New I‑65 Truck Stops Add 150 Parking Spaces — Is the Parking Crisis Finally Easing?

by TRUCKERS VA
(UNITED STATES)

🛑 Introduction – A Miracle on I-65?

For once, we’ve got good news that doesn’t feel like a bait-and-switch.

On the northbound side of I-65 near Lebanon, Indiana, a new rest area has opened with 150 truck-only parking spaces — and drivers are already breathing a sigh of relief.

If you’ve ever rolled through that stretch of I-65 during peak hours, you know what a nightmare it’s been: full lots by 6 p.m., shoulder parkers, and GPS scavenger hunts for legal spots. This new stop? It’s a game changer.

But is it the start of a real solution… or just a rare win in a losing battle?

🚛 What’s in This New Rest Area?

Here’s what drivers can expect:

🅿️ 150 Truck-Only Parking Spaces – That’s not a typo. One-five-zero. For semis only.
🚽 Clean Facilities – Brand new restrooms, showers, and maintenance crews who actually keep it clean.
🌐 Free Wi-Fi – Yes, free Wi-Fi. For real.
🪑 Covered Picnic Areas – Catch some shade and finally eat your sandwich at a table instead of your dash.
🧼 Trash and Dump Stations – Multiple well-lit trash stations, designed to stay maintained (we hope).

This isn’t just a slab of pavement and a Porta-John. This is a purpose-built rest area designed for the people who keep freight moving.

📢 Truckers React – “Finally, They’re Listening!”

“About dang time!” – That was the most common reaction across CBs, Facebook groups, and rest stop chatter.

✅ The Optimists: “One small rest stop for Indiana, one giant leap for trucker sanity.”
😤 The Skeptics: “We’ll see how long it stays nice before it gets trashed or taken over by 4-wheelers.”
😎 The Realists: “It ain’t everything, but 150 spaces is better than 0. I’ll take the win.”

Some drivers even said they’re adjusting routes just to rest here — especially if they’ve been burned by full lots down near Louisville or Indy.

📉 The Bigger Problem – Parking Is Still a Crisis

Don’t let this feel-good story fool you. Truck parking in America is still a major crisis.
Here’s why:

🔻 98% of drivers report trouble finding legal parking regularly
🔻 1 in 4 say they park illegally at least once a week
🔻 Some areas (like Jersey, Atlanta, Dallas) are pure parking chaos
🔻 Parking time cuts into drive time = lost

pay
🔻 Drivers face fines, harassment, and safety risks when forced to park illegally

And here’s the kicker — this has been a known issue for over 20 years. Drivers have been screaming about it. Lawmakers hold “hearings.” But solutions are slow… and rare.

🏛️ Why This New Stop Actually Matters

This new rest area is part of Indiana’s plan to upgrade and expand infrastructure, using both state funds and federal grants aimed at easing supply chain pressure.

Why does it matter?

✅ Purpose-Built for Semis – Not a mixed-use lot that gets filled by SUVs.
✅ Designed with Driver Feedback – Believe it or not, they actually talked to truckers during planning.
✅ Could Inspire Other States – If this works, states like Illinois, Georgia, or Texas might follow suit.

It’s proof that when drivers are prioritized, real solutions happen.

Now imagine if every major freight corridor had stops like this every 100 miles…

🧠 So What’s the Catch?

There’s always one, right?

🛻 Four-Wheelers Will Sneak In – Even though it's truck-only, you know some RVs and SUVs will try to slide in.
🗺️ Not Widely Advertised Yet – Many drivers don’t even know it’s open unless they pass by.
💰 Can It Be Maintained? – Funding for cleaning and upkeep usually dries up fast once the ribbon-cutting is done.

But as of now? It’s a big win. And in trucking, we take the wins where we can get ‘em.

🚦 Bottom Line

The new I-65 truck stop near Lebanon, Indiana, is a bright spot in an otherwise frustrating story. With 150 new truck-only spots, clean facilities, and a safe environment — it’s a step in the right direction.

Now we need 100 more of them.

Drivers are tired of parking on ramps.
Tired of racing the clock for a legal spot.
Tired of being told “we’re working on it.”

This new rest area proves it’s not that complicated — just build what drivers actually need.

📣 Call to Action

Don’t wait for the next perfect rest stop. You need a backup plan for the future of your career.

👉 Learn how to build income while you drive at RetireFromTrucking.com

👉 Get more real talk and resources at LifeAsATrucker.com

Because while parking might be improving... the freedom to step away from the road on your terms?
That’s on you.