Home / Heavy Haul FAQ / Can Oversize Loads Travel at Night or on Weekends?
Heavy Haul FAQ · Sourced from state DOTs
When wide, tall and long loads can move after dark or on weekends, and the metro curfews that apply on weekdays.
Last verified: against official state sources.
Short answer
Most states limit wide oversize loads to daylight, typically 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset, though many allow night travel for narrower or overweight-only loads. Weekend rules vary widely: South Dakota and Kansas have no weekend or holiday shutdown, while North Dakota stops loads over 16 ft wide from Saturday noon through Sunday.
The rules
| State | Night travel | Weekends and holidays | Official source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oregon | Set in permit Attachment H (OAR 734-082-0021) | Six holiday periods restricted | ODOT: Oregon Travel Restrictions |
| Washington | Within 12 ft wide, 14 ft 6 in high, 105 ft: night OK; larger needs approval | Weekday commuter curfews; holidays from noon the day before | WSDOT: Curfew hours & holiday restrictions |
| Idaho | Commuter limits over 13 ft wide, 6-9 AM and 4-6:30 PM | Red routes stop 2 PM Friday | IDAPA 39.03.01 (PDF) |
| California | Without a pilot car, 24/7 unless the permit says No Night Travel; with a pilot, by route color | Blue/Brown routes: weekends to noon only | Caltrans 24/7 Travel Special Conditions (PDF) |
| Nevada | Darkness: over 12 ft wide needs front and rear pilots | Weekend hours Friday sunset to Monday sunrise; verify with the state | NDOT: Over Dimensional Vehicles |
| Arizona | Continuous up to 10 ft wide; 10-16 ft on Table 4 night routes from 3 AM | Non-holiday weekends allowed on Table 4 routes | 17 A.A.C. 6 (PDF) |
| Utah | Over 14 ft 6 in high or 105 ft long: daylight only unless R909-2-15 met | Holidays from 2 PM the day before | Utah Admin. Rule R909-2 (PDF) |
| Montana | Interstate 24/7 up to 18 ft wide; non-interstate over 10 ft daylight only | Over 18 ft wide, 150 ft or 17 ft high: no weekends | ARM 18.8.509 |
| Wyoming | Generally daylight only (exceptions up to 10 ft wide on interstates) | Escorted moves stop on listed holidays | WHP: Commercial Carrier |
| Colorado | Night up to 12 ft with lights; over 14 ft needs Chapter 6 | Memorial Day, July 4, Labor Day restricted | CDOT: Permitting Information |
| New Mexico | Daylight only unless the permit allows continuous movement | verify with the state | 18.19.8 NMAC |
| Texas | Daylight only; Interstates at night up to 10 ft wide, 100 ft | Holiday max 14 ft wide, 16 ft high, 110 ft | TxDMV Motor Carrier Handbook (PDF) |
| North Dakota | Up to 12 ft wide may run at night with lighting | Over 16 ft: no Saturday afternoon or Sunday | NDHP Policy 9-6 (PDF) |
| South Dakota | Interstate night OK unless escorted or over 10 ft wide / 14 ft 6 in high | No weekend or holiday restrictions | SD Truck Info: Weekends and holidays |
| Nebraska | Daylight only; overweight-only 24/7 | No holiday travel | 408 NAC Ch. 3 (PDF) |
| Kansas | Over-width/length: daylight only; overweight-only at night | Every day of the year, holidays included | K.A.R. 36-1-36 |
| Oklahoma | Set by rule and permit; restricted 7-9 AM and 3:30-6:30 PM in affected areas | verify with the state | ODOT (Oklahoma): Size and Weight Permits |
Curfews
Weekday metro curfews often matter more than night rules: Utah's Wasatch Front (6-9 AM and 3:30-6 PM MT), Phoenix and Tucson (7-9 AM and 4-6 PM), Denver (6-9 AM and 3-6 PM), Puget Sound and Spokane, Idaho's commuter zones, and Kansas and Oklahoma metro windows. See each state permit guide for exact segments.
By state
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.
Have a specific load? Request a quote or run it through the permit checker. Every load we book is permitted, escorted and routed for you.
Questions we get
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 many states, yes. South Dakota and Kansas have no weekend or holiday shutdown. North Dakota stops loads over 16 ft wide from Saturday noon through Sunday.
Montana allows 24/7 interstate travel, including holidays, for loads up to 18 ft wide.
Yes. Examples include Utah's Wasatch Front, Phoenix and Tucson, Denver, and the Seattle and Spokane areas.
Often yes. Kansas, Nebraska and Texas allow overweight-only loads to move at night.
Keep reading
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