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Oversize and Wide Load Limits by State

Oversize and Wide Load Limits by State

Legal width, height, length and weight, and when a permitted load may move, checked October 2026

Quick answer

What is considered an oversize load?

A load over any legal limit: wider than 102 in (8 ft 6 in) on the National Network, taller than the state's height limit (13 ft 6 in in 18 of the 28 states here, 14 ft in eight states, including California and Texas, and 14 ft 6 in in Colorado and Nebraska) or over its length limits. Over a gross or axle limit it is overweight; over width, a wide load.

Updated October 2026 by the HTS Logistics broker team (FMCSA MC# 1178470).

This guide covers the limits themselves and when a permitted load is allowed on the road, for the 28 states we track, checked in October 2026. The permit that lets a load go past them, with each state's fee and portal, is compared on oversize load permit fees by state.

What's the difference between a wide load and an oversized load?

A wide load is an oversize load that is over the width limit. "Oversize" covers every dimension: width, height, length and overhang. Some states say over-dimension instead; Illinois, Ohio and Florida write their permit rules that way. The signs follow suit: Texas lets an escort vehicle carry either an OVERSIZE LOAD or a WIDE LOAD sign, and California adds a LONG LOAD sign once a load passes 100 ft. Weight is a separate test, so a load can be oversize at legal weight, overweight at legal size, or both.

What federal law sets, and what it leaves to the states

23 CFR 658 governs the main truck routes: the Interstate System and the National Network of designated highways. It fixes width and weight there, puts a floor under trailer length and says nothing about height.

Federal truck size and weight limits under 23 CFR 658
LimitFederal ruleSection
Width 102 in (8 ft 6 in) on the National Network. A state may set neither more nor less there; only Hawaii keeps 108 in. 23 CFR 658.15
Height None. FHWA leaves height to each state. FHWA size regulations
Semitrailer length No state may cap a semitrailer under 48 ft (28 ft for each trailer of a double) or set an overall length for these combinations. Lengths a state allowed on December 1, 1982 stay legal there. 23 CFR 658.13
Gross weight 80,000 lb on the Interstate and reasonable access to it, or less where the Bridge Formula sets less. 23 CFR 658.17(a), (b)
Single axle 20,000 lb 23 CFR 658.17(c)
Tandem axle 34,000 lb 23 CFR 658.17(d)
Axle groups Bridge Formula, W = 500 [LN/(N-1) + 12N + 36]. Two tandems may carry 34,000 lb each when the first and last axles are 36 ft or more apart. 23 CFR 658.17(e)
Scale tolerance The limits include every enforcement tolerance except a portable-scale allowance of up to 5%. 23 CFR 658.17(g)
Older state limits Weights a state allowed on July 1, 1956 remain legal in that state. 23 CFR 658.17(i)

Permits exist for loads that cannot be made legal. Under 23 CFR 658.5 a load is nondivisible when splitting it would ruin its function or its value, or would need more than 8 work hours with suitable equipment; anything else is expected to travel in legal pieces. Pennsylvania spells it out for dozer blades: over 12 ft wide the blade must be angled to 12 ft or fitted with a guard rail device, and over 15 ft it comes off and rides separately (75 Pa.C.S. 4962(f.7)).

Axle groups are held to the Bridge Formula; the Bridge Formula calculator gives the legal weight for any group and spacing.

Legal load limits by state

Without a permit, this is the most a tractor-semitrailer may measure and weigh on each state's designated truck network.

Legal width, height, semitrailer length, gross weight and axle weights without a permit in 28 states, checked October 2026
State Width Height Semitrailer Gross Single axle Tandem axle Worth knowing
Alabama 8 ft 6 in 13 ft 6 in 57 ft 80,000 lb 20,000 lb 34,000 lb Over 53 ft 6 in only on designated highways with a 41 ft kingpin; Interstate axle and gross caps include tolerance
Arizona 8 ft 6 in 14 ft 57 ft 6 in 80,000 lb 20,000 lb 34,000 lb 14 ft and 8 ft 6 in on the State Highway System, against statute defaults of 13 ft 6 in and 8 ft; 53 ft off the National Network
Arkansas 8 ft 6 in 14 ft 53 ft 6 in 80,000 lb 20,000 lb 34,000 lb 14 ft since Act 871 of 2021; a longer semitrailer is legal in a combination of 60 ft or less
California 8 ft 6 in 14 ft 53 ft 80,000 lb 20,000 lb 34,000 lb 53 ft on STAA routes; 65 ft overall on California Legal routes
Colorado 8 ft 6 in 14 ft 6 in 57 ft 4 in 80,000 lb 20,000 lb 36,000 lb Height applies on every CDOT highway; tandem 40,000 lb and gross up to 85,000 lb off the Interstate
Connecticut 8 ft 6 in 13 ft 6 in 53 ft 80,000 lb 22,400 lb Not published 53 ft only on designated routes, 48 ft elsewhere; no tandem figure published
Florida 8 ft 6 in 13 ft 6 in 48 ft 80,000 lb 22,000 lb 44,000 lb Up to 57 ft with a kingpin of 41 ft or less, off restricted roads; axle figures include the 10% scale tolerance
Georgia 8 ft 6 in 13 ft 6 in 53 ft 80,000 lb 20,340 lb 34,000 lb Single axle is 18,000 lb plus a 13% variance; 100 ft overall off the Interstate and NHS
Illinois 8 ft 6 in 13 ft 6 in 53 ft 80,000 lb 20,000 lb 34,000 lb 65 ft overall on non-designated highways
Indiana 8 ft 6 in 13 ft 6 in 53 ft 80,000 lb 20,000 lb 34,000 lb Semitrailers over 48 ft 6 in need a 43 ft kingpin on state highways; the Toll Road allows 90,000 lb gross
Iowa 8 ft 6 in 13 ft 6 in 53 ft 80,000 lb 20,000 lb 34,000 lb 57 ft lowboy for construction equipment; 90,000 lb on 6 axles and 96,000 lb on 7 off the Interstate with a CDL driver
Kentucky 8 ft 6 in 13 ft 6 in 53 ft 80,000 lb 20,000 lb 34,000 lb 8 ft wide and 65 ft overall on non-designated roads; 5% axle tolerance off the Interstate
Louisiana 8 ft 6 in 13 ft 6 in 59 ft 6 in 80,000 lb 20,000 lb 34,000 lb 14 ft only for vehicles running solely on the Interstate; 83,400 lb (Interstate) or 88,000 lb gross with a tridum or quadrum group
Massachusetts 8 ft 6 in 13 ft 6 in 53 ft 80,000 lb 22,400 lb 34,000 lb Callahan and Sumner tunnels in Boston: 12 ft 6 in
Michigan 8 ft 6 in 13 ft 6 in 53 ft 80,000 lb 20,000 lb 34,000 lb Axle-spacing law allows up to 164,000 lb on 11 properly spaced axles; 96 in base width and 50 ft semitrailer off designated highways
Minnesota 8 ft 6 in 13 ft 6 in 53 ft 80,000 lb 20,000 lb 34,000 lb 53 ft needs a 43 ft kingpin (48 ft otherwise); 75 ft overall except on 4-lane divided highways
Missouri 8 ft 6 in 14 ft 53 ft 80,000 lb 20,000 lb 34,000 lb 13 ft 6 in and 60 ft overall off the Interstate and designated routes; 2,000 lb axle tolerance off the Interstate
Nebraska 8 ft 6 in 14 ft 6 in 53 ft 80,000 lb 20,000 lb 34,000 lb Limits apply on all Nebraska highways; the bridge table runs to 95,000 lb off the Interstate
New Jersey 8 ft 6 in 13 ft 6 in 53 ft 80,000 lb 22,400 lb 34,000 lb 48 ft semitrailer off the National Network and access routes
New Mexico 8 ft 6 in 14 ft 57 ft 6 in 86,400 lb 21,600 lb 34,320 lb Weights above federal: 86,400 lb with 56 ft or more between end axles; 65 ft overall off designated highways
New York 8 ft 6 in 13 ft 6 in 53 ft 80,000 lb 22,400 lb 36,000 lb 48 ft semitrailer off Qualifying and Access Highways; the tandem figure is for axles under 8 ft apart
Ohio 8 ft 6 in 13 ft 6 in 53 ft 80,000 lb 20,000 lb 34,000 lb No overall tractor-semitrailer length in statute; 65 ft for other combinations
Oklahoma 8 ft 6 in 14 ft 59 ft 6 in 80,000 lb 20,000 lb 34,000 lb 13 ft 6 in on county roads; 53 ft semitrailer off the National Network; 90,000 lb gross off the Interstate
Pennsylvania 8 ft 6 in 13 ft 6 in 53 ft 80,000 lb 20,000 lb 34,000 lb Kingpin to rear axle 41 ft max; no statutory overall length for a tractor-semitrailer
South Carolina 8 ft 6 in 13 ft 6 in 53 ft 80,000 lb 20,000 lb 35,200 lb Tandem figure is the Interstate cap with tolerance; off the Interstate, 36,000 lb tandems and a 10% tolerance
Texas 8 ft 6 in 14 ft 59 ft 80,000 lb 20,000 lb 34,000 lb 59 ft excludes the towing device; the overall truck-tractor combination is unlimited
Utah 8 ft 6 in 14 ft 53 ft 80,000 lb 20,000 lb 34,000 lb Limits apply on every highway in the state; height is 14 ft, not 13 ft 6 in
Virginia 8 ft 6 in 13 ft 6 in 53 ft 80,000 lb 20,000 lb 34,000 lb 41 ft kingpin; a $250 annual overload permit allows 5% more off the Interstate, to 84,000 lb

Semitrailer is the longest single semitrailer allowed in a tractor-semitrailer on the designated network. Checked October 2026 against each state's statute or permit office; the issued permit controls.

Height is where the list splits: 18 states, including New York and New Jersey, stop at 13 ft 6 in; eight states, including California and Texas, allow 14 ft; and Colorado and Nebraska allow 14 ft 6 in. Several of the taller limits come with conditions. California allows 14 ft only on highways the operator judges safe (CVC 35250), Texas holds an operator over 13 ft 6 in responsible for clearance (Transp. Code 621.207), and Oklahoma, Missouri and Arizona allow 14 ft only on their main highway networks, keeping 13 ft 6 in on county and other roads. New York measures from the underside of the tire to the top of the load.

Every state here allows 8 ft 6 in of width and at least 80,000 lb gross, and New Mexico 86,400 lb. Louisiana and Oklahoma allow the longest semitrailer, 59 ft 6 in, and Florida's unconditional limit is the shortest at 48 ft. Seven states set a single-axle limit above the federal 20,000 lb in state law: 22,400 lb in Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Jersey and New York, 22,000 lb in Florida, 21,600 lb in New Mexico and 20,340 lb in Georgia. On the Interstate the federal 20,000 lb single and 34,000 lb tandem still apply unless a state's higher figure was grandfathered. To run one load's numbers against every row at once, use the oversize load checker.

What is the widest load you can have without a permit?

102 in, or 8 ft 6 in, on the National Network and each state's designated truck routes, in all 28 states on this page. Anything wider needs a permit before it moves, from every state it will cross.

Off that network the legal width can drop to 8 ft (96 in). New York's base width is 96 in: 102 in applies on Qualifying and Access Highways and, outside New York City, on lanes 10 ft or wider, while New York City streets stay at 8 ft. New Jersey allows 96 in off the National Network and its access routes, California cities and counties can hold combinations to 96 in by signed ordinance, and Florida can bar vehicles over 96 in from roads without a 12 ft lane in each direction. Michigan and Kentucky also drop to 96 in off their designated highways, Arizona's statutory default is 8 ft, and Alabama's rule allows only 8 ft on roads with lanes under 12 ft.

Lane width can matter as much as the legal figure. Since Aug 3, 2026, Port Street at Port Newark has been one 11 ft lane each way between Brewster Rd and Marlin St; oversize loads take set detours, leave south via North Ave and need a Port Authority Police escort. Our page on Port Newark and Elizabeth drayage covers the terminals themselves.

How many feet wide is an oversized load?

Anything over 8 ft 6 in. From there the rules change at a handful of widths, and each line below adds a requirement in at least one of the 28 states.

What changes for an oversize load at each width, by state, checked October 2026
Load widthWhat changes
Over 8 ft 6 in The load needs a permit from every state on the route. Florida's lowest oversize fee, $5, covers it up to 12 ft wide, California requires warning signs on any load over 8 ft 6 in, and on Colorado's blue-coded highways it already needs a front pilot escort (a Chapter 6 Special permit on red-coded ones).
Over 10 ft Around-the-clock travel ends in Pennsylvania (to 10 ft and 135,000 lb), Arizona, Indiana and, where a permit allows it, New Mexico, and Texas night moves on the Interstate (to 10 ft and 100 ft) end. California's metro rush-hour curfews, Arizona's Phoenix and Tucson freeway curfews and the Florida and Arizona holiday bans begin, Illinois, Louisiana and Nebraska require OVERSIZE LOAD signs, and the Ohio Turnpike is closed to the load through sunrise Jan 2, 2027.
Over 12 ft The first required escort in 13 states, including New York, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia and Virginia, and on Utah's secondary highways; Indiana's comes at 12 ft 4 in and Missouri's at 12 ft 6 in. Ohio stops the load at 3 PM on weekends and keeps it out of 22 metro counties at rush hour, Florida bars it from 7 counties and Louisiana from five cities' Interstates at peak hours, Kentucky parks it during any wind advisory, New York's Saturday-morning window and Illinois night travel end, and Cook County expressways close to it except four corridors.
Over 13 ft The first escort in Pennsylvania and Ohio, and on New Mexico's Group A map routes at 13 ft 6 in.
Over 14 ft The first escort in New Jersey and Texas and on Utah's freeways, and New Mexico requires escorts on every highway. Pennsylvania's permit goes from $46 to $97 and Ohio's from $75 to $145, and New Jersey adds $1 a foot. Texas holiday permits stop at 14 ft, which is also Ohio's routine limit on multi-lane highways, the usual limit for a California single trip and the end of Arizona's Class A permit; Michigan issues no permits over 14 ft wide during spring weight restrictions.
Over 16 ft Florida allows only local moves within a 50-mile radius, California adds a CHP escort on every route color, South Carolina and Louisiana add police escorts, Oklahoma keeps the load off the Interstate, and nine states treat it as a superload, including New York, Pennsylvania, Michigan and Minnesota.

Escort counts past the first, height poles and police escorts are set out in pilot car requirements by state, and where each state's superload line falls (16 ft wide in nine of these states, as the last row shows) is compared on our page of superload thresholds by state.

Can oversize loads travel at night or on weekends?

At night, usually not without a permit that says so: oversize loads are held to daylight by default in 22 of the 28 states. The exceptions are California (loads without pilot cars may run 24/7 off its red routes), Colorado (night moves to 14 ft wide with flashing lights and an escort over 12 ft), Kentucky (24/7 unless the permit restricts it), Massachusetts (no published daylight rule, so the permit sets the hours), Minnesota (travel generally unrestricted unless the permit limits it) and Utah (night moves up to 14 ft wide on freeways and 12 ft on other highways).

Daylight is not one window either: 13 states, including New York and Texas count it from 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset; Connecticut and Georgia start 30 minutes after sunrise and stop 30 minutes before sunset, 2 hours less on the road every day; and seven states, including New Jersey and Pennsylvania use sunrise to sunset.

Daylight window, night travel and weekend travel for oversize loads in 28 states, checked October 2026
State Daylight window At night Weekends
Alabama Daylight only; the rule does not define daylight further Not on routine permits; sealed containers to 100,000 lb may run 24/7, and most superloads must move 9 PM–6 AM, Sunday to Thursday Saturday daylight travel allowed; no permitted travel at any time on Sunday
Arizona 1/2 hr before sunrise to 1/2 hr after sunset, for loads over the continuous-travel limits 24/7 up to 10 ft wide, 14 ft 6 in high and 120 ft long; loads up to 16 ft wide or high may start at 3 AM on marked routes Continuous-travel loads may move; others on marked routes on non-holiday weekends (ADOT's FAQ says Monday–Friday)
Arkansas Sunrise to sunset Overweight loads at legal size and overlength-only loads to 90 ft Allowed except on holiday weekends; loads over 20 ft wide move only on Sundays
California No blanket daylight rule; hours follow the route color Without pilot cars, 24/7 except on red routes. With pilot cars: yellow routes up to 16 ft wide, green up to 14 ft, none on blue or brown No ban without pilot cars; pilot-car loads on blue and brown routes from 1/2 hr before sunrise to noon
Colorado Sunrise to sunset where a daylight limit applies; escorts follow CDOT's highway colors To 12 ft wide with flashing lights, to 14 ft with 1 escort; wider loads only on a Chapter 6 Special No statewide ban; I-70 from Morrison to West Vail has seasonal weekend bans
Connecticut 1/2 hr after sunrise to 1/2 hr before sunset Superloads move only at night; any other night move needs the Commissioner's permission first Permits on request for Saturday and Sunday, daylight to noon, up to 12 ft wide, 13 ft 6 in high, 80 ft long and 160,000 lb
Florida Daytime only once a load is over width, over 14 ft 6 in high or over 80 ft long Only on an FDOT district traffic engineering recommendation, with a law enforcement escort The rule bars weekends unless the permit allows them; the 2026 blanket conditions allow all days
Georgia 30 min after sunrise to 30 min before sunset Not for oversize loads unless the permit shows it Not set in the rule, and GDOT's page contradicts itself; the permit decides
Illinois 1/2 hr before sunrise to 1/2 hr after sunset; only 9 AM–3 PM weekdays over 16 ft wide or 17 ft high Up to 12 ft wide, 13 ft 6 in high and 200 ft long, with one more civilian escort in darkness; larger loads, no Up to 14 ft 6 in wide, both days; up to 16 ft, Saturday to noon; wider, neither
Indiana 1/2 hr before sunrise to 1/2 hr after sunset; only 8:30 AM–3:30 PM weekdays over 16 ft wide, 15 ft high or 200,000 lb Only loads within 10 ft wide, 13 ft 6 in high, 110 ft long and under 200,000 lb Up to 14 ft 4 in wide and 15 ft high, 7 days; wider, Monday–Friday only
Iowa 1/2 hr before sunrise to 1/2 hr after sunset, 7 days a week Continuous movement for narrower loads at legal axle weights, up to 14 ft 6 in high and 100 ft long (the width cap reads 12 ft in the rule, 11 ft in the statute) No general restriction; holiday weekends and special events excepted
Kentucky No daylight rule; travel is allowed 24/7 unless the permit says otherwise Allowed; loads over 12 ft wide park while a National Weather Service wind advisory is in effect Allowed; manufactured homes never on Sunday
Louisiana Sunrise to sunset, as set by the National Weather Service Generally barred; escorted loads only with Truck Permit Office and State Police approval No statewide ban in DOTD's 2026 book; the permit sets the days
Massachusetts Not stated in an official MassDOT source; the OASIS permit sets it No official rule found; the permit sets the hours Saturday and Sunday until noon, as MassDOT words it
Michigan 1/2 hr before sunrise to 1/2 hr after sunset, Monday–Friday No general night moves; emergency moves after notifying the State Police T-2 says Monday–Friday; MDOT's FAQ allows loads up to 10 ft wide, 14 ft high and 90 ft long Saturday and Sunday to 3 PM
Minnesota No general daylight rule; travel is generally unrestricted Allowed unless the permit restricts it; over 16 ft wide in the Twin Cities metro, 12–5 AM weekdays only No general ban; summer weekend evenings closed to loads over 12 ft 6 in wide or 110 ft long
Missouri 1/2 hr before sunrise to 1/2 hr after sunset Up to 12 ft 6 in wide and 110 ft long at legal height, with lighted signs and radio contact with escorts Allowed up to 16 ft wide; Lake of the Ozarks and Branson tourist routes closed on weekends in season
Nebraska 30 min before sunrise to 30 min after sunset, unless the permit says otherwise Only when the permit allows it; overweight-only loads 24/7 No statewide ban; Husker home game days close highways in the eastern area
New Jersey Sunrise to sunset, and not when visibility is under 500 ft Needs a written waiver from the MVC Chief Administrator; the waiver adds one escort No statewide ban; the permit may set days and times
New Mexico 1/2 hr before sunrise to 1/2 hr after sunset, any day except holidays Continuous movement may be authorized up to 10 ft wide, 14 ft 6 in high, 120 ft long and 140,000 lb No weekend ban; the Albuquerque, Santa Fe and Las Cruces curfews apply on weekdays
New York Mon–Fri, 1/2 hr before sunrise to 1/2 hr after sunset Only if the permit authorizes it; may be allowed on request in Westchester, Rockland, Dutchess, Putnam, Orange, Nassau and Suffolk counties No Sunday travel; Saturday mornings to noon only if no wider than 12 ft, no longer than 85 ft and at legal height
Ohio 1/2 hr before sunrise to 1/2 hr after sunset, Sunday through Saturday Only when the permit specifically authorizes it Over 12 ft wide: none after 3 PM Saturday or Sunday, or after 3 PM Friday from April 1 to November 30
Oklahoma 1/2 hr before sunrise to 1/2 hr after sunset for oversize loads Only by ODOT endorsement for good cause; overweight-only loads 24 hours No statewide ban; house and building moves never on weekends
Pennsylvania Sunrise to sunset Around the clock up to 10 ft wide and 135,000 lb at legal height and length; in urbanized areas, 3 AM to sunrise with front and rear pilot cars and extra lighting Saturday and Sunday, sunrise to sunset; the PA Turnpike is stricter
South Carolina Sunrise to sunset, Monday through Sunday Only on continuous-travel permits (up to 130,000 lb at legal size) or with the Permit Director's approval Allowed, except Myrtle Beach-area routes east of I-95 from Memorial Day to Labor Day
Texas 1/2 hr before sunrise to 1/2 hr after sunset Interstate loads up to 10 ft wide and 100 ft long with legal overhang; anything else needs a TxDOT route and traffic study No statewide ban; some towns add their own, such as Bandera
Utah 1/2 hr before sunrise to 1/2 hr after sunset, for loads too large to move at night Freeways up to 14 ft wide (1 pilot at 12–14 ft); secondary highways up to 12 ft with 1 pilot No general ban; Monday-holiday weekends reopen Saturday and Sunday
Virginia Sunrise to sunset Not on routine permits; some superloads may be required to move in darkness No statewide ban in the regulation; DMV and some localities, such as Harrisonburg, restrict days

For oversize loads; loads that are only overweight get longer hours in several states (see the questions below). Where a state's own documents disagree, as Florida's, Georgia's, Michigan's and Arizona's do on weekends, the issued permit controls.

Oversize load holiday restrictions by state, 2026

Of the 28 states, 24 restrict oversize moves on the same six holidays: New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas. Colorado and Iowa restrict only Memorial Day, Independence Day and Labor Day statewide, Kentucky has no holiday restrictions, and Louisiana sets its no-move days each year with State Police. The rest differ on extra days, on when the window opens and, in states such as Texas, California and Minnesota, on what is restricted. These are the 2026 windows still ahead.

Oversize load holiday restrictions in 28 states, with the Thanksgiving and Christmas 2026 windows
State Holidays restricted How the window works Thanksgiving 2026 Christmas 2026
Alabama The six holidays; Sundays are closed all year Each 2026 window runs from sunset to sunrise (ALDOT schedule) Sunset Wed Nov 25 to sunrise Mon Nov 30 Sunset Thu Dec 24 to sunrise Mon Dec 28
Arizona The six, for loads over 10 ft wide, 14 ft 6 in high or 120 ft long From noon the day before; Friday or Saturday holidays from noon Thursday, Sunday or Monday holidays from noon Friday Thu Nov 26; ADOT publishes the rule, not dated windows Fri Dec 25 (stop at noon Thursday, resume Monday); rule only
Arkansas The six holidays The observed day; a Friday or Monday holiday closes the adjoining weekend Thu Nov 26 Fri Dec 25 to Sun Dec 27
California Seven, including Presidents Day; loads with pilot cars only No travel 4 PM to midnight the day before, or noon to midnight on the holiday and each day of the holiday weekend 4 PM–midnight Wed Nov 25; noon–midnight Thu Nov 26 and the holiday weekend 4 PM–midnight Thu Dec 24; noon–midnight Fri Dec 25 and the holiday weekend
Colorado Memorial Day, Independence Day and Labor Day; New Year's and Christmas only near Cripple Creek 6 AM–9 PM on the holiday, plus noon–9 PM the Friday before Memorial Day and Labor Day No statewide restriction Cripple Creek area only: 3–7 PM on the holiday weekend's Friday to Sunday
Connecticut The six, plus Good Friday through Easter weekend From noon on the last weekday before Memorial Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas Noon Wed Nov 25 to daylight Mon Nov 30 Noon Thu Dec 24 to daylight Sat Dec 26
Florida The six, plus the day after Thanksgiving, for loads over 10 ft wide, 14 ft 6 in high or 80 ft long A Saturday holiday also bars Friday; a Sunday holiday bars Monday Thu Nov 26 and Fri Nov 27 Fri Dec 25
Georgia The six holidays The holiday itself Thu Nov 26 Fri Dec 25
Illinois The six, for any load with one dimension over legal Noon the day before to sunrise the day after Noon Wed Nov 25 to sunrise Fri Nov 27 Noon Thu Dec 24 to sunrise Sat Dec 26
Indiana The six holidays Noon on the last weekday before to 1/2 hr before sunrise the day after Thu Nov 26; DOR publishes the rule, not dated windows Fri Dec 25; DOR publishes the rule, not dated windows
Iowa Memorial Day, Independence Day and Labor Day only From noon the day before the holiday or holiday weekend to 1/2 hr before sunrise after it No restriction No restriction
Kentucky None KYTC lists no holiday travel restrictions unless the permit notes one No restriction No restriction
Louisiana No fixed list; DOTD and State Police set no-move days each year Posted on DOTD's permit page and printed on the permit No 2026 notice posted as of Oct 17 No 2026 notice posted as of Oct 17
Massachusetts The six holidays Noon the day before to noon the day after for New Year's, July 4 and Christmas; the day itself for the others Thu Nov 26 Noon Thu Dec 24 to noon Sat Dec 26
Michigan The six holidays Noon the day before to daylight the day after; a Friday or Monday holiday closes the 3-day weekend Noon Wed Nov 25 to daybreak Fri Nov 27 Noon Thu Dec 24 to daybreak Mon Dec 28
Minnesota The six plus the Fishing Opener, for loads over 12 ft 6 in wide or 110 ft long 2 PM the day before to 2 AM the day after; overweight-only loads are not restricted Thu Nov 26 and Fri Nov 27 are listed; MnDOT publishes the rule, not dated windows Fri Dec 25; MnDOT publishes the rule, not dated windows
Missouri The six holidays, overweight-only loads included Noon on the last business day before to 1/2 hr before sunrise on the first business day after Noon Wed Nov 25 to 1/2 hr before sunrise Fri Nov 27 Noon Thu Dec 24 to 1/2 hr before sunrise Mon Dec 28
Nebraska The six holidays; overweight-only permits keep moving NDOT's dated windows, printed on each permit Noon Wed Nov 25 to sunrise Mon Nov 30 Noon Thu Dec 24 to sunrise Sat Dec 26
New Jersey The six, plus the Friday before Memorial Day and Labor Day and the Wednesday before Thanksgiving A Sunday holiday also bars Monday; a Saturday holiday bars Friday Wed Nov 25 and Thu Nov 26 Fri Dec 25
New Mexico The six, plus any holiday NMDOT designates The calendar day of the holiday, 12:01 AM to 11:59 PM Thu Nov 26 Fri Dec 25
New York New Year's Day, Memorial Day, July 4, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas From noon on the weekday before each, except New Year's Day Noon Wed Nov 25 to 1/2 hr before sunrise Fri Nov 27 Noon Thu Dec 24 to 1/2 hr before sunrise Sat Dec 26
Ohio The six holidays Each 2026 window opens at noon Noon Nov 25 to sunrise Nov 27 Noon Dec 24 to sunrise Dec 28
Oklahoma The six holidays; MLK Day, Presidents Day and Veterans Day stay open The holiday itself, for every permitted vehicle, overweight included Thu Nov 26 Fri Dec 25
Pennsylvania The six, plus the day before each Each 2026 window opens at noon Noon Nov 25 to sunrise Nov 30 (PA Turnpike: 5 AM Nov 24 to 11 PM Nov 29) Noon Dec 24 to sunrise Dec 28 (PA Turnpike: 5 AM Dec 18 to 11 PM Jan 1, 2027)
South Carolina The six holidays The holiday itself; the Permit Director may also bar noon the day before to noon the day after Thu Nov 26 Fri Dec 25
Texas The six holidays Not a ban: permits are capped at 14 ft wide, 16 ft high and 110 ft long (43 TAC 28.4) Thu Nov 26, size cap Fri Dec 25, size cap
Utah The six holidays 2 PM the day before to sunrise the day after; a Monday holiday splits the weekend Thu Nov 26; UDOT publishes the rule, not dated windows Fri Dec 25; UDOT publishes the rule, not dated windows
Virginia The six holidays From noon on the preceding weekday through the holiday; from noon Friday for a Monday holiday Thu Nov 26; DMV publishes the rule, not dated windows Fri Dec 25; DMV publishes the rule, not dated windows

For New Year's 2027, the schedules and rules we checked give dates for eight states. Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan and Missouri bar moves from noon Dec 31, 2026 until Monday, Jan 4, 2027; Nebraska from noon and Alabama from sunset Dec 31 until Saturday, Jan 2; Arkansas closes Jan 1–3; and Texas caps permit sizes on Jan 1. The holidays are the same every year, but the windows are set yearly, so check the new schedule before booking a holiday-week move in 2027.

Can you pass an oversize load?

The permit rules expect traffic to get by, and several are written to leave room for it. New Jersey voids an oversize permit wherever passing traffic would have less than 10 ft of clear space (N.J.A.C. 13:18-1.11(a)). Ohio keeps permitted loads in the far right lane of multi-lane roads and bans convoys within 500 ft of each other, Texas puts loads over 12 ft wide in the outside lane, and Pennsylvania keeps permitted oversize vehicles at least 1,000 ft apart in the same direction (67 Pa. Code 179.10(18)). South Carolina keeps permitted loads and their escorts at least 2 miles apart, and Nebraska keeps loads over 150 ft long that travel together 60 miles apart.

Questions about oversize and wide loads

What classifies something as an oversized load?

How it measures as it will travel: overall width at its widest point, how high it stands above the road at its tallest point, and length including whatever hangs past the trailer. Legal overhang is short: Texas allows 3 ft in front and 4 ft behind, and Florida 3 ft in front. Any amount over counts, and Pennsylvania fines $500 for running over 13 ft 6 in without a permit.

What is considered an oversized vehicle?

One that is over a limit on its own, with no trailer: a single truck longer than 40 ft in states such as New York, Pennsylvania, California and Michigan, 42 ft in Illinois, 45 ft in states such as Texas, Colorado and Louisiana, or 50 ft in Ohio; or a self-propelled machine wider than 8 ft 6 in. Florida lets permitted mobile cranes up to 12 ft wide, 14 ft 6 in high and 100 ft long travel at any hour outside local curfews.

Do mirrors count toward the legal width of a trailer?

Not in the states that spell it out. Pennsylvania lets mirrors, sunshades and tarp devices stick out up to 6 in per side past 8 ft 6 in (75 Pa.C.S. 4921(e)), Massachusetts excludes mirrors and approved safety devices up to 3 in per side, and Georgia measures width without mirrors and accessories. The load always counts: a track, blade or bucket edge past 8 ft 6 in makes it oversize.

Do overweight-only loads have the same travel limits?

No. A load that is legal in size and only over weight gets more hours. New Jersey, Illinois, Ohio and Nebraska let it run around the clock, every day of the week, Nebraska even on holidays; New York does too within 125% of legal weight if it keeps up with traffic; Georgia allows 24-hour travel up to 125,000 lb, except on holidays and in bad weather; and Texas allows overweight-only loads to move at night.

Do you pull over for oversized loads?

The permit rules we checked put that duty on the load. Connecticut makes an oversize vehicle pull off once it holds up more than 10 vehicles, and Georgia makes the load and its escorts pull over when 4 or more vehicles are behind them. Escorts may direct traffic in some states: Texas requires anyone doing so to complete TCOLE traffic-direction training, while certified escorts on the NYS Thruway may not stop traffic at all.

Do oversize loads have a speed limit?

Often a lower one than other traffic. New York caps permitted loads at 55 mph unless the permit says otherwise, and Illinois at 5 mph under the posted limit (legal-weight, legal-height loads up to 10 ft wide may run the posted speed). Slow loads have limits too: New Jersey keeps a load that cannot safely do 40 mph off the road when lights are required, and Florida's Turnpike has a 50 mph minimum.

How wide can a load be with a permit?

Each state sets a ceiling for a routine permit. California's single-trip permit generally stops at 14 ft (16 ft on yellow routes), Ohio's routine maximum on multi-lane highways is 14 ft, Florida lets haulers self-issue up to 16 ft in PAS, and Texas issues general permits up to 20 ft wide without a route inspection. Wider loads are reviewed one by one; Texas, for example, makes the carrier inspect and certify the route in writing.

Sources

Facts on this page were checked in October 2026 against the sources below. Rules and rates change; we confirm current requirements on every move.

  1. eCFR: 23 CFR 658.15, width (Federal)
  2. eCFR: 23 CFR 658.13, length (Federal)
  3. eCFR: 23 CFR 658.17, weight and the Bridge Formula (Federal)
  4. eCFR: 23 CFR Part 658 (658.5, nondivisible loads) (Federal)
  5. FHWA: Federal Size Regulations for Commercial Motor Vehicles (height) (Federal)
  6. Code of Ala. 32-9-20 Schedule of Restrictions (through Act 2025-272) (Alabama)
  7. ALDOT 2026 Holiday Restrictions (Alabama)
  8. ADOT Table 1 extract (R17-6-101 to 103, Aug 2022) (Arizona)
  9. ADOT Holiday Travel Restrictions (Arizona)
  10. 27 CAR 111-102 Legal dimensions and weights table (Arkansas)
  11. 27 CAR 111-106 Movement restrictions (Little Rock curfew, daylight, holidays) (Arkansas)
  12. CVC 35250 height (California)
  13. Special Conditions for Holiday Travel (06/2005) (California)
  14. CDOT Rules & Regulations (legal limits) (Colorado)
  15. CDOT 2026 Holiday Schedule and Travel Restrictions (Colorado)
  16. CT General Statutes ch. 248 (14-262, 14-264, 14-267a, 14-270) (Connecticut)
  17. CTDOT 2026 Permit Holiday Travel Restrictions PDF (Connecticut)
  18. F.S. 316.515 Maximum width, height, length (2026) (Florida)
  19. FDOT Florida Holiday Travel Restrictions 2026 (Florida)
  20. GDOT Oversize tab content (fees, escorts, restricted travel, legal limits) (Georgia)
  21. Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. 672-2-.03 Conditions (travel times, weather, insurance) (Georgia)
  22. OPER 753 Legal Dimensions and Weights (Rev. 01/05/23) (Illinois)
  23. IDOT 2025-2026 Holiday Office Closings and Permit Travel Restrictions (Illinois)
  24. Indiana Code 2026, Title 9 (IC 9-20 Size and Weight Regulation) (Indiana)
  25. Form M-204 General Provisions of an Oversize/Overweight Vehicle Permit (4-22) (Indiana)
  26. Iowa Truck Information Guide, July 2025-July 2026 edition (Iowa)
  27. 761 IAC chapter 511 (special permits for vehicles and loads of excess size and weight), IAC 6/10/26 (Iowa)
  28. KRS 189.222 Designated highway limits (eff. July 15, 2026) (Kentucky)
  29. KYTC OW/OD Travel Provisions (Kentucky)
  30. R.S. 32:381 Height (Louisiana)
  31. DOTD Louisiana Regulations for Trucks, Vehicles, and Loads (2026 edition) (Louisiana)
  32. MGL c.90 s.19 Dimensions (Massachusetts)
  33. MassDOT: Commercial truck permits - height and weight limitations (holiday rules) (Massachusetts)
  34. MDOT T-1 Maximum Legal Truck Loadings and Dimensions (05/2024) (Michigan)
  35. MDOT Holiday travel restrictions and closings (2026) (Michigan)
  36. Minn. Stat. 169.81 (height, length) (Minnesota)
  37. MnDOT 2026 Holiday Restrictions for Oversize Vehicles (Minnesota)
  38. RSMo 304.170 Width, height and length (Missouri)
  39. 7 CSR 10-25 Motor Carrier Operations incl. 7 CSR 10-25.020 (Missouri SOS, current) (Missouri)
  40. Nebraska State Patrol 2025-2026 Nebraska Truck Information Guide (Nebraska)
  41. NDOT Observed Holidays 2026 (holiday travel restrictions) (Nebraska)
  42. N.J.S.A. 39:3-84 (statute PDF hosted by NJDOT) (New Jersey)
  43. N.J.A.C. 13:18 Subchapter 1 (current rule PDF hosted by NJDOT) (New Jersey)
  44. NMSA 1978 Chapter 66 Motor Vehicles (66-7-401 to 66-7-416, 66-7-314, 66-3-847, 66-3-849), NMOneSource (New Mexico)
  45. 18.19.8 NMAC full text (PDF) (New Mexico)
  46. NY VTL 385 Dimensions and weights of vehicles (NY Senate) (New York)
  47. NYSDOT 2026 Oversize Travel Holiday Restrictions (New York)
  48. ORC 5577.05 (size) (Ohio)
  49. ODOT 2026 Holiday Restrictions for Oversized Loads (Ohio)
  50. 47 O.S. 14-103 (width, height, length) (Oklahoma)
  51. 47 O.S. 14-101 (holidays, daylight, 90,000 lb) (Oklahoma)
  52. 75 Pa.C.S. 4921 Width (Pennsylvania)
  53. PennDOT 2026 Holiday Travel Restrictions (Pennsylvania)
  54. S.C. Code Title 56 Chapter 5 (56-5-4030, -4060, -4070, -4130, -4140, -4160, -4210) (South Carolina)
  55. SCDOT 2026 Permit Office Closures and Travel Restrictions (South Carolina)
  56. TxDMV Texas Size/Weight Limits (Texas)
  57. TxDMV Holiday Hours and Movement Restrictions (Texas)
  58. Utah Code 72-7-402 width, height, length (Utah)
  59. Utah Admin. Code R909-2 Utah Size and Weight Rule (eff. 3/16/2026), PDF (Utah)
  60. DMV 109 Size, Weight and Equipment Requirements (07/01/2024) (Virginia)
  61. 24VAC20-82 Overload and Hauling Permits Regulation (eff. March 1, 2023) (Virginia)
  62. RCSA 14-270-19 Highway to remain open (Connecticut)
  63. Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. 672-2-.06 Pilot/Escort Certification and Escorts (Georgia)
  64. 67 Pa. Code 179.10 General conditions (Pennsylvania)
  65. OPER 993 Special Vehicle Movement Permit Provisions (Rev. 08/07/24) (Illinois)
  66. 43 TAC 219.11, Cornell LII copy (Texas, secondary copy)

Moving a load that is over the limits?

Send its measurements on the trailer, its weight and the route. We check them against each state's limits, hours and holiday windows, then quote the carrier, permits and escorts together.

  • FMCSA-licensed property broker, MC# 1178470
  • Permits, escorts and route surveys arranged for each move
  • Carriers checked for authority, insurance and safety record
  • Commercial shippers, dealers, contractors and auction buyers

Prefer to talk? Call (631) 683-8275.

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