Kansas Truck Weight and Size Limits
Legal limits for a truck in Kansas without a permit: Interstate axle and gross weights, height, width, and semitrailer length, each with its official source.
Kansas limits at a glance
| Limit | Kansas | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Interstate gross weight | 80,000 lb | 23 CFR 658.17, Weight (eCFR) |
| Interstate single axle | 20,000 lb | 23 CFR 658.17, Weight (eCFR) |
| Interstate tandem axle | 34,000 lb | 23 CFR 658.17, Weight (eCFR) |
| Width (National Network) | 102 in | 23 CFR 658.15, Width (eCFR) |
| Height | 14 ft | K.S.A. 8-1904(a) |
| Semitrailer length | 59 ft 6 in | K.S.A. 8-1904(d) |
| Grandfathered semitrailer length | 57 ft 6 in | 23 CFR part 658, Appendix B, Grandfathered Semitrailer Lengths (eCFR) |
Interstate weight limits
Federal law sets the Interstate limits at 20,000 lb on a single axle, 34,000 lb on a tandem, and 80,000 lb gross, with the bridge formula on every axle group (23 CFR 658.17). States may keep higher limits they had before the federal limits took effect ("grandfather rights").
Grandfathered: up to 120,000 lb GVW and 22,000 lb single axles on the Kansas Turnpike (I-35, I-70, I-335, I-470).
FHWA on Kansas: Kansas has a grandfather provision under Federal law (23 CFR Part 658, Appendix C) to allow vehicles to operate up to 22,000 lbs. on a single axle and 120,000 lbs. GVW on parts of the Interstate system (specifically, the Kansas Turnpike Authority). See the Routes section for a full description of the routes to which this grandfather provision applies.
Bridge formula check with Kansas limits
A 5-axle tractor-trailer is filled in. Change the spacings and weights to match your rig; the limits for single axles, tandems, and gross are Kansas's Interstate limits.
Your result
Kansas limits off the Interstate
FHWA's summary of Kansas law for trucks in regular operation (no permit), including non-Interstate highways. It reflects state law as of October 1, 2012; check the state for later changes.
- Single axle
- 20,000 lbs.
- Tandem axle
- 34,000 lbs.
- Tridem axle
- 43,500 lbs. at 10ft spacing / 42,000 lbs. at more than 8 feet spacing but less than 9 feet / 42,500 lbs. at more than 9 feet spacing but less than 10 feet
- Gross weight
- 80,000 lbs. on Interstate highways / 85,500 lbs. on non-Interstate highways
- Other
- 10,000 lbs. per wheel
Where Kansas allows more than federal limits
- Kansas allows up to 85,500 lbs. GVW on non-Interstate highways.
- Kansas State statute allows for several axle and GVW exemptions for various types of vehicles.
Height, width, and length
- Width: 102 inches. States may not set a width limit of more or less than 102 inches on the National Network (23 CFR 658.15(a)). Permits can allow wider loads.
- Height: 14 ft. There is no federal height limit; each state sets its own.
- Semitrailer length: 59 ft 6 in
- Grandfathered semitrailer length: 57 ft 6 in. The minimum semitrailer length the state must allow in a tractor-semitrailer combination on the National Network, based on lengths legal in the state on December 1, 1982. Federal law also requires at least 48 ft (23 CFR 658.13(b)(1)).
Over these limits you need a permit. Kansas oversize/overweight permits (785-368-6501).
Kansas compared with neighboring states
| State | Gross | Single | Tandem | Height | Semitrailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kansas | 80,000 lb | 20,000 lb | 34,000 lb | 14 ft | 59 ft 6 in |
| Colorado | 80,000 lb | 20,000 lb | 36,000 lb | 14 ft 6 in | No separate semitrailer length for a l… |
| Missouri | 80,000 lb | 20,000 lb | 34,000 lb | 14 ft on the Interstate and designated… | 53 ft |
| Nebraska | 80,000 lb | 20,000 lb | 34,000 lb | 14 ft 6 in | 53 ft including load |
| Oklahoma | 80,000 lb | 20,000 lb | 34,000 lb | 13 ft 6 in | Pending |
Sources
Source: 23 CFR 658.17, Weight (eCFR) · Last verified Sep 28, 2026
Source: FHWA, Compilation of Existing State Truck Size and Weight Limit Laws (Report to Congress, May 2015), Appendix A: Kansas · Effective Oct 1, 2012 · Last verified Sep 28, 2026
Source: FHWA, Compilation of Existing State Truck Size and Weight Limit Laws (Report to Congress, May 2015), Appendix B: Summary of State Exceptions to Federal Truck Weight Limits · Effective Oct 1, 2012 · Last verified Sep 28, 2026
Source: 23 CFR 658.15, Width (eCFR) · Last verified Sep 28, 2026
Source: 23 CFR part 658, Appendix B, Grandfathered Semitrailer Lengths (eCFR) · Last verified Sep 28, 2026
Source: K.S.A. 8-1904(d) · Last verified Sep 28, 2026
Source: FHWA, Oversize/Overweight Load Permits: State permit contacts · Last verified Sep 28, 2026
Limits change, and cities, counties, and posted bridges can set lower ones. Check with Kansas before you run a load near the limits. Page data last verified Sep 28, 2026.