New York Truck Weight and Size Limits
Legal limits for a truck in New York 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-york
New York limits at a glance
| Limit | New York | 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 | Pending verification | FHWA, Compilation of Existing State Truck Size and Weight Limit Laws (Report to Congress, May 2015), Appendix A: New York |
| Semitrailer length | Pending verification | FHWA, Compilation of Existing State Truck Size and Weight Limit Laws (Report to Congress, May 2015), Appendix A: New York |
| 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").
Grandfathered: up to 143,000 lb GVW on the New York State Thruway (I-87, I-90, I-190) and NY-912M.
FHWA on New York: New York has a grandfather provision under Federal law (23 CFR Part 658, Appendix C) to allow vehicles to operate up to 143,000 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 New York 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 York's Interstate limits.
Your result
New York limits off the Interstate
FHWA's summary of New York 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. on Interstate highways* / 22,400 lbs. on non-Interstate highways
- Tandem axle
- 34,000 lbs. on Interstate highways* / 36,000 lbs. on non-Interstate highways
- Tridem axle
- Per FBF
- Gross weight
- 80,000 lbs.
- Other
- 800 lbs. per inch of tire width / 11,200 lbs. per wheel
Where New York allows more than federal limits
- New York allows 22,400 lbs. on a single axle in regular operation.
- New York allows 36,000 lbs. on a tandem axle in regular operation.
- New York State statute allows for several axle and GVW exemptions for various types of vehicles and commodities.
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: 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. New York oversize/overweight permits (518-485-2999 or 888-783-1685).
New York compared with neighboring states
| State | Gross | Single | Tandem | Height | Semitrailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New York | 80,000 lb | 20,000 lb | 34,000 lb | Pending | Pending |
| Connecticut | 80,000 lb | 22,400 lb | 36,000 lb | Pending | Pending |
| Massachusetts | 80,000 lb | 22,400 lb | 34,000 lb | 13 ft 6 in | 53 ft |
| New Jersey | 80,000 lb | Pending | 34,000 lb | Pending | Pending |
| Pennsylvania | 80,000 lb | 20,000 lb | 34,000 lb | 13 ft 6 in | 53 ft |
| Vermont | 80,000 lb | Pending | Pending | 13 ft 6 in | 53 ft on the Interstate and qualifying… |
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: New York · 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: 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 York before you run a load near the limits. Page data last verified Sep 28, 2026.