Minnesota Truck Weight and Size Limits
Legal limits for a truck in Minnesota without a permit: Interstate axle and gross weights, height, width, and semitrailer length, each with its official source.
Minnesota limits at a glance
| Limit | Minnesota | 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 | Minn. Stat. § 169.81, subd. 1 |
| Semitrailer length | 48 ft; up to 53 ft if the kingpin to the centerline of the rear axle group is 43 ft or less | Minn. Stat. § 169.81, subd. 2 |
| Grandfathered semitrailer length | 48 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 Minnesota 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 Minnesota's Interstate limits.
Your result
Minnesota limits off the Interstate
FHWA's summary of Minnesota 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
- 10,000 lbs. per single tire / 20,000 lbs.
- Tandem axle
- 34,000 lbs.
- Tridem axle
- 42,000 lbs.
- Gross weight
- 80,000 lbs.
- Other
- 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
Where Minnesota allows more than federal limits
- Minnesota allows a 10 percent increase in weight during seasonal freeze. Vehicles operating under this exemption on non-Interstate highways do not need a permit.
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. There is no federal height limit; each state sets its own.
- Semitrailer length: 48 ft; up to 53 ft if the kingpin to the centerline of the rear axle group is 43 ft or less
- Grandfathered semitrailer length: 48 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. Minnesota oversize/overweight permits (651-296-6000).
Minnesota compared with neighboring states
| State | Gross | Single | Tandem | Height | Semitrailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minnesota | 80,000 lb | 20,000 lb | 34,000 lb | 13 ft 6 in | 48 ft |
| Iowa | 80,000 lb | 20,000 lb | 34,000 lb | 13 ft 6 in | 53 ft in a truck tractor-semitrailer c… |
| North Dakota | 80,000 lb | 20,000 lb | 34,000 lb | 14 ft | 53 ft |
| South Dakota | 80,000 lb | 20,000 lb | 34,000 lb | 14 ft | 53 ft on the Interstate and state trun… |
| Wisconsin | 80,000 lb | 20,000 lb | 34,000 lb | 13 ft 6 in | 53 ft if the kingpin to axle distance … |
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: Minnesota · 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: Minn. Stat. § 169.81, subd. 2 · 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 Minnesota before you run a load near the limits. Page data last verified Sep 28, 2026.