Do Moving Trucks Have to Stop at Weigh Stations?

If you are making a long-distance move, you might be wondering whether or not truck rentals stop at weigh stations on the way. Some states require rented moving trucks to stop at weigh stations, however, rental trucks used to move personal property typically do not need to stop at weigh stations.

What is a rented moving truck, anyway?

A U-Haul truck is a moving truck that you can rent. The most common reason that people rent a truck is to move to another home. You can use a rental truck to move down the street or across the country.

Some other reasons why people rent a truck are to donate furniture, pick up newly purchased furniture, or transport household items to a local garbage dump or recycling center.

​U-Haul isn't the only rental company that offers moving trucks, although they are the most well-known. Other truck rental companies include:

• Penske Truck Rental
• Budget Truck Rental
• Enterprise Truck Rental
• Ryder Truck Rental
• Home Depot Truck Rental

Cargo vans and pickup trucks can be rented for local moves from U-Haul, Enterprise, or Home Depot.

What is the point of a weigh station?

Weigh stations are highway checkpoints where large vehicles, mainly trucks, are inspected for safety and weight. Their primary purpose is to prevent heavy or unsafe trucks from moving on interstates, making it safer for all drivers.

Fun fact: A weigh station that is located near the state border is commonly called a "port of entry". Truckers often refer to them as "scales".

Do rental trucks have to stop at weigh stations?

Whether or not you will need to stop at the scales will depend on the state you are driving through. There are two primary factors that states use to determine who has to stop at their scales:

Are you moving personal property or commercial goods?

Many states only require commercial vehicles to stop at weigh stations. If your truck rental is loaded up with your personal property, such as your household goods, then you aren't required to stop in those states.

What size moving truck are you driving?

Even if your U-Haul is filled with only your household goods, many states require all vehicles that weigh 10,000 pounds or more to stop. Wait- weren't we talking about truck size, not weight? Look at you paying attention, so cute!

Since this moving guide is about rental trucks specifically I wanted to make it easier for our readers to understand. And while I don't expect someone who rents a U-Haul every 2-3 years to know (or remember) how much their truck weighs, I do think most people know what size truck they rented.

Fortunately for all of us, it's rather easy to determine the weight of your moving truck based on its size. For quick reference, we have provided an approximation of the gross vehicle weight for the most common rental truck sizes below.

• 10' Truck = 8,600 lbs
• 15' - 20' Truck = 12,500 - 14,500 lbs
• 26' Truck = 26,000 lbs

Do you have to stop at every weigh station?

If you're driving through a state that requires you to stop at their weigh stations then, yes, you are required to stop at every one you come upon (assuming it is open). This isn't nearly as terrible as it may seem, and chances are you won't need to stop more than once in most states. Here's why:

• The number of weigh stations in each state is a lot less than you might think. Many states have fewer than 15 stations in operation
• About 1/3 of all weigh stations are only open seasonally
• Weigh stations that are operational year-round are not usually open 24/7. The operating hours will usually mirror the times when trucks are on the road
• Not every weigh station will require all trucks to stop. Some stations are specialized and may only require certain types of vehicles to stop, like those transporting agricultural items or livestock

What states require rental trucks to stop at weigh stations?

Weigh station requirements for rented moving trucks that are hauling personal property:

• 8 states require rented moving trucks to stop at some or all weigh stations
• 23 states do not require rental trucks to stop. Alabama, Idaho, and Montana technically require truck rentals to stop, but only if they exceed 26,000 pounds. Rental trucks do not need to stop in these states because the maximum GVW of a rented truck is 26,000 lbs, so it will never exceed the weight threshold
• 2 states, South Dakota and Virginia, require a stop when the GVW is greater than 8,000 lbs. A 10' U-Haul weighs more than that, so all rental trucks must stop
• 14 states require truck rentals that weigh 10,000 lbs or more to stop. A 10' U-Haul truck is the only moving truck you can rent that weighs less
• 3 states, Illinois, Missouri, and Oregon, require only the largest truck sizes to stop based on their weight thresholds

This information was updated in December 2021.