Study quantifies number of trucks parking on highway ramps, cites locations & problems

An expansive new study sheds light on one of dilemmas facing many over-the-road truckers every day: how safe is it to park along an interstate highways’ on or off ramps?

The nationwide study from Altitude by Geotab and HNTB reveals that over 2.2 million parking events, including over 300,000 long-duration stops, occur annually on U.S. highway ramps.

“A Nationwide Study of Interstate Ramp Parking,” showcases that ramp parking is more than a logistics statistic; it is a safety issue. Altitude’s analysis paints a picture of a typical long duration night for drivers:

• They have driven 520 miles
• They have been on the road for nearly 10 hours
• They are running out of legal driving time

The study also reveals that the peak demand for unauthorized parking occurs mid-week on Tuesday and Wednesday nights. When these drivers reach major freight corridors, they often find

The study identifies the nation’s epicenters for ramp parking.

The top states for big rigs parking on highway ramps are:

1. Indiana

2. Illinois

3. Tennessee

4. California

5. Pennsylvania

6. Ohio

7. North Carolina

8. Georgia

9. Texas

10. Missouri

Narrowing down the numbers, the study identifies which metropolitan areas have the most ramp parking. They include:

1. Atlanta-Athens-Clark County-Sandy Springs

2. Indianapolis-Carmel-Muncie

3. New York-Newark, New Jersey

4. Washington-Baltimore-Arlington, Virginia

5. Los Angeles-Long Beach

6. Chicago-Naperville

7. Dallas-Forth Worth

8. Chattanooga-Cleveland-Dalton

9. San Jose-San Francisco-Oakland

10. Kansas City, Missouri-Overland Park-Kansas City, Kansas

“This data allows public and private sectors to move beyond anecdotes and implement targeted, capacity-building solutions to ensure drivers have the safe, authorized rest areas they require,” said Nate Veeh, AVP, Business Development, at Altitude by Geotab. “The 2.2 million annual parking events on highway ramps are not random occurrences; they are a clear, data-driven signal of where our infrastructure investment is critically needed. Our analysis pinpoints freight hubs like Indianapolis, Atlanta, Los Angeles, and New York as primary stress points.”

The report outlines why solving this shortage is critical for drivers, motorists, and state planners:

• Safety Risk: Overnight ramp parking significantly increases collision risks for all motorists
• Efficiency Impact: The search for parking erodes productivity and adds unpredictable delays to the supply chain
• Infrastructure Deterioration: Highway shoulders are not engineered to support the static weight of a 33,000+ lb Class-7 and 8 vehicle for 10 hours

Study organizers say their analysis clearly demonstrates that the shortage of safe truck parking is a systematic capacity problem.  Altitude said it is providing transportation agencies with data and insights to justify and target infrastructure investments that protect drivers and ensure supply chain efficiency.

To view the complete findings, maps of high-risk corridors, and methodology, visit: https://altitude.geotab.com/insights-and-customer-stories/a-nationwide-study-of-truck-parking-on-interstate-ramps/