Truck parking space shortage affects the Port of New York/New Jersey ports as stakeholders work to find solutions.
For the trucks moving in and out of the Port of New York and New Jersey, space really is the final frontier...or more to the point, the lack of truck parking spaces. And with Port volumes climbing — the Port handled 8.7 million TEUs in 2024 and ranks as the third largest container port in the US and the largest on the East Coast — the problem stands to get worse if a solution isn’t found soon.
Increased cargo volumes result in more trucks seeking access to the Port facilities. According to a representative of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PANYNJ), on average, 16,758 trucks enter and exit the port daily in 2025, up from 15,871 trucks per day in 2023.
For the transportation industry, the lack of truck parking is a national issue and one of the top concerns of trucking companies and drivers across the nation, according to a report by the American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI).
It is not limited to ports or any one region, although some states are more severely impacted than others. A recent report published by ATRI estimates that there is just one truck parking space nationally for every 11 drivers. However, for a densely populated region with a constant flow of freight, the problem is more severe. And the problem is much worse in the metro New York area. “In New York City, there is only one truck parking space for every 25 trucks,” Zach Miller, Vice President of Government Affairs, New York Trucking Association (NYTA), said outlining the parking problem.”
Lack of Truck Parking Spaces Impacts Drivers and Supply Chains
A study conducted by the New Jersey Department of Transportation’s Office of Freight Planning states that among long-haul drivers, 74% reported that they spend more than 30 minutes finding parking, with 62% frequently reporting that they find no designated parking available. This can be especially problematic for drivers due to the need to comply with Hours of Service (HOS) requirements. If a driver’s hours run out while they are looking for parking, they could be subject to fines or other repercussions.
At least 75% of the drivers surveyed say they routinely detour more than five miles. Any disruption to schedules in today’s complex supply chains can lead to missed appointments and customer service issues. The stakes become a bit higher when a port appointment is missed, according to Miller.
“A delay can cause a driver to miss an appointment to be allowed to enter the port facility,” said Miller. “Many of the truck drivers who serve ports are small companies and often independent operators, so even one missed appointment can have a significant financial impact on these drivers.”
“These conditions force drivers to make difficult decisions,” said Miller, including parking on shoulders or in unsafe areas because dedicated parking areas are rare. According to industry sources, the stretch along the New Jersey Turnpike, particularly near Newark and Elizabeth, is a prime candidate for more facilities.
Illegal truck parking contributes to traffic congestion and potentially can lead to accidents. In addition to being considered a safety hazard, illegal parking also results in complaints from residents and local officials when drivers park on residential streets.
Stakeholders the Key to Finding Solutions
New York City is taking a proactive approach to addressing this issue, with collaboration between city officials, the Department of Transportation (DOT), the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PANYNJ), and the New York Trucking Association. Efforts range from new facilities to the use of technology to promote communications between truckers and ports and streamline truck operations at port locations.
Earlier this year, PANYNJ celebrated the opening of a new $270 million consolidated cargo facility at JFK Airport. As the first new cargo facility at JFK in 25 years, this new center consolidates operations from four separate cargo zones into a single, modernized facility, reducing congestion and streamlining operations.
The Port Authority Board of Commissioners also announced plans to develop expanded truck parking and new concessions at JFK. The current Airport Truck Plaza includes a food truck, a convenience store, a gas station, and an electric vehicle charging station, as well as space for up to 50 trucks for staging and parking.
When completed in the third quarter of 2026, the parking expansion complex will accommodate up to 100 additional trucks.
“We applaud the Port Authority for this major investment,” said Miller. “It provides a safe and useful space for drivers and also sets the stage for the adoption of more electric vehicles.”
He explained that the trucking industry supports renewable energy and the adoption of electrification. The Port Authority shares this commitment. A representative from the Port Authority noted, “This past summer, we opened our first electric truck charging station, supporting cleaner, more sustainable freight movement as the transition to zero-emission trucks gets underway.”
Expanded Truck Parking in New York Using City-Owned Lots
New York City officials, working with the DOT, have carved out dedicated truck parking zones near industrial sites. The pilot program is being tested in Queens, Brooklyn, and the Bronx, and according to Miller, community groups and businesses are responding favorably.
These efforts are part of a much larger strategic effort to improve access to truck parking at the Port of NY and NJ. According to the Port Authority, the Port Street Corridor Improvement Project, currently underway, is overhauling and modernizing the port complex’s main interchanges to enable safer, more efficient truck operations.
The Port has also implemented solutions that can have an immediate impact on truck parking and access to the facility. “We’ve worked to improve wayfinding and signage, road pavement and striping, and feedback channels between truckers and the Port Authority,” a representative explained.
He noted that the Port has created a trucker resource center to assist truckers, a comprehensive collection of online and on-site resources specifically for the trucking community. The information hub for truckers is the Truck Service Center (TSC), and the main digital portal for cargo logistics is PortTruckPass.
The TSC also has a physical location at the Port in Elizabeth, NJ, that serves as the central hub for trucker assistance. The TSC helps with issues related to the SeaLink credentialing system, registration, and troubleshooting.
For access to the Port of New York and New Jersey, the SeaLink credential is a uniform truck driver identification system issued by PANYNJ. “The Port Authority offers streamlined access to all container terminals through its PortTruckPass and SeaLink card,” said a Port representative. PortTruckPass is an online portal run by Sustainable Terminal Services, Inc., which allows truckers to manage and research information on cargo transactions across multiple marine terminals. It is also where drayage trucks must register to gain terminal access.
The SeaLink credential is a uniform truck driver identification system issued by PANYNJ. It is separate from, and required in addition to, the Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC), which is a federal credential.
Collaboration and Understanding Key to Finding Solutions
Finding solutions requires an understanding of the scope of the problem. ATRI, in partnership with the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO), has surveyed each of the 50 states in the U.S to understand costs and components of state provision of truck parking spaces. The study is also creating an inventory of truck parking spaces nationally, a key factor in quantifying the scope of the issue.
PANYNJ is also doing a data collection pilot to gather more information on truck turn times and time spent on port property, intending to use the data to improve traffic management and reduce the amount of time trucks spend waiting.
The combined work of New York City officials, the Port Authority, and the Trucking Association is leading to real solutions by working together and embracing new ideas.
“We commend the many stakeholders who have worked diligently to address a serious issue,” said Miller. “This collaboration is taking a proactive approach and finding solutions that are fair to all involved, from trucking companies and drivers to shippers and residents.”
It would appear that “the city that never sleeps” also faces issues head-on and is driving results.
