Tennessee commercial vehicle weight limits follow the federal Interstate standard of 80,000 lbs gross, 20,000 lbs per single axle, and 34,000 lbs per tandem axle group. The federal bridge formula (23 U.S.C. 127) applies on all routes. No seasonal weight restrictions on Interstate highways. Oversize and overweight permits are available from TN DOT for loads exceeding standard limits. Verify current road-specific postings with the Tennessee DOT before routing heavy loads.
The federal bridge formula limits the weight on any group of axles based on the distance between the outermost axles in the group. It applies in Tennessee on all routes where federal standards apply.
W = maximum weight in lbs · L = axle spacing in feet · N = number of axles
TDOT issues oversize/overweight permits online. Annual permits available for qualifying routine operations. Superloads require engineering review and may require police escort. Contact TDOT Permits Office for superload routing.
Apply for Tennessee OS/OW Permit →On Tennessee Interstate highways, the maximum gross vehicle weight is 80,000 lbs matching the federal standard. State routes may have lower posted limits. Overweight permits from TDOT are required for loads exceeding standard limits.
No. Tennessee does not impose seasonal spring weight restrictions on Interstate highways. The relatively mild winters mean roads are generally not subject to the freeze-thaw damage that causes spring restrictions in northern states.
I-40 is the primary east-west corridor running from Memphis through Nashville to Knoxville and the North Carolina border. I-24 connects Nashville to Chattanooga and Atlanta. I-65 runs north-south through Nashville. I-75 and I-81 handle traffic in East Tennessee.
TDOT oversize/overweight permits are available online through the Tennessee Trucking Permits portal at tn.gov. Single-trip and annual multi-trip permits are available. Superloads require direct contact with TDOT for engineering review and route approval.
Tennessee provides agricultural weight exemptions for farm vehicles transporting farm products or supplies on intrastate routes within 150 air miles of the farm. These exemptions don't apply to for-hire operations. Contact TDOT for current exemption documentation requirements.
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Disclaimer
The information on this page is compiled from publicly available government sources and is provided for general informational purposes only. TruckRadar is an independent search engine — we are not affiliated with any government agency and this content does not constitute legal or compliance advice. Regulations change frequently; always verify current requirements directly with the official source before making compliance decisions.
Official source: Tennessee TN Department of TransportationLast reviewed: 2026-04