Do Connecticut and New York require pilot cars at the same width?

Connecticut requires a pilot car from 12 ft 0 in wide; New York waits until 12 ft 1 in. A load between those widths needs an escort in Connecticut only.

Is the legal truck height the same in Connecticut and New York?

Both states use the same legal height, 13 ft 6 in.

Do I need a separate permit for each state between Connecticut and New York?

Yes. Oversize and overweight permits are issued by each state, so a move through both needs a permit from CTDOT Oversize/Overweight Permit Office (applications via CT DMV CVO WebPortal) and one from NYSDOT Central Permit Office, each with its own route, hours and escort conditions.

Which travel hours apply in Connecticut and New York?

Connecticut: Single trip permits are valid for one trip and return over a three-day period, during daylight hours. Superloads are nighttime only with State Police escort. CTDOT may add restrictions (time of day, construction) on the permit. New York: Monday to Friday, daylight only (one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset); no night travel unless specified on the permit. Loads 14 ft+ wide/high or 90 ft+ long are barred from business districts 7-9 am and 4-6 pm; loads 16 ft wide, 15 ft high or 100 ft long are barred statewide 7-9 am and 4-6 pm. The conditions printed on the permit control.

Connecticut vs New York Oversize Load Rules

What changes for an oversize load between Connecticut and New York: legal height, pilot car triggers, height poles and travel hours.

I-95, reviewed October 2026

What changes at the Connecticut and New York border

Legal height: Both states use the same legal height, 13 ft 6 in.
First pilot car: Connecticut requires a pilot car from 12 ft 0 in wide; New York waits until 12 ft 1 in. A load between those widths needs an escort in Connecticut only.
Second pilot car: Connecticut adds a second escort at 13 ft 6 in wide; New York at 16 ft 0 in.

Check one load against both states

Load width (ft)

Load height (ft)

Connecticut

Oversize permit required
No width escort
Height pole car

New York

Oversize permit required
No width escort
Height pole car

11 ft 0 in wide, 14 ft 0 in tall. Length is not checked here.

Side by side

Connecticut and New York oversize load rules compared
Rule	Connecticut	New York
Legal width	8 ft 6 in	8 ft 6 in
Legal height	13 ft 6 in	13 ft 6 in
Legal length	Single vehicle 45 ft; trailers with 43 ft kingpin-to-rear-axle limit 53 ft (CTDOT FAQ legal dimensions table).	Single trailer 48 ft on state highways, 53 ft on qualifying/access highways; combination 65 ft on state highways, unlimited on qualifying highways; single vehicle 40 ft; twin trailers 28.5 ft each (VTL 385, per NYSDOT PERM 30).
Gross weight	80,000 lbs	80,000 lbs
First pilot car at	12 ft 0 in	12 ft 1 in
Second pilot car at	13 ft 6 in	16 ft 0 in
Height pole at	14 ft 0 in	14 ft 0 in
Length escort at	100 ft 0 in	80 ft 0 in
Travel hours	Single trip permits are valid for one trip and return over a three-day period, during daylight hours. Superloads are nighttime only with State Police escort. CTDOT may add restrictions (time of day, construction) on the permit.	Monday to Friday, daylight only (one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset); no night travel unless specified on the permit. Loads 14 ft+ wide/high or 90 ft+ long are barred from business districts 7-9 am and 4-6 pm; loads 16 ft wide, 15 ft high or 100 ft long are barred statewide 7-9 am and 4-6 pm.
Weekends	Standard single-trip permits are daylight weekday moves; weekend permits (Saturday and Sunday only, daylight to noon) are available on request for loads up to 12 ft wide, 13 ft 6 in high, 80 ft long and 160,000 lb.	No movement on Sundays. No movement on Saturdays, except loads within 12 ft wide, 85 ft long and legal height that maintain normal highway speed may be permitted from one-half hour before sunrise until 12 noon Saturday.
Trip permit	Fee not confirmed	$18.75
Permit office	CTDOT Oversize/Overweight Permit Office (applications via CT DMV CVO WebPortal)	888-783-1685 (NYSDOT Central Permit Office)

Go deeper

Pilot car detail: Connecticut, New York
Full guides: Connecticut, New York
Running through both without local plates? Estimate the trip permit cost
Moving over a holiday? Check holiday restrictions

Connecticut and New York FAQs

Do Connecticut and New York require pilot cars at the same width?: Connecticut requires a pilot car from 12 ft 0 in wide; New York waits until 12 ft 1 in. A load between those widths needs an escort in Connecticut only.
Is the legal truck height the same in Connecticut and New York?: Both states use the same legal height, 13 ft 6 in.
Do I need a separate permit for each state between Connecticut and New York?: Yes. Oversize and overweight permits are issued by each state, so a move through both needs a permit from CTDOT Oversize/Overweight Permit Office (applications via CT DMV CVO WebPortal) and one from NYSDOT Central Permit Office, each with its own route, hours and escort conditions.
Which travel hours apply in Connecticut and New York?: Connecticut: Single trip permits are valid for one trip and return over a three-day period, during daylight hours. Superloads are nighttime only with State Police escort. CTDOT may add restrictions (time of day, construction) on the permit. New York: Monday to Friday, daylight only (one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset); no night travel unless specified on the permit. Loads 14 ft+ wide/high or 90 ft+ long are barred from business districts 7-9 am and 4-6 pm; loads 16 ft wide, 15 ft high or 100 ft long are barred statewide 7-9 am and 4-6 pm. The conditions printed on the permit control.

Compiled from each state's published permit rules, reviewed October 2026. Not legal advice; the conditions printed on your permit control.