Truck Parking

Truck parking shortages are a national safety concern. An inadequate supply of truck parking spaces can result in two negative consequences. First, tired truck drivers may continue to drive because they have difficulty finding a place to park for rest. Second, truck drivers may choose to park at unsafe locations, such as on the shoulder of the road, exit ramps, or vacant lots, if they are unable to locate official, available parking. Numerous public, private, academic and non-profit studies have been completed on the adequacy of truck parking, and these studies have some common findings including an expected growth in truck activity, severe shortages of parking for trucks, lack of information on truck parking opportunities, and challenges due to limited delivery windows and specific rest requirements. The links below provide information to the programs and activities authorized that support truck parking, as well as the reports, surveys and historical information for truck parking.

Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century (MAP-21)

MAP-21 is the most recent transportation authorization, and truck parking activities are authorized under MAP-21 as eligible activities for various funding programs. Additionally, MAP-21 required Jason's Law, a survey of state capability to provide truck parking, an assessment of truck volumes in each state and the development of a system of metrics to evaluate parking.

Truck Parking
Jason's Law
- Jason's Law Truck Parking Survey
- Facilities and Spaces Shape-file (Zip File, 494KB) - Download this file for use in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) programs to illustrate public and private truck parking locations. The shape-file provides the same information used in the maps included in the Jason's Law Truck Parking Survey report. The metadata includes limited information on location and number of spaces at each facility. The public facility data source is FHWA collected data for 2013. The private facility data source is Trucker's Friend, 2013.

Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU)

SAFETEA-LU authorized a pilot program to address truck parking that has led to the implementation of several key projects.

Truck Parking Programs

Reports to Congress

Commercial Motor Vehicle Parking Shortage [HTML, PDF 700KB]

Related Information

The following information is provided for historical research purposes.

Federal Register Notice: August 27, 2010 – This notice solicits applications for the truck parking facilities initiative for which funding is available under section 1305 of Public Law 109-59, 119 Stat. 1214-15, the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU). [HTML, PDF 63KB]
News Digest: Secretary LaHood Awards $6 Million To Ease Truck Parking Shortages on U.S. Interstates, June 21, 2010
Press Release: Two of Nation's Busiest Interstates Will Get $11 Million for Truck Parking Innovations (Release Date: Wednesday, July 9, 2008)
Federal Register Notice: November 16, 2007 – Announcement of Application Procedure and Deadlines for the Truck Parking Initiative [HTML, PDF 68KB]
Truck Parking Issues & Programs Web Cast, July 19, 2006 [Recording, Closed Caption 72.6KB] - WebEx recordings require the WebEx Player. The Closed Caption file requires the Real Player.

Staff Contact

Jeff Purdy
202-366-6993
Jeff Purdy

Thomas Kearney
Truck Parking Project Manager
518-431-8890
Tom.Kearney@dot.gov

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