California Truck Bans & Hazmat Routes

Where California keeps trucks out

One real cars-only stretch: the Arroyo Seco Parkway (SR 110/Pasadena Freeway) bars vehicles over 6,000 lb gross by city ordinance, and it is posted as such. The flagship hazmat rule is the Caldecott Tunnel (SR 24), which bans tank loads of explosives, flammables, LPG and poison gas except 3-5 a.m. (CVC 31301). CHP designates more restricted tunnels and routes. A car GPS will not know the 6,000-lb plate.

Key restrictions

• Arroyo Seco Parkway (SR 110): no commercial vehicle over 6,000 lb GVW
• Caldecott Tunnel (SR 24): tank hazmat only 3-5 a.m. (CVC 31301)
• Golden Gate Bridge: explosives restricted during posted hours
• SF and LA post truck routes and weight-limited streets; check the CHP restricted-route list

• Parkway / road ban: Arroyo Seco Parkway (SR 110 / Pasadena Freeway) bans commercial vehicles over 6,000 lb gross by city ordinance and is posted as such. The limit is weight-based, not registration-based like NY or CT parkways.
• Hazmat: Caldecott Tunnel (SR 24, Oakland-Orinda) bans tank loads of explosives, flammable liquids, LPG and poison gas except from 3-5 a.m. (CVC 31301). The Golden Gate Bridge restricts explosives loads during posted hours. CHP designates additional restricted tunnels and routes; check the CHP hazmat route list and 49 CFR 397.
• Through-truck routes: Caltrans manages STAA National Network access; Los Angeles, San Francisco and other cities designate truck routes and post weight-limited streets and no-truck blocks. A through truck stays on the network; a local truck leaves it only for the direct path to its stop.
• Fine: A hazmat tunnel violation (for example, Caldecott outside the 3-5 a.m. window) is charged under the Vehicle Code and can bring fines from the low hundreds up past $1,000 for hazmat, plus an out-of-service order. Running a commercial vehicle over 6,000 lb on the Arroyo Seco Parkway is a local-ordinance infraction. Confirm current amounts with CHP or the court.

More for California