Congress Contemplates $200 Million for Truck Parking

The legislation "delivers vital funding to improve America’s roads, bridges, railroads and public transit,” says Sen. Patty Murray. (photovs/Getty Images)

WASHINGTON — A long-standing industry concern is likely to receive a boost from Congress this month.

While working under a fast-approaching government funding deadline, congressional leaders are expected to schedule consideration of a fiscal 2026 transportation bill that assists with truck parking.

As part of a new transportation appropriations measure, $200 million is being proposed to allow the Department of Transportation to help expand commercial parking areas along freight corridors. The transportation measure is attached to a multibill package headed for approval as early as this month.

The House and Senate have until Jan. 30 to clear for President Donald Trump legislation that would avert a partial shutdown of most federal agencies. Last fall, Congress did not meet a funding deadline, which resulted in a 43-day shutdown — the longest in U.S. history.

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Cole 

House Appropriations Chairman Tom Cole (R-Okla.) on Jan. 19 expressed optimism about the latest funding package.

“The future belongs to those willing to build it,” he said. “At a time when many believed completing the [fiscal 2026] process was out of reach, we’ve shown that challenges are opportunities. It’s time to get it across the finish line.”

Senate Appropriations Committee ranking member Patty Murray (D-Wash.) on Jan. 20 reassured there is bipartisanship associated with the legislation.

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Murray 

“It makes major new investments to keep people safe while flying — and delivers vital funding to improve America’s roads, bridges, railroads and public transit,” the senator said. “Each of these bills reassert Congress’ power of the purse.”

American Trucking Associations President Chris Spear touted the $200 million for truck parking projects included in the legislation.

“The severe, ongoing shortage of truck parking places an immense burden on truck drivers and creates significant roadway hazards. Truckers are essential to Americans’ way of life, and the least we can do to show our support is to ensure they have a safe place to park and sleep when they take their federally mandated rest break or finish their shift,” Spear said.

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Spear 

“We thank the members of the House and Senate Appropriations committees for prioritizing this significant investment in truck parking as well as additional provisions that will strengthen our supply chain,” he added.

ATA’s chief executive also pointed to House Appropriations transportation subcommittee Chairman Steve Womack (R-Ark.) for securing the parking funds. Arkansas Trucking Association President Shannon Newton recognized Womack’s focus on truck parking, explaining it “demonstrates his understanding that the men and women who deliver America’s freight deserve convenient, safe and readily available places to rest.”

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Newton 

“Arkansas is primarily a rural state, where trucking represents 1 in 10 jobs, and it serves as a crossroads for interstate freight on [Interstate]-30, I-40 and I-55,” Newton added.

If enacted by Trump, the new round of funding for expanding commercial parking would be managed by the Nationally Significant Multimodal Freight and Highway Projects program. The Federal Highway Administration has jurisdiction over the program.

FHWA Administrator Sean McMaster emphasized the issue before an audience at this month’s annual meeting of the Transportation Research Board: “We are working with the states to expand safe truck parking facilities,” he said.

FHWA recently unveiled a parking survey for commercial vehicle operators. Its findings will contribute to an upcoming meeting of the department’s National Truck Parking Coalition.

Truck parking ranked fourth on the American Transportation Research Institute’s top industry issues list in 2025.