Pennsylvania Oversize Load Permit Requirements
Legal truck dimensions, oversize load travel hours, pilot car and escort requirements, and how to order an oversize/overweight permit from PennDOT Central Permit Office (Hauling Permits).
PA, reviewed October 2026
Check your load for Pennsylvania
Oversize permit required in Pennsylvania
- Width 10 ft 0 in exceeds the 8 ft 6 in legal limit.
No width-based pilot car at 10 ft 0 in wide.
Pennsylvania Truck Legal Width, Height & Length
A truck and load at or under these dimensions can travel Pennsylvania highways without an oversize permit. Exceed any one of them and you need a permit before you move.
| Legal width | 8 ft 6 in |
|---|---|
| Legal height | 13 ft 6 in |
| Legal length | Single vehicle 40 ft; single trailer towed by a truck or tractor 53 ft; two-trailer combinations 28.5 ft each trailer; no overall length limit for tractor-semitrailer. |
| Gross weight | 80,000 lbs |
Pennsylvania Oversize Load Travel Hours
- Daily movement window
- Not permitted sunset to sunrise. In urbanized areas only 3-7:30 a.m. (with extra lighting and pilot cars front and rear), 9 a.m.-4 p.m., and 7 p.m. to sunset; tunnels in Allegheny County 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
- Weekend movement
- No movement Saturday after 12 noon or any time Sunday (67 Pa. Code 179.10(7)); PA Turnpike has its own rules.
- Holiday restrictions
- PennDOT 2026 schedule: Memorial Day 12 noon May 22 to sunrise May 26; Independence Day 12 noon July 2 to sunrise July 6; Labor Day 12 noon Sept 4 to sunrise Sept 8; Thanksgiving 12 noon Nov 25 to sunrise Nov 30; Christmas 12 noon Dec 24 to sunrise Dec 28; New Year 12 noon Dec 31 to sunrise Jan 2 (Jan 4, 2027 for 2026-27). See this year's holiday dates for all states.
Pennsylvania Pilot Car Requirements
Over 13 ft wide needs one pilot car (rear on multilane roads, front on single-lane); over 14 ft 6 in high needs a front pilot with height pole; over 90 ft long or 15 ft rear overhang needs a following pilot.
| First pilot car (width) | 13 ft 0 in wide and over |
|---|---|
| Two pilot cars (width) | Not confirmed: check your permit conditions |
| Height-pole escort | 14 ft 6 in tall and over |
| Length escort | 90 ft 0 in long and over |
Pennsylvania pilot car requirements by load width and height. Crossing a border? Compare with Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Ohio.
How to order a Pennsylvania oversize permit
PennDOT Central Permit Office (Hauling Permits)
Overweight as well? Check axle limits with the bridge formula calculator.
Crossing Pennsylvania without Pennsylvania apportioned plates? Estimate the temporary trip permit cost with the trip permit cost estimator.
Pennsylvania Oversize Load FAQs
- What are the oversize load travel hours in Pennsylvania?
- Not permitted sunset to sunrise. In urbanized areas only 3-7:30 a.m. (with extra lighting and pilot cars front and rear), 9 a.m.-4 p.m., and 7 p.m. to sunset; tunnels in Allegheny County 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Weekends: No movement Saturday after 12 noon or any time Sunday (67 Pa. Code 179.10(7)); PA Turnpike has its own rules.
- When is a pilot car required in Pennsylvania?
- Over 13 ft wide needs one pilot car (rear on multilane roads, front on single-lane); over 14 ft 6 in high needs a front pilot with height pole; over 90 ft long or 15 ft rear overhang needs a following pilot. Height: 14 ft 6 in and taller (height-pole escort).
- What is the legal truck width in Pennsylvania?
- The standard legal width in Pennsylvania is 8 ft 6 in (102 inches), the federal minimum width allowed on the National Network of highways. A load wider than that needs an oversize permit.
- How tall can a truck be in Pennsylvania without a permit?
- The legal height limit in Pennsylvania is 13 ft 6 in, measured from the road surface to the highest point of the vehicle or load. Taller loads need an oversize permit and a surveyed route for bridge and wire clearances.
- Can oversize loads move on holidays in Pennsylvania?
- PennDOT 2026 schedule: Memorial Day 12 noon May 22 to sunrise May 26; Independence Day 12 noon July 2 to sunrise July 6; Labor Day 12 noon Sept 4 to sunrise Sept 8; Thanksgiving 12 noon Nov 25 to sunrise Nov 30; Christmas 12 noon Dec 24 to sunrise Dec 28; New Year 12 noon Dec 31 to sunrise Jan 2 (Jan 4, 2027 for 2026-27).
- How do I get an oversize or overweight permit in Pennsylvania?
- Apply through PennDOT Central Permit Office (Hauling Permits) or its online permit portal. Have your USDOT number, vehicle and load dimensions, axle weights and route ready. Permit expediting agents can file on your behalf if you need the permit the same day.
Regulations change. This page summarises published Pennsylvania rules as reviewed October 2026 and is not legal advice; the conditions printed on your permit control. Note: Escort/pilot, hours and weekend rules are from 67 Pa. Code 179.10 (width trigger is 'exceeds 13 feet', height 'exceeds 14 ft 6 in', length 'exceeds 90 ft'). Police escort required for buildings over 16 ft wide and superloads. Turnpike restrictions differ. 80,000 lb gross and 13 ft 6 in height (75 Pa.C.S. 4922) from search/statute snippets; the gross weight value was not fetched directly.