Truck drivers across Europe are losing up to 50 minutes a day searching for a place to park. What begins as a simple query — "truck parking near me" — often leads to a frustrating search for availability, security and basic facilities that should be guaranteed but rarely are.
In episode 42 of Eurowag’s Time for Transport webinar in Poland, Kamil Wolański was joined by Tomasz Czyż (Eurowag expert), Anna Hryniuk (TRAVIS Road Services) and Iwona Blecharczyk (trucker, company owner, internet personality widely known as the "Trucking Girl" and Eurowag ambassador) to discuss the reality behind these challenges and the practical steps that can help the industry move forward.
The shortage is structural. Despite expanding road networks, secure truck parking capacity has not kept up with rising transport demand. Europe currently faces a deficit of approximately 400,000 parking spaces, with projections indicating that an additional 500,000 spaces will be needed over the next 15 years to meet growing transport demand.
As highlighted during the webinar, drivers spend up to 45–50 minutes daily searching for parking. Over the course of a year, this amounts to nearly 6 hours per week or more than 300 hours annually (equivalent to over 12 full days) just looking for a safe place to rest. This wasted time creates inefficiencies, disrupts delivery schedules and adds pressure throughout the transport chain, ultimately affecting everyone from drivers to customers.
Security was one of the key concerns raised during the discussion. Finding parking near a destination does not automatically mean finding secure truck parking.
The cargo theft risk in truck parking areas remains significant across Europe. Beyond stolen goods, companies face damaged trailers, fuel theft and costly delays.
As Iwona Blecharczyk noted, many drivers take additional precautions, yet even guarded or well-lit parking areas do not eliminate all risks. What should be rest time can still feel uncertain.
Beyond security incidents, the hidden costs of truck parking can significantly impact transport companies. As Tomasz Czyż explained, the consequences often extend far beyond the parking fee itself.
Time lost while searching for space, repairing damaged equipment or reorganising routes can reduce profitability and disrupt operations. Even minor incidents, such as a cut tarpaulin, may result in missed deliveries or additional penalties.
Over time, these indirect costs accumulate and affect overall fleet performance.
Parking is not only about space and security. It is also about basic living conditions. During the webinar, Iwona Blecharczyk highlighted the ongoing challenges related to sanitary facilities for truck drivers, including limited access to clean showers and toilets.
One of the practical solutions of truck parking discussed was depot parking and shared depots for trucks. Many transport companies have partially unused yards located near key routes.
By making these spaces available through structured platforms, existing capacity can be better utilised. This approach does not require building new infrastructure. It focuses on unlocking what already exists.
Planning plays a crucial role. Instead of relying on last-minute searches for “truck parking near me,” truck parking booking and reservation systems offer greater predictability.
Through the Eurowag & TRAVIS partnership, transport companies gain access to the TRAVIS Road Services parking platform, enabling structured parking booking across a growing network of verified locations.
While the truck parking shortage in Europe cannot be solved overnight, improved coordination and booking tools for truck parking represent a practical and immediate step forward.
The challenges surrounding truck parking in Europe are complex and deeply rooted. Infrastructure development takes time, and the gap between demand and capacity will not disappear quickly.
However, greater coordination, smarter planning and wider adoption of digital solutions can already make a measurable difference. By combining secure truck parking, shared depot models and integrated fleet management, the industry can reduce risk, improve efficiency and better support driver wellbeing.
For those interested in exploring the full discussion: watch the webinar recording.
Solving the truck parking challenge goes beyond building more spaces. It requires better coordination, smarter technology and a genuine focus on driver wellbeing. Through collaboration and digital solutions, the industry can make real progress today.
Europe faces a deficit of 400,000 truck parking spaces, with 500,000 more needed in the next 15 years. Drivers spend up to 50 minutes daily searching for parking.
Cargo theft remains a significant risk across European parking areas. Even guarded parking lots cannot eliminate threats like stolen goods, damaged trailers and fuel theft.
Yes, digital platforms like TRAVIS allow advance booking. This reduces search time and provides greater predictability than last-minute searches.
Depot parking is when transport companies share unused yard space with other carriers through platforms. It uses existing capacity without building new infrastructure.
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