New York State Bans Empty Trucks

Upon reading the title of this article, you may think this counts as another crazy political power grab built to make the life of the average trucker harder, not unlike the congestion pricing rules that were to go into effect had the federal government not intervened. Rest assured, there is a good reason why the Empire State is prohibiting travel below a certain weight threshold.

Details

As of Thanksgiving 2025, New York has forbidden travel of trucks with empty trailers on the following roads:

• I-90 from Buffalo to the Pennsylvania state line.
• Route 5 Skyway: Church Street to Tifft Street
• Route 400:  I-90 to Route 16
• Route 219: I-90 to Route 39
• I-86: PA Line to Exit 23 (Route 219)
• Route 5 Skyway from I-190 to Route 79

The answer as to why this is the case is very simple: with winter soon approaching, strong gusts of wind can cause major damage, not just to empty trucks, but also other drivers on the road as a careening trailer spills. Just take a look at this example, that while filmed in Alberta, is not inaccurate to the situation:

Pennsylvania and Ohio have listed similar restrictions. For Pennsylvania:

• I-86, entire length.
• I-90, entire length, continuing the restrictions from New York.

Ohio has its turnpike restricted from various forms of vehicles, not only including empty trailers, but mobile home and livestock deliveries.

Conclusion

The ban on empty truck travel for these three states is in place until further notice, which raises the question: what is a trucker to do in the interim to avoid hazardous winds? There are two options: either avoid the listed roads and similarly windy pathways, or implement a system that allows truckers to weigh down their trailers with additional “dummy” cargo, such as bricks and cinderblocks.

Considering the impact carrying useless weight would have on fuel efficiency, it is probably best to just  check the local weather in the northeast and plan accordingly as you travel throughout the busiest season of the year, followed by the slowest season of the year.

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