The Truck Parking Zone – December 2025/January 2026
We have seen a lot of positive movement toward addressing the truck parking crisis. Pennsylvania is adding more than 1,200 spaces and Idaho is developing a tool to help solve its parking shortage.
That’s at the state level. Meanwhile, at the local and county levels, the truck parking issue is facing a steeper uphill battle, with some battles landing in the courtroom.
Such an ‘eyesore’
Trucks can no longer park on public rights-of-way in Cape Coral, Fla., and it’s all because some residents don’t like looking at them. In July, Gulf Coast News reported residents frustrated by parked trucks. They didn’t cite safety or pollution. One resident told the news outlet that trucks are an “eyesore” and that he doesn’t like looking at them when he goes to the pool. He also said this:
“I wish you’d find a better place to put your trucks. I mean, yeah, it’s a pain that you have to pay for rental space to park them. But that’s better than me having to look at it all day.”
The city responded and banned truck parking, which went into effect in October. Fines start at $100.
Truck stop land battle
On the other end of the Sunshine State, Jefferson County is facing a lawsuit over a truck stop proposal. According to WTXL-TV, a developer is suing the county after being denied a bid to build a truck stop off U.S. Route 19. A settlement agreement was proposed, but the county didn’t bite. Developers claim they were denied the right to a fair hearing. They also claim the county ignored supporting evidence from staff and experts.
Gas and go
That’s the message residents of Auburn Township, Ohio, are sending to truckers: Fuel up and get out. A developer had to agree to no overnight parking, showers, weigh stations, Wi-Fi, driver’s lounge, laundry service or truck maintenance for a new gas station, according to the Chagrin Valley Today. Pretty much anything that might want a trucker to stay more than a few minutes. Regardless, the proposal was denied. However, the developer is suing the township over that decision, so this isn’t over.
Strike two in Indiana county
The Hancock Board of Zoning Appeals has struck down a developer’s attempt to create a parking facility off Interstate 70. The unanimous decision prevents nearly 300 truck parking spaces from being added to the infrastructure. According to the Daily Reporter, that marked the second time this year alone the county denied a truck parking proposal. The rejected lot was for parking only, i.e., no sleeping in the cab. It’s essentially for mega fleets to store equipment, but that opens up spots that they may otherwise use at truck stops or other places truck drivers go for overnight parking.
NIMBYs resisting Georgia truck stop
With only three truck bays, it will be a stretch to call this a truck stop. Nonetheless, it’s enough to get Buford, Ga., residents angry enough to try to stop it. One resident told CBS News Atlanta the following:
“We’re not against trucks because the truckers say, ‘You gotta get your goods.’ Bring them on, but not at this exit.”
Then, which exit? Because it appears that no exit is ever a good one for a truck stop. With Buford just outside Atlanta, any so-called truck stop is needed. The further NIMBYs keep pushing them further from where trucks are going, the less need for them. When you live in a major freight hub, trucks are a bigger part of life.
Truck stop developer gives up
A situation similar to Auburn Township played out in Newton County, Ga. Four years ago, a developer sued the county for denying its truck stop proposal. The county agreed to a travel center on the condition of no overnight truck parking. According to The Covington News, high inflation derailed that plan. Recently, those developers requested to annex the land to the town of Social Circle. The idea was to circumvent the unfavorable county government by moving the jurisdiction to the city. Long story short, the residents didn’t like that, and the developer pulled the request. What’s the point of a truck stop with no truck parking anyway?
No pain, no gain
The bad news: the truck parking area at the Interstate 10 eastbound rest area in Okaloosa County, Fla., (mile marker 60) will be closed through Feb. 18. The good news: the closure is for a $4.3 million rest area and truck parking improvement project. Construction is expected to be completed in late 2026.
New truck stop locations
Love’s Travel Stops, Pilot and Sapp Bros. have opened several new truck stops in recent months, adding more than 300 truck parking spots to the nation’s infrastructure.
- Love’s at 672 Riverfront Drive (Exit E 168 Ave., U.S.Route 85) in Brighton, Colo. (89 truck parking spaces)
- Pilot at 11471 state Route 613W (Exit 164, Interstate 75) in Findlay, Ohio (80 spaces)
- Pilot at 4392 El Indio Highway (FM 1021 Exit, state Route 480), in Eagle Pass, Texas (85 spaces)
- Sapp Bros. at 600 West 1700 North (Exit 27, Interstate 15) in Toquerville, Utah (60 spaces) LL