North Carolina Truck Weight and Size Limits
Legal limits for a truck in North Carolina without a permit: Interstate axle and gross weights, height, width, and semitrailer length, each with its official source.
North Carolina limits at a glance
| Limit | North Carolina | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Interstate gross weight | 80,000 lb | FHWA, Compilation of Existing State Truck Size and Weight Limit Laws (Report to Congress, May 2015), Appendices A and B |
| Interstate single axle | 20,000 lb | FHWA, Compilation of Existing State Truck Size and Weight Limit Laws (Report to Congress, May 2015), Appendices A and B |
| Interstate tandem axle | 38,000 lb | FHWA, Compilation of Existing State Truck Size and Weight Limit Laws (Report to Congress, May 2015), Appendices A and B |
| Width (National Network) | 102 in | 23 CFR 658.15, Width (eCFR) |
| Height | 14 ft | N.C. Gen. Stat. § 20-116(c) |
| Semitrailer length | 53 ft (a tractor with one semitrailer of not more than 53 ft may exceed the 60-ft combination limit) | N.C. Gen. Stat. § 20-116(e) |
| 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").
North Carolina's 38,000 lb tandem is a grandfathered limit (1956).
Bridge formula check with North Carolina 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 North Carolina's Interstate limits.
Your result
North Carolina limits off the Interstate
FHWA's summary of North Carolina 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
- 38,000 lbs.
- Tridem axle
- Per State weight table
- Gross weight
- 80,000 lbs.
- Other
- A 10 percent tolerance is allowed for axle group limits in the State weight chart*
Where North Carolina allows more than federal limits
- North Carolina allows 38,000 lbs. on a tandem axle in regular operations.
- A 10 percent tolerance to State limits is permitted; however, the tolerance does not apply to single axle, tandem axle, or GVW limits.
- North Carolina allows a variety of commodity-specific weight exemptions.
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. There is no federal height limit; each state sets its own.
- Semitrailer length: 53 ft (a tractor with one semitrailer of not more than 53 ft may exceed the 60-ft combination limit)
- 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. North Carolina oversize/overweight permits (1-888-221-8166).
North Carolina compared with neighboring states
| State | Gross | Single | Tandem | Height | Semitrailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Carolina | 80,000 lb | 20,000 lb | 38,000 lb | 14 ft | 53 ft |
| Georgia | 80,000 lb | 20,340 lb | 34,000 lb | 13 ft 6 in | 53 ft |
| South Carolina | 80,000 lb | 20,000 lb | 35,200 lb | 13 ft 6 in | 53 ft on the Interstate and designated… |
| Tennessee | 80,000 lb | 20,000 lb | 34,000 lb | Pending | Pending |
| Virginia | 80,000 lb | 20,000 lb | 34,000 lb | 13 ft 6 in | 48 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: North Carolina · 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: N.C. Gen. Stat. § 20-116(e) · 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 North Carolina before you run a load near the limits. Page data last verified Sep 28, 2026.