Car hauling explained
Updated September 25, 2026
A commercial car hauler can be up to 102 inches (8.5 feet) wide on the National Network of major highways. States must allow a stinger‑steered car carrier at least 80 feet of length, with cargo hanging up to 4 feet past the front and 6 feet past the rear.
There is no federal height limit, so each state sets its own, most often between 13 feet 6 inches and 14 feet. On the Interstate, the rig can weigh up to 80,000 pounds loaded.
Below is each limit, where it comes from, and what it means on a real load. These are the numbers every car haul driver plans around.
Car Hauler Size Limits at a Glance
| Limit | Federal rule |
|---|---|
| Width | 102 inches on the National Network (108 inches in Hawaii) |
| Length, stinger-steered | States must allow at least 80 feet, with 4 feet front and 6 feet rear overhang |
| Length, traditional | States must allow at least 65 feet, with 3 feet front and 4 feet rear overhang |
| Height | No federal limit; most states set 13 feet 6 inches to 14 feet |
| Gross weight | 80,000 pounds on the Interstate |
| Axle weight | 20,000 pounds on a single axle, 34,000 pounds on a tandem |
Federal size rules apply on the National Network: the Interstate plus other highways designated for large trucks, and reasonable access to terminals and services. Off those roads, state rules can be tighter.
How Wide Is a Car Hauler?
A commercial car hauler can be 102 inches wide, which is 8.5 feet. Federal rules say no state may set a width limit above or below 102 inches on the National Network. Hawaii is the one exception and keeps a 108-inch limit.
Some parts do not count toward that width. States must allow rear-view mirrors, turn signal lamps, handholds for getting in and out of the cab, splash and spray devices, and tire bulge from the load to stick out past 102 inches.
Anything wider needs a special permit from the state.
How Long Is a Car Hauler?
Length depends on how the trailer hooks to the tractor. That is why federal rules treat car carriers, called automobile transporters, as specialized equipment with their own length rules.
Stinger‑steered car haulers
On a stinger‑steered rig, the fifth wheel sits on a drop frame behind and below the tractor’s rear axle. Federal law says a state may not set a length limit under 80 feet on a stinger‑steered automobile transporter, with a front overhang of up to 4 feet and a rear overhang of up to 6 feet. Congress set that in the FAST Act of 2015.
Traditional car haulers
On a traditional rig, the fifth wheel sits on the tractor frame over the rear axles. States may not set an overall length limit under 65 feet for these. The cargo can hang out at least 3 feet in front and 4 feet in back.
What counts toward length
Overhang is measured separately from the rig’s length. Extendable ramps, often called flippers, that support vehicles in the overhang area are not counted as length. The catch: flippers must be retracted when they are not holding a vehicle.
These numbers are floors, not ceilings. They set the shortest limit a state may enforce on these highways. A state may allow more, so a route that crosses several states is planned against each one.
Know the numbers cold? See open car hauler jobs at Accelerated.
How Tall Is a Car Hauler?
There is no federal height limit for trucks. Each state sets its own, and most limits fall between 13 feet 6 inches and 14 feet.
Height is the dimension that changes most from load to load. A tall SUV on the top deck sits higher than a sedan, and the decks can be raised or lowered to fit. So you set the load, check the height, and plan the route around low bridges and overpasses before you roll.
A legal height limit also does not promise clearance under every bridge. Posted clearances win, and the driver is the last check.
How Much Does a Car Hauler Weigh?
On the Interstate, a loaded rig can weigh up to 80,000 pounds gross. Any single axle can carry up to 20,000 pounds, and a tandem axle group up to 34,000 pounds. A formula based on the number of axles and the distance between them, called the bridge formula, can lower the allowed weight for a given setup.
How much an empty rig weighs depends on the tractor, the trailer, and the truck package, so check the builder’s specs for a given unit. What matters on the road is the loaded total. You cross the scales where your route requires it and keep the load balanced across the axles.
Federal law also lets a car carrier haul general freight on a return trip, called a backhaul, as long as it stays within the weight limits for a tractor-trailer.
Pickup Car Trailers vs. Commercial Car Haulers
If you searched for a car hauler trailer to pull behind your pickup, the sizes above are not your numbers. Small open trailers for one or two cars vary a lot by model, so check the builder’s spec sheet for width between the fenders, deck length, and weight rating.
One federal line applies to both. You need a Class A CDL when your combination has a gross combination weight rating of 26,001 pounds or more and the trailer is rated over 10,000 pounds. Every commercial car hauler is past that line.
What the Limits Mean for Car Haul Drivers
For a car hauler, these rules are part of the daily routine:
- Build the load to stay inside length and overhang limits, including the rack over the cab
- Check height after loading, not before, because the top deck changes it
- Know each state’s height limit on your route, not just the federal rules
- Keep the weight balanced across the axles and within the 80,000-pound cap on the Interstate
- Stow the flippers when they are not holding a vehicle
Want to see the rigs our drivers run? Our car hauler equipment guide covers the tractors, trailers, and up to 9‑car capacity.
Haul Cars With Accelerated
If you have 3 years of CDL‑A driving and 1 year of verifiable 9‑car experience, we have steady automaker plant, port, and rail freight. All of our contract drivers keep 82% of the truck’s gross. See car hauler jobs at Accelerated, or start your application now.
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