Weight-Distance Taxes: The States That Charge You Per Mile

One of the fun things about being an interstate trucker is that every state has different rules and regulations. In many states, it's enough to just have your USDOT number, IRP registration, and IFTA decals to do whatever you need to do. However, there are four states in the Lower 48 that require you to set up an account directly with the state. These states charge you based on the mileage you drive within their borders. In this article, we'll break down the four states that have weight-distance taxes.

 

Kentucky

 

Kentucky's mileage tax is only for motor carriers that weigh more than 60,000 pounds. The state calls it the KYU, and it's a quarterly tax filing that charges you a small flat rate for each mile that you travel in Kentucky. Kentucky has a separate mileage tax for intrastate-only carriers called the Kentucky Intrastate Tax, or KIT. If you're Kentucky-only, you'll need to look into KIT as well as KYU.

 

New Mexico & New York's Weight-Distance Taxes

 

New Mexico and New York are grouped together because their taxes are very similar. The only major difference between the two is in their weight requirements. New York requires every motor carrier over 18,000 pounds to register for its tax, the New York Highway Use Tax (NYHUT). On the other hand, New Mexico's weight-distance tax (NMWD) is only for carriers that weigh 26,000 pounds or more. Outside of that difference, they're effectively identical. They charge you based on your mileage and require you to make a quarterly return.

 

Oregon

 

When it comes to trucking, Oregon is unique. Oregon has a ton of different permits, filings, and other regulations for truckers. It also has a weight-mile tax for any vehicle weighing more than 26,000 pounds. Before you try to haul in Oregon, make sure you reach out to our team of Oregon trucking experts. You don't want to miss one of Oregon's many regulations and wind up breaking the law by accident, do you?