Oregon Weight-Mile Tax Explained for Truckers

Dec. 16, 2025, 3:52 p.m.
The Oregon Weight-Mile Tax is a unique road-use tax that applies to heavy trucks operating in Oregon. Unlike most states, Oregon does not charge a diesel fuel tax for heavy vehicles—instead, it taxes trucks based on weight and miles traveled.
Oregon Weight Mile Tax

What Is the Oregon Weight-Mile Tax?

The weight-mile tax is a per-mile tax charged on commercial vehicles based on:

  • Declared combined weight of the truck and trailer

  • Miles traveled within Oregon

The heavier the vehicle, the higher the tax rate per mile.

This tax helps Oregon fund highway maintenance and infrastructure.

 Who Must Pay the Weight-Mile Tax?

You must pay the Oregon weight-mile tax if your vehicle:

  • Is a commercial truck over 26,000 lbs

  • Operates on public roads in Oregon

  • Is registered as a motor carrier with ODOT

This applies to:

  • Oregon-based carriers

  • Out-of-state carriers

  • Owner-operators

  • Private and for-hire carriers

Passenger vehicles and light trucks are exempt.

 How the Tax Is Calculated

The tax is based on:

  1. Declared weight class (example: 80,000 lbs)

  2. Miles driven in Oregon

  3. Applicable rate per mile

 Rates increase as vehicle weight increases.

Mileage must be accurately recorded using:

  • Odometer readings

  • Electronic tracking devices

  • Trip sheets or logs

 Weight-Mile vs Fuel Tax (Why Oregon Is Different)

Feature Oregon Most Other States
Heavy truck fuel tax  No  Yes
Road-use tax  Weight-mile  Fuel-based
Reporting Mileage & weight Fuel gallons

 Truckers do not pay Oregon diesel fuel tax for heavy vehicles—but they must report miles.

 How Truckers Report & Pay

Carriers must:

 

 Filing Deadlines

Reports are due quarterly:

  • April 30

  • July 31

  • October 31

  • January 31

 Late filings can result in penalties, interest, and enforcement actions.

 Enforcement & Penalties

ODOT and Oregon State Police enforce compliance at:

  • Ports of Entry

  • Weigh stations

  • Roadside inspections

Penalties may include:

  • Fines

  • Vehicle out-of-service orders

  • Suspended operating authority

 Common Mistakes Truckers Make

  •  Forgetting to file quarterly reports

  •  Reporting incorrect weight classes

  •  Under-reporting Oregon miles

  •  Assuming IFTA replaces the weight-mile tax

  •  Operating without proper ODOT registration

 Key Takeaways

  • Oregon uses a weight-mile tax, not a diesel fuel tax, for heavy trucks

  • Applies to commercial vehicles over 26,000 lbs

  • Based on weight + miles driven

  • Requires quarterly reporting to ODOT

  • Strong enforcement at Oregon scalehouses

 

https://www.oregon.gov/odot/MCT/Pages/Commercial-Vehicle-Safety-Enforcement.aspx