TheNational Network (orNational Truck Network) is a network of approvedstate highways andinterstates for commercialtruck drivers in theUnited States. TheSurface Transportation Assistance Act of 1982 authorized the establishment of a national network of highways designated for use by largetrucks. On these highways, Federal width and length limits apply. The National Network (NN) includes almost all of theInterstate Highway System and other, specified non-Interstate highways. The network comprises more than 200,000 miles (320,000 km) of highways.[1]
§658.9 National Network Criteria[2]The National Network listed in the appendix to this part is available for use by commercial motor vehicles of the dimensions and configurations described in §658.13 and §658.15. For those States with detailed lists of individual routes in the appendix, the routes have been designated on the basis of their general adherence to the following criteria.
The National Network was mostrecently defined by theIntermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991.[3] Information on these routes are taken from§658 Appendix A.[4] Some states such asIndiana,Arkansas, andOhio allow truck traffic on allnumbered state or U.S. highways. Other states, such asNew York andCalifornia, have a specially defined set of highways which are recommended for trucks. The law allows for "reasonable access" to and from the NN for terminals, deliveries, trucks stops, repairs, and other reasons. The NN is recommended forthrough truck traffic (e.g. traffic that is passing through the area), and trucks are allowed to operate on truck-restricted roads if they have no other means of access to their destination.