Commercial Truck Weight Restrictions

To preserve the integrity of state and national highways built with taxpayer dollars, both the federal government and state governments have their own commercial vehicle weight restrictions. National standards apply on interstate highways, while individual state standards apply on all other roads. Compliance with weight standards is checked at weigh stations, often near state lines.

National Truck Weight Standards

Federal weight limit maximums for interstate highways include:


Single axle: 20,000 lbs
Tandem axle: 40,000 lbs
Total vehicle weight: 80,000 lbs

If particular cargo causes a truck to exceed the federal weight standard, the company must apply for a temporary overweight permit before the trip commences. These permits are only available under the following circumstances:


The cargo load is non-divisible, or cannot be divided into smaller shipments that comply with the maximum weight restriction.

There is no other way to move the cargo; shipping by truck is the only option.
The truck complies with the laws and regulations of each individual state through which the cargo will pass.

Overweight trucks may require an escort vehicle or may be required to follow a restricted route.

Truck Weight by State

The Department of Transportation or Department of Motor Vehicles of individual states monitor their own commercial freight weigh stations. Therefore, different states may have very different cargo weight restrictions from each other. For this reason, trucking companies must ensure that their cargo load will comply with the restrictions of each state through which their trucks will pass on any given trip. Every state will provide a permit for non-divisible overweight loads, and individual states may tolerate certain overweight loads.

To learn more about the trucking industry and how a freight factoring company can help your business, visit the website of TBS Factoring Service, LLC.

James Witherspoon

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