Nebraska Truck Weight and Size Limits
Legal limits for a truck in Nebraska without a permit: Interstate axle and gross weights, height, width, and semitrailer length, each with its official source.
Nebraska limits at a glance
| Limit | Nebraska | 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 6 in | Neb. Rev. Stat. § 60-6,289 |
| Semitrailer length | 53 ft including load (semitrailers lawfully operating in Nebraska on Dec. 1, 1982 are grandfathered) | Neb. Rev. Stat. § 60-6,290 |
| 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").
Grandfathered: up to 95,000 lb GVW for longer combinations on listed National Network routes, including I-80 from Wyoming to Exit 440.
FHWA on Nebraska: Nebraska has a grandfather provision under Federal law (23 CFR Part 658, Appendix C) to allow vehicles to operate up to 95,000 lbs. GVW on parts of the Interstate System. See the Routes section for a full description of the routes to which this grandfather provision applies.
Bridge formula check with Nebraska 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 Nebraska's Interstate limits.
Your result
Nebraska limits off the Interstate
FHWA's summary of Nebraska 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
- Per State weight table
- Gross weight
- 80,000 lbs. on Interstate highways* / 95,000 lbs. on non-Interstate highways
Where Nebraska allows more than federal limits
- Livestock haulers are allowed to exceed the single axle, tandem axle, or axle group limit when an overload is caused by the shifting weight of livestock, provided the vehicle does not exceed the maximum GVW.
- Nebraska State statute allows for several tolerances for axle weights and/or GVW for various types of 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: 14 ft 6 in. There is no federal height limit; each state sets its own.
- Semitrailer length: 53 ft including load (semitrailers lawfully operating in Nebraska on Dec. 1, 1982 are grandfathered)
- 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. Nebraska oversize/overweight permits (402-471-0034).
Nebraska compared with neighboring states
| State | Gross | Single | Tandem | Height | Semitrailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nebraska | 80,000 lb | 20,000 lb | 34,000 lb | 14 ft 6 in | 53 ft including load |
| Colorado | 80,000 lb | 20,000 lb | 36,000 lb | 14 ft 6 in | No separate semitrailer length for a l… |
| Iowa | 80,000 lb | 20,000 lb | 34,000 lb | 13 ft 6 in | 53 ft in a truck tractor-semitrailer c… |
| Kansas | 80,000 lb | 20,000 lb | 34,000 lb | 14 ft | 59 ft 6 in |
| Missouri | 80,000 lb | 20,000 lb | 34,000 lb | 14 ft on the Interstate and designated… | 53 ft |
| South Dakota | 80,000 lb | 20,000 lb | 34,000 lb | 14 ft | 53 ft on the Interstate and state trun… |
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: Nebraska · 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: Neb. Rev. Stat. § 60-6,290 · Last verified Sep 28, 2026
Source: Neb. Rev. Stat. § 60-6,289 · 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 Nebraska before you run a load near the limits. Page data last verified Sep 28, 2026.