Vermont Trucking Insurance

Trucking in Vermont

Vermont is one of only two states — Maine is the other — where you can legally exceed the federal 80,000 lb Interstate weight cap without a special permit. Vermont allows 99,000 lbs on non-tolled Interstates (I-89, I-91, I-93, I-189) with a 6-axle configuration, authorized under a federal pilot program extended for 20 years. For heavy haulers, the economics mirror Maine: one trip at 99,000 lbs replaces two trips at 80,000 lbs. But Vermont pairs that weight advantage with the Green Mountains, a mandatory chain law, and the most limited truck infrastructure of any state in our coverage area.

Two corridors carry nearly all Vermont truck traffic. I-91 runs north-south along the Connecticut River on the eastern border, connecting Massachusetts to the Canadian border at Derby Line. I-89 angles northwest from White River Junction to Burlington and the Canadian crossing at Highgate Springs. These two interstates intersect at White River Junction, making it the de facto freight crossroads of the state. US-7 on the western side parallels I-87 in New York and carries local distribution freight, but it is a two-lane road through much of the state and not suited for through-hauling.

Vermont’s freight economy is dominated by dairy, lumber, building materials, and heating fuel. Dairy operations run year-round and require refrigerated transport. Lumber and building materials move south toward Boston and the Connecticut markets. Heating oil and propane deliveries spike from October through April, with tanker trucks working narrow rural roads that would challenge any driver unfamiliar with the terrain. Quarry operations in the Barre-Montpelier area generate heavy stone and granite loads that pair well with the 99,000 lb weight exemption.

The chain law is the detail that catches people off guard. Vermont is one of the few Northeast states with a mandatory chain requirement for heavy-duty vehicles over 26,000 lbs GVWR/GCWR. The currently designated chain control area is Route 9 (Molly Stark Trail) between Wilmington and Bennington — roughly 20 miles through the Green Mountains notorious for winter conditions. The state can designate other highways as chain control areas based on conditions, and enforcement is active. Chains must go on both the motor vehicle and any towed trailers.

Winter is the defining season for Vermont trucking. Snow can arrive as early as late October and last into April. The Green Mountains create localized weather patterns — conditions can be clear in the Connecticut River valley while Route 4 over Killington or Route 9 over the Molly Stark Trail are whiteout. Black ice is a persistent hazard on mountain grades, particularly during overnight and early morning hours. Mud season in late March through May turns unpaved rural roads into impassable bogs, and Vermont has more miles of unpaved road than most New England states combined. Spring weight restrictions on town highways can complicate last-mile delivery during this period.

Infrastructure is the other challenge. Vermont has very few truck stops statewide. Known parking includes Maplewood Store near I-89 Exit 7 with 6 spaces, Shell near I-89 Exit 21 with 10 spaces, and Springfield Irving near I-91 Exit 7 with 17 spaces and 24/7 diesel. Beyond those, options are extremely scarce. Fuel gaps of 50-plus miles exist in northern Vermont. If you are running I-89 north of Burlington toward the Canadian border, fuel up before you leave the Burlington metro — the next reliable diesel may not come until you cross into Quebec. The state has no toll roads, no toll bridges, and no toll tunnels — a genuine operating cost advantage — but the trade-off is sparse infrastructure that requires advance planning for every run.

Vermont’s two Canadian border crossings add a cross-border dimension to the state’s freight profile. Derby Line on I-91 and Highgate Springs on I-89 handle commercial traffic moving between New England and Quebec. These are not high-volume crossings compared to Detroit or Laredo, but they serve specific markets — particularly dairy products, lumber, and manufactured goods. Carriers running cross-border loads should factor in customs processing time and the limited hours at these smaller ports of entry. FAST enrollment helps but does not eliminate waits during peak periods.

The oversize/overweight permit system in Vermont uses the VT Haul Pass online portal. Loads above the 99,000 lb exemption but under 150,000 lbs can be permitted, with conditions. Loads over 108,000 lbs, 12 feet wide, or 100 feet long face movement restrictions on weekends, holidays, and during the summer season from July 1 through Labor Day. Speed limits drop to 45 mph for loads exceeding 90,000 lbs, 10 feet wide, or 75 feet long. The state’s narrow mountain roads and limited pull-off areas make oversize movements more challenging than in flatter states — pilot car requirements and route surveys are common for larger loads.

From an insurance standpoint, Vermont’s combination of mountain terrain, limited emergency response, and winter conditions creates elevated risk. State insurance minimums are $25,000/$50,000/$10,000 for BI/PD — among the lowest in New England. For interstate carriers, the $750,000 federal minimum applies, and RMS recommends $1,000,000 CSL given that accident response times in rural areas can stretch well beyond the norm. The 99,000 lb weight exemption also means heavier loads on mountain grades, which increases both the severity of potential accidents and the value of cargo at risk. Physical damage coverage is essential — a truck going off a mountain road in Vermont may require specialized recovery equipment that takes hours to arrive. Carriers hauling heating fuel should also consider pollution liability coverage, as a tanker incident on a mountain road near a watershed could generate significant environmental cleanup costs. Vermont is an environmentally conscious state, and regulatory response to any spill near a waterway or groundwater source will be thorough and expensive.

Starting a Trucking Company in Vermont?

If you’re launching a new carrier in Vermont, our free guide walks you through every step from business formation to passing your first FMCSA safety audit. Start with the decision guide or jump to insurance costs for new authorities.