Pennsylvania Truck Weight and Size Limits
Legal limits for a truck in Pennsylvania without a permit: Interstate axle and gross weights, height, width, and semitrailer length, each with its official source.
Pennsylvania limits at a glance
| Limit | Pennsylvania | 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 | 13 ft 6 in | 75 Pa. C.S. § 4922(a) |
| Semitrailer length | 53 ft; kingpin to center line of the rear axle or axle group 41 ft or less | 75 Pa. C.S. § 4923 |
| 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").
For trucks over 73,280 lb gross. Lighter trucks may carry 22,400 lb on a single axle spaced more than 6 ft from the next.
Grandfathered: vehicles that could legally run on I-99 between Bedford and Bald Eagle before December 29, 1995.
Bridge formula check with Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania's Interstate limits.
Your result
Pennsylvania limits off the Interstate
FHWA's summary of Pennsylvania 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. for steering axles / 20,000 lbs. for vehicles with GVW over 73,280 lbs. / 22,400 lbs. for vehicles with GVW under 73,280 lbs.* / 22,400 lbs. if axles are spaced more than 6 feet apart and carrying a gross weight of 73,280 lbs. or less / 18,000 lbs. if less than 6 feet and carrying a gross weight of 73,280 lbs. or less / 20,000 lbs. if registered and carrying more than 73,280 lbs.
- Tandem axle
- 34,000 lbs. / 34,000 lbs. if registered and carrying more than 73,280 lbs. with 4-foot spacing** / 21,400 lbs. if registered in Classes 17 and 20 (non-Interstate)†
- Tridem axle
- Per State weight table
- Gross weight
- 80,000 lbs..
- Other
- 3 percent tolerance‡ / 800 lbs. per inch width of tire
Where Pennsylvania allows more than federal limits
- Regular operations limit vehicles to 22,400 lbs. for a single axle and up to 38,000 lbs. for a tandem axle.
- Pennsylvania 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: 13 ft 6 in. There is no federal height limit; each state sets its own.
- Semitrailer length: 53 ft; kingpin to center line of the rear axle or axle group 41 ft or less
- 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. Pennsylvania oversize/overweight permits (717-787-4680).
Pennsylvania compared with neighboring states
| State | Gross | Single | Tandem | Height | Semitrailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania | 80,000 lb | 20,000 lb | 34,000 lb | 13 ft 6 in | 53 ft |
| Delaware | 80,000 lb | 20,000 lb | 34,000 lb | 13 ft 6 in | 53 ft on Interstate, federal-aid prima… |
| Maryland | 80,000 lb | 20,000 lb | 34,000 lb | 13 ft 6 in | 48 ft |
| New Jersey | 80,000 lb | Pending | 34,000 lb | Pending | Pending |
| New York | 80,000 lb | 20,000 lb | 34,000 lb | Pending | Pending |
| Ohio | 80,000 lb | 20,000 lb | 34,000 lb | 13 ft 6 in | 53 ft in a tractor-semitrailer combina… |
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: Pennsylvania · 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: 75 Pa. C.S. § 4923 · Last verified Sep 28, 2026
Source: 75 Pa. C.S. § 4922(a) · 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 Pennsylvania before you run a load near the limits. Page data last verified Sep 28, 2026.