Question:
In my travels around the country I have noticed the overwhelming problem of overcrowded truck stops, rest areas, and every where else you can imagine to park a truck.
I feel that it is a much needed service to provide more parking for our American trucking friends.
I have thought of buying property along the interstates, and turning them into exclusive truck only parking. This however would be very expensive to operate, and provide basic facilities for the drivers comfort and saftey.
Your comments are welcome here. would you be willing to pay a nominal fee, not like some truckstops charging $12.00 or more, but say 1 to 3 dollars, just for a safe, comfortable place to park?

Answer:
spend 3 bucks to park...but i dun think u can maintain the facilities on just 3 bucks a truck...i hope u can, cause i'll be there.

spawn

Answer:
to catch all those too lazy to use the indoor plumbing, or don't have a clue as to what a simple trash can is??
Just because there's an "admission" charge, doesn't necessarily mean conditions improve, IMHO.
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I'm not a truck driver, I'm a professional tourist!

Answer:
There's one between Baltimore/ Washington. A couple in California, more but I can't remember where.
Supply and demand. Can't tell you how many times I planned ahead, got into a truck stop at 2 or 3 PM, then woke up, ready to go at midnight or 1 AM and saw the "Lost Dutchman" drivers circling the lot looking for a parking spot.
I think that if you provided real service (security, portapotties, lots of and frequent trash removal, reasonable prices in the store and restaraunt, truly trucker-oriented services--you might be able to make a buck or two.
May you be well and happy!

Answer:
Originally posted by dredick:
to catch all those too lazy to use the indoor plumbing,
You imbed a wire grid into the asphalt, keeping it exposed at the surface. Then you energize it with a low voltage electrical current. Put up sign that warns people not to walk on the pavement with bare feet, or urinate on it. Then when some lazy moron trucker chooses to disregard the signs, and pisses on the pavement, he gets a mild electric shock right through his shminky! Guaranteed he will never do that again, and will tell everyone he knows not to do it!
or don't have a clue as to what a simple trash can is??
Cover the entire lot with video surveillance. Hire people to patrol the lot and dump any found trash on the morons truck. Then, as he leaves, charge him for what it cost in wages for those people to pick up his crap.When word gets out that if you behave yourself, it only costs $5 to park, but if you trash the place it costs $40 to park, they will either not park there or they will behave themselves.
Just because there's an "admission" charge, doesn't necessarily mean conditions improve, IMHO.
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I'm not a truck driver, I'm a professional tourist!
WHY IS MY BEER DARKER THAN YOUR COFFEE??
Answer:
Whether you pay or not drivers will trash the lot. Petro, TA charge $10.00 in some places, it still gets trashed. The higher the fee, the more the drivers think they have a right to throw trash. Their view, they are paying $10.00 for someone to pick up the trash for them.
The flip side, drivers trash a place for having to pay for parking.
There are wierd people out there driving trucks nationwide and lots of them.
I drove all over this country and I am still shaking my head. It's not getting better, it's getting worse year after year.
Your idea is not going to fly. Cost is a key factor. The state regulations, EPA regulations, is unbelievable. You just cannot stick truck parking somewhere. You'll find out if you go through all the regulations and permits.
Think nightmare!!!

Answer:
Hec NO I wouldn't consider spending a nickle
in a couple of years it will double, then triple
in two more years..
Its hard enough keeping Uncle Sam and all the other Governments out of my wallet !!!
Keep the Government off my back and out of my business.

Answer:
When you have to pay for a parking spot ,thats when its time to quit driving otr.

Answer:
1: Is it just for parking or are there any other services provided such as showers, security, indoor restrooms, and how much for the service(s)
2. Is the lot well maintained and paved.
3. Is the lot well lit.
4. Is it truly layed out for trucks with enough room to safely back into a spot or is it going to be like trying to cram the 13th sardine into a dozen pack.
In some areas I would lay out $5 for up to 10 hours of safe well lit parking only.
I would consider $7/day if the place had some restrooms and private showers (bring your own soap and towels).
One thing though that does gripe me about the current pay for parking situation is that it seems that all of the truck stops that charge for parking are the worst of the lot. Small tight lots with pot holes that look like they were made by a planet killing asteroid, no lighting, and the highest prices in the resteraunt and travel store of any truck stop in a hundred mile radius. Unfortunately they are also the only place to patrk within a hundred miles too.
I have a name not a number. I am not cheap but I am resonable.
Answer:
The truckstops that charge do it because of DEMAND.
The TA in Sacramento CA just raised their parking to $12 (used to be $10) for anything over 4 hours, if you don't fuel or spend a bunch of money on something else. The place is packed.
Unfortunately, the cheap property next to interstates is usually in areas where there's less need for parking. What's lacking is parking near large towns and cities. And of course, that's where property is most expensive. You also have environmental impact considerations, zoning, utilities, liability, security.... It might be difficult to make ends meet providing this service without other revenue-generating services like food, c-store supplies, fuel......ooops, that's a truckstop!
Sounds like a good idea though. I've thought about the same thing many times myself....

Answer:
I love the truck stops that make you pay and have druggies,lot lizards, rim polishers, and beggers walking around the supposed Truck Driver only parking lots all day and night.
I remember once we were woke up at 2 am by a guy who wanted to polish my husbands rims,a few hours later a lot lizard knocked on the door.
Paid $10 bucks that night..

Answer:
doesn't every company pay for parking like mine does?

Answer:
Your input is interesting to say the least. Guess the most replies indicate that if you pay you should have the same or better services as a truck stop, so I guess that is the route i would go. I saw a truck stop in Illinois that may be avaiable. I stopped there and went to use thereataurant, and they just closed their doors due to bankruptcy. I can see why. Their parking lot hasn't seen a grader since they opened, and it was not well kept.

Answer:
The reason you don't see a lot of parking is there's no money in it. Drivers don't spend that much to justify providing services for them until you are out somewhere that has cheap land.
LA is a good example of this, as is a lot of CA. As people here mentioned truckers foul their own nests to the point many of the truck stops are moving to pick up the RV and traveler trade, and who can blame them? Any given time in a truck stop two thirds of the drivers parked there aren't going to buy anything, just take a nap and move on. Want to maintain a big parking lot just sell a soft drink and maybe some peanuts to a driver?
There used to be plenty of places that had truck parking, and many of them closed down, yet a lot of new places that go up don't want to provide parking; that ought to tell you something.
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Answer:
Yes as long as the price is reasonable.