Wisconsin 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. Wisconsin imposes spring weight restrictions on state routes and county roads typically February through May — one of the longer spring restriction seasons in the US. Many county roads post severe restrictions. Check WisDOT for current restricted routes and weight postings before routing heavy loads on non-Interstate routes during this period. Oversize and overweight permits are available from WI DOT for loads exceeding standard limits. Verify current road-specific postings with the Wisconsin DOT before routing heavy loads.
Wisconsin imposes spring weight restrictions on state routes and county roads typically February through May — one of the longer spring restriction seasons in the US. Many county roads post severe restrictions. Check WisDOT for current restricted routes and weight postings before routing heavy loads on non-Interstate routes during this period.
Check current restrictions at WI 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 Wisconsin on all routes where federal standards apply.
W = maximum weight in lbs · L = axle spacing in feet · N = number of axles
WisDOT issues oversize/overweight permits through the Wisconsin Permit System. Apply online at wisconsindot.gov. Single-trip permits required for loads exceeding standard weight or dimension limits. Annual permits available for qualifying recurring heavy operations including dairy tankers and paper industry trucks. Superloads require engineering review and route approval.
Apply for Wisconsin OS/OW Permit →The maximum gross vehicle weight in Wisconsin on Interstate highways is 80,000 lbs — the federal standard. Single axle limit is 20,000 lbs and tandem axle is 34,000 lbs. State routes and county roads may have lower posted limits, especially during spring weight restriction season. Overweight permits from WisDOT are required for loads exceeding standard limits.
Wisconsin's spring weight restriction season runs approximately February through May — one of the longer seasons in the US. State routes and county roads post reduced weight limits during the freeze-thaw period. County road restrictions can be severe, sometimes as low as 5 tons on some routes. Interstate highways are not subject to spring restrictions. Check WisDOT at 511wi.gov for current restricted routes.
Wisconsin dairy tankers (milk haulers) frequently operate on rural county roads that are subject to spring weight restrictions. Wisconsin has provisions for milk haulers under state agricultural vehicle exemption rules that may allow operation during periods when standard weight restrictions would otherwise prohibit it. Contact WisDOT and the relevant county highway department for current guidance on milk hauler weight exemptions on county roads.
Wisconsin oversize/overweight permits are issued by WisDOT through the Wisconsin Permit System. Apply online at wisconsindot.gov. Single-trip permits are required for loads exceeding standard weight or dimension limits. Annual permits are available for qualifying recurring operations including dairy tankers, paper industry trucks, and agricultural equipment. Superloads require engineering review and route approval.
Wisconsin county roads have year-round weight limits that vary by road classification, and additional spring weight restrictions February through May. Some county roads have permanent weight limits well below Interstate maximums due to older infrastructure. During spring restriction season, some county roads post limits as low as 5 to 10 tons. Always check with the county highway department and WisDOT before routing heavy loads on county roads, especially for dairy, logging, and agricultural operations.
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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: Wisconsin WI Department of TransportationLast reviewed: 2026-04