Is Anyone Doing Anything About The Shortage Of Truck Parking?

Phox's idea:

I still think a lot of truckers would be upset over being required to pay for them, but $5-$10 a day isn't much, maybe you could earn free parking days like the free showers. I don't know how it would be handled if you had to miss a reservation (horrible incident that closes the hwy for hours on end and you run out of time and can't make it.)

Well, the two places I know about, West Memphis and Atlanta, charge $20. (Can't recall just now what company, but it's one of the big ones.) The Atlanta one has a nice deal: Buy 50g fuel, or spend $20 in the store/restaurant. Otherwise its $15 cash on the way out. Dinner and breakfast (you know you wanted cooked meals!) ain't all that bad.

Also, if it's crowded or they want the parking fee, across the road you may find an empty slot among the other trucks parked there.

Chris philosophizes:

The only real solution is just to chase the moon.

That's what I do when I can. After about noon you can have any space you want at any truck stop. Just pull through - no backing in! And when you pull out at 11pm, someone on the "day shift" can finally have a spot.

Oh,m yes. I use an app called "Trucker Path" and there are others. This one does have an update feature: is the lot empty, medium or full? But it's updated by users, so you can't really trust it 100%.

The TA/Petro has an app that let's you reserve parking but does not give a spot count.

To expect a large corporate entity to speed money on something that has zero return? Where did you learn economics? Just is not going to happen.

GuyJax observes:

To expect a large corporate entity to spend money on something that has zero return?

It's not exactly zero return. Odds are the driver will come in and buy something. True, hardly worth it for said Truck Stop company. But you, GuyJax, should know where the larger parking areas are.

Parking is a huge challenge for me, especially when it comes to finding a safe spot overnight. I read on this website that many drivers struggle with this, too. However some parking tips several of ya'll have posted are quite good and helpful (use search).

The worst part is when you need to take a break (or need to use a restroom) but are on a stretch of road with nowhere to park for 50+ miles.

Yes I do drive with a teammate, so this issue doesn't happen daily, but we still have to stop for a few hrs or overnight sometimes.

My question: with a continued shortage of safe truck parking in this country, why aren't more truck stops being rapidly built? Why aren't the big truck stop companies filling in empty gaps along these many long stretches of road, which are popular among truckers, but have nowhere to park for 50+ miles?

I hear it's been like this for years. What is preventing improvement in this department?

Thank you.

The states should expand truck parking at their rest areas. As it is now they are stuffed to the gills overnight.

I think some pressure or incentive for shippers and receivers to put in facilities (restrooms/vending machines) and allow overnight parking for trucks that are doing business there would alleviate some of the excessive trucks trying to find a parking space. It would help lower the cost of shipping if they would do this too by allowing us to "camp on their doorstep" for better clock control. Like right now, I'm taking up a spot at a truck stop because the shipper doesn't allow overnight parking. WHY For God's Sake??? They got a big enough parking lot to accommodate it.

Some govment pressure seems to be in order here.

GuyJax observes:

To expect a large corporate entity to spend money on something that has zero return?

It's not exactly zero return. Odds are the driver will come in and buy something. True, hardly worth it for said Truck Stop company. But you, GuyJax, should know where the larger parking areas are.

I don't have to worry with parking. At least not yet. Though I drive doubles our truck does not stop while under a set of doubles. Besides no place to park doubles especially at night. That is why you will see alot of times a driver hauling doubles parked in the last fuel island when all the parking is filled up.

While doubles can moving easier in a tight area the driver always has to be thinking. You have 1 shot at parking and you have to be right the first time. You don't have to be prefect but you have to be really close to it.

I think some pressure or incentive for shippers and receivers to put in facilities (restrooms/vending machines) and allow overnight parking for trucks that are doing business there would alleviate some of the excessive trucks trying to find a parking space. It would help lower the cost of shipping if they would do this too by allowing us to "camp on their doorstep" for better clock control. Like right now, I'm taking up a spot at a truck stop because the shipper doesn't allow overnight parking. WHY For God's Sake??? They got a big enough parking lot to accommodate it.

Some govment pressure seems to be in order here.

liability.

If you get hurt on their property they're responsible. Also if your truck is damaged while on their property you might be able to hold them liable.

You ever hear the term CYA? cover your a$$... well that's what they are doing for themselves.

You would think with all the tax dollars that millions of drivers generate daily they (feds) could provide a few thousand parking areas along the interstates.

As far as upkeep let the guys/gals hanging out in the prisons make and maintain them.

.02

Hey I bet if Trump were president he could build the parking areas... and make Mexico pay for them!