Being a trucker is already a tiring profession, but looking for a hotel that accommodates semi-trucks is a whole different story. Most companies don’t cover the cost of taxis to take you to the nearest lodge, so the responsibility of finding a place to sleep often becomes the drivers’ responsibility.
If you’re one of the truckers wondering how to find the right hotel with semi-truck parking, this article is for you. We will explore what makes hotels truck-friendly and what you need to check before taking your time to detour to reach the place.
What Makes Hotels Truck-Friendly?
The very first factor that makes hotels available to truck drivers is, no doubt, an ample parking space. If the parking lot is poorly maintained, chances are you won’t be willing to leave your semi-truck there.
Hotels or motels with semi-truck parking are the most important criteria, yet there are a few more things to look out for.
Truck-friendly accommodations are usually the ones closely located to markets and fuel stations and offer easy access to the highway. Moreover, knowing the nature of work, some hotels offer breakfast to truckers who must return to the road before the regular breakfast time.
Finally, hotels with must-have amenities like laundry facilities and security are also considered suitable for truckers.
What to Consider When Booking Hotels with Semi-Truck Parking?
There is a difference between booking a parking lot and a hotel for truck drivers. Although some criteria may overlap, the details you need to pay attention to vary. This is because most semi-truck parking lots are dedicated to truck drivers, while hotels’ main clientele is anyone looking for a room to spend a night at.
Location
When planning your route, you should look for hotels with semi-truck parking as close to the highway as possible so that the detour won’t steal a lot of your time. When you find the right option, don’t be shy to ring them and confirm they are indeed truck-friendly and have the facilities you need for your comfort. Otherwise, you risk reaching the destination and returning to the highway after discovering the parking load is not equipped to accommodate your semi-truck.
We also suggest truck drivers check the reviews left by previous guests, specifically truck drivers. There, you are sure to find useful information and things you should know about before booking a room in the hotel.
Next, take your time to check the satellite view of the map and, specifically, the parking section to see where you can leave your truck.
Parking Space
A few things you need to know about hotels with semi-truck parking lots are the number of available spaces and the condition of the parking surface.
Even though you book a room in a hotel with a semi-truck parking lot, when you arrive there, you may not even find an available parking space to leave your truck. Surely, you can’t leave your truck unattended and sleep a night in a room, but there may not even be a refund for such an inconvenience.
When calling the hotel, ask about power lines. We agree it may be a strange question to ask, but low-hanging power lines may prevent you from safely reaching the parking lot.
It may sound strange, but some motels with semi-truck parking lots with gravel surfaces may forget to plow the area. So, it makes sense to double-check whether the parking surface is appropriate for a semi-truck not to get stuck and be winched out.
Quality of Amenities
Once you find a hotel with semi-truck parking, naturally, you would check for amenities. The first thing you should check is whether a cafe or restaurant is located within the premises or walking distance and you don’t have to take a taxi to get food.
By reading the reviews, you will also get a good idea of whether the place is clean and all amenities are working properly to avoid surprises, especially the laundry facility.
Check Reviews
We’ve mentioned a few times throughout the article that checking reviews will help you understand if the hotel is worth booking or not first-hand. Especially those left by truck drivers. Truck drivers will mention the details you wouldn’t find in any hotel description, from lack of black-out curtains to loud noises and level of dirtiness in the rooms – basically, anything that could compromise your stay.
Check for Discounts for Truckers
Staying in motels with semi-truck parking means they may have special discounts for truckers. It’s always a good idea to call and ask because these promotions may not be visible on the websites. By taking advantage of these deals, you’ll not only save on accommodation costs but also free up funds for other essential trucking expenses. Whether it’s upgrading equipment, investing in maintenance, or simply treating yourself on the road, every dollar saved adds up to smoother journeys ahead.
Loyalty Programs
If possible, you can also enroll in a loyalty program if you often manage to stay in the same hotel. The points you collect can be later spent on all sorts of things like a free night, food, and other benefits.
You only need to find the right tool to help you organize your stay whenever you hit the road. This is something the Trucking Parking Club can help with.
Bottom Line
Finding a place to sleep and rest has become easy with Truck Parking Club. Our platform was designed to help truckers find a place that lives up to their expectations and helps find a secure and comfortable place for them and their semi-trucks.
The app is easy to navigate and has a map where you can see all of the parking lots with or without amenities that you could use. You can filter by what you wish to have in your parking lot and find paid and free parking places.
To browse available locations, you only need to register and automatically, you get access to all semi-truck parking lots as a Truck Member. You can always conveniently book a place last minute or secure a slot in advance.
With Truck Parking Club, you can drastically reduce planning time and secure a secure lot with a few clicks.
The information published herein is for general informational purposes only. Truck Parking Club does not make any representations or warranties about the completeness, reliability, legality, and accuracy of this information. Any reliance placed on such material is strictly at the user’s own risk. Truck Parking Club shall not be responsible for any losses or damages incurred in connection with the information published herein.
