Dray Insight
Container dimensions and weight limits.
20', 40', high cube, 45' and reefers: size inside and out, door, volume and weight. Plus how much cargo fits on a US road.
How much cargo can go on the road?
US federal limit: 80,000 lb gross for tractor, chassis, container and cargo. Per axle group: 34,000 lb a tandem, steer axle usually 12,000 lb.
Heavier than that needs an overweight permit or a corridor your state allows. Check the rules where you haul.
Which chassis fits
Questions
What are the dimensions of a 20 ft container?
Outside: 20 ft long, 8 ft wide, 8 ft 6 in high. Inside: about 19 ft 4 in × 7 ft 8 in × 7 ft 10 in, or about 1,172 cubic feet.
What are the dimensions of a 40 ft container?
Outside: 40 ft × 8 ft × 8 ft 6 in. Inside: about 39 ft 6 in × 7 ft 8 in × 7 ft 10 in, or about 2,390 cubic feet.
What is the difference between a 40 ft and a 40 ft high cube?
A high cube is one foot taller: 9 ft 6 in outside and about 8 ft 10 in inside. That adds about 300 cubic feet.
How much weight can a container carry on US roads?
The federal gross limit is 80,000 lb for tractor, chassis, container and cargo together, so the cargo limit depends on your tractor and chassis. Axle limits of 34,000 lb per tandem can lower it. Use the calculator on this page.
What is a tri-axle chassis?
A chassis with three rear axles, used for heavy 20 ft containers. It spreads the weight to stay inside axle limits. The 80,000 lb gross limit still applies unless you have a permit.
What is tare weight?
The weight of the empty container. Max gross minus tare is the most cargo the container itself is rated for.
Pricing the move? Try the drayage rate calculator or see what drayage is.
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