
- 98 % of the 23.4 million truck spaces are reserved for private fleets.
- Drivers add an average of 15 miles of detour, costing $59, and early stops add $110 in operating expenses.
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