As a truck driver, you know better than anyone how frustrating finding an available truck parking space can be in the US. The issue here, though, is that, unlike ordinary drivers, truckers can’t spend hours cruising around searching for a spot.
You have to follow DOT Hours of Service. If you fail to comply, you’re toast. That’s why the nationwide shortage of truck parking spaces is more than just an inconvenience for truckers.
And while many entities are doing everything in their power to solve this problem (including ourselves at Truck Parking Club), the demand for truck parking spots is still several times higher than the supply.
However, this issue has become much more severe in some states and areas than others. Here are the top US states and regions with the worst truck parking availability.
US Areas with the Worst Truck Parking Availability
Some time ago, Trucker Path posted a report regarding the areas with the lowest truck parking availability. It based its ranking on the app user data. More specifically, the company looked at where truckers report “no parking spaces available” the most.
Their findings were surprising to some, with the Southeast earning the infamous title of the #1 worst US region for truck parking, followed by the Northeast and South Central.
Here’s a more detailed look at the report’s findings:
- Southeast – no parking available reported 23% of the time.
- Northeast – no parking available reported 21% of the time.
- South Central – no parking available reported 20% of the time.
- West – no parking available reported 19% of the time.
- Midwest – no parking available reported 17% of the time.
- North Central – no parking available reported 15% of the time.
So yes, it’s the Eastern Coast that seems to be the least truck parking-friendly US region. What are the reasons for that? High traffic and dense metro areas are probably the leading causes. Many people there also have the NIMBY (not in my backyard) attitude, which makes developing new truck parking locations more challenging.
10 Worst States for Truck Parking
When it comes to the worst states for truck parking, there are numerous studies and polls out there, with each displaying different results. Still, some states come up more frequently than others.
After analyzing these polls and performing our own research, here’s the list of the top 10 worst states for truck parking:
- Ohio
- Arkansas
- Pennsylvania
- Oregon
- Virginia
- Texas
- Massachusetts
- North Carolina
- Maine
- Tennessee
Many truckers also mention California, New York, New Jersey, and Florida as some of the states with the highest truck parking shortage. There’s also the difference between day and night parking availability, with more truckers struggling to find parking spaces at night due to higher demand.
Long story short, the issue of the US truck parking shortage is incredibly complex. And while most states struggle with the lack of truck parking locations, the ones above are mentioned the most frequently as the states with the worst truck parking availability.
How to Find Truck Spaces in These Areas?
So yes, finding available truck parking spots in these states isn’t an easy task. Well, what happens if you find yourself there when on the road? How do you find an available truck parking spot in an area known for lacking truck parking spaces?
The answer is Truck Parking Club.
As one of the leading truck parking platforms in the US, we aim to connect truckers with reliable truck parking owners nationwide. Whenever you struggle with finding a truck parking space near you, you can quickly find and book available spots via Truck Parking Club, no matter the state.
All it takes is to create your free trucker account. Once you do that, you’ll gain access to all our platform’s features, allowing you to browse and book truck parking spots, both in real-time and in advance.
Wrapping Up
The US truck parking shortage is a nationwide problem. Still, some states struggle with worse truck parking availability than others, making it incredibly challenging for truckers to find available spaces to spend their mandatory sleeping breaks.
This is where the idea for Truck Parking Club came from. We strive to build a community of truckers and parking owners, creating a safe and reliable space for property owners to list their truck parking locations truckers can then quickly find and book.
So, whenever you find yourself in any of the above states struggling to find an available truck parking space, you can rest assured you will find one through Truck Parking Club. Create your free trucker member account today and become a member of the ever-growing trucking community!
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.
