As a courtesy to our customers, we’ve compiled a list of spring weight and frost law information to assist with planning moves during the spring thaw. While we strive to provide the most accurate and up-to-date details, please note that agencies may update or change their information with little to no notice.
Alaska
Except for steering axles, whenever weight restrictions are imposed the percentage shall be applied to the maximum axle loading of legal;
- 100%
- 1 axle 20,000bls
- 2 axles 38,000bls
- 3 axles 42,000lbs
- 4 axles 50,000lbs
- 85%
- 1 axle 17,000lbs
- 2 axles 32,000lbs
- 3 axles 35,700lbs
- 4 axles 42,500lbs
- 75%
- 1 axle 15,000lbs
- 2 axles 28,500lbs
- 3 axles 31,500lbs
- 4 axles 37,500lbs
- 50%
- 1 axle 10,000lbs
- 2 axles 19,000lbs
- 3 axles 21,000lbs
- 4 axles 25,000lbs
For 1 axle weights tire tread must be 9.25″ or larger or legal weight is calculated by tire size and percentages taken from there; Lift axles in the drive group of the power unit are not counted in determining the legal maximum allowable weight;
Alberta
British Columbia
Local governments impose weight restrictions independently of the province, prior to scheduling a move verify with each locality.
Road restrictions are based on legal axle loading. 100% axle weight load restriction means you can carry legal axle weights, overweight permits are no longer valid. For example legal weight for a tandem axle group is 17,000kg so at 100% axle weight load restriction trucks may carry 17,000kg, if the road is at 70% load restriction the maximum weight on the tandem will be 11,900kg and at 50% load restriction the maximum weight on the tandem will be 8,500kg.
Idaho
The possible restrictions on maximum weight may be one of the following:
a. Sixteen thousand (16,000) pounds on any axle; or
b. Fourteen thousand (14,000) pounds on any axle; or
c. Twelve thousand (12,000) pounds on any axle.
In administering load limits based on tire sizes or width of tires, credit for tubed tires will be based on the manufacturer’s width marked on the tire; for example, a ten-point zero-zero by twenty-four (10.00 x 24) tire will be given credit for 10” of tire width. Tubeless tires will be credited for the width of the conventional tubed tires they replace.
When a weight restriction is applied it will automatically restrict the width allowed by a special permit on two-lane roads. On any two-lane section of state roadways restricted to less than legal weight, the maximum width by the special permit will be restricted to 12’6″ during the weight restriction period.
When a weight restriction is applied it will automatically restrict the speed of some vehicles. Trucks with a gross weight of 10,000lbs or more will be restricted in critical areas to a maximum speed of 30pmh. Red and green marker will mean that legal speed may be resumed. These markers will generally be attached to existing highway signposts.
Normal overweight special permit limits may be suspended on all highways in areas where spring break up restrictions are in force. The department is authorized to issue special permits to overweight vehicles in areas with spring breakup restrictions as long as the following conditions are met:
a. Minimum tire width on all tires is 10”or larger, and;
b. Maximum axle weight on any single axle having 2 single wheels will not exceed 10,000lbs, and;
c. Maximum axle weight on any single axle having 4 or more tires will not exceed 14,000lbs, and;
d. Permit is being requested for a non-divisible loads
The department may temporarily waive the spring breakup restrictions by posting green markers on the speed limit signs and other signs, if appropriate, within a section of the highway posted with restrictions. This may occur in the even that a freeze-up of the pavement may temporarily restore the load-bearing capacity after a section has been posted for load and speed restrictions.
The department will sign and mark affected state highways the day before the weight and/or speed restrictions are in effect. The weight and/or speed restrictions will be enforced the day after signs and markers are posted.
Iowa
Effective dates for spring-thaw restrictions are variable. Carriers are encouraged to check for restrictions prior to any move between February 1 and May 30.
Maine
All Maine towns and cities have the authority to post local roads and have no authority to post state highways withing their municipality. Local authorities do have the authority to enforce state posted roads the same as the Maine Highway Patrol. If you are travelling off state highways contact local authorities.
Manitoba
Level 1 restriction:
- On a single steering axle of a single or tandem drive truck 10kg per mm width of tire up to a maximum of 5,500kg
- On a single steering axle of a straight truck or tridem drive truck tire size 305mm or less is 10kg per mm width of tire up to a maximum of 5,500kg. Tire size greater than 305mm is 9kg per mm width of tire up to a maximum of 6,570kg
- On a tandem steering axle group of a straight truck 9kg per mm width of tire multiplied by 0.90 up to a maximum of 12,240kg on RTAC Routes or Class A1 highways and up to a maximum of 9,900kg on Class B1 highways.
- On all other axle groups 9kg per mm width of tire up to a maximum of 90% of the legal axle group weight.
Level 2 Restriction:
- On all single steering axles of all vehicle configurations 6.5kg per mm width of tire up to a maximum of 65% of the legal axle weights on Class A1 and Class B1 highways.
- On a tandem steering axle of a straight truck 6.5kg per mm width of tire multiplied by 0.90 up to a maximum of 8,840kg on Class A1 highways and up to a maximum of 7,150kg on Class B1 highways.
- On all other axle groups 6.5kg per mm width of tire up to a maximum of 65% of the legal axle weights on Class A1 and Class B1 highways.
Michigan
Local jurisdictions enforce spring weight restrictions independently from the state.
When spring weight restrictions are in effect permits will not be issued for overweight loads or loads exceeding 14’11” in width or 150′ in length. The normal maximum axle weights allowable on rigid pavements shall be reduced 25% and the maximum wheel load shall not exceed 525lbs per inch width of tire. The normal maximum axle weights allowable on flexible pavements shall be reduced 35% and the maximum wheel load shall not exceed 450lbs per inch width of tire.
Speed limits on frost restricted routes are reduced to 35mph for every vehicle with a gross weight of 10,000lbs or more.
Minnesota
Start and end dates for seasonal load limits are posted at least 3 days in advance and are enforced beginning at 12:01am on the effective date. Counties enforce seasonal load limits on their county roads, if travelling on a county road check for load limits.
Unless further restricted or posted, all paved roads are considered 10 ton routes. Non paved roads are considered 9 ton routes.
Minnesota Seasonal Load Limits Dates
Minnesota Season Load Limits Map
Montana
No overweight permits will be issued on highways with load or speed restrictions. Restrictions vary by road and can include limitations on single axles, axle groups as well as limitations based on tire size.
Nebraska
February 1st through April 30th of every year, overweight vehicles, requiring permits with Green or Purple weight, are prohibited from using the specified routes. These routes are restricted to legal single, tandem and tridem axle weights during this period. Time frames are subject to change with little to no advance notice.
New Brunswick
Highways are assigned a rating of 100%, 90% or 80% during spring thaw. The rating refers to the required reduction in axle loads when operating on the highway. It applies to the individual axle loading of all axles, except the steer axle. The reduction is not applied directly against the gross vehicle weight.
New Brunswick Spring Weight Restriction Routes
New Hampshire
The maximum allowable weight on posted routes is 30,000lbs gross weight, or the cumulative width in inches of all tires contacting the road surface multiplied by 300, whichever is less.
North Dakota
Localities enforce load restrictions independently from the state, the fees for restricted roads are $5.00 per ton per mile for weights over the given maximum gross vehicle weight plus $1.00 per ton per mile for each axle that is over the given maximum axle weight restriction.
Using the legal weight calculator and referencing the restriction map is vital to avoid extremely high permit fees.
North Dakota Load Restriction Weights
North Dakota Load Restriction Map
North Dakota Legal Weight Calculator
Nova Scotia
During spring weight restrictions the following maximums apply:
- Single axle 6,500kg
- Tandem or triaxle 12,000kg per axle group
- Self-steering quad axle 24,000kg per axle group on Schedule B roads, 18,000kg per axle group on Schedule D roads and 12,000kg per axle group on all other roads
Ontario
During a reduced load period no commercial motor vehicle or trailer shall be operated upon any designated highway where the weight upon an axle exceeds 5,000kg.
An official of the Ministry will designate the date on which the reduced load period shall start and end. The municipality or other authority having jurisdiction over a highway may designate the date on which a reduced load period shall start or end.
Pennsylvania
Generally 2 weeks notice prior to a roadway posting is given, however, only a minimum of 5 days is required. During emergency situations postings can be made with less than 5 days notice.
Maximum weight limits will vary based on roadway.
Prince Edward Island
During seasonal weight restrictions all weather roads may carry up to their maximum allowable weight, with no overweight exceptions permitted. Roads not classified as all weather roads may carry 75% of their maximum allowable weight. Additionally some roads may be posted with a specific weight limit, on these roads the posted weight is the weight limit allowed.
Quebec
Saskatchewan
Spring road restrictions historically begin near the first week of March, official spring restriction orders are issued very Tuesday and Friday by 12:30pm CT with the exception of Good Friday. The new orders will become in effect the following Thursday or Sunday at midnight depending on the day of publication. It is important to view the current order as well as the previous order for the most up-to-date information.
Steering Axle
- 10.0 kg per mm width of tire (manufacturer’s stamped dimension) to a maximum of:
- 5,500 kg on the steering axle for a truck or truck tractor equipped with a single steering axle.
- 11,000 kg on the steering axle group for a truck or truck tractor equipped with a tandem axle steering group.
Other Axles
- 6.25 kg per mm width of tire (manufacturer’s stamped dimension) to a maximum of:
- 1,650 kg per tire, or
- 2,630 kg per tire for axles equipped with single tires with a width of 445 mm or greater.
South Dakota
County posted load limits are not determined by the state, verify county limits as well as state limits.
Restrictions may be imposed anytime from February 15 to April 30, posted roads will have maximum weight allowance listed.
Vermont
All municipalities are required to report special weight limits for roadways and bridge within their jurisdiction.
Vermont will impose weight limits as deemed necessary per roadway.
Washington
Weight restrictions will be imposed as deemed necessary.
Wisconsin
Wisconsin may restrict allowable weight limits during the thawing period typically around early March through early May. There are 13 segments of state highways that are posted, these segments make up less than 2% of state highways.