Ohio is stepping up to help truck drivers by adding 1,400 new long-term parking spaces across the state. Governor Mike DeWine recently announced the plan, which will build new parking areas at 33 locations in 18 counties. The goal is to make Ohio the #1 state in the nation for public truck parking.
“By adding more safe places for drivers to rest, we’re helping the people who keep our economy moving,” said Gov. DeWine. “And we’re making our roads safer for everyone.”
Why More Parking Is Needed
Finding a safe place to park is one of the biggest challenges for truck drivers. A national survey found that:
- 98% of truckers struggle to find parking
- 70% have broken driving time rules just to search for a parking spot
This creates dangerous situations. When drivers can’t find parking, they often stop in unsafe places, like highway shoulders or ramps. Between 2015 and 2019, there were 106 crashes in Ohio involving trucks parked in undesignated areas. These crashes caused 5 deaths and 11 serious injuries.
What the New Plan Includes
The new truck parking areas will have:
- Restrooms
- Bright safety lighting
- Easy access near highways
Construction will start in 2026 and finish by the end of 2027.
Once finished, Ohio will have the most public truck parking spaces of any state, according to the American Transportation Research Institute.
Helping Tired Drivers Stay Safe
Fatigue is another major issue. Truckers often drive for hours searching for parking. This can lead to accidents caused by tired driving. In the same five-year period, Ohio had:
- 460 crashes related to driver fatigue
- 6 deaths and over 400 injuries
More parking means drivers can stop and rest when they need to, helping prevent these kinds of crashes.
Ohio’s Trucking Importance
Ohio is a major hub for trucking. The state is within a day’s drive of 60% of the U.S. and Canadian populations. In 2023, trucks drove 27.5 million miles on Ohio roads, moving goods like food, building materials, and farm products. The amount of freight moved is expected to grow by 26% by 2045.
Right now, Ohio has about 14,200 truck parking spaces, most at private truck stops or along the Ohio Turnpike. The new plan will add many more spots and improve safety for everyone on the road.
“This is a big step forward,” said Pamela Boratyn, director of the Ohio Department of Transportation. “It sets a new standard for safety and support for truckers in Ohio.”
The $150 million needed for this project was approved earlier this year as part of the state’s transportation budget.
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