Weight and size limit questions..... Kinda confusing....

All states currently provide access to 53/102's. However, by the letter of the law they are legally limited to interstates and designated highways, and reasonable access within 5 miles of the interstate truck routes, and a few states enforce those rules. The states can set their own legalities, such as kingpin dimensions and other things. The states that tend to be the most critical of operating 53's are ones in the Northeast region. For the rest of the country, you can pretty much use a 53" with no restrictions.

 

This is one topic we could/would spend all day on. As Burky stated, individual states have different applications of the law. Even some cities have different interpretations of it.

Lancaster, TX had to be ordered by a Federal Judge to cease and desist with their efforts to shut down "legal" traffic within their city. So they decided to start enforcing newly passed "No Idle" laws instead.

Even the wonderful city of Cincinnati OH had to be ordered into compliance of Federal Laws. Concerning enforcement of "truck restrictions" placed on trucks (by them) coming through another city, in another state....Florence, KY

While we are allowed to use 102/53 trailers on the "National" system. Many localities and states are trying their best to restrict their use even further.

Just keep your eyes and ears open at all times for the restrictions, and how they apply to your combo. Talk with local drivers frequently, since many cities and counties will just throw a sign up, to discourage truck traffic. There will be no actual law preventing it, nor will there be enforcement.

Where I live, I can move easily down "county" roads with no enforcement. Roads in better shape, in other states, would get me a ticket.

 

In your motor carrier atlas, designated routes are marked. 53/102's are allowed by federal law. Plan your routing by them and you won't have a problem. However, there are a few exceptions you must learn like California and their kingpin to axle length. When you have to leave the designated routes for p/u and delivery it normally isn't a problem, and if it is, you can't plan for it.