Oversized Loads and Restrictions

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Many oversized load haulers joke about being like a child whose parents tell them to be home by dark, when they can go someplace, when to return, how to get from point a to point b, and if trouble arises…it is your fault. You cannot just get off the highway anywhere for food or fuel, you may run across bridge height issues, weight issues, or really narrow roads. In Ohio, if you need fuel, you have to be permitted to that fuel stop or you are off route. Go figure. Rules! Rules! Rules!


Yes, oversize rules differ significantly from state to state, and navigating these variations is a major challenge for the heavy haul trucking industry. While federal regulations set a baseline for the interstate highway system, individual states control the rules for their own roads.

Differences exist across many categories, including:

• Permit requirements: You must get a permit from every state your oversize load passes through.
• Legal dimensions: The maximum width, height, and length that require a permit can vary.
• Escort requirements: The number and type of escort vehicles needed are state-specific.
• Operational restrictions: Rules governing travel times, road closures, and holiday travel are not consistent.
• Cost: Permit fees vary widely from state to state.

Examples of state-specific variations




Width

The standard maximum width on the National Network of highways is 8 feet, 6 inches (102 inches), but some states permit wider vehicles without a special permit.

• Hawaii: Allows up to 9 feet without a permit.
• Texas: Can allow loads up to 14 feet wide on highways with a permit, but standard permits are required for loads exceeding 8 feet, 6 inches.
• New York: Limits for most vehicles are 8 feet, 6 inches. In New York City, the limit is even narrower at 8 feet.

Length

While 65 feet is a common overall maximum length, some states are more permissive.

• States that allow up to 75 feet without a permit: Colorado, Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wyoming.
• States with stricter limits: Other states cap overall length at 65 feet for certain vehicle configurations before requiring a permit.

Escort vehicles

The requirements for pilot cars are determined by each state and depend on the dimensions of the load.

• Width: Some states do not require escorts for loads under 10 feet wide, while others require them for all oversize loads. For example, Texas requires two escorts for loads over 14 feet wide on highways.
• Height: California mandates a front and rear escort for loads taller than 15 feet.
• Route: The specific road can also affect the rules. An escort may be required in front on an undivided highway, but only in the rear on a divided interstate.

Travel times

Many states restrict the movement of oversize loads to specific hours to avoid peak traffic. Most states will only allow an oversized load to travel sunrise to sunset but they also have to stop running during certain times when entering a high traffic area.

• Texas: Permits travel 24/7 with exceptions for designated holidays. They also have curfew in the Dallas/Fort Worth area.
• California: Restricts movement during peak rush hours, typically from 7–9 a.m. and 4–6 p.m.. Some cities start their curfews at 3:30pm and run till 7:00pm.
• Florida: Prohibits movement in certain counties during specific morning and evening hours.

Weight

States often follow the federal standard of 80,000 pounds for gross vehicle weight on interstates, but they have discretion for other roads and set varying limits that trigger permit requirements.

• Idaho: Permits loads weighing up to 129,000 pounds on certain routes, which far exceeds the federal limit.
• California: Requires a permit for any weight over 80,000 pounds.
• Texas: Requires a special bridge analysis for loads exceeding 90,000 pounds.