At the beginning of 2026, the US Congress approached the final stage of adopting the federal transportation budget, which includes $200 million specifically allocated for the development of truck parking. This is the largest targeted funding for truck parking in US history and an important signal for the entire industry.
Plans and voting progress were first detailed by the publication FreightWaves.
The shortage of safe parking spaces for trucks has long been recognized as one of the key infrastructure problems of American logistics. Drivers regularly face situations where legal parking spots are simply unavailable — especially along busy interstate corridors.
Federal studies conducted under the so-called Jason’s Law have confirmed for many years that the parking shortage directly affects:
- road safety,
- compliance with HOS regulations,
- driver fatigue levels,
- economic efficiency of transportation.
Official information on federal studies and the government's approach to this issue is published on the Federal Highway Administration website.
According to the bill text:
- $200 million is intended exclusively for the creation and expansion of commercial truck parking;
- projects must be located near key freight routes and highways;
- parking facilities built with these funds cannot charge drivers;
- priority will be given to regions with chronic parking shortages.
It is important to note that this is not about one-time pilot programs, but a systematic approach embedded in federal transportation funding.
The American Trucking Associations (ATA) publicly supported the initiative. In an official statement published in January 2026, the organization emphasized that the parking issue remains one of the most pressing for drivers.
ATA President Chris Spear noted:
“The shortage of safe and accessible parking is one of the main challenges truck drivers face daily. This funding is an important step towards a real improvement in their working conditions.”
The association's statement is published on the official American Trucking Associations website.
Although the FMCSA does not directly engage in parking construction, the agency plays an important role in data collection and analysis of the consequences of parking shortages. This data is used by the US Department of Transportation (USDOT) and FHWA in the allocation of funds and selection of priority projects.
Thus, the new funding relies not only on political decisions but also on years of statistics collected with the participation of federal regulators.
At the time of publication, the bill awaits final approval by the Senate and the president's signature. If the process concludes without delays, states will be able to start applying for funding within the next budget cycle.
For drivers and companies, this means that:
- new parking facilities will begin to appear in the next 1–3 years;
- the risk of fines for forced unauthorized parking may decrease;
- working conditions for truckers will gradually become safer and more predictable.
Although $200 million will not completely solve the problem, it is an important turning point: for the first time at the federal level, truck parking is recognized as an independent infrastructure priority, rather than a secondary issue.