The Toughest States for Truck Parking — Why Illinois Tops the List (2025.)

Every driver knows the struggle: you’re running out of hours, you’re near a major city, and every rest area and truck stop is full. Truck parking has become one of the biggest challenges in the industry, and some states are far worse than others.

According to the Federal Highway Administration’s Jason’s Law Survey, states with the busiest freight corridors — and the biggest cities — are also the ones where parking is hardest to find.

The Hardest States for Truck Parking

While drivers struggle nationwide, these top 5 states are consistently ranked among the toughest:

California – High freight demand, strict zoning, and skyrocketing land costs make parking nearly impossible around L.A. and the Bay Area.

Texas – With its size and freight volume, Texas drivers often face long stretches without legal, safe parking.

Illinois – Home to Chicago, one of the largest freight hubs in the country, Illinois has more trucks than available spaces almost every night.

Pennsylvania – Heavy freight traffic along I-80 and I-95 keeps drivers searching for parking late into the night.

New Jersey – Limited land, dense urban areas, and East Coast congestion make legal truck parking rare.

Other states like Georgia, Florida, New York, and Indiana also land high on the “parking pain” list.

Why Illinois Is Especially Difficult

Illinois — particularly the Chicago metro area — is a choke point for freight moving east–west and north–south. Nearly every interstate runs through or around Chicago, and with it comes intense truck density.

But while the freight keeps moving, parking hasn’t kept up. Rest areas fill early, and urban restrictions limit options for drivers. That’s why Illinois consistently ranks among the worst states for truck parking availability.

Gary, Indiana: A Borderline Solution

Just a few miles outside of Chicago, Gary Truck Park was designed to solve exactly this problem.

Strategically located on the border of Illinois and Indiana, right off I-80/94, I-65, and I-90, Gary Truck Park gives drivers what Chicago doesn’t:

Secure, gated, 24/7 access to dedicated truck parking.

Wide aisles and snow removal to make year-round access easy.

Affordable monthly rates with discounts for fleets.

Convenience — close enough to serve Chicago freight, but far enough to avoid metro congestion and restrictions.

For drivers moving through the Midwest, Gary Truck Park isn’t just a parking lot — it’s a strategic stop that bridges the Illinois–Indiana freight corridor.

Final Thoughts

Truck parking shortages are a nationwide issue, but some states are far tougher than others. Illinois — the beating heart of U.S. freight — is at the top of that list.

For drivers, the solution isn’t more stress and wasted time — it’s safe, reliable parking at facilities like Gary Truck Park, located exactly where the demand is highest: on the border of Illinois and Indiana, right where freight and drivers need it most.

👉 Reserve your spot today at Gary Truck Park. Don’t let Illinois’ parking shortage slow you down — find security, convenience, and peace of mind right across the border.

📍 www.garytruckpark.com

📞 +1(702)970 7275