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Truck Axle Weight Limits by State 2023
Roads in the United States are regulated in a number of ways, one of them concerning the weight of trucks and semis. Regulations are set on both the federal and state level and must be adhered to. It is common to see weigh stations along interstates for the purpose of weighing trucks to make sure that they are within the limitations.
There are a few reasons that trucks have weight limitations on roads and need to be properly weighed. The main reason is safety. Roads can only handle a certain amount of weight, especially in weaker spots such as bridges and overpasses; therefore, no vehicle can be over the weight limit of the weakest point on the road. Additionally, cargo that is too heavy can be dangerous to both the driver and other vehicles on the road. A truck that is carrying too much weight can make it difficult to brake and maneuver, posing a danger when trying to slow down or go down a hill.
The other two reasons for weighing trucks are taxes and profitability. Carriers pay taxes for the amount of stress put on the roads, and the weight of the trucks is used to calculate the taxes owed. As for profitability, many goods are valued based on their weight; therefore, weight is important in ensuring fair trade and increasing profits.
There are three different weights for trucks regulated by each state. The first is the maximum gross vehicle weight is the weight of the vehicle specified by the manufacturer including its chassis, body, engine, engine fluids, accessories, drivers, passengers and cargo. The maximum single axle weight is the amount of weight allowed on any one axle. The maximum tandem axle weight is the weight allowed on any tandem axle.
Trucks can be weighed by using wheel-weighers, concrete decks, portable truck scales, digital scales and more. Trucks that are found to be overweight at a weigh stations can face several consequences including paying fines up to $65 per pound overweight and, in some states, arresting the driver. It is important that each truck is weighed before departing on its route to avoid these repercussions.
The federal vehicle weight limits are 80,000 pounds gross vehicle weight, 20,000 pounds on a single axle, and 34,000 pounds on a tandem axle group. States, however, often have different limits.
The table below has each state’s maximum allowed weight for gross vehicle weight, single axle weight, and tandem axle weight.
- Vehicle requirements may change at any time. Potential drivers are advised to check with local authorities to ensure compliance.
- FBF is an abbreviation for Federal Bridge Formula, a guideline that establishes the maximum legal weight in pounds that can be imposed on a bridge on an interstate highway by any vehicle (or, more precisely, its combination of axles).
State | Gross Vehicle Weight Maximum (lbs) | Single Axle Weight Maximum (lbs) | Tandem Axle Weight Maximum (lbs) | Tridem Axle Weight Maximum (lbs) | Gross Weight Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 80,000 | 20,000 | 34,000 | 42,000 | Max weight increases to 84,000 lbs. (6 or more axles) on non-Interstate highways. |
| Arizona | 129,000 | 20,000 | 40,000 | NaN | Per State weight table. 80,000 lbs. (5-axle or more). |
| Arkansas | 80,000 | 20,000 | 34,000 | 50,000 | Per State weight table. 80,000 lbs. Steering axle 20,000 lbs. Tandem-steer axle 24,000 lbs. |
| California | 80,000 | 20,000 | 34,000 | NaN | Gross weight: 80,000 lbs. Alternative method of computation: 76,800 lbs. |
| Colorado | 110,000 | 20,000 | 36,000 | NaN | Interstates: 80,000 lbs. and FBF. Non-Interstate highways: 85,000 lbs. and State bridge formula. |
| Connecticut | 80,000 | 22,400 | 36,000 | NaN | 73,000 lbs. or 80,000 lbs. and application of FBF. |
| Delaware | 40,000 | 20,000 | 34,000 | NaN | 2 axle GVW: 40,000 lbs. 3 axle GVW: 54,000 lbs. on Interstates and U.S. numbered routes, 65,000 lbs. on all other highways. 4 axle GVW: 74,000 lbs. on Interstates and U.S. numbered routes 73,280 on all other highways. 5 axle GVW: 80,000 lbs. |
| Florida | 147,000 | 22,000 | 44,000 | NaN | Gross weight: 80,000 lbs. |
| Georgia | 80,000 | 20,340 | 34,000 | NaN | 80,000 lbs.; subject to FBF if Gross weight of vehicle is between 73,280 lbs. and 80,000 lbs. |
| Hawaii | 88,000 | 22,500 | 34,000 | 42,500 | Gross weight 80,000 lbs. on Interstate highways. Gross weight: 88,000 lbs. on all other highways. 11,250 lbs. per single tire. On non-Interstate highways, no citation is issued for violating weight provisions unless a load exceeds State weight limits by more than 2 percent (when a permanently installed scale is used) or by more than 5 percent (when a portable scale is used). |
| Idaho | 105,500 | 20,000 | 34,000 | NaN | Gross weight: 80,000 lbs. 10,000 lbs. per wheel. |
| Illinois | 80,000 | 20,000 | 34,000 | 42,500 | Gross weight 42,500. 800 lbs. per inch width of non-pneumatic tire when any axle exceeds 16,000 lbs. |
| Indiana | 127,400 | 22,400 | 36,000 | NaN | Gross weight 80,000 lbs. |
| Iowa | 129,000 | NaN | 80,000 lbs. on primary and non-primary highways. 90,000 lbs. on non-Interstate highways for six-axle vehicles. 96,000 lbs. on non-Interstate highways for seven-axle vehicles. | ||
| Kansas | 120,000 | 22,000 | 34,000 | NaN | 80,000 lbs. on Interstate highways. 85,500 lbs. on non-Interstate highways. |
| Kentucky | 80,000 | 20,000 | 34,000 | 48,000 | Designated highways: As determined by the Secretary of the Transportation Cabinet, up to 80,000 lbs. All other highways: 36,000 lbs. 80,000 lbs. on class AAA highways. 62,000 lbs. on class AA highways. 44,000 lbs. on class A highways. |
| Louisiana | 80,000 | 20,000 | 34,000 | 42,000 | 80,000 lbs. 83,400 lbs. for vehicle combinations with tridum or quadrum axles on Interstate highways. 88,000 lbs. for vehicle combinations with tridum or quadrum axles on non-Interstate highways. |
| Maine | 100,000 | 22,400 | 41,000 | NaN | 80,000 lbs. on Interstate highways. 94,000 lbs. for a four-axle SU truck in combination with a two-axle trailer on non-Interstate highways. 100,000 lbs. for a qualifying combination of a three-axle truck tractor and tri-axle semitrailer. |
| Maryland | 80,000 | 22,400 | 34,000 | NaN | 80,000 lbs. |
| Massachusetts | 127,400 | 22,400 | 36,000 | NaN | Gross weight 80,000 lbs. 800 lbs. per inch of tire (Mass. Gen. Laws Ann. ch. 85, §30). |
| Michigan | 164,000 | 18,000 | 32,000 | NaN | Gross weight: 80,000 lbs. or less: application of bridge formula. More than 80,000 lbs., provided axle limits are maintained (up to 164,000 lbs. on 11 axles and appropriate spacing). |
| Minnesota | 80,000 | 20,000 | 34,000 | 42,000 | Single Axle10,000 lbs. per single tire. A 10 percent increase in State over weight limits is allowed during winter freeze on non-Interstate highways without a permit and on Interstate highways with a permit. 600 lbs. per inch width of tire on steering axles. 500 lbs. per inch width of tire on all other axles. |
| Mississippi | 80,000 | 20,000 | 34,000 | NaN | Gross weight 80,000 lbs. |
| Missouri | 120,000 | NaN | Gross weight 80,000 lbs. | ||
| Montana | 137,800 | 20,000 | 34,000 | NaN | 80,000 lbs. on Interstate highways. 95,000 lbs. on non-Interstate highways. |
| Nebraska | 95,000 | 20,000 | 34,000 | NaN | Gross weight 80,000 lbs. on Interstate highways. Governed by State bridge formula on non-Interstate highways. |
| Nevada | 129,000 | 20,000 | 34,000 | NaN | Gross weight 80,000 lbs. on Interstate highways. Governed by State bridge formula on non-Interstate highways. |
| New Hampshire | 103,000 | 22,400 | 36,000 | NaN | Gross weight 80,000 lbs; 99,000 on non-Interstate highways. |
| New Jersey | 80,000 | 22,400 | 34,000 | Gross weight 80,000 lbs. | |
| New Mexico | 86,400 | 21,600 | 34,200 | NaN | Gross weight 86,400 lbs. |
| New York | 143,000 | NaN | Gross weight 80,000 lbs. | ||
| North Carolina | 80,000 | 20,000 | 38,000 | NaN | Gross weight 80,000 lbs. A 10 percent tolerance is allowed for axle group limits in the State weight chart. |
| North Dakota | 105,500 | 20,000 | 34,000 | NaN | Gross weight 80,000 lbs. on Interstate highways. 105,500 lbs. on non-Interstate highways. 550 lbs. per inch of tire width (does not apply to steering axles). 10,000 lbs. per tire. |
| Ohio | 127,400 | 21,000 | 34,000 | NaN | Gross weight 80,000 lbs. 650 lbs. per inch width of tire. |
| Oklahoma | 90,000 | 20,000 | 34,000 | NaN | Gross weight 80,000 lbs. 80,000 lbs. on Interstate highways 90,000 lbs. on non-Interstate highways. |
| Oregon | 105,500 | 20,000 | 34,000 | NaN | Gross weight 80,000 lbs. 600 lbs. per inch of tire width. 10,000 lbs. per wheel. |
| Pennsylvania | 80,000 | NaN | Gross weight 80,000 lbs. 3% tolerance (non-Interstates). 800 lbs. per inch width of tire. | ||
| Rhode Island | 80,000 | 22,400 | 44,800 | Gross weight 80,000 lbs. | |
| South Carolina | 80,000 | 20,000 | 35,200 | NaN | Gross weight 73,280 lbs. on non-Interstate highways. 80,000 lbs. on Interstate highways. 10 percent tolerance on non-Interstate highways (S.C. Code Ann. §56-5-4160[A]) |
| South Dakota | 129,000 | 20,000 | 34,000 | NaN | Gross weight 80,000 lbs. on Interstate highways (except grandfathered routes). Subject to State bridge formula on non-Interstate highways. 600 lbs. per inch of tire width on steering axles and axles with dual tires. 500 lbs. per inch of tire width on all other axles (S.D. Codified Laws Ann. §32-22-21). |
| Tennessee | 80,000 | 20,000 | 34,000 | NaN | Gross weight 80,000 lbs. |
| Texas | 80,000 | 20,000 | 34,000 | Gross weight 80,000 lbs. 5% tolerance on GVW up to 80,000 lbs. (Tex. Transportation Code Ann. §621.403). 5% tolerance on axle weight (Tex. Transportation Code Ann. §621.404). | |
| Utah | 129,000 | 20,000 | 34,000 | Gross weight 80,000 lbs. 10,500 lbs. per wheel | |
| Vermont | 80,000 | 22,400 | 36,000 | Gross weight 80,000 lbs. 600 lbs. per inch of tire width. | |
| Virginia | 80,000 | 20,000 | 34,000 | Gross weight 80,000 lbs. 650 lbs. per inch width of tire. | |
| Washington | 105,500 | 20,000 | 34,000 | Gross weight 105,500 lbs. on non-Interstate highways. 600 lbs. per inch of tire width. | |
| West Virginia | 80,000 | 20,000 | 34,000 | NaN | Gross weight 80,000 lbs. maximum on Interstate and STRAHNET and all other routes. 10 percent tolerance on non-Interstate highways routes not part of the Interstate or STRAHNET. |
| Wisconsin | 80,000 | 20,000 | 34,000 | NaN | Gross weight regulated by state bridge formula (2-4 axles), 80,000 lbs. (5-axle or more). Steering axle 20,000 lbs. Gross weight of any one wheel or multiple wheels supporting one end of an axle may not exceed 11,000 lbs. |
| Wyoming | 117,000 | 20,000 | 36,000 | 42,000 | Gross weight 80,000 lbs. on primary and secondary highways using Gross weight Table 2. 117,000 lbs. on primary, secondary, and Interstate highways using Gross weight Table 1. 600 lbs. per inch width of tire. 750 lbs. per inch width of tire on steering axles. |