The correlations between traftic load distributions and tensile strains in flexible pavements are discussed in this paper, and these relationships are compared against theoretical strains computed from layered elastic theory. Six flexible pavement test sections at the Minnesota Road Research Project (Mn/ROAD) were selected for the analysis presented in this paper. Wheel-weight data from the weigh-in-motion station at the Mn/ROAD site were taken for a number of time periods during 1995. Weight data distributions were then matched to temperature-corrected transverse strains measured at the bottom of the asphalt concrete in the test sections. Finally, a layered elastic analysis was performed, the results of which were compared to actual measurements under traflic. It was found that the measured strains and the strains computed from the analytical model matched well when the loads were modeled as dual wheels with constant tire pressure and a varying load magnitude.