Texas Truck Weight Limits

How much a truck can weigh in Texas

Texas runs the federal limits. 80,000 pounds gross, 20,000 on a single axle, 34,000 on a tandem, on the Interstate and on state highways alike (Tex. Transp. Code 621.101). To go heavier you need a permit under Chapter 623. The fine climbs fast: 20,001 to 40,000 pounds over books at $5,000 to $7,000, and anything past 40,000 over runs $7,000 to $10,000 (621.506).

Axles, off-Interstate, and permits

• Off the Interstate: 80,000 lb (same statutory max; heavier only by permit)
• Single axle: 20,000 lb
• Tandem axle: 34,000 lb
• With a permit: No statewide divisible-load permit above 80,000. Transportation Code Chapter 623 authorizes port-authority permits, energy-sector (2060) permits, ready-mix, timber, sealed intermodal-container permits, and superloads on designated routes case by case.
• Base axle and gross figures match the federal Interstate limits on all Texas roads. Port-authority permits (Gulf-coast counties) and energy-sector permits are the routes to legal overweight.

Posted bridge and road limits

TxDOT and counties may set and post lower limits on bridges and roads (Tex. Transp. Code 621.301-621.302), shown on MUTCD R12 signs. WEIGHT LIMIT X TONS is short tons (2,000 lb), so 15 TONS means 30,000 lb. A posted limit overrides the legal max: a fully legal 80,000-lb truck may not cross a bridge posted below its weight and must detour. Crossing a posted structure over the limit is a separate offense, and if you damage it you can be billed for inspection and repair.

What running heavy costs

Graduated brackets under Tex. Transp. Code 621.506, min-max at the judge's discretion: 2,500 lb or less over $100-$500; 2,501-5,000 over $500-$1,000; 5,001-10,000 over $1,000-$2,500; 10,001-20,000 over $2,500-$5,000; 20,001-40,000 over $5,000-$7,000; more than 40,000 over $7,000-$10,000. Add $500-$1,000 (first) or $2,500-$5,000 (repeat) for a divisible load over 84,000 lb.

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