Vermont Truck Weight and Size Limits
Legal limits for a truck in Vermont 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/vermont
Vermont limits at a glance
| Limit | Vermont | 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 | 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 |
| 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 | 23 V.S.A. § 1431 |
| Semitrailer length | 53 ft on the Interstate and qualifying federal-aid primary highways (and 1 mile off them) | 23 V.S.A. § 1432(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").
FHWA on Vermont: Several provisions in Vermont Title 23 allow Vermont to treat the Interstate System as State roads if permitted under Federal approval. H.R. 2112, Division C, Section 125 signed by the President on November 18, 2011, extends to all portions of the Interstate Highway System in the States of Maine and Vermont the application of their respective State vehicle weight limit laws and regulations in lieu of Federal vehicle weight limits through December 31, 2031 (Vt. Stat. Ann. Tit. 23, §1391 [c] and Vt. Stat. Ann. Tit. 23, §1392 [13], [14], [16](B), [17](E)). For a description of extended Maine and Vermont Interstate Highway Heavy Truck Pilot Program, see https://ops.fhwa.dot.gov/freight/sw/reports/me_vt_pilot_2012/#s14.
Bridge formula check with Vermont 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 Vermont's Interstate limits (federal limits stand in where a figure is pending).
Your result
Vermont limits off the Interstate
FHWA's summary of Vermont 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. on Interstate Highway System / 22,400 lbs. with a 10 percent tolerance non-Interstate highways
- Tandem axle
- 34,000 lbs. on the Interstate Highway System / 36,000 lbs. with a 10 percent tolerance on non-Interstate highways
- Gross weight
- 80,000 lbs.
- Other
- 600 lbs. per inch of tire width
Where Vermont allows more than federal limits
- Vermont allows 22,400 lbs. on a single axle and 36,000 lbs. on a tandem axle in regular operation on non-Interstate highways. Vermont allows an additional 10 percent weight tolerance above these weights.
- Various types of vehicles are exempt from State weight limits in Vermont.
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 on the Interstate and qualifying federal-aid primary highways (and 1 mile off them)
- 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. Vermont oversize/overweight permits (802-828-2064).
Vermont compared with neighboring states
| State | Gross | Single | Tandem | Height | Semitrailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vermont | 80,000 lb | Pending | Pending | 13 ft 6 in | 53 ft on the Interstate and qualifying… |
| Massachusetts | 80,000 lb | 22,400 lb | 34,000 lb | 13 ft 6 in | 53 ft |
| New Hampshire | 80,000 lb | 20,000 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), Appendix B: Summary of State Exceptions to Federal Truck Weight Limits · 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: Vermont · 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: 23 V.S.A. § 1432(e) · Last verified Sep 28, 2026
Source: 23 V.S.A. § 1431 · 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 Vermont before you run a load near the limits. Page data last verified Sep 28, 2026.