Virginia 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. Virginia imposes seasonal weight restrictions on secondary roads during spring thaw, typically February through April. Check VDOT for current restricted routes before routing heavy loads on secondary roads during this period. Oversize and overweight permits are available from VA DOT for loads exceeding standard limits. Verify current road-specific postings with the Virginia DOT before routing heavy loads.
Virginia imposes seasonal weight restrictions on secondary roads during spring thaw, typically February through April. Check VDOT for current restricted routes before routing heavy loads on secondary roads during this period.
Check current restrictions at VA DOT →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 Virginia on all routes where federal standards apply.
W = maximum weight in lbs · L = axle spacing in feet · N = number of axles
VDOT issues oversize/overweight permits through the Virginia Hauling Permit System (VAHPS). Apply online at virginiadot.org. Single-trip permits required for loads exceeding standard weight or dimension limits. Annual permits available for qualifying recurring heavy operations. Superloads require engineering review and route approval. Northern Virginia routes in the DC area require special consideration due to congestion and infrastructure.
Apply for Virginia OS/OW Permit →The maximum gross vehicle weight in Virginia on Interstate highways is 80,000 lbs — the federal standard. Single axle limit is 20,000 lbs and tandem axle is 34,000 lbs. Secondary roads may have lower posted limits. Virginia imposes spring weight restrictions on secondary roads from approximately February through April. Overweight permits from VDOT are required for loads exceeding standard limits.
Yes. Virginia imposes seasonal weight restrictions on secondary roads during spring thaw, typically February through April. Interstate highways are not subject to spring restrictions. Secondary roads — especially in rural central and western Virginia — may be posted with reduced weight limits during the freeze-thaw period. Check VDOT at virginiadot.org for current restricted routes before routing on secondary roads in late winter and spring.
Loads moving to and from the Port of Virginia terminals in Norfolk, Portsmouth, and Newport News must comply with standard Virginia and federal weight limits. The primary port access routes (I-264, I-64, US-460) are subject to standard Interstate and state route limits. Overweight containers require a VDOT permit before leaving port property. The Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel (HRBT) and other tunnels have specific height restrictions that are separate from weight limits.
Virginia oversize/overweight permits are issued through VDOT's Virginia Hauling Permit System (VAHPS). Apply online at virginiadot.org. Single-trip permits are required for most oversize or overweight loads. Annual permits are available for qualifying recurring operations. Superloads require engineering review. Processing times vary — apply well in advance for complex moves.
Yes. The Northern Virginia portion of the DC metropolitan area has additional commercial vehicle weight, size, and route restrictions beyond standard VDOT rules. Many jurisdictions (Arlington, Alexandria, Fairfax County) have local truck restrictions on specific roads. The I-495 Capital Beltway has height and weight restrictions in certain tunnel segments. Always check local jurisdiction restrictions and VDOT's commercial vehicle guidance before routing heavy loads through Northern Virginia.
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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: Virginia VA Department of TransportationLast reviewed: 2026-04