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Heavy Haul FAQ · Sourced from state DOTs
Short, sourced answers to the questions shippers ask most about oversize freight, written by a broker who has pulled the permits himself.
Last verified: against official state sources.
Questions
About these answers
I spent years driving and more than 15 in freight before I wrote these, and I have pulled oversize permits myself. Every answer here comes from the state's own rules, linked on each page, and anything we could not confirm says verify with the state. For a specific load, the permit is what counts, and getting it right is our job.
State guides: Oregon · Washington · Idaho · California · Nevada · Arizona · Utah · Montana · Wyoming · Colorado · New Mexico · Texas · North Dakota · South Dakota · Nebraska · Kansas · Oklahoma. Permit detail: Oregon · Washington · Idaho · California · Nevada · Arizona · Utah · Montana · Wyoming · Colorado · New Mexico · Texas · North Dakota · South Dakota · Nebraska · Kansas · Oklahoma.
Questions we get
It depends on the state and road. Washington requires front and rear pilots over 11 ft on two-lane highways, Nebraska one escort from 12 ft, Texas and New Mexico from 14 ft, and South Dakota not until wider than 16 ft on Interstates.
It depends on width and route. On Interstates and multilane highways, one pilot is required from 14 ft 1 in to 16 ft wide. On Map 1 Red two-lane routes, two pilots are required from 8 ft 7 in.
8 ft 6 in, or 102 inches. Under 23 CFR 658.15, no state may set a width limit of more or less than 102 inches on the National Network.
No. FHWA says there is no federal vehicle height requirement for commercial motor vehicles, so states set their own limits.
A load that exceeds a state's routine oversize permit limits and needs special review, such as bridge analysis, route surveys or a longer lead time. The thresholds vary by state.
Routine permits are often same-day, and Washington and North Dakota let most be self-issued online 24/7. Superloads take days to weeks.
Usually only smaller ones. Most states restrict wide loads to daylight but allow night travel for narrower or overweight-only loads, for example up to 12 ft wide in Washington and North Dakota.
In most states around noon on Wednesday, Nov 25, 2026. Oregon, Washington, Arizona, Nebraska and North Dakota all start their restrictions at noon that day.
In states with a published flat fee, a single-trip oversize permit is $10 to $30: $10 in Montana, $15 in Arizona, $25 plus mileage in Wyoming, and $30 in Utah and Colorado.
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