By the end of 2026, more than 1,200 truck parking spots will be added in 133 locations, leveraging existing Commonwealth property to address a longstanding challenge.
Existing Commonwealth truck-parking options now displayed at www.511PA.com, new locations will be added as they open.
Bellwood, PA – Today, Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) Secretary Mike Carroll announced another truck-parking location opening at an Interstate 99 on-ramp, part of the 1,202 truck parking spaces in 133 locations that the Commonwealth is adding by the end of 2026. In addition, the PA Turnpike is evaluating opportunities for more than 600 additional spaces across its system.
This is the first statewide expansion of designated parking spaces – other than through facility construction projects – and will provide safe options for commercial drivers to meet federal hours-of-service rest requirements, helping to address a longstanding, nationwide challenge and improving driver safety.
“The Shapiro Administration knew that we needed to tackle this problem, and as a commercial driver’s license-holder myself, I know how important this commonsense approach is to our economy and workforce,” Secretary Carroll said. “By adding these spots – and looking at ways to add even more – we’re giving truckers many more options to safely park and meet their rest requirements.”
PennDOT’s designated truck parking spots will be established on Interstate on-ramps with no sight distance or safety concerns, weigh stations used for PSP motor carrier safety enforcement, and various other locations within highway right of way. PennDOT and PSP staff collaborated closely to identify sites that can be designated quickly and cost-effectively. Spots will be marked with truck-parking signage installed by PennDOT.
As part of its ongoing investment to the trucking community, the PA Turnpike is evaluating the feasibility of additional spaces at various locations throughout its system, including emergency pull-offs, interchange on-ramps and service plaza on-ramps. Over the last two decades, the PA Turnpike has added parking where it can, investing more than $30 million to expand truck parking at numerous service plazas, including Sideling Hill, Lawn, Highspire, North Somerset and Stanton service plazas. As it converts to Open Road Tolling (ORT), the PA Turnpike is reviewing the reconfiguration of interchanges to create opportunities to provide additional spaces for truck parking.
Due to its role supporting regional logistical operations, the Pennsylvania Turnpike is one of the few toll roads that held – and grew – its commercial volumes from pre-pandemic levels. Systemwide, commercial traffic is 15% higher than pre-pandemic levels – a PA Turnpike record.
To complement the added spaces and to share available locations, PennDOT also unveiled a new “Public Truck Parking” option on www.511PA.com and the 511PA smartphone application. The map displays existing truck parking options and both agencies’ newly designated locations will be added as the parking becomes available.
Truck parking concerns have been well documented, including through a study by the Pennsylvania State Transportation Advisory Committee (TAC) in 2023. This parking expansion addresses the study’s recommendation to “repurpose select state-owned surplus properties.”
The action to expand parking builds on PennDOT’s work on other recommendations included in the TAC study. The department has established the Truck Parking Task Force, an ongoing collaboration with regional and municipal partners along high priority corridors identified in the study. Additionally, the department has engaged the trucking industry, municipalities, and planning partners to help promote and advance potential solutions at the local level.
"Truck drivers are essential to keeping our economy moving, goods on our shelves, and food in our pantries — but they need safe places to stop and rest. With only one parking space for every 11 drivers on the road, too many truckers are forced to choose between breaking hours-of-service laws or stopping in unsafe locations. Every new space added to our highway network means one more trucker who has a safe and secure place to stop tonight. PMTA thanks PennDOT and the Turnpike Commission for their commitment to tackling this problem to help truck drivers and keep our roads safer for everyone," PMTA President & CEO Rebecca Oyler said when the parking expansion was first announced on October 6.
Motorists can check conditions on major roadways by visiting www.511PA.com. 511PA, which is free and available 24 hours a day, provides traffic delay warnings, weather forecasts, traffic speed information and access to more than 1,000 traffic cameras. 511PA is also available through a smartphone application for iPhone and Android devices, by calling 5-1-1, or by following regional X alerts.
Information about state infrastructure in Pennsylvania, including completed work and significant projects, is available online. Find PennDOT's planned and active construction projects at www.pa.gov/DOTprojects.
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MEDIA CONTACTS: DOT: Alexis Campbell, alecampbel@pa.gov or Erin Waters-Trasatt, ewaterstra@pa.gov, or 717-783-8800
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