Knowledge Hub · Multi-state review
Lessons from 24 state truck parking studies
Across 24 state truck parking studies published between 2012 and 2024, the same pattern appears: demand is rising faster than capacity, while fragmented data and inconsistent policies slow action.
State truck parking studies reviewed, 2012 to 2024.
Drivers reporting daily difficulty finding safe parking.
Projected truck demand growth by 2040.
Key takeaways
Most states know they have a problem. The gap is what comes next.
- Key takeawayThe bigger gap is turning recognition into comparable data, clear priorities, and implementable projects.
- Why it mattersMore than 70% of truck drivers struggle to find safe parking daily, and future freight growth will intensify the shortage.
- What Trucking Lab reviewed24 state studies, to identify recurring gaps, useful state strategies, and practical improvements for future studies in 20+ more states.
Common challenges
Common truck parking challenges across states
The studies differ in scope and methods, but the same operational problems appear again and again.
Recurring patterns
- Widespread shortages: major highways often exceed 90% parking utilization during peak periods.
- Peak demand windows: peak overnight demand varies by state, from midnight to 1 AM in California, 1 to 2 AM in South Carolina, and 6 to 7 PM in Idaho.
- Undesignated parking hotspots: when facilities fill up, drivers spill onto shoulders, ramps, and nearby retail lots.
- Missing real-time data: only a few states provide availability information through systems such as variable message signs.
What planners still need to solve
- Amenity gaps: drivers prioritize restrooms (19%), safety (13%), and Wi-Fi (9%), yet many public facilities still lack these basics.
- Seasonal pressure: winter conditions in states such as Ohio and Minnesota, and holiday freight peaks, make shortages worse.
- Long-range demand: by 2040, truck demand is projected to grow 18 to 25%, requiring additional spaces in many states.
Data sources
What state studies are built on
Most rely on a mix of trajectory data, surveys, and inventory records.
- GPS dataATRI telematics and similar sources for truck activity patterns.
- Truck trajectory dataINRIX, StreetLight, Geotab, and related movement datasets.
- SurveysDriver and stakeholder feedback on shortages, behavior, and priorities.
- Traffic and crash dataUsed to compare parking shortages with safety hotspots.
- Truck stop inventorySources such as AllStays, Trucker Path, and state-owned facility inventories.
State highlights
Four states, four different approaches
Several states offer useful examples of how policy and operational choices can reduce parking pressure.
California (2022)
Unique issue: major cities such as Los Angeles and San Francisco report frequent highway police enforcement against illegal parking.
Recommendation: repurpose closed weigh stations and use public-private partnership models for new facilities.
Texas (2020)
Tech-driven solution: real-time parking information through mobile apps and smart signage.
Key insight: driver education and off-hour parking at TxDOT facilities can improve awareness and access.
Ohio (2020)
Amenity priorities: drivers ranked restrooms, showers, Wi-Fi, lighting, and security as high priorities.
Innovation: real-time space display systems and reservation options.
Utah (2012)
Policy win: reduced enforcement on long-term parking and the reopening of rest areas eased pressure on drivers.
Lesson: small policy changes can produce immediate relief when new construction takes time.
How Trucking Lab helps
The operational data many state studies still lack
Granular datasets
Parking occupancy insights for both public and private locations, so planners move beyond statewide averages.
Undesignated parking
We map the informal spots drivers actually use, so planners can see where demand spills outside designated facilities.
Amenities through My Rig Parking
Our app helps drivers see food options, showers, Wi-Fi, and other amenities at truck parking locations.
Bottom line: better studies require better operational evidence, especially around occupancy, undesignated parking, and driver-facing amenities.
Case study
Identifying truck parking gaps in Utah
Our Utah screening combined utilization patterns with truck volume to identify where future demand is likely to outgrow current supply.
What we found
- Four Utah counties emerged as critical areas where truck parking demand is expected to grow.
- The strongest pressure appeared along major freight corridors tied to I-15 and I-80.
- Corridor-level screening helps states prioritize where deeper study or new capacity is most urgent.
Why this matters: statewide averages may look manageable, but corridor-level pressure can still create urgent shortages for drivers.
Authored, reviewed, and approved by Troy Choi, Ph.D., P.E. Transportation Systems Optimization and Engineering Research.
Planning the next state study?
Start with a verified inventory and utilization patterns for your state instead of rebuilding the dataset from scratch.
Authored, reviewed, and approved by Troy Choi, Ph.D., P.E.