New Mexico Truck Weight and Size Limits
Legal limits for a truck in New Mexico without a permit: Interstate axle and gross weights, height, width, and semitrailer length, each with its official source.
Data pending verification
Some official figures this page relies on haven't been confirmed against the source yet. Don't rely on results here until this notice is gone.
What's pending
- weight-limits/states/new-mexico
New Mexico limits at a glance
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").
New Mexico's grandfathered Interstate limits.
FHWA on New Mexico: New Mexico has a grandfather provision under Federal law (23 CFR Part 658, Appendix C) to allow vehicles to operate up to 21,600 lbs. on a single axle, 34,200 lbs. on a tandem axle, and 86,400 lbs. GVW on the Interstate System. See the Routes section for a full description of the routes to which this grandfather provision applies.
Bridge formula check with New Mexico 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 New Mexico's Interstate limits.
Your result
New Mexico limits off the Interstate
FHWA's summary of New Mexico 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
- 21,600 lbs.
- Tandem axle
- 34,200 lbs.
- Tridem axle
- Per State weight table
- Gross weight
- 86,400 lbs.
- Other
- 600 lbs. per inch width of tire / 11,000 lbs. per wheel
Where New Mexico allows more than federal limits
- New Mexico 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: pending verification. There is no federal height limit; each state sets its own.
- Semitrailer length: pending verification.
- 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. New Mexico oversize/overweight permits (505-476-2475).
New Mexico compared with neighboring states
| State | Gross | Single | Tandem | Height | Semitrailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Mexico | 86,400 lb | 21,600 lb | 34,200 lb | Pending | Pending |
| Arizona | 80,000 lb | 20,000 lb | 34,000 lb | 13 ft 6 in | 57 ft 6 in |
| Colorado | 80,000 lb | 20,000 lb | 36,000 lb | 14 ft 6 in | No separate semitrailer length for a l… |
| Oklahoma | 80,000 lb | 20,000 lb | 34,000 lb | 13 ft 6 in | Pending |
| Texas | 80,000 lb | 20,000 lb | 34,000 lb | 14 ft | 59 ft |
| Utah | 80,000 lb | 20,000 lb | 34,000 lb | 14 ft | 53 ft |
Sources
Source: FHWA, Compilation of Existing State Truck Size and Weight Limit Laws (Report to Congress, May 2015), Appendices A and B · 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 A: New Mexico · 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: 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 New Mexico before you run a load near the limits. Page data last verified Sep 28, 2026.