USDOT Awards $61.7 Million to Expand Truck Parking in Four States

The U.S. Department of Transportation has awarded $61.7 million to expand truck parking projects in Illinois, Kentucky, Mississippi, and Wyoming, adding new spaces and parking technology.

The U.S. Department of Transportation has awarded more than $61.7 million in grant funding to support truck parking projects in Illinois, Kentucky, Mississippi, and Wyoming, adding new parking capacity and upgrading parking information systems along key freight routes.

The funding is intended to address one of the trucking industry’s most persistent challenges by increasing the number of safe places where commercial drivers can park after reaching their hours of service limits.

According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, the projects will expand parking availability while improving access to real-time information that helps drivers locate available spaces before arriving at a rest area.

Projects Receiving Funding

The four grants support a mix of new parking construction and technology improvements.

Illinois: $13.2 million to add 45 truck parking spaces at a rest area.
Kentucky: $25 million to expand truck parking at seven rest areas and install real-time truck parking information systems.
Mississippi: $22.1 million to add 54 truck parking spaces and implement real-time parking information technology at a rest area.
Wyoming: $1.4 million to improve winter truck parking conditions.

Kentucky and Mississippi will both incorporate parking availability systems designed to provide drivers with up-to-date information before they reach participating locations.

Parking Continues to Be an Industry Challenge

Finding available truck parking remains a daily challenge for many professional drivers, particularly along heavily traveled freight corridors.

The American Transportation Research Institute estimates that drivers spend an average of 56 minutes each day searching for parking. Beyond reducing available driving time, that delay can affect productivity, scheduling, and driver earnings. ATRI estimates the time spent searching for parking costs the average driver approximately $6,813 in lost wages each year.

ATA Welcomes the Investment

The American Trucking Associations welcomed the announcement, saying additional parking capacity remains a priority for both safety and freight efficiency.

“We appreciate Secretary Duffy’s commitment to addressing this longstanding problem and commend Illinois, Kentucky, Mississippi, and Wyoming for prioritizing truck parking projects in their transportation plans,” ATA President and CEO Chris Spear said.

Spear also encouraged Congress to approve additional truck parking funding included in this year’s federal appropriations legislation, noting that continued investment will be necessary to help meet demand nationwide.

While the latest grants will add parking capacity in four states, industry organizations continue to advocate for additional projects as truck parking shortages remain a concern in many regions across the country.