A Guide to Weigh Stations and the Weight of Diesel Fuel

As a truck driver, it is vital to be aware of weigh stations and just how important they are for your journey. Factor them in when planning for your trip. If you don’t plan properly for the weight of diesel fuel, you could face unexpected delays, which leads to unhappy clients. 

When transporting goods, it is vital to take the weight of Diesel Fuel into account. The weight of gasoline varies between 7.25 to 7.5 pounds per gallon and 100 gallons of diesel weighs 700 pounds. Semi-trucks get an average of 6.5 miles out of every fuel gallon. 

We have put together a complete guide to weigh stations and the weight of diesel fuel, so it’s one less thing to worry about the next time you head behind the wheel on a lengthy job.

What Is A Weigh Station?

A weigh station is a checkpoint along a highway used to inspect the weights of vehicles passing through. They are equipped with special scales, and signal lights indicate if the driver needs to pull over for additional inspection. There are different types of scales used, some of which weigh in motion and allow trucks to continue to move, and others that require trucks to stop. 

Trucks that exceed the limit are still allowed to operate on the highways but require a special permit that needs to be obtained before the trip and expire once the trip has ended. These are also only issued for loads which cannot be broken down any smaller and if there isn't an alternative way to transport the goods. A weigh station’s original purpose was to collect taxes from those in heavier trucks as they can do more damage to the roads. However, a road station nowadays serves much more than just this one purpose.

What Do Weigh Stations Check?

While the name focuses primarily on the amount of load on a truck, a weigh station does more than just this. As well as checking the gross (total) weight of the truck, they will also check compliance with hours of service regulations and act as a checkpoint for safety inspections of both the truck and the trailer. 

The Department of Transportation (DOT) can perform a visual inspection that spans a range of thoroughness, from the most basic at level six to level one, which is the most rigorous. Weigh stations are operated by the state's DOT or DMV in conjunction with the state police or state highway patrol, which means they can enforce applicable laws and fines if need be. 

What Happens If A Truck Is Overweight?

If a truck is found to be over the weight limit, they will either receive a costly overweight ticket, have to stop until they can acquire an overweight permit, or have to offload the extra freight. The exact consequence the driver will face does differ state by state but are generally very similar. Some of the things you may encounter are:

• A delay: As a truck driver, you are often on a tight schedule, which an overweight weight check won’t allow for. An overweight truck inspection can take time and if you are late for your delivery, you might lose out on money and have your business relationship with the client impacted, costing you future work with them.
• A fine: Again, fines can differ depending on where you are and what state you are driving in. Penalties of the first offense can be anything from a few hundred dollars to tens of thousands of dollars and this will just keep rising if you re-offend.
• Legal action: In states such as Delaware, Alabama, or Ohio, having an overweight truck can be punishable with a trip to jail for up to two months. The country’s court system could also decide to revoke a driver’s commercial driver’s license (CDL), which could lead to you losing your job.

What is the Weight of Gasoline?

The weight of gasoline varies between 7.25 to 7.5 pounds per gallon as we mentioned above. The majority of states have a requirement that means any truck with a gross weight of 80,000 Ibs or more, a single axle weight of 20,000 Ibs, or more or a tandem axle weight of 34,000 pounds or more has to stop at all weigh stations en route. In some, the limit can be higher, but providing that you fall into this category, you must stop at each one you pass through. 

When transporting goods, it is vital to take the weight of Diesel Fuel into account. The weight of gasoline varies between 7.25 to 7.5 pounds per gallon, and one hundred gallons of diesel weighs 700 Ibs. Semi-trucks get an average of 6.5 miles out of every fuel gallon. This number can fluctuate, as it depends on where you are driving, the speed you drive, how you drive, and the age of the truck itself. 

Diesel Fuel Weight Calculator Tips

It is usually recommended to calculate your density of diesel fuel at 7 to assist with the mathematical side, but some count it as 8 to ensure they definitely don’t break the limit. Temperature can also impact weight, so it is better to be on the safe side. The capacity of a fuel tank in a truck varies between models, but it is usually between 100-150 gallons each side for OTR trucks. Because of this, it can be a good idea to run a trip with half a tank of fuel to avoid going over the limit, meaning you will need to stop off more to refuel. Keep these fuel stops in mind when planning your trip, and the time it will take.

ABCO Transportation Offers Truck Driving Opportunities

If you are looking for a new career, ABCO Transportation has many great opportunities for truck drivers seeking a job change. We have a host of trucking jobs available for anyone, no matter if you have a few years of trucking experience or have many years of experience. Our friendly and helpful team will offer you all the advice and information you need to get started, and you will soon discover just why we are such a great team to work for. 

If you would like more information or to browse our range of truck driving jobs, fill out our trucking job application, and we will get back to you as soon as possible. We offer job opportunities that include CDL A driver jobs and truck driving jobs in Modesto, CA. We also offer tips such as truck driver rest stop tips.

With job opportunities that are Regional, OTR, and also local, connect with us today. You could find your new career path sooner than you might think. Call us at 866-980-2710 today.