Parking is a necessity in the trucking industry. Sadly, it’s also a scarcity. Parking shortages are a major problem in the trucking world. Without a place to park, there is no place to sleep, shower, or even use the restroom.

How can truck drivers ensure they have adequate parking when travelling over-the-road? How can they avoid breaking the law when it comes to HOS (Hours of Service) rules and regulations? It’s a tricky dilemma, but we have a few tips to help out all the weary drivers out there:

Plan Carefully. Know your route. Research truck stops, rest areas, motels and overnight parking. Then make a solid game plan that will enable you to find a parking spot before your daily hours run out.

Drive Early. In crowded cities, truck stops and rest areas fill up quickly. However, you can secure a parking space early if you start your day earlier. By waking up around 3 a.m. and finding a parking spot before 6 p.m., you will beat the rush and save a lot of time hunting for a place to stop for the night.

Don’t Count on Walmart. In the old days, Walmart was known for their overnight parking. Big lots, few curbs and a general respect for the people who delivered their goods made these grocery stores a go-to place for trucker parking. However, these days many Walmart parking lots have these signs posted throughout the property:

NO TRUCK PARKING
VIOLATORS WILL BE TOWED AT THEIR OWN EXPENSE

Even a quick stop for groceries has resulted in bad experiences for trucker Ray Earl Bishop Jr. and blogger for Overdrive Online Wendy Parker. The days of free camping (aka boondocking) at Walmart are over. It’s best to keep on trucking until you find a truck stop or rest stop.

Know the Sweet Spots. Have a look at our previous post: Truck Stops, Pit Stops and other Over-The-Road Sanctuaries to learn all about the best places to park across the U.S. Then, feel free to share your knowledge and comment to help us make this list more complete.