Do Moving Trucks Stop at Weigh Stations? (U-Haul, Penske & Box Trucks)

If you’re planning to rent a moving truck and drive it across the country (or at least through multiple states), you should be aware of each state's highway regulations weight station requirements so you can be sure to avoid fines.

Whether you’ll need to stop or not really depends on where you’re going. Highway regulations vary from state to state. Failure to stop at weigh stations can result in fines, even if your truck is empty.

Keep reading to determine whether or not you’ll need to stop at a weigh station during your move. And if you’re still not sure, it’s always best to stop and let a highway official make the final call.

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In most cases, U-Haul trucks do not need to stop at weigh stations. Rental trucks used for personal moves are typically classified as non-commercial vehicles, even though they look like commercial box trucks. Because of this, drivers moving their own belongings are usually not required to stop at weigh stations.

But rules vary by state and sometimes depend on the truck's gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR). Most U-Haul trucks used for residential moves fall below the weight thresholds that trigger weigh station requirements, but if you see signage requiring all trucks over a certain weight to stop, it’s safest to follow the posted instructions.

U-Haul is one of the most widely available truck rental companies in the U.S. If you're comparing options, see our full guide to the best moving truck rental companies.

Box trucks may be required to stop at weigh stations, but it depends on how the truck is being used. Commercial box trucks operated by businesses or delivery companies usually must stop because they are considered commercial vehicles.

Rental box trucks used for personal moves, such as those from U-Haul, Penske, or Budget, are generally treated differently. Chances are, you'll be driving a truck for your personal move (not for business), so you typically don't need to worry about stopping at weight stations. But some states require all trucks to stop that are over a specific vehicle weight, so read local signage carefully (and respond accordingly).

A weigh station is a highway checkpoint where highway officials can verify the weight of a truck or commercial vehicle. Typically the state’s Department of Transportation works in conjunction with highway patrol to make sure vehicles are in accordance with state laws and safety regulations.

Weigh stations support your safety and the protection of our roadways by ensuring that overweight vehicles are not damaging roadways or putting other motorists at risk.

Some states collect taxes based on the weight of the goods being transported. For this reason, weigh station requirements vary by state.

Weigh stations involve heavy-duty scales that measure a truck’s weight based on either axle weight or the weight of the whole vehicle. Some have rolling (or automated) scales that allow the truck to continue moving, and others require a complete stop.

Outside of ensuring that the vehicle is not overweight, a weigh station official can also administer a safety inspection to ensure the truck is working properly—however, this is usually done randomly, or if the official has reason to believe the truck is unsafe.

Generally, any commercial vehicle that exceeds a GVW (gross vehicle weight) of 10,000 pounds needs to stop at a weigh station. For reference, the average GVW for a 10-foot truck rental is around 8,600 pounds, while a 26-foot truck will be around 26,000 pounds. Additionally, most rented trucks will have weigh station requirements printed on the vehicle.

If you want to know how trucks vary from company to company, like Penske to U-Haul, for example, be sure to compare each company’s truck sizing, weight, and other important specifications.

However, to be completely sure, you’ll want to double-check the regulations in the states you’ll be passing through. Some states have regulations if the GVW exceeds a certain weight while others have none:

A driver is only allowed to legally bypass a weigh station if there is a sign stating it is okay to continue. Otherwise, if the driver continues without stopping at a weigh station, a roadside camera may take a picture of their vehicle and highway officials could mail a fine of up to $300. That’s why it’s important to remember to stop at weigh stations when required, even if your truck is empty!

Remember:

• The entire weighing process usually takes less than 30 minutes.
• Weigh stations will usually have signs indicating whether the weigh station is open and who is required to stop.
• It doesn’t cost anything to stop and have your truck weighed, unless your truck exceeds the legal weight.

Renting a moving truck for a long-distance move is a popular, cost-efficient way to get your belongings from your old home to your new one. But if you’re driving the truck yourself, you’ll want to remember to consider the highway regulations in your state.

Weigh stations can be a pain to deal with, but they play a huge role in reducing damage to roadways and supporting highway safety. If you’re not sure whether you need to stop, it’s best to pull into a weigh station and let the officials handle it. Good luck, mover!

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