Do Indiana and Ohio require pilot cars at the same width?

Indiana requires a pilot car from 12 ft 4 in wide; Ohio waits until 13 ft 0 in. A load between those widths needs an escort in Indiana only.

Is the legal truck height the same in Indiana and Ohio?

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

Do I need a separate permit for each state between Indiana and Ohio?

Yes. Oversize and overweight permits are issued by each state, so a move through both needs a permit from Indiana Department of Revenue, Motor Carrier Services (OSOW unit) and one from ODOT Special Hauling Permits Office, each with its own route, hours and escort conditions.

Which travel hours apply in Indiana and Ohio?

Indiana: Up to 110 ft long, 10 ft wide, 13'6" high and under 200,000 lbs: continuous 7 days. Over 110 ft long or 10-14'4" wide up to 15 ft high: 1/2 hr before sunrise to 1/2 hr after sunset, 7 days. 14'4" to 16 ft wide: same hours, Mon-Fri. Over 16 ft wide, over 15 ft high or over 200,000 lbs: Mon-Fri 8:30 am to 3:30 pm. Ohio: Daylight only, one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset. Loads over 12 ft wide are barred 6:30-9:00 am and 4:30-6:00 pm Monday to Friday in 22 listed counties (including Franklin, Cuyahoga, Hamilton, Summit, Montgomery, Lucas). The conditions printed on the permit control.

Indiana vs Ohio Oversize Load Rules

What changes for an oversize load between Indiana and Ohio: legal height, pilot car triggers, height poles and travel hours.

I-70, I-80, I-90, reviewed October 2026

What changes at the Indiana and Ohio border

Legal height: Both states use the same legal height, 13 ft 6 in.
First pilot car: Indiana requires a pilot car from 12 ft 4 in wide; Ohio waits until 13 ft 0 in. A load between those widths needs an escort in Indiana only.
Second pilot car: Indiana adds a second escort at 14 ft 4 in wide; Ohio at 14 ft 6 in.

Check one load against both states

Load width (ft)

Load height (ft)

Indiana

Oversize permit required
No width escort

Ohio

Oversize permit required
No width escort

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

Side by side

Indiana and Ohio oversize load rules compared
Rule	Indiana	Ohio
Legal width	8 ft 6 in	8 ft 6 in
Legal height	13 ft 6 in	13 ft 6 in
Legal length	Semi-tractor-semitrailer combination 53 ft; two-vehicle combinations totaling 60 ft or more are not eligible for OSOW permits unless a registered tractor-trailer or a fifth-wheel travel trailer.	Semitrailer in a tractor-semitrailer combination 53 ft (ORC 5577.05); combination length limits not captured here.
Gross weight	80,000 lbs	80,000 lbs
First pilot car at	12 ft 4 in	13 ft 0 in
Second pilot car at	14 ft 4 in	14 ft 6 in
Height pole at	14 ft 6 in	14 ft 6 in
Length escort at	110 ft 0 in	90 ft 0 in
Travel hours	Up to 110 ft long, 10 ft wide, 13'6" high and under 200,000 lbs: continuous 7 days. Over 110 ft long or 10-14'4" wide up to 15 ft high: 1/2 hr before sunrise to 1/2 hr after sunset, 7 days. 14'4" to 16 ft wide: same hours, Mon-Fri. Over 16 ft wide, over 15 ft high or over 200,000 lbs: Mon-Fri 8:30 am to 3:30 pm.	Daylight only, one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset. Loads over 12 ft wide are barred 6:30-9:00 am and 4:30-6:00 pm Monday to Friday in 22 listed counties (including Franklin, Cuyahoga, Hamilton, Summit, Montgomery, Lucas).
Weekends	Loads up to 110 ft x 10 ft x 13'6" move continuously 7 days; 10-14'4" wide loads move 7 days in daylight; 14'4"-16 ft wide Monday-Friday only; over 16 ft wide Monday-Friday 8:30-3:30; mobile homes 8'6"-14'4" wide Mon-Fri and Saturday until noon.	Loads over 12 ft wide: no movement Saturday 3 pm to one-half hour before sunrise Sunday, Sunday 3 pm to one-half hour before sunrise Monday, and Friday 3 pm to one-half hour before sunrise Saturday (April 1 to November 30). Narrower loads may move Sunday through Saturday in daylight.
Trip permit	Fee not confirmed	$15.00
Permit office	317-615-7200 (Indiana Department of Revenue, Motor Carrier Services (OSOW unit))	614-351-2300 (ODOT Special Hauling Permits Office)

Go deeper

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

Indiana and Ohio FAQs

Do Indiana and Ohio require pilot cars at the same width?: Indiana requires a pilot car from 12 ft 4 in wide; Ohio waits until 13 ft 0 in. A load between those widths needs an escort in Indiana only.
Is the legal truck height the same in Indiana and Ohio?: Both states use the same legal height, 13 ft 6 in.
Do I need a separate permit for each state between Indiana and Ohio?: Yes. Oversize and overweight permits are issued by each state, so a move through both needs a permit from Indiana Department of Revenue, Motor Carrier Services (OSOW unit) and one from ODOT Special Hauling Permits Office, each with its own route, hours and escort conditions.
Which travel hours apply in Indiana and Ohio?: Indiana: Up to 110 ft long, 10 ft wide, 13'6" high and under 200,000 lbs: continuous 7 days. Over 110 ft long or 10-14'4" wide up to 15 ft high: 1/2 hr before sunrise to 1/2 hr after sunset, 7 days. 14'4" to 16 ft wide: same hours, Mon-Fri. Over 16 ft wide, over 15 ft high or over 200,000 lbs: Mon-Fri 8:30 am to 3:30 pm. Ohio: Daylight only, one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset. Loads over 12 ft wide are barred 6:30-9:00 am and 4:30-6:00 pm Monday to Friday in 22 listed counties (including Franklin, Cuyahoga, Hamilton, Summit, Montgomery, Lucas). 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.