Massachusetts Truck Weight Limits
Complete guide to commercial vehicle weight regulations in Massachusetts, including axle limits, permit requirements, and seasonal restrictions.
Weight Limits
| Axle Type | Massachusetts Limit | Federal Limit | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single Axle | 22,400 lbs | 20,000 lbs | +2,400 lbs |
| Tandem Axle | 36,000 lbs | 34,000 lbs | +2,000 lbs |
| Gross Vehicle Weight | 80,000 lbs | 80,000 lbs | 0 lbs |
| Steer Axle (min) | 12,000 lbs | 12,000 lbs | 0 lbs |
| Steer Axle (max) | 22,400 lbs | 20,000 lbs | +2,400 lbs |
Massachusetts has source-verified table, spacing, route, permit, or vehicle-specific rules. The calculator applies verified base limits and implemented contexts, but exact special-case output still needs source-chart fixtures.
Showing interstate route, standard operation.
Enforcement tolerance: 5% on gross weight.
Bridge Formula
Massachusetts uses the standard Federal Bridge Formula to calculate maximum weight on groups of consecutive axles.
- W = Maximum weight (lbs)
- L = Distance between outer axles (ft)
- N = Number of axles in the group
Permissible Gross Loads in Massachusetts
| Permissible Gross Loads for Vehicles in Massachusetts | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Based on FederalBridge Formula: W = 500 × [LN/(N-1) + 12N + 36] | ||||||||
| Showing interstate route, standard operation | ||||||||
Distance (ft) L | 2 AXLES | 3 AXLES | 4 AXLES | 5 AXLES | 6 AXLES | 7 AXLES | 8 AXLES | 9 AXLES |
| 4 | 34,000 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 5 | 35,000 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 6 | 36,000 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 7 | 36,000 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 8 | 36,000 | 42,000 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 9 | 39,000 | 42,500 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 10 | 40,000 | 43,500 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 11 | 41,000 | 44,000 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 12 | 42,000 | 45,000 | 50,000 | — | — | — | — | — |
| 13 | 43,000 | 45,500 | 50,500 | — | — | — | — | — |
| 14 | 44,000 | 46,500 | 51,500 | — | — | — | — | 80,000 |
| 15 | 44,800 | 47,000 | 52,000 | — | — | — | — | 80,000 |
| 16 | 44,800 | 48,000 | 52,500 | 58,000 | — | — | — | 80,000 |
| 17 | 44,800 | 48,500 | 53,500 | 58,500 | — | — | — | 80,000 |
| 18 | 44,800 | 49,500 | 54,000 | 59,000 | — | — | — | 80,000 |
| 19 | 44,800 | 50,000 | 54,500 | 60,000 | — | — | — | 80,000 |
| 20 | 44,800 | 51,000 | 55,500 | 60,500 | 66,000 | — | — | 80,000 |
| 21 | 44,800 | 51,500 | 56,000 | 61,000 | 66,500 | — | — | 80,000 |
| 22 | 44,800 | 52,500 | 56,500 | 61,500 | 67,000 | — | — | 80,000 |
| 23 | 44,800 | 53,000 | 57,500 | 62,500 | 68,000 | — | — | 80,000 |
| 24 | 44,800 | 54,000 | 58,000 | 63,000 | 68,500 | 74,000 | — | 80,000 |
| 25 | 44,800 | 54,500 | 58,500 | 63,500 | 69,000 | 74,500 | 80,000 | 80,000 |
| 26 | 44,800 | 55,500 | 59,500 | 64,000 | 69,500 | 75,000 | 80,000 | 80,000 |
| 27 | 44,800 | 56,000 | 60,000 | 65,000 | 70,000 | 75,500 | 80,000 | 80,000 |
| 28 | 44,800 | 57,000 | 60,500 | 65,500 | 71,000 | 76,500 | 80,000 | 80,000 |
| 29 | 44,800 | 57,500 | 61,500 | 66,000 | 71,500 | 77,000 | 80,000 | 80,000 |
| 30 | 44,800 | 58,500 | 62,000 | 66,500 | 72,000 | 77,500 | 80,000 | 80,000 |
| 31 | 44,800 | 59,000 | 62,500 | 67,500 | 72,500 | 78,000 | 80,000 | 80,000 |
| 32 | 44,800 | 60,000 | 63,500 | 68,000 | 73,000 | 78,500 | 80,000 | 80,000 |
| 33 | 44,800 | 60,500 | 64,000 | 68,500 | 74,000 | 79,000 | 80,000 | 80,000 |
| 34 | 44,800 | 61,500 | 64,500 | 69,000 | 74,500 | 80,000 | 80,000 | 80,000 |
| 35 | 44,800 | 62,000 | 65,500 | 70,000 | 75,000 | 80,000 | 80,000 | 80,000 |
| 36 | 44,800 | 63,000 | 66,000 | 70,500 | 75,500 | 80,000 | 80,000 | 80,000 |
| 37 | 44,800 | 63,500 | 66,500 | 71,000 | 76,000 | 80,000 | 80,000 | 80,000 |
| 38 | 44,800 | 64,500 | 67,500 | 71,500 | 77,000 | 80,000 | 80,000 | 80,000 |
| 39 | 44,800 | 65,000 | 68,000 | 72,500 | 77,500 | 80,000 | 80,000 | 80,000 |
| 40 | 44,800 | 66,000 | 68,500 | 73,000 | 78,000 | 80,000 | 80,000 | 80,000 |
| 41 | 44,800 | 66,500 | 69,500 | 73,500 | 78,500 | 80,000 | 80,000 | 80,000 |
| 42 | 44,800 | 67,500 | 70,000 | 74,000 | 79,000 | 80,000 | 80,000 | 80,000 |
| 43 | 44,800 | 68,000 | 70,500 | 75,000 | 80,000 | 80,000 | 80,000 | 80,000 |
| 44 | 44,800 | 69,000 | 71,500 | 75,500 | 80,000 | 80,000 | 80,000 | 80,000 |
| 45 | 44,800 | 69,500 | 72,000 | 76,000 | 80,000 | 80,000 | 80,000 | 80,000 |
| 46 | 44,800 | 70,500 | 72,500 | 76,500 | 80,000 | 80,000 | 80,000 | 80,000 |
| 47 | 44,800 | 71,000 | 73,500 | 77,500 | 80,000 | 80,000 | 80,000 | 80,000 |
| 48 | 44,800 | 72,000 | 74,000 | 78,000 | 80,000 | 80,000 | 80,000 | 80,000 |
| 49 | 44,800 | 72,500 | 74,500 | 78,500 | 80,000 | 80,000 | 80,000 | 80,000 |
| 50 | 44,800 | 73,500 | 75,500 | 79,000 | 80,000 | 80,000 | 80,000 | 80,000 |
| 51 | 44,800 | 74,000 | 76,000 | 80,000 | 80,000 | 80,000 | 80,000 | 80,000 |
| 52 | 44,800 | 75,000 | 76,500 | 80,000 | 80,000 | 80,000 | 80,000 | 80,000 |
| 53 | 44,800 | 75,500 | 77,500 | 80,000 | 80,000 | 80,000 | 80,000 | 80,000 |
| 54 | 44,800 | 76,500 | 78,000 | 80,000 | 80,000 | 80,000 | 80,000 | 80,000 |
| 55 | 44,800 | 77,000 | 78,500 | 80,000 | 80,000 | 80,000 | 80,000 | 80,000 |
| 56 | 44,800 | 78,000 | 79,500 | 80,000 | 80,000 | 80,000 | 80,000 | 80,000 |
| 57 | 44,800 | 78,500 | 80,000 | 80,000 | 80,000 | 80,000 | 80,000 | 80,000 |
| 58 | 44,800 | 79,500 | 80,000 | 80,000 | 80,000 | 80,000 | 80,000 | 80,000 |
| 59 | 44,800 | 80,000 | 80,000 | 80,000 | 80,000 | 80,000 | 80,000 | 80,000 |
| 60 | 44,800 | 80,000 | 80,000 | 80,000 | 80,000 | 80,000 | 80,000 | 80,000 |
Values reflect FHWA policy of rounding down when calculated weights fall exactly halfway between 500-pound increments.
Massachusetts allows a 5% enforcement tolerance on gross weight.
Massachusetts has source-verified table, spacing, route, permit, or vehicle-specific rules. The calculator applies verified base limits and implemented contexts, but exact special-case output still needs source-chart fixtures.
Always verify current regulations with Massachusetts DOT before making shipping decisions.
Permit Information
Requirements & Costs
- Overweight threshold
- 80,000 lbs
- Single trip permit
- $85
- Annual permit
- $850
- Max permit weight
- 99,000 lbs
- Processing time
- 48 hours via web-based system
- Divisible loads
- Not permitted
- Online application
- Available
Required Documents
- Insurance
- Registration
- Tax Clearance
Special Vehicle Provisions
axle Spacing
Different limits based on axle spacing (similar to Connecticut)
permit Weights
Permits allow vehicles with 5+ axles up to 99,000 lbs
Contact Information
Permit Office
Official Website
Massachusetts DOT WebsiteImportant Notes
- STANDARD LEGAL LIMIT: 22,400 lbs single axle (axles ≥6 feet apart)
- STANDARD LEGAL LIMIT: 18,000 lbs per axle when spaced <6 feet apart
- PERMITTED WEIGHT: Up to 99,000 lbs for vehicles with 5+ axles
- Federal Bridge Formula governs weight distribution
- Web-based permit system through MassDOT Highway Division
Calculate Your Weight Compliance
Use our interactive calculator to check if your truck configuration is compliant with Massachusetts regulations.
Open Weight CalculatorNeighboring States
Need Help With Massachusetts Compliance?
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Get Expert ConsultationSource: Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 85, MassDOT Truck Regulations | Last Updated: 1/13/2025 | Effective: 1/1/2025
Always verify current regulations with official sources before making shipping decisions.