What is STAA truck?

Best explanation I have to offer is from the site below.

there is more info on that page.


The Surface Transportation Assistance Act (STAA) of 1982 allows large trucks to operate on the Interstate and certain primary routes called collectively the National Network. These trucks, referred to as STAA trucks, are longer than California legal trucks. As a result, STAA trucks have a larger turning radius than most local roads can accommodate.

Truck Routes (STAA)

 

The Surface Transportation Assistance Act (STAA) of 1982 allows large trucks to operate on the Interstate and certain primary routes called collectively the National Network. These trucks, referred to as STAA trucks, are longer than California legal trucks.

A Google search will provide you with an STAA map showing you which routes you can take.

 

To add to what @Ridgeline said:

Basically on STAA routss, the federal Interstate size limits override the state limits. Think 53' trailers and no overall length limit.

If you weren't around then, some states went batcrap crazy about 53 footers (looking at you, Georgia) and it was a real fight to get them to honor STAA provisions. IIRC, the KPRA laws were a bone thrown to the states to avoid court battles with the feds.

 

Yes, the sign that you saw was basically a reminder that you needed to be using State length limits

 

Even as an oilfield driver, I would rather take a US highway over a county road that I've never been down before. Low tree limbs & power lines, super tight curves and turns, and 5000# bridges ain't for me.

 

STAA routes.
I thought that was when we went to 102" trailers then included 53 length?
I remember going thru the Baltimore harbor tunnel in the 80s and having to stop at the toll with the truck a bit sideways so they didn't notice a wide trailer with a new 48 footer.

 

Yes law enforcement in Kentucky will pull you over for being on a road marked that way. May be county or local LEO not just state boys. Stay on the routes marked as truck routes in your Motor Carrier Atlas. As others have said the STAA overrides local codes on approved roads for trucks but once your off those roads you are subject to local laws. IIRC, Kentucky had a limit to how far off a STAA route you were allowed to be unless you had a stop that justified being off route, I think it was like four or five miles. But the roads in KY marked “no through STAA trucks” mean exactly that. Similar to how Pennsylvania has routes restricted for trucks 102” wide. Get caught in those and it is a hefty fine. 15 years ago we had a driver get popped in PA to the tune of about 750$ for having a 48’ 102” trailer on one of those PA restricted routes

 

GA didn’t like spreadaxles either, allowed 40k on interstate on spread, but 2 lanes you went back to 34k years ago.