North Dakota Truck Weight and Size Limits
Legal limits for a truck in North Dakota without a permit: Interstate axle and gross weights, height, width, and semitrailer length, each with its official source.
North Dakota limits at a glance
| Limit | North Dakota | 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 | 34,000 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.D. Cent. Code § 39-12-04(2) |
| Semitrailer length | 53 ft (trailers registered in North Dakota before July 1, 1987: 60 ft) | N.D. Cent. Code § 39-12-04(3)(e) |
| 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").
Within a tandem, each axle is limited to 17,000 lb on Interstates. FHWA lists 105,500 lb gross as grandfathered on National Network routes.
FHWA on North Dakota: North Dakota has a grandfather provision under Federal law (23 CFR Part 658, Appendix C) to allow vehicles to operate up to 105,500 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 North Dakota 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 Dakota's Interstate limits.
Your result
North Dakota limits off the Interstate
FHWA's summary of North Dakota 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
- 17,000 lbs. per axle within a tandem on Interstate highways / 19,000 lbs. per axle within a tandem on non-Interstate highways / 34,000 lbs. total on all highways
- Tridem axle
- Determined by FBF on Interstate highways / 48,000 lbs. on non-Interstate highways
- Gross weight
- 80,000 lbs. on Interstate highways / 105,500 lbs. on non-Interstate highways
- Other
- 550 lbs. per inch of tire width (does not apply to steering axles) / 10,000 lbs. per tire
Where North Dakota allows more than federal limits
- North Dakota 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: 14 ft. There is no federal height limit; each state sets its own.
- Semitrailer length: 53 ft (trailers registered in North Dakota before July 1, 1987: 60 ft)
- 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. North Dakota oversize/overweight permits (701-328-2621).
North Dakota compared with neighboring states
| State | Gross | Single | Tandem | Height | Semitrailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Dakota | 80,000 lb | 20,000 lb | 34,000 lb | 14 ft | 53 ft |
| Minnesota | 80,000 lb | 20,000 lb | 34,000 lb | 13 ft 6 in | 48 ft |
| Montana | 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… |
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 Dakota · 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.D. Cent. Code § 39-12-04(3)(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 Dakota before you run a load near the limits. Page data last verified Sep 28, 2026.