Kentucky Truck Weight and Size Limits
Legal limits for a truck in Kentucky without a permit: Interstate axle and gross weights, height, width, and semitrailer length, each with its official source.
Kentucky limits at a glance
| Limit | Kentucky | 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 | 13 ft 6 in on highways the Transportation Cabinet designates (14 ft for vehicles hauling motor vehicles); 11 ft 6 in on other highways | Ky. Rev. Stat. §§ 189.221, 189.222 |
| Semitrailer length | 53 ft on designated highways | Ky. Rev. Stat. § 189.222(1)(b) |
| Grandfathered semitrailer length | 53 ft | 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").
Bridge formula check with Kentucky 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 Kentucky's Interstate limits.
Your result
Kentucky limits off the Interstate
FHWA's summary of Kentucky 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
- 48,000 lbs.
- Gross weight
- 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
- Other
- Class AAA highways: No axle weight limits for vehicles hauling 79,999 lbs. or less** / Designated highways: 700 lbs. per inch of the aggregate width of all the tires on a single axle (or 20,000 lbs. GVW, whichever is less) / All other highways: 600 lbs. per inch of the combined width of the tires / Non-Interstate highways: 5 percent tolerance per axle load (under 80,000 lbs. GVW)
Where Kentucky allows more than federal limits
- Kentucky allows 48,000 lbs. on a tridem axle.
- Kentucky allows several special weight tolerances on non-Interstate highways. A 5 percent tolerance per axle load is allowed for any vehicle hauling any load (under 80,000 lbs. GVW) on non-Interstate highways.
- Kentucky State statute allows for several axle and GVW exemptions for various types of vehicles and commodities.
- Kentucky State statute allows for several types of weight tolerances for axle weights and GVW for specific commodities and 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: 13 ft 6 in on highways the Transportation Cabinet designates (14 ft for vehicles hauling motor vehicles); 11 ft 6 in on other highways. There is no federal height limit; each state sets its own.
- Semitrailer length: 53 ft on designated highways
- Grandfathered semitrailer length: 53 ft. 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. Kentucky oversize/overweight permits (502-564-1257).
Kentucky compared with neighboring states
| State | Gross | Single | Tandem | Height | Semitrailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kentucky | 80,000 lb | 20,000 lb | 34,000 lb | 13 ft 6 in on highways the Transportat… | 53 ft on designated highways |
| Illinois | 80,000 lb | 20,000 lb | 34,000 lb | Pending | Pending |
| Indiana | 80,000 lb | 20,000 lb | 34,000 lb | Pending | Pending |
| Missouri | 80,000 lb | 20,000 lb | 34,000 lb | 14 ft on the Interstate and designated… | 53 ft |
| Ohio | 80,000 lb | 20,000 lb | 34,000 lb | 13 ft 6 in | 53 ft in a tractor-semitrailer combina… |
| Tennessee | 80,000 lb | 20,000 lb | 34,000 lb | Pending | 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: Kentucky · 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: Ky. Rev. Stat. § 189.222(1)(b) · 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 Kentucky before you run a load near the limits. Page data last verified Sep 28, 2026.