The report highlights the gap between what drivers need and what is actually available. Across the country, truckers require about 2.4 million parking spaces to meet rest requirements. Today, only 697,000 spots are accessible.

The study did find that 23.4 million heavy-duty truck spaces exist nationwide, but 98 percent of those are reserved privately for company fleets. That leaves the majority of drivers scrambling.

Perry explained how drivers are forced to adapt: truckers “make the best of a bad situation” by using “a combination of off-highway and informal on-highway spaces to get their required rest.” But those workarounds come with real costs.

“Fifteen miles of ‘circuity,’” Perry noted, “costs the driver $59 between the operating costs and lost time. If a driver stops an hour early to snag an available space, it costs them $110.”

The Bigger Picture

Beyond what it costs individual drivers, the shortage is draining the industry at scale. The study estimates $37.7 billion is lost each year from wasted miles while searching for parking. Another $82 billion is lost when drivers are stuck in the wrong place at the wrong time, unable to fully use their federally allowed driving hours.

Recommendations from the Study

The report doesn’t just size up the issue; it also lays out solutions that could ease the burden on drivers:

• Expand the number of dedicated truck parking areas, though this is costly and slow to implement.
• Open up legal parking opportunities at restaurants, retail lots, carriers’ yards, and shippers’ facilities.
• Provide truckers with real-time data on parking availability.
• Offer reservation systems for legal spaces.
• Encourage shippers and carriers to factor parking into their planning and scheduling.
• Coordinate supply chain timing to reduce unnecessary wait times.

While truck stop expansions and state investments, like Ohio’s recent plan to add 1,400 spaces, help, Perry’s findings show the problem is systemic and much larger than piecemeal fixes.

The full study can be downloaded here.

Source: Overdrive

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“More than ever, we need to plan transportation and infrastructure investments – especially for freight – by looking at the big picture,” the DOT stated in a recent update. “This means considering all transportation modes and both public and private sector needs to maintain America’s competitive edge globally.”

The agency emphasized the need to hear from private industry professionals and everyday users of the system: “DOT recognizes the importance of engaging with the public and private industry to develop a clear and inclusive national vision for freight transportation … As daily users of the system, private-sector perspectives are vital inputs for understanding operational challenges along the freight system. DOT seeks information directly from the public and stakeholders to inform development of this national freight strategy.”

What Is the National Freight Strategic Plan?

The current NFSP, first released in 2020, outlines three core goals that have shaped freight planning at federal, state, and local levels:

• Improve the safety, security, and resilience of the national freight system
• Modernize infrastructure and operations to support economic growth and enhance quality of life
• Support technology, data, and workforce development to strengthen freight system performance

As part of the 2025 update process, the DOT wants to know if these priorities still hold true—and what new strategies or tools may be needed to meet evolving challenges in the industry.

Why This Matters to Truckers and the Freight Industry

Organizations like the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA) have previously used this opportunity to advocate for real change. In comments submitted for the 2020 plan, the association emphasized that deteriorating roadways, limited truck parking, and overregulation are serious problems affecting small-business drivers.

“As DOT prepares its National Freight Strategic Plan, we urge the Department to consider improvements to the nation’s transportation system that would increase efficiencies and alleviate costs for small-business truckers,” OOIDA wrote. “The NFSP must address deteriorating highway infrastructure that results in lost productivity and compensation for drivers. The plan also must prioritize fixing the nation’s truck parking crisis and address other institutional barriers, such as excessive detention time that can be mitigated through more practical federal policies.”

The Questions DOT Wants Answered

To build the updated NFSP, the DOT is asking the public to weigh in on 10 key questions, including:

• Do the original 2020 goals still reflect the most urgent freight priorities today?
• What metrics should be used to track the health and performance of the freight system?
• How can public and private investments better support industry growth and infrastructure reliability?
• What barriers—regulatory, technological, or otherwise—still hinder the freight system?
• How do freight operations affect rural and underserved communities, and how can those impacts be addressed?

Other questions focus on how new technologies, disaster resilience, and multi-jurisdictional coordination can be improved across freight networks.

How to Share Your Feedback

The DOT is accepting public comments on the National Freight Strategic Plan through August 14, 2025. To submit your thoughts:

• Visit Regulations.gov
• Search for Docket No. DOT-OST-2025-0369
• Fill out the comment form and share your insights

Source: Land Line Media

The post DOT Wants Your Input on the Future of Freight in America appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.

Their goal: to improve working conditions for truckers, defend independent contractor rights, and ensure women’s voices are front and center in shaping transportation policy.

“Women In Motion was founded to amplify the voices of women in the trucking industry, highlight their unique insights, and inspire lasting change,” said Cait Hone, WIM director. “Thanks to ATA’s strong relationships on Capitol Hill and throughout Washington, we were able to bring WIM’s mission directly to key national leaders. We’re incredibly grateful to our members and sponsors who joined us for our member-only Call on Washington. The progress we made advancing our legislative priorities is a vital step toward building a supportive industry for all.”

Real Voices. Real Issues.

Over a packed three-day schedule, WIM members participated in dozens of meetings with federal lawmakers and key policy influencers. Their focus? Getting real about what drivers experience every day—and what’s needed to fix it.

Top of mind was the ongoing truck parking crisis and the lack of reliable restroom access for drivers on the road. Both are everyday struggles for truckers, especially women, and WIM attendees made it clear that these issues can’t be sidelined anymore. They pushed for action on the Truck Parking Safety Improvement Act, a proposal that would allocate dedicated federal funding to expand and upgrade parking infrastructure nationwide.

Another priority was protecting the right to work independently. The women stood firmly behind the Modern Worker Empowerment Act, which defends the status of independent contractors across multiple industries, including trucking.

“The trucking industry has given me a fulfilling career and helped me support my family,” said Dee Sova, America’s Road Team Captain. “That’s why I’m passionate about encouraging more women to pursue the same opportunities. Women In Motion has allowed me to uplift others and strengthen this incredible industry. Earlier this year, I had the honor of standing with the President at the White House to voice trucking’s support for the One Big, Beautiful Bill—an unforgettable moment. It was also rewarding to share my perspective with Members of Congress and White House officials on how to better support women in trucking.”

Conversations That Matter

During their time on the Hill, WIM members had face-to-face discussions with lawmakers, including Reps. Mike Bost (R-IL), Rick Larsen (D-WA), Mike Collins (R-GA), Kevin Kiley (R-CA), Tom Barrett (R-MI), and Zach Nunn (R-IA). They also met with Deputy Secretary of Labor Keith Sonderling and participated in a breakfast with Reps. Claudia Tenney (R-NY), Chrissy Houlahan (D-PA), and Jen Kiggans (R-VA).

These meetings weren’t just ceremonial—they gave lawmakers a direct window into the lives of working women in trucking and helped solidify bipartisan support for several transportation-focused bills.

WIM members also joined the House Education & the Workforce Committee to mark the passage of the Modern Worker Empowerment Act, introduced by Rep. Kevin Kiley. The bill aims to ensure that individuals in the trucking industry—and beyond—can continue operating as independent contractors without interference.

Image Source: WIM
Source: The Trucker

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