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Wisconsin Frost Laws, Seasonal Load Weight and Speed Restrictions – 2025

2025 Spring Road Weight Restrictions and frost laws.

The public invests tax dollars every year for safe, reliable infrastructure. The Wisconsin Department of Transportation is charged with maximizing and protecting this investment. Seasonal weight restrictions are one way to prolong the life of Wisconsin highways. They allow industry trucking partners to carry heavier loads during winter and help protect the roads during spring thaws.

The frozen road determination for Zone 5 will be made once conditions warrant. Seasonal weight zone boundaries

The frozen road law allows heavier loads for trucks carrying logs cut crosswise (not including woodchips) and salt and sand for winter maintenance while cold weather allows.

WisDOT and county highway personnel monitor temperature forecasts and frost tubes, liquid-filled devices under pavement, to help determine when roads are adequately frozen to accommodate heavier loads.

The Frozen Road Period ends in ALL ZONES on Friday, February 28, 2025, at 12:01 AM CST.

This story map contains information about the State of Wisconsin’s Weight Restrictions/Premiums programs. These programs are:

Frozen Roads
Class II Roads
Posted Roads

Details on these programs can be found here. Weight premiums are increased weight allowances during periods when the ground below the roads is frozen, and weight restrictions are imposed when the ground is thawing.

A narrative description of the limits of each zone follows:

Zone 1: Extends from the Minnesota border, Lake Superior, and the Michigan border south to and including US Highway 8.

Zone 2: Extends from the southern limit of Zone 1 to and including a line defined by US Highway 10, east on State Highway 73, east on State Highway 54, north on State Highway 22/110, east on State Highway 22 east to Lake Michigan east of Oconto (including Highways 10, 22, 54, 73, and 110).

Zone 3: Extends from the southern limit of Zone 2 to include a line defined by US Highway 151, east on US Highway 10 to Lake Michigan (including Highways 10 and 151).

Zone 4: Extends from the southern limit of Zone 3 to and including a line defined by I-39/90 starting at the Illinois border, east on I-43, north on State Highway 164, east on State Highway 167, and east to Lake Michigan (including Highways 39/90, 43, 164, and 167).

Zone 5: Extends from the southern limit of Zone 4 to the Illinois border and Lake Michigan.

The declaration is issued once the ground under highway pavement is frozen to a depth of at least 18 inches, allowing the maximum gross weight for trucks hauling logs or salt and sand for maintaining roads in winter to go up to 98,000 pounds on vehicles with a minimum of five axles (from the average 80,000 pounds). Special permits for hauling the increased weights are not required in Zone 1, but cars must be legally licensed at 80,000 pounds to handle the increased weights. The higher weight limits do not apply to county or local roads unless authorized by the local agency having maintenance authority. Also, higher weights may not be transported on highways or bridges specifically posted for lower weight limits.

The “Motor carrier/trucker” section of the WisDOT website contains comprehensive information impacting commercial motor vehicle operators, including weight restriction programs and frozen road declarations. Customers can also check a recorded message on the Frozen Road Hotline at 608/266-8417. Haulers with specific questions can contact WisDOT’s Oversize/Overweight Permits Unit at (608) 266-7320.

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Wisconsin Frost Laws, Seasonal Load Weight and Speed Restrictions – 2025

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