To the motoring public, truck parking may seem like an inconvenience akin to finding a spot at the grocery store—more of a hassle than a real hardship.
But to truckers, the ability to find a safe spot is closely tied to priorities of safety, security, profitability.
Today’s parking shortage, rampant cargo theft, and hours of service (HOS) demands have created unprecedented challenges for drivers. That’s why parking strategies, advanced planning, and disciplined practices are critical in today’s environment.
There’s No Easy Solution for the Truck Parking Problem
It’s not because you’re unlucky that you can’t find parking. The American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI) estimates there is just one truck parking space for every 11 truck drivers nationally.
According to a study commissioned by the Federal Highway Administration, 98% of truck drivers say they regularly experience difficulty finding safe parking.
To provide funding for new lots and spaces, the Truck Parking Safety Improvement Act was reintroduced in 2025. The truth is that legislation may take a while and creating more parking is harder than it seems. Constructing a single truck parking space costs an average of $113,395, per ATRI.
In today’s environment, truckers best fend for themselves through a combination of tactics and technologies.
Today’s Best Tactics for Finding Truck Parking
1 – Prioritize Parking Make it a rule before you begin your day to pick a place to rest after your shift. Use an app like Trucker Path that lets you scope out or reserve parking in advance. Planning ahead can save you from situations that put you in danger like parking on the shoulder (don’t do it) or settling for a poorly lit, unsupervised or isolated spot.
2 – Reserve a Spot in AdvancePlan where you’ll end the day and look for a truck stop or other option in the vicinity that takes reservations. Securing a spot can help you avoid driving past your HOS limit or settling for a less-than-ideal spot. Some companies will reimburse you, and the expense can be a tax write-off for owner-operators.
3 – Know Your Safe BetsRecent crashes and crimes make safety the priority. Park in well-lit, frequently trafficked and surveilled locations. Rest stops are usually newer and well-trafficked by truckers and motorists who can say something when they see something. Industrial parks, off-duty weigh stations and big box stores like Walmart are also safe bets.
4 – Drive EarlyRise and drive before the pack to beat the 4 PM – 7 PM parking crush. If you’re done early, you’re more likely to nab empty spots.
5 – Drive at NightAvoid periods of high parking demand altogether by driving at night and resting during the day. It’s often easiest finding parking spots early in the day when all the other drivers are heading off to start their day.
6 – Drive Familiar LanesBy running in the same lane, you’ll learn the safe places to park. That saves time and effort finding parking. Drivers spend an average of 56 minutes a day trolling for parking, costing them $6,800 in lost compensation a year, according to American Trucking Associations.
7 – Ask Another TruckerLeverage social media or ask other drivers at truck stops where the best places to park can be found. Be sure and return the favor whenever another trucker asks you.
8 – Keep a Record of Where You’ve ParkedStart a log of safe, convenient places you’ve parked wherever you go. Create a spreadsheet or just make notes in your phone or on a notepad. The knowledge can pay off when you return.
9 – Park at Your Origin or DestinationParking where you pick up or drop off is a natural. Lots at big box stores like Walmart or Home Depot are safe bets. Be sure and clear it with the shipper or receiver. Pro tip: ask your dispatcher to find out if it’s okay for you to sleep onsite when they’re booking the load or confirming the drop off.
10 – Know the Local RegulationsDo a quick Google to be informed of local parking and idling laws. A quick check can save unwanted hassles, costly fines, and interrupted sleep.
Let Technology Find You a Safe and Secure Parking Space
Crowdsource Parking Options and AvailabilityTrucker Path leverages input from over 600,000 truckers who are constantly updating parking information to help fellow drivers find available parking everywhere in the U.S.
Get Real-Time Parking UpdatesOver 270K truck parking spots in 8K locations are monitored by the Trucker Path app. Most locations update every hour.
Use Apps to Secure Paid ParkingPilot Flying J, TA Petro, Truck Parking Club, and Trucker Path remove the stress by letting you lock in a spot in advance.
Tap into Online Resources and ReviewsWith the Trucker Path app you can gain insights from a community of truckers about parking options and amenities wherever you are.
Harness Predictive ParkingKnow when there is nearby truck parking at over 8,000 locations with Trucker Path’s Truck Parking Prediction feature.
Truckers Are on Their Own Together When It Comes to Parking
By sharing information and looking out for one another, truckers can help soften many of the challenges of parking today. Start by sharing these tactics and technologies with fellow drivers on social media using the icons at the top of this page.
To the motoring public, truck parking may seem like an inconvenience akin to finding a spot at the grocery store—more of a hassle than a real hardship.
But to truckers, the ability to find a safe spot is closely tied to priorities of safety, security, profitability.
Today’s parking shortage, rampant cargo theft, and hours of service (HOS) demands have created unprecedented challenges for drivers. That’s why parking strategies, advanced planning, and disciplined practices are critical in today’s environment.
There’s No Easy Solution for the Truck Parking Problem
It’s not because you’re unlucky that you can’t find parking. The American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI) estimates there is just one truck parking space for every 11 truck drivers nationally.
According to a study commissioned by the Federal Highway Administration, 98% of truck drivers say they regularly experience difficulty finding safe parking.
To provide funding for new lots and spaces, the Truck Parking Safety Improvement Act was reintroduced in 2025. The truth is that legislation may take a while and creating more parking is harder than it seems. Constructing a single truck parking space costs an average of $113,395, per ATRI.
In today’s environment, truckers best fend for themselves through a combination of tactics and technologies.
Today’s Best Tactics for Finding Truck Parking
1 – Prioritize Parking Make it a rule before you begin your day to pick a place to rest after your shift. Use an app like Trucker Path that lets you scope out or reserve parking in advance. Planning ahead can save you from situations that put you in danger like parking on the shoulder (don’t do it) or settling for a poorly lit, unsupervised or isolated spot.
2 – Reserve a Spot in AdvancePlan where you’ll end the day and look for a truck stop or other option in the vicinity that takes reservations. Securing a spot can help you avoid driving past your HOS limit or settling for a less-than-ideal spot. Some companies will reimburse you, and the expense can be a tax write-off for owner-operators.
3 – Know Your Safe BetsRecent crashes and crimes make safety the priority. Park in well-lit, frequently trafficked and surveilled locations. Rest stops are usually newer and well-trafficked by truckers and motorists who can say something when they see something. Industrial parks, off-duty weigh stations and big box stores like Walmart are also safe bets.
4 – Drive EarlyRise and drive before the pack to beat the 4 PM – 7 PM parking crush. If you’re done early, you’re more likely to nab empty spots.
5 – Drive at NightAvoid periods of high parking demand altogether by driving at night and resting during the day. It’s often easiest finding parking spots early in the day when all the other drivers are heading off to start their day.
6 – Drive Familiar LanesBy running in the same lane, you’ll learn the safe places to park. That saves time and effort finding parking. Drivers spend an average of 56 minutes a day trolling for parking, costing them $6,800 in lost compensation a year, according to American Trucking Associations.
7 – Ask Another TruckerLeverage social media or ask other drivers at truck stops where the best places to park can be found. Be sure and return the favor whenever another trucker asks you.
8 – Keep a Record of Where You’ve ParkedStart a log of safe, convenient places you’ve parked wherever you go. Create a spreadsheet or just make notes in your phone or on a notepad. The knowledge can pay off when you return.
9 – Park at Your Origin or DestinationParking where you pick up or drop off is a natural. Lots at big box stores like Walmart or Home Depot are safe bets. Be sure and clear it with the shipper or receiver. Pro tip: ask your dispatcher to find out if it’s okay for you to sleep onsite when they’re booking the load or confirming the drop off.
10 – Know the Local RegulationsDo a quick Google to be informed of local parking and idling laws. A quick check can save unwanted hassles, costly fines, and interrupted sleep.
Let Technology Find You a Safe and Secure Parking Space
Crowdsource Parking Options and AvailabilityTrucker Path leverages input from over 600,000 truckers who are constantly updating parking information to help fellow drivers find available parking everywhere in the U.S.
Get Real-Time Parking UpdatesOver 270K truck parking spots in 8K locations are monitored by the Trucker Path app. Most locations update every hour.
Use Apps to Secure Paid ParkingPilot Flying J, TA Petro, Truck Parking Club, and Trucker Path remove the stress by letting you lock in a spot in advance.
Tap into Online Resources and ReviewsWith the Trucker Path app you can gain insights from a community of truckers about parking options and amenities wherever you are.
Harness Predictive ParkingKnow when there is nearby truck parking at over 8,000 locations with Trucker Path’s Truck Parking Prediction feature.
Truckers Are on Their Own Together When It Comes to Parking
By sharing information and looking out for one another, truckers can help soften many of the challenges of parking today. Start by sharing these tactics and technologies with fellow drivers on social media using the icons at the top of this page.
To the motoring public, truck parking may seem like an inconvenience akin to finding a spot at the grocery store—more of a hassle than a real hardship.
But to truckers, the ability to find a safe spot is closely tied to priorities of safety, security, profitability.
Today’s parking shortage, rampant cargo theft, and hours of service (HOS) demands have created unprecedented challenges for drivers. That’s why parking strategies, advanced planning, and disciplined practices are critical in today’s environment.
There’s No Easy Solution for the Truck Parking Problem
It’s not because you’re unlucky that you can’t find parking. The American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI) estimates there is just one truck parking space for every 11 truck drivers nationally.
According to a study commissioned by the Federal Highway Administration, 98% of truck drivers say they regularly experience difficulty finding safe parking.
To provide funding for new lots and spaces, the Truck Parking Safety Improvement Act was reintroduced in 2025. The truth is that legislation may take a while and creating more parking is harder than it seems. Constructing a single truck parking space costs an average of $113,395, per ATRI.
In today’s environment, truckers best fend for themselves through a combination of tactics and technologies.
Today’s Best Tactics for Finding Truck Parking
1 – Prioritize Parking Make it a rule before you begin your day to pick a place to rest after your shift. Use an app like Trucker Path that lets you scope out or reserve parking in advance. Planning ahead can save you from situations that put you in danger like parking on the shoulder (don’t do it) or settling for a poorly lit, unsupervised or isolated spot.
2 – Reserve a Spot in AdvancePlan where you’ll end the day and look for a truck stop or other option in the vicinity that takes reservations. Securing a spot can help you avoid driving past your HOS limit or settling for a less-than-ideal spot. Some companies will reimburse you, and the expense can be a tax write-off for owner-operators.
3 – Know Your Safe BetsRecent crashes and crimes make safety the priority. Park in well-lit, frequently trafficked and surveilled locations. Rest stops are usually newer and well-trafficked by truckers and motorists who can say something when they see something. Industrial parks, off-duty weigh stations and big box stores like Walmart are also safe bets.
4 – Drive EarlyRise and drive before the pack to beat the 4 PM – 7 PM parking crush. If you’re done early, you’re more likely to nab empty spots.
5 – Drive at NightAvoid periods of high parking demand altogether by driving at night and resting during the day. It’s often easiest finding parking spots early in the day when all the other drivers are heading off to start their day.
6 – Drive Familiar LanesBy running in the same lane, you’ll learn the safe places to park. That saves time and effort finding parking. Drivers spend an average of 56 minutes a day trolling for parking, costing them $6,800 in lost compensation a year, according to American Trucking Associations.
7 – Ask Another TruckerLeverage social media or ask other drivers at truck stops where the best places to park can be found. Be sure and return the favor whenever another trucker asks you.
8 – Keep a Record of Where You’ve ParkedStart a log of safe, convenient places you’ve parked wherever you go. Create a spreadsheet or just make notes in your phone or on a notepad. The knowledge can pay off when you return.
9 – Park at Your Origin or DestinationParking where you pick up or drop off is a natural. Lots at big box stores like Walmart or Home Depot are safe bets. Be sure and clear it with the shipper or receiver. Pro tip: ask your dispatcher to find out if it’s okay for you to sleep onsite when they’re booking the load or confirming the drop off.
10 – Know the Local RegulationsDo a quick Google to be informed of local parking and idling laws. A quick check can save unwanted hassles, costly fines, and interrupted sleep.
Let Technology Find You a Safe and Secure Parking Space
Crowdsource Parking Options and AvailabilityTrucker Path leverages input from over 600,000 truckers who are constantly updating parking information to help fellow drivers find available parking everywhere in the U.S.
Get Real-Time Parking UpdatesOver 270K truck parking spots in 8K locations are monitored by the Trucker Path app. Most locations update every hour.
Use Apps to Secure Paid ParkingPilot Flying J, TA Petro, Truck Parking Club, and Trucker Path remove the stress by letting you lock in a spot in advance.
Tap into Online Resources and ReviewsWith the Trucker Path app you can gain insights from a community of truckers about parking options and amenities wherever you are.
Harness Predictive ParkingKnow when there is nearby truck parking at over 8,000 locations with Trucker Path’s Truck Parking Prediction feature.
Truckers Are on Their Own Together When It Comes to Parking
By sharing information and looking out for one another, truckers can help soften many of the challenges of parking today. Start by sharing these tactics and technologies with fellow drivers on social media using the icons at the top of this page.
To the motoring public, truck parking may seem like an inconvenience akin to finding a spot at the grocery store—more of a hassle than a real hardship.
But to truckers, the ability to find a safe spot is closely tied to priorities of safety, security, profitability.
Today’s parking shortage, rampant cargo theft, and hours of service (HOS) demands have created unprecedented challenges for drivers. That’s why parking strategies, advanced planning, and disciplined practices are critical in today’s environment.
There’s No Easy Solution for the Truck Parking Problem
It’s not because you’re unlucky that you can’t find parking. The American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI) estimates there is just one truck parking space for every 11 truck drivers nationally.
According to a study commissioned by the Federal Highway Administration, 98% of truck drivers say they regularly experience difficulty finding safe parking.
To provide funding for new lots and spaces, the Truck Parking Safety Improvement Act was reintroduced in 2025. The truth is that legislation may take a while and creating more parking is harder than it seems. Constructing a single truck parking space costs an average of $113,395, per ATRI.
In today’s environment, truckers best fend for themselves through a combination of tactics and technologies.
Today’s Best Tactics for Finding Truck Parking
1 – Prioritize Parking Make it a rule before you begin your day to pick a place to rest after your shift. Use an app like Trucker Path that lets you scope out or reserve parking in advance. Planning ahead can save you from situations that put you in danger like parking on the shoulder (don’t do it) or settling for a poorly lit, unsupervised or isolated spot.
2 – Reserve a Spot in AdvancePlan where you’ll end the day and look for a truck stop or other option in the vicinity that takes reservations. Securing a spot can help you avoid driving past your HOS limit or settling for a less-than-ideal spot. Some companies will reimburse you, and the expense can be a tax write-off for owner-operators.
3 – Know Your Safe BetsRecent crashes and crimes make safety the priority. Park in well-lit, frequently trafficked and surveilled locations. Rest stops are usually newer and well-trafficked by truckers and motorists who can say something when they see something. Industrial parks, off-duty weigh stations and big box stores like Walmart are also safe bets.
4 – Drive EarlyRise and drive before the pack to beat the 4 PM – 7 PM parking crush. If you’re done early, you’re more likely to nab empty spots.
5 – Drive at NightAvoid periods of high parking demand altogether by driving at night and resting during the day. It’s often easiest finding parking spots early in the day when all the other drivers are heading off to start their day.
6 – Drive Familiar LanesBy running in the same lane, you’ll learn the safe places to park. That saves time and effort finding parking. Drivers spend an average of 56 minutes a day trolling for parking, costing them $6,800 in lost compensation a year, according to American Trucking Associations.
7 – Ask Another TruckerLeverage social media or ask other drivers at truck stops where the best places to park can be found. Be sure and return the favor whenever another trucker asks you.
8 – Keep a Record of Where You’ve ParkedStart a log of safe, convenient places you’ve parked wherever you go. Create a spreadsheet or just make notes in your phone or on a notepad. The knowledge can pay off when you return.
9 – Park at Your Origin or DestinationParking where you pick up or drop off is a natural. Lots at big box stores like Walmart or Home Depot are safe bets. Be sure and clear it with the shipper or receiver. Pro tip: ask your dispatcher to find out if it’s okay for you to sleep onsite when they’re booking the load or confirming the drop off.
10 – Know the Local RegulationsDo a quick Google to be informed of local parking and idling laws. A quick check can save unwanted hassles, costly fines, and interrupted sleep.
Let Technology Find You a Safe and Secure Parking Space
Crowdsource Parking Options and AvailabilityTrucker Path leverages input from over 600,000 truckers who are constantly updating parking information to help fellow drivers find available parking everywhere in the U.S.
Get Real-Time Parking UpdatesOver 270K truck parking spots in 8K locations are monitored by the Trucker Path app. Most locations update every hour.
Use Apps to Secure Paid ParkingPilot Flying J, TA Petro, Truck Parking Club, and Trucker Path remove the stress by letting you lock in a spot in advance.
Tap into Online Resources and ReviewsWith the Trucker Path app you can gain insights from a community of truckers about parking options and amenities wherever you are.
Harness Predictive ParkingKnow when there is nearby truck parking at over 8,000 locations with Trucker Path’s Truck Parking Prediction feature.
Truckers Are on Their Own Together When It Comes to Parking
By sharing information and looking out for one another, truckers can help soften many of the challenges of parking today. Start by sharing these tactics and technologies with fellow drivers on social media using the icons at the top of this page.
