From the Driver's Seat: Where Am I Supposed to Park?

By Chevelle “Chevy” Walker, Werner Enterprises; America’s Road Team Captain

I have been a professional truck driver for Werner Enterprises for more than 20 years, and I have over 1.5 million safe miles. I currently serve on America's Road Team, Florida Road Team and Werner Road Team.

As a professional truck driver, one of the biggest concerns I face every day is truck parking. After a long day of driving, I need to find a place to shut down for my mandatory 30-minute or 10-hour break. Truck drivers look for availability at truck stops, rest areas, weigh stations or even the various places where we deliver. There are not enough truck parking spots for all the truck drivers on the road, and the public is unaware of our need for more places to park during our breaks. As drivers, we must be mindful of our hours of service, and many drivers spend valuable driving time looking for available parking spots only to find there are none. This hurts our driving time and slows down the supply chain. Because of this, some drivers park in unauthorized places, creating a huge safety risk to the driver.

Many state rest areas do not have enough parking because they were not created for the current amount of truck parking needed. My home state of Florida has a large volume of traffic from cars and trucks, and the massive influx of tourists in cars and RVs only exacerbates this issue as it creates a high demand for rest area parking. On our turnpike, cars and RVs often share the parking spots designated for trucks so they can park their car to go inside and get something to eat or rest. But as a truck driver, when I get off the road, all I see is that my truck parking spot has been taken. When a rest area is full, some drivers pull off to the side of the rest area ramp, which is unsafe and illegal in some states. Other truck drivers try to find another rest area, but in many states, they are too far apart. The extra distance could put that driver beyond their hours of service, and then they would be forced to find a safe haven to avoid being in violation.

The frustration of looking for a place to park is a nationwide concern. Many over-the-road and regional drivers face this dilemma every day. Some drivers even switch their routes to different times so they can get a quality rest break or find that perfect parking spot. The states I drive through allow truck parking at their weigh stations, but even that has a limit.

The problem of limited parking spots for trucks has created a ripple effect of other issues. Some drivers get off the interstate to find a place to shut down, usually in areas with large parking lots like strip malls or shopping centers. Unless you have permission from the owner, these are technically private lots, making the truck parking location unauthorized. This could lead to getting towed.

Even though there are a lot of truck stops being built, they are not building a lot of truck parking spots. Some major truck stops have transitioned to more reserved parking spots instead of regular parking spots, which forces a driver to pay anywhere from $15-30 to park. That is not deterring drivers, though! Truck stops are filling up fast; I pulled into one the other day that was full by 5 p.m.

With the number of young drivers entering the industry and the demand for more trucks on our highways to deliver freight across the country, states are struggling to keep up with the demand for parking spots that drivers need. It takes an enormous amount of money to build more extensive rest areas or truck pull-off areas. Florida was recently awarded around $20 million to build only 900 spaces on I-4.

Unfortunately, this is not an issue that can be fixed overnight. I ask that you work with us to keep our roads safe and help make truck parking spots accessible. A well-rested professional driver is a safe and alert one. To keep our roads safe, drivers need a place to rest because there is nothing without trucking.