By Andrew Jones
If you read my first post, you know I got into truck parking by accident. However, just like a new hire in self-storage seeing all the storage facilities around them, I started seeing trucks parked everywhere. I knew then I had to solve this growing national crisis.
But I want to take this post a step further. Because if you’re a storage operator sitting on vacant land, this isn’t just an opportunity — it’s a signal. A silent one, sure. But it’s getting louder every day.
The math is simple, and if you don’t believe me, watch the American Trucking Research Institute’s video on it.
Across the United States, it’s estimated we’re short over 300,000 truck parking spaces. That’s not a future problem — it’s now. Every night, week and month truckers are forced to park on highway shoulders, in retail lots or wherever they can find space. That’s not just inefficient — it’s unsafe.
Now think about this: The average self-storage facility has 30–40% of land sitting idle. A good portion of that could be converted into commercial vehicle parking overnight.
If just a third of those sites added 20–30 truck spaces, we’d put a meaningful dent in the shortage and create a new revenue stream overnight. Monthly rates can hit $200+ per space, with fleet deals and daily stays adding even more upside.
Not only that but if a third of facilities added 20-30 truck spaces per site then we would more than double the supply of current truck parking available.
Why Storage Operators Are Perfectly Positioned
You already know how to run a secure, clean, and well-managed property. Truck parking doesn’t require you to reinvent the wheel — just to shift your perspective.
It’s not about paving paradise. It’s about using the space you already have to support the logistics backbone of this country — and yes, grow NOI and reduce cap rates while you’re at it.
The best part? You don’t have to go it alone. Platforms like Truck Parking Club make it turnkey — they handle reservations, driver communication, and help you market your spaces to a growing base of truckers nationwide.
Let’s Look at Land Differently
If I can leave you with one takeaway, it’s this: Commercial vehicle storage and truck parking is an asset class in the making.
If you’ve got land and want to explore truck parking, I’m happy to chat. I’ll be posting more insights in this space and contributing tools to help operators get started, maintain and expand.
As my dad would say, “It’s another day in paradise.” So go out and help somebody.
Andrew Jones is the contributing editor for Toy Storage Nation’s Truck Parking Blog. He has been in the self-storage business for the last decade working for Yardi, Extra Space and JustStorage before co-founding OTR Truck Parking, where he remains co-owner. He currently serves on the Toy Storage Nation Advisory Board in addition to serving as Vice President of Property Member Optimization at Truck Parking Club, Andrew can be reached at andrew@otrtruckparking.com.
