PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY, Va. -- It's a daily crunch in Prince William County -- commuters, arriving earlier and earlier, desperately trying to get a spot in packed parking lots.

But it turns out that there are some lots that people can use that at times sit virtually empty with rows of spaces that go unfilled.

The Virginia Department of Transportation said that about 2,400 parking spaces offered at the very popular Horner Lot in Woodbridge, but there are not enough spaces to go around there.

In contrast, lots like the one at Harbor Drive and Miniville Road or at Interstate 95 and Route 123 often have 200-400 vacant spaces daily, News4's Tracee Wilkins reported.

Wilkins said the lots often are underused because of where they are located. She said many drivers say they use the more popular lots because they are more convenient.

Officials from the Prince William County Board of Supervisors said they want more spaces at popular lots such as Potomac Mills and Horner Road.

VDOT officials said there are about 150 spaces available at the Lake Ridge lot, 200 parking spaces at the Harbor Drive lot, 250 at the Dale City lot and 400 available parking spaces at the Interstate 95 and Route 123 lot.

VDOT officials did say, however, that some welcome changes would be coming to some commuters, while those who use the Horner Road lot will have to continue to wait.

"This year, we've had a $1 billion shortfall in our six year plan, so we don't have the funds right now to expand that particular lot, some good news, we do expect to start construction later this summer to add 500 spaces to Route 1 and Route 234," said Joan Morris of VDOT.

Some of the less popular lots see less traffic because they don't have slug lines or commuter buses, Wilkins reported.