"Zone 1: START Sunday, December 14, 2025 at 12:01 a.m. CST; Zone 2: START Sunday, December 14, 2025 at 12:01 a.m. CST; Zone 3: START Thursday, December 18, 2025 at 12:01 a.m. CST; Zone 4: START Friday, February 6, 2026 at 12:01 a.m. CST; Zone 5: START Friday, February 6, 2026 at 12:01 a.m. CST"
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Status | Active |
| Status Timestamp | 2025-12-18T00:00:00-06:00 |
| Coverage | State and US numbered highways in all five zones. I-39 and I-41 corridors included as exceptions to the general interstate exclusion. No other interstate highways. No local roads contact local highway maintaining authorities separately for local frozen road declarations. |
| Effective Dates | Zone 1: December 14, 2025, 12:01 a.m. CST. Zone 2: December 14, 2025, 12:01 a.m. CST. Zone 3: December 18, 2025, 12:01 a.m. CST. Zone 4: February 6, 2026, 12:01 a.m. CST. Zone 5: February 6, 2026, 12:01 a.m. CST. No end dates specified. |
| Weight Limits | Maximum gross vehicle weight: 98,000 lbs. Maximum single axle: 23,000 lbs (axle must carry at least 8% of gross weight to count). Axle group limits vary by spacing see weight limits table below. Declared under Wis. Stat. s. 348.175; chart weights include the 4,000 lb allowance under s. 348.15(3)(br). |
| Key Roads | All state and US numbered highways within all zones. I-39 corridor. I-41 corridor. No other interstate highways. No local roads. |
| Exemptions | Vehicles registered for 80,000 lbs or for max GVW under ss. 348.15(3)(c) or 348.15(3)(br) if less than 80,000 lbs. Commodities: abrasives or salt for highway winter maintenance (including salt brine or liquid calcium chloride); peeled or unpeeled forest products cut crosswise (not woodchips). Travel not allowed on any state highways with posted weight restrictions. |
| Penalties | Not specified |
| Contact | OSOW Permits Section, WisDOT (608) 266-7320 (permits); (608) 266-8417 (recorded status message) |
| Primary Status Source URL | https://wisconsindot.gov/Documents/dmv/com-drv-vehs/mtr-car-trkr/ssnl-wt-rsrctns/Current-Declaration.pdf |
Zone-by-Zone Effective Dates
| Zone | Start Date | Start Time | End Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 1 | December 14, 2025 | 12:01 a.m. CST | Not specified |
| Zone 2 | December 14, 2025 | 12:01 a.m. CST | Not specified |
| Zone 3 | December 18, 2025 | 12:01 a.m. CST | Not specified |
| Zone 4 | February 6, 2026 | 12:01 a.m. CST | Not specified |
| Zone 5 | February 6, 2026 | 12:01 a.m. CST | Not specified |
No end dates are published in the declaration. Check WisDOT directly before each dispatch.
Weight Limits
The maximum gross vehicle weight under the Frozen Road Declaration is 98,000 pounds, including all axles. The maximum weight on any single axle is 23,000 pounds. Each individual axle must carry at least 8% of the vehicle's gross weight to be counted as an axle. Axle group limits by spacing are published in the declaration chart; selected values are shown below. Chart weights include the 4,000 lb allowance provided under Wis. Stat. s. 348.15(3)(br).
| Axle Configuration | Spacing | Max Weight (lbs) |
|---|---|---|
| Single axle | 23,000 | |
| 2 consecutive axles | 46 ft | 38,000 |
| 2 consecutive axles | 78.4 ft | 46,000 |
| 3 consecutive axles | 7 ft | 49,000 |
| 3 consecutive axles | 7.58 ft | 50,500 |
| 3 consecutive axles | 8.18.4 ft | 54,000 |
| 3 consecutive axles | 9 ft | 55,000 |
| 3 consecutive axles | 10 ft | 55,500 |
| 3 consecutive axles | 11 ft | 56,500 |
| 3 consecutive axles | 12 ft | 57,000 |
| 4 consecutive axles | 12 ft | 67,500 |
| 3 consecutive axles | 32 ft | 72,000 |
| 4 consecutive axles | 32 ft | 85,000 |
| Maximum gross vehicle weight | All axles | 98,000 |
Axle groups of 2, 3, or 4 axles are split only to determine whether an individual axle meets the 8% minimum or 23,000 lb maximum thresholds. The weight chart does not apply to the Interstate Highway System except the I-39 and I-41 corridors.
Coverage and Road Eligibility
- All state and US numbered highways within all five zones are covered.
- I-39 corridor and I-41 corridor are included as declared exceptions to the general interstate exclusion.
- All other interstate highways are excluded.
- Local roads are not authorized under this declaration. Contact local highway maintaining authorities to determine if local roads are under any separate frozen road declarations.
Exemptions
Eligible Vehicles (Travel Without Permit)
- Vehicles currently registered for 80,000 pounds.
- Vehicles registered for the maximum gross vehicle weight based on number of axles and axle spacing allowed under Wis. Stat. ss. 348.15(3)(c) or 348.15(3)(br), if that registered weight is less than 80,000 pounds.
Exempt Commodities
- Abrasives or salt for highway winter maintenance, including salt brine or liquid calcium chloride.
- Peeled or unpeeled forest products cut crosswise (woodchips are not included).
Restrictions That Apply Regardless of Declaration
- Travel is not allowed on any state highways with posted weight restrictions, even under the Frozen Road Declaration.
- No local roads are authorized. No interstate highways other than I-39 and I-41 corridors.
Special Conditions
- Declaration issued pursuant to Wis. Stat. s. 348.175.
- The weights in the declaration chart include the 4,000 lbs provided under Wis. Stat. s. 348.15(3)(br).
- Call (608) 266-8417 for a recorded message on the current status of road weight restrictions.
- Check with local highway maintaining authorities to determine if local roads are under any frozen road declarations.
Contact
- OSOW Permits Section, Wisconsin Department of Transportation
- Phone (permits): (608) 266-7320
- Phone (recorded status message): (608) 266-8417
Source Attribution
Primary source: WisDOT Current Frozen Road Declaration (PDF)
Landing page: WisDOT Seasonal Weight Restrictions
Status observed at: 2025-12-18T00:00:00-06:00
No end dates are specified for any zone. Local roads are explicitly excluded from this declaration contact local authorities separately. The weight chart does not apply to the interstate system except I-39 and I-41 corridors. Verify current status directly with WisDOT before dispatch.
