CTP Transport, Inc.
Container Weight Restrictions
The California Vehicle Code (section 35550-35558) limits the amount of weight that we can transport.  Often
times, the maximum cargo weight listed on an ocean container is much greater than the maximum cargo weight
that we would be able to transport on California roads.
The following chart will give you a basic idea of the weight we can legally carry.  The weight restrictions are
different based upon container sizes.  The weights listed below are the maximum weights we can have for
each axle.  These maximum weights include the weight of the tractor, container, chassis and cargo.  To make it
simple, we have listed the maximum cargo weights for container size.
Container Size
Steering Axle
Drive Axle
Rear Axle
Max. Cargo Weight
20'
12,500 lbs.
32,000 lbs.
32,000 lbs.
42,000 lbs.
20' Tri-Axle
12,500 lbs.
32,000 lbs.
40,000 lbs.
51,500 lbs.
40'
12,500 lbs.
34,000 lbs.
34,000 lbs.
49,000 lbs.
To view the California Vehicle Code in detail, please click here.
If you have any questions regarding the information on this page, please call us at (209) 824-8007.  We would be
happy to help you with the understanding of the weight laws.
Bridge Formula
Congress enacted the Bridge Formula in 1975 to limit the weight-to-length ratio of a vehicle crossing a bridge.
This is accomplished either by spreading weight over additional axles or by increasing the distance between
axles. Compliance with the Bridge Formula weight limits is determined by using the formula at this link below:
http://ops.fhwa.dot.gov/freight/sw/brdgcalc/calc_page.htm
Alabama
Alaska
Arizona
Arkansas
California
Colorado
Connecticut
Delaware
Florida
Georgia
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New Mexico
New York
North Carolina
North Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
South Carolina
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Vermont
Virginia
Washington
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming
80,000
80,000
80,000
80,000
80,000
80,000
80,000
80,000
80,000
80,000
80,000
80,000
80,000
80,000
80,000
80,000
80,000
80,000
80,000
80,000
80,000
80,000
80,000
80,000
80,000
80,000
80,000
80,000
80,000
80,000
80,000
80,000
80,000
80,000
80,000
80,000
80,000
80,000
80,000
80,000
80,000
80,000
80,000
80,000
80,000
80,000
80,000
80,000
80,000
100,000
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
90,000
95,000
100,000
105,000
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
95,000
99,000
90,000
99,000
n/a
n/a
95,000
n/a
105,000
n/a
n/a
99,000
90,000
n/a
88,000
94,000
n/a
n/a
95,000
105,000
90,000
99,000
90,000
n/a
90,000
n/a
n/a
99,000
90,000
105,500
88,000
n/a
n/a
34,000
34,000
34,000
34,000
34,000
34,000
34,000
34,000
34,000
34,000
34,000
34,000
34,000
34,000
34,000
34,000
40,000
34,000
40,000
34,000
34,000
34,000
34,000
34,000
34,000
34,000
34,000
34,000
34,000
34,000
34,000
34,000
34,000
34,000
40,000
36,000
34,000
34,000
34,000
34,000
34,000
34,000
34,000
34,000
34,000
34,000
34,000
34,000
34,000
STATE
GROSS VEHICLE
WEIGHT
G.V.W. WITH
PERMIT
TANDEM AXLE
Gross Weight Restrictions By State
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CTP Transport has the largest fleet of lightest weight tractors in the Port of Oakland.  This allows us to
legally haul more cargo weight than most other trucking companies.
40' Reefer
12,500 lbs.
34,000 lbs.
34,000 lbs.
47,000 lbs.
40' Reefer
with Gen-Set
12,500 lbs.
34,000 lbs.
34,000 lbs.
45,000 lbs.
** Maximum gross vehicle weight (GVW) for 40' containers is 80,000 lbs.  Maximum GVW for 20's depends on the      
    overall length (see Bridge Formula link below).