Rhode Island Truck Weight and Size Limits

Legal limits for a truck in Rhode Island 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/rhode-island

Rhode Island limits at a glance

Rhode Island truck size and weight limits with sources
Limit	Rhode Island	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	22,400 lb	FHWA, Compilation of Existing State Truck Size and Weight Limit Laws (Report to Congress, May 2015), Appendices A and B
Interstate tandem axle	Pending verification	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
Width (National Network)	102 in	23 CFR 658.15, Width (eCFR)
Height	13 ft 6 in (162 in)	R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-25-4
Semitrailer length	53 ft; over 48 ft 6 in only on the Interstate and designated roads; kingpin to center of rear axle 41 ft or less; 53-ft trailers need a rear underride guard	R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-25-6(b)-(d)
Grandfathered semitrailer length	48 ft 6 in	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").

Rhode Island's grandfathered single-axle limit is 22,400 lb. Its tandem limit is listed as 36,000 lb in FHWA's state summary and 44,800 lb in the exceptions table, so it isn't confirmed.

FHWA on Rhode Island: Rhode Island has a grandfather provision under Federal law (Grandfathered Weight Provisions 1956) to allow vehicles to operate up to 22,400 lbs. on a single axle and 36,000 lbs. on a tandem axle on all highways including the Interstate system.

Bridge formula check with Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island's Interstate limits (federal limits stand in where a figure is pending).

Your result

Enter your axle spacings and tap "Check bridge formula". A 5-axle tractor-trailer is filled in.

Open the full bridge formula calculator →

Rhode Island limits off the Interstate

FHWA's summary of Rhode Island 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: 22,400 lbs.
Tandem axle: 36,000 lbs.
Gross weight: 80,000 lbs.

Where Rhode Island allows more than federal limits

Rhode Island 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 (162 in). There is no federal height limit; each state sets its own.
Semitrailer length: 53 ft; over 48 ft 6 in only on the Interstate and designated roads; kingpin to center of rear axle 41 ft or less; 53-ft trailers need a rear underride guard
Grandfathered semitrailer length: 48 ft 6 in. 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. Rhode Island oversize/overweight permits (401-563-4582).

Rhode Island compared with neighboring states

Interstate weight limits, height, and semitrailer length. "Pending" means not yet verified.
State	Gross	Single	Tandem	Height	Semitrailer
Rhode Island	80,000 lb	22,400 lb	Pending	13 ft 6 in	53 ft
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 York	80,000 lb	20,000 lb	34,000 lb	Pending	Pending

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: Rhode Island · 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: R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-25-6(b)-(d) · Last verified Sep 28, 2026

Source: R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-25-4 · 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 Rhode Island before you run a load near the limits. Page data last verified Sep 28, 2026.

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