Home / Heavy Haul FAQ / Superload vs Oversize Load
Heavy Haul FAQ · Sourced from state DOTs
Where a routine oversize permit ends and a superload begins, state by state, and what changes when you cross the line.
Last verified: against official state sources.
Short answer
An oversize load is anything over legal size that fits within a state's routine permit limits; a superload is a load so wide, tall, long or heavy that it needs special review, such as engineering analysis, route surveys or a longer lead time. Each state draws the line differently: Washington at 16 ft wide or 200,000 lb, Utah at 17 ft wide or 300,000 lb, Nevada and Colorado at 500,000 lb.
Thresholds
| State | Superload (or equivalent) threshold | Official source |
|---|---|---|
| Washington | Over 16 ft wide, 16 ft high, 125 ft load length, or 200,000 lb (WSDOT office only) | WSDOT: Commercial vehicle permits |
| California | Variance permit: over 15 ft wide, 17 ft high or 135 ft long, or special hauling equipment | Caltrans: Transportation Permits |
| Nevada | Over 17 ft wide (2-3 lane) or 19 ft (4+ lane), 18 ft tall, 200 ft long, or 500,000 lb | NDOT: Over Dimensional Vehicles |
| Arizona | Over Class A limits (14 ft wide, 16 ft high, 120 ft, 250,000 lb): Class C special permit | 17 A.A.C. 6 (PDF) |
| Utah | Over 17 ft 6 in high, 17 ft wide, or 300,000 lb | UDOT: Oversize & Overweight Provisions |
| Montana | Over 18 ft wide, 150 ft long, 17 ft high, or needing Bridge Bureau approval | MDT 2026 Trucker's Handbook (PDF) |
| Wyoming | Over port limits (18 ft wide, 17 ft high, 120 ft, 160,000 lb): Overweight Loads Office, Cheyenne | WHP: Commercial Carrier |
| Colorado | Chapter 6 Special 200,000-500,000 lb; superload over 500,000 lb (or double dolly over 15 ft wide) | CDOT: Permitting Information |
| New Mexico | 200,000 lb and above: separate NMDOT process (verify with the state) | 18.19.8 NMAC |
| Texas | Superheavy: over 254,300 lb, over max permit axle weights, or 200,001-254,300 lb with under 95 ft axle spacing | TxDMV: Superheavy Single-Trip Permits |
| Oregon, Idaho, North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma | Thresholds not confirmed from an official source: verify with the state | See each state guide |
What changes
Sources: NDOT: Over Dimensional Vehicles; UDOT: Oversize & Overweight Provisions; TxDMV: Superheavy Single-Trip Permits; WSDOT: Commercial vehicle permits. Checked Oct 22, 2026.
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
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.
It varies: 200,000 lb in Washington, 300,000 lb in Utah, and 500,000 lb in Nevada and Colorado. Texas calls loads over 254,300 lb superheavy.
At least 10 business days in Nevada, up to 14 days in Utah, and 3 to 4 weeks for a Texas superheavy permit without an approved route.
In Washington, over 16 ft wide is a superload. In Nevada, Utah and Montana it is still under the superload width threshold.
Often. Utah, for example, requires a police escort over 17 ft wide on secondary highways or 17 ft 6 in high.
Keep reading
Send the dimensions and lane. We handle permits, escorts and routing on CRST's network. Call (310) 989-6530.
Let's Move Something
Tell me what it is and where it needs to go. I will get back to you the same day, with CRST's asset-based network behind every quote.
No portals, no phone trees. You get the person who books your freight.
Same-day response on every quote request. If a load is sitting, call. That is what the phone is for.
Tell me what you are moving and I will respond same day.