Heavy Haul Weight Limits by State
What is the Reason for Axle Weight Limits?

While legal axle weight limits for trucks can be a hassle to keep track of, there are several crucial reasons these limits exist. Two primary reasons for legal limits on truck weight are:

  • When trucks carry too much weight, the risk of damage to drivers and other motorists increases greatly.
  • Infrastructure damage. Roads, bridges, and other public infrastructure cannot sustain unlimited weight. Trucks that travel in excess of the legal weight limits risk damaging these travelways.

Differences between Federal and State Weight Limits

Weight limits for trucks are subject to both federal and state weight limits.

Federally, there is a common metric for calculating truck weight limits called the Federal Bridge Formula (FBF). This formula supersedes state limits; for example, no state can have a gross weight limit beyond 80,000 lbs due to the FBF.

States sometimes refer to this formula rather than legally specifying their own weight limits for trucks.

Important State Axle Weight Limits

Legal truck limits for states are broken down by both axle (single, double, or tridem) and gross weights.

The maximum weight is measured in lbs.

Notably, states have their own weight tables which are sometimes referred to instead of listing a specific number. This is what is meant by “Per weight table.”

State Single Double Tridem Gross
Alabama 20,000 34,000 42,000 80,000
Alaska 20,000 38,000 42,000 Per Federal Bridge Formula
Arizona 20,000 34,000 Per weight table 80,000
Arkansas 20,000 34,000 50,000 80,000
California 20,000 34,000 N/A 80,000
Colorado 20,000 36,000 Per Federal Bridge Formula 80,000
Connecticut 22,000 36,000 Per Federal Bridge Formula 80,000
Delaware 20,000 34,000 60,000 80,000
District of Columbia 21,000 37,000 Per weight table 79,000
Florida 20,000 40,000 Per Federal Bridge Formula 80,000
Georgia 20,340 34,000 Per Federal Bridge Formula 80,000
Hawaii 22,500 34,000 42,500 80,000
Mississippi 20,000 34,000 Per weight table 80,000
Missouri 20,000 34,000 Per weight table 80,000
Idaho 20,000 34,000 Per weight table 80,000
Illinois 20,000 34,000 42,500 80,000
Indiana 20,000 34,000 50,000 80,000
Iowa 20,000 35,000 Per weight table 80,000
Kansas 20,000 34,000 43,500 80,000
Kentucky 20,000 34,000 48,000 80,000
Louisiana 20,000 34,000 42,000 80,000
Maine 20,000 34,000 45,000 80,000
Maryland 20,000 34,000 Per weight table 80,000
Massachusetts 18,000 34,000 Per weight table 80,000
Michigan 20,000 34,000 Per weight table 80,000
Minnesota 10,000 34,000 42,000 80,000
Montana 20,000 34,000 Per weight table 80,000
Nebraska 20,000 34,000 Per weight table 80,000
Nevada 20,000 34,000 Per weight table 80,000
New Hampshire 20,000 34,000 Per weight table 80,000
New Jersey 20,000 34,000 N/A 80,000
New Mexico 21,600 34,200 Per weight table 80,000
New York 20,000 34,000 Per Federal Bridge Formula 80,000
North Carolina 20,000 38,000 Per weight table 80,000
North Dakota 20,000 17,000 Per Federal Bridge Formula 80,000
Ohio 20,000 34,000 Per Federal Bridge Formula 80,000
Oklahoma 20,000 34,000 Per weight table 80,000
Oregon 20,000 34,000 Per weight table 80,000
Pennsylvania 20,000 34,000 Per weight table 80,000
Rhode Island 22,400 36,000 N/A 80,000
South Carolina 10,000 35,200 Per weight table 80,000
South Dakota 20,000 34,000 Per Federal Bridge Formula 80,000
Tennessee 20,000 34,000 54,000 80,000
Texas 20,000 34,000 N/A 80,000
Utah 20,000 34,000 N/A 80,000
Vermont 20,000 34,000 N/A 80,000
Virginia 20,000 34,000 N/A 80,000
Washington 20,000 Per weight table N/A 80,000
West Virginia 20,000 34,000 Per Federal Bridge Formula 80,000
Wisconsin 20,000 34,000 Per state bridge formula 80,000
Wyoming 20,000 34,000 42,000 80,000

Conclusion

Weight limits for trucks can vary significantly by state, so it’s good to know the specific regulations for your state to prevent dangerous or illegal transportation.

Have any other questions or concerns about transporting trucks or other vehicles? Check out other resources at Ship a Car for more information!