Ohio Truck Weight and Size Limits
Legal limits for a truck in Ohio without a permit: Interstate axle and gross weights, height, width, and semitrailer length, each with its official source.
Ohio limits at a glance
| Limit | Ohio | 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 | 13 ft 6 in | Ohio Rev. Code § 5577.05(D) |
| Semitrailer length | 53 ft in a tractor-semitrailer combination (the director may bar it from designated state highways) | Ohio Rev. Code § 5577.05(C)(3) |
| 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 127,400 lb (two trailers) or 115,000 lb (three trailers) and 21,000 lb single axles on the Ohio Turnpike.
FHWA on Ohio: Ohio has a grandfather provision under Federal law (23 CFR Part 658, Appendix C) to allow vehicles to operate up to 21,000 lbs. on a single axle and either 115,000 lbs. or 127,400 lbs. GVW on parts of the Interstate System (Ohio Turnpike). See the Routes section for a full description of the routes to which this grandfather provision applies.
Bridge formula check with Ohio 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 Ohio's Interstate limits.
Your result
Ohio limits off the Interstate
FHWA's summary of Ohio 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. on Interstate highways / 34,000 lbs. plus 1000 lbs. per foot greater than 4 feet;* at 8 feet the effective weight limit would be 38,000 lbs.
- Tridem axle
- FBF on Interstate highways / 48,000 lbs. on non-Interstate highways**
- Gross weight
- 80,000 lbs.
- Other
- 650 lbs. per inch width of tire
Where Ohio allows more than federal limits
- Ohio State statute allows for 7.5 percent tolerances above State axle weight and/or GVW limits for various commodities.
- Ohio 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: 13 ft 6 in. There is no federal height limit; each state sets its own.
- Semitrailer length: 53 ft in a tractor-semitrailer combination (the director may bar it from designated state highways)
- 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. Ohio oversize/overweight permits (614-351-2300).
Ohio compared with neighboring states
| State | Gross | Single | Tandem | Height | Semitrailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ohio | 80,000 lb | 20,000 lb | 34,000 lb | 13 ft 6 in | 53 ft in a tractor-semitrailer combina… |
| Indiana | 80,000 lb | 20,000 lb | 34,000 lb | Pending | Pending |
| Kentucky | 80,000 lb | 20,000 lb | 34,000 lb | 13 ft 6 in on highways the Transportat… | 53 ft on designated highways |
| Michigan | 80,000 lb | 20,000 lb | 34,000 lb | 13 ft 6 in | 50 ft |
| Pennsylvania | 80,000 lb | 20,000 lb | 34,000 lb | 13 ft 6 in | 53 ft |
| West Virginia | 80,000 lb | 20,000 lb | 34,000 lb | 13 ft 6 in | 48 ft on the National Network and desi… |
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: Ohio · 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: Ohio Rev. Code § 5577.05(C)(3) · 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 Ohio before you run a load near the limits. Page data last verified Sep 28, 2026.