Department of Transportation
MnDOT
Minnesota • United States of America
The Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) manages over 12,000 miles of state trunk highways serving a state with one of the most truck-intensive freight economies in the upper Midwest. Key corridors include I-35, I-90, I-94, US-10, and US-169, which carry agricultural products, forest goods, and manufactured goods to and from the Minneapolis-Saint Paul metro. MnDOT administers commercial vehicle permits through its Online Permitting system, enforces spring weight restrictions essential to protect road integrity during freeze-thaw cycles, and provides 511MN for real-time road and weather alerts. The department coordinates with Canadian border crossings to facilitate cross-border freight flows.
| Official Website | https://www.dot.state.mn.us/ |
|---|---|
| Data API | https://511mn.org/ |
| Founded | 1913 |
| Headquarters | Minneapolis |
Available Data
Social Media
- @mndotscentral — MnDOT District 7
Minnesota Trucking Regulations
Size & weight limits, OS/OW permits, and seasonal restrictions for commercial vehicles
Weight Limits
| Category | Limit |
|---|---|
| Max Gross Vehicle Weight | 80000 lbs |
| Single Axle | 20000 lbs |
| Tandem Axle | 34000 lbs |
Dimensional Limits
| Category | Limit |
|---|---|
| Max Height | 13.5 ft |
| Max Width | 8.5 ft |
| Max Length (Single Unit) | 40 ft |
| Max Length (Combination) | 65 ft |
OS/OW Permits
Seasonal Restrictions Mar, Apr, May
Minnesota has significant spring weight restrictions on county and township roads, typically March through May. MnDOT posts a 10-ton spring weight restriction on most state highways and county roads during the thaw period; some routes post a stricter 5-ton limit during the worst conditions. Carriers must check the MnDOT spring load restriction map before dispatching on local routes.
Weigh Station Bypass
28¢/gal
Member
Special Exemptions
Notable Rules
Minnesota's height limit (13.5 ft on most roads) is lower than many neighboring states — verify bridge clearances on rural routes. Minneapolis-St. Paul is the primary freight hub. Extreme winter conditions (November through March) regularly affect operations; I-35, I-90, and I-94 are primary corridors. Grain and sugar beet harvest seasons (fall) generate heavy agricultural haul activity on rural roads.