Do Connecticut and Rhode Island require pilot cars at the same width?

Both states require the first pilot car at 12 ft 0 in wide.

Is the legal truck height the same in Connecticut and Rhode Island?

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

Do I need a separate permit for each state between Connecticut and Rhode Island?

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 RIDOT Oversize/Overweight Permit Office, each with its own route, hours and escort conditions.

Which travel hours apply in Connecticut and Rhode Island?

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. Rhode Island: Most permitted vehicles from 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset; loads over 10 ft wide, 80 ft long or 130,000 lb restricted Monday-Friday 7-9 a.m. and 3-7 p.m. on designated routes; no night travel except overweight-only envelope vehicles. The conditions printed on the permit control.

Connecticut vs Rhode Island Oversize Load Rules

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

I-95, reviewed October 2026

What changes at the Connecticut and Rhode Island border

Legal height: Both states use the same legal height, 13 ft 6 in.
First pilot car: Both states require the first pilot car at 12 ft 0 in wide.
Second pilot car: Connecticut adds a second escort at 13 ft 6 in wide; Rhode Island at 14 ft 6 in.
Height pole: Connecticut sets a height-pole trigger at 14 ft 0 in; Rhode Island does not publish one, so check the permit.

Check one load against both states

Load width (ft)

Load height (ft)

Connecticut

Oversize permit required
No width escort
Height pole car

Rhode Island

Oversize permit required
No width escort

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

Side by side

Connecticut and Rhode Island oversize load rules compared
Rule	Connecticut	Rhode Island
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 vehicle 40 ft (RIGL 31-25-5); tractor-semitrailer combinations have no overall limit, semitrailer 48.5 ft or 53 ft on designated routes; trailers in 3-unit combinations 28.5 ft each.
Gross weight	80,000 lbs	80,000 lbs
First pilot car at	12 ft 0 in	12 ft 0 in
Second pilot car at	13 ft 6 in	14 ft 6 in
Height pole at	14 ft 0 in	Not confirmed
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.	Most permitted vehicles from 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset; loads over 10 ft wide, 80 ft long or 130,000 lb restricted Monday-Friday 7-9 a.m. and 3-7 p.m. on designated routes; no night travel except overweight-only envelope vehicles.
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 permit travel Saturday or Sunday (regulation: no moves from sunset Friday to sunrise Monday).
Trip permit	Fee not confirmed	Fee not confirmed
Permit office	CTDOT Oversize/Overweight Permit Office (applications via CT DMV CVO WebPortal)	RIDOT Oversize/Overweight Permit Office

Go deeper

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

Connecticut and Rhode Island FAQs

Do Connecticut and Rhode Island require pilot cars at the same width?: Both states require the first pilot car at 12 ft 0 in wide.
Is the legal truck height the same in Connecticut and Rhode Island?: Both states use the same legal height, 13 ft 6 in.
Do I need a separate permit for each state between Connecticut and Rhode Island?: 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 RIDOT Oversize/Overweight Permit Office, each with its own route, hours and escort conditions.
Which travel hours apply in Connecticut and Rhode Island?: 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. Rhode Island: Most permitted vehicles from 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset; loads over 10 ft wide, 80 ft long or 130,000 lb restricted Monday-Friday 7-9 a.m. and 3-7 p.m. on designated routes; no night travel except overweight-only envelope vehicles. 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.