Where Can I Park My Semi-Truck Overnight

08-07-2023 | Clarence Green | 0 Comments

Shortages are the buzzword for the times. Caravans of truck drivers have made headlines as they traveled across America in recent years, bringing awareness to their plight of high fuel costs, long hours, stress, and the shortage of comfortable and secure places to park their rigs. The trucking industry is a critical lifeline for the U.S., and accessible parking is essential for truckers. In 2021, the Federal Highway Administration said, "…[T]rucks carry over 19 billion tons of freight valued at more than $18 trillion annually in the U.S. This represents 67 percent of all freight moved in the U.S. by weight and 73 percent by value." https://faf.ornl.gov/faf5/Default.aspx.

According to federal law, truckers are required to have 10 hours of rest after 14 hours on the road, and they are also required to take 30-minute breaks at regular intervals. However, truck drivers often face difficulty finding legal and safe places to stop to comply with the law. In 2019, the Federal Highway Administration said, "…[M]ore than 75 percent of truck drivers experienced problems finding secure and safe truck parking lots." Often it isn't legal to park on the street. It is also dangerous to park on highway shoulders. Truckers should only consider parking in either as a last resort if a designated parking lot isn’t nearby. https://ops.fhwa.dot.gov/freight/infrastructure/truck_parking/jasons_law/truckparkingsurvey/es.htmIt

One such parking situation ended in the homicide of Jason Rivenburg on Mar. 4, 2009. Rivenburg made a delivery in Virginia and headed to South Carolina. When he was within 12 miles of the dropoff point, he decided to rest on the side of the road after he couldn't find a safe place to park. Unfortunately, he was attacked, killed, and robbed. Rivenburg's murder brought the issue of safe and secure truck parking into the national narrative. As a result, Congress passed Jason's Law, in honor of Rivenburg, in 2012 under the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century (Map-21) Act. Truck parking safety and security became a high countrywide priority. https://ops.fhwa.dot.gov/freight/infrastructure/truck_parking/jasons_law/truckparkingsurvey/ch1.htm Jason's Law helps set standards and applies government funds toward truck parking research.

Chicago is considered America's crossroads for the U.S. trucking industry. The Chicago area is recognized as the most important transfer points between the coasts, according to Michael Meyers of World Business Chicago. "With the largest amount of industrial space in the U.S. and the second largest transportation workforce, Chicago keeps critical products moving," Meyers said. https://businessfacilities.com/top-logistics-hubs-on-the-move#:~:text=Chicago%20is%20often%20recognized%20as,decided%20to%20invest%20in%20Chicago.

Under the City of Chicago Municipal Code, parking restrictions for semi-trucks with trailers and other specialty vehicles are identified in Section 9-64-170; semi-trucks and trailers are prohibited from parking on any residential or business street unless specific circumstances apply. These circumstances are not semi-truck and trailer friendly as these vehicles often would not fall within the exemption criteria due to their size and intended use. Most semi-trucks and trailers exceed the 8000 pounds limit and 22 feet in length. https://chicago.gov/city/en/dept/fin/supp_info/revenue/parking_your_commercialtruckinchicago.html.

Where Can I Park My Semi Truck Overnight In Chicago?

America and Chicago have a significant truck parking shortage. Ending the shortage of truck parking lots is vital to drivers and the U.S. economy. Freight has to keep moving and as safely as possible. So we've created a top ten list of Chicago's best truck parking locations to park your semi truck overnight. Our blog's compiled list has something for every driver, whether they are looking for a secure lot or a convenient parking place. Rank is based on the best amenities, services, and site features. Keep reading to find out which truck parking lots we recommend. You can find truck parking locations on any browser by searching for truck parking near me, truck stops near me, or semi-truck parking near me.

#10 G4 Truck Parking Rental is located at 1830 119th St.,

Chicago.

• This lot is open 24 hours a day, and it offers gated and secure truck parking close to I-57.
• The facility is spacious and affordable.
• The blacktop needs updating and repair.
• The company has no website.

#9 Illinois Truck Parking Inc. is at 1700 W. Higgins Rd., Suite 430, Des Plaines.

• The lot offers short and long-term semi-truck storage.
• The website is https://illinoistruckparking.com/
• The website doesn't list the parking facilities amenities and only mentions it has security measures.

#8 M and J Truck Parking is at 436 W. 25th Pl, Chicago.

• This lot is open 24 hours a day.
• It has a gated and secured facility with one way in and one way out.
• The entire location consists of blacktop and concrete.
• Drivers will find it in a quiet part of Chinatown.
• There is no website listed for this company.

#7 Vlado Truck Parking is at 13511 S. Torrence Ave., Chicago.

• The lot is open 24 hours daily.
• The yard is gated and is made of blacktop and gravel.
• The parking area is spacious and easily accessible.
• No website is listed.

#6 Alsip Truck + Trailer Parking is at 11630-50 S. Cicero Ave., Alsip.

• The yard is open 24 hours a day.
• The lot offers gated, asphalted, safe, secure parking off the I-294 Express Way.
• Drivers will find it also has electrical plug-ins, all-night bright LED lighting, code access, and 24-hour video and security surveillance.
• The web address is https://alsip-truck-and-trailer-parking.business.site/?utm_source=gmb&utm_medium=referral.

#5 Secured Truck and Trailer Parking is at 5000 S. Homan Ave., Chicago.

• The parking yard is open 24 hours a day.
• The lot is made of gravel and concrete but has dedicated, marked, and numbered spots for trucks and trailers.
• Truckers will also find a gated yard, a live security guard, and an on-site repair shop.
• The website is https://secure-truck-and-trailer-parking.business.site/?utm_source=gmb&utm_medium=referral.

#4 Autotruck Parking & Storage is at 6629 S. Wentworth Ave., Chicago.

• The lot has 24-hour gated access.
• This family-owned and operated business has been around for over 60 years. They promise to provide clean storage for large vehicles.
• Semi truck drivers will find a fenced lot and a highly secure facility with indoor and outdoor options.
• Privacy matters to this company.
• Outside facilities are paved in blacktop and concrete.
• The website is https://www.autotruckstorage.com/.

#3 294 Truck Parking is located at 12161 South Central Ave., Alsip.

• The parking facility covers 18 acres with 500 tractor-trailer spaces.
• The lot is fully paved and has plowed truck parking.
• The yard is fenced and has automatic gate entry, 24/7 live on-site security, a fuel station, certified truck-scale, a warehouse, lumber services, and on-site repair shop services.
• The website is http://294truckparking.com/.

#2 AAA Truck Parking is at 22835 S. Central Park Ave., Merrionette Park.

• The lot is open 24 hours a day.
• The semi-truck yard offers 24-hour access, video surveillance, unpaved outdoor parking, a truck wash, drive-up access, on-site security, alignment services, dedication parking spots, and an on-site truck repair shop.
• The yard is not paved and offers autopay, and online bill pay for truckers.
• The facility has more than 350 spaces available.
• The website is https://www.aaatruckparking.com/.

#1 Trailer Parking Lots is at 3000 E. 106th St., Chicago.

• The yard is 29.50 acres and is open 24 hours daily.
• The total number of parking spaces is 715.
• Fleet parking is available
• The lot is asphalt paved, well-lit, fenced, and live 24/7 security camera surveillance and gated security.
• Truck drivers will find access to private showers, washers and dryers, computers with WIFI, a copy and fax machine, vending machines, food trucks on premises, truck washing, and VIP-designated parking spaces.
• The truck facility is just minutes from I-90, I-94, and I-80.
• It is also a short distance from Chicago Rail Link, Chicago Rail and Port, Chicago Port Rail Company, The Belt Railway, Norfolk Southern Railroad-Calumet Yard, South Chicago, and Indiana Harbor Railway, Colehour Yard NS Railroad, and the Norfolk South Railroad Turntable.
• Reservations can be made online at  https://trailerparkinglots.com

Benefits of Truck Parking Lots

The U.S. Department of Transportation says there are several benefits to developing and constructing semi-truck and trailer lots. https://www.transportation.gov/office-policy/transportation-policy/benefit-cost-analysis-guidance-discretionary-grant-programs-0. Those items include the following:

• Safety for truck drivers and motorists.
• Enhanced security for truck drivers.
• Reduced emissions of pollutants and trucking costs.
• Reduced congestion and infrastructure deterioration.

The biggest benefit to constructing a semi- drop yard is that it is a hot business opportunity. With the current truck shortages, there's consistent demand for the service. A large and well-fitted truck stop with a convenience store, fuel station, restaurant, on-site shop, weight station, and parking station can cost from $2 million to $4.5 million to build. https://www.profitableventure.com/cost-build-truck-stop-business/. A smaller lot could be $50,000 to $200,000. https://goodmansonconstruction.com/parking-lot-cost/. It will be easy to get customers when they know you have a great facility. The amenities and service options must speak for themselves, though.

Consequences of Truck Parking Lots Shortages

According to Adam Pinsky of the Energy Transportation Group, the long-term consequences of the truck parking lot shortage affect the entire U.S. For example, if a truck driver is tired, they are more likely to get into accidents. Sometimes that tiredness results from being unable to find a legal, safe, and secure parking space. Another example to consider is that if a truck driver parks illegally, they are apt to get a ticket. These situations can lead to career dissatisfaction and, eventually, discontinuation of the profession. Pinksy said the average truck driver's age is 50+. The higher age means more people are getting closer and closer to retirement. https://www.shipenergy.com/truck-parking-shortage/. Younger truck drivers are especially needed to keep things on the go. In 2021, The ATA Driver Shortage Report for 2021 estimated that the U.S. has a truck driver shortage of over 80,000. https://www.trucking.org/sites/default/files/202110/ATA%20Driver%20Shortage%20Report%202021%20Executive%20Summary.FINAL_.pdf. The U.S. will be in much hurt if the trucking industry ever shuts down completely. We must learn from the lessons from COVID-19's lockdown. Shutdowns would mean fuel and food shortages and package delivery would cease. We could see higher consumer prices for everything and a return of long lines at the pump.

The trucker sayings go:

• You ain't got nothing without us trucking!
• If we don't drive, you don't survive.
• A trucker's job is never done.
• You can take a man or woman out of their truck, but you cannot take trucking out of their blood.

It is hard to know what will happen in the transportation hubs across the country if young people don't step up and if more truck parking locations aren't developed. According to Indeed, the average salary of a truck driver is $82,358 per year in the U.S.https://www.indeed.com/career/truck-driver/salaries. Higher salaries and improved driving conditions are the answers to attract a younger crowd. Our message for Chicago is that there are good, better, and best places for truck parking. We hope our blog on where to park your semi truck overnight helps you find accessible alternatives to parking unsafely on streets or highway shoulders. Trailerparkinglots.com has the best amenities in the area that we can find. Newer truck parking locations like Trailer Parking Lots LLC are a way of the future, and this facility will go a long way to help reduce parking shortages.

Remember to thank a truck driver for their time and devoted service. It doesn't cost anything to be kind and to say a heartfelt thank you. Sometimes trucking is a thankless job. Drive kindly and respectfully. Give truck drivers the room they need on the road. Move over if they are on the side of the road. Their lives mean as much as the motorist's life. Let's appreciate the hardworking people of this country who make it possible for everyone else to be comfortable. They also help farmers, vendors, suppliers, and manufacturers get their goods to the market.

Keep on trucking every single day, no matter the weather!

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