Shipping laws can get complicated, especially because oversize shipping laws can vary by state and even by city within each state. However, it’s essential to understand and abide by the shipping laws for every state your truck drives through, especially if you’re transporting High Stakes Freight™ across the country that requires an oversize load. 

General legal trailer dimensions and weight are pretty standard across the board: 

• Length: 75 feet (tractor + trailer + freight)
• Width: 8 feet 6 inches
• Height: 13 feet 6 inches (total height, ground to top of freight)
• Weight: 80,000 pounds gross (tractor + trailer + freight)

To learn more about trailer dimensions and cargo/freight maximums for standard shipping, click here. If you’re planning on transporting an oversized or wide load, note that our Flatbeds, Step Decks, Double Drop, and RGN are most common with these large loads.

In this post, you’ll learn oversize and permit regulations and understand how these requirements could affect the logistics and timelines for your project, construction, and delivery schedules. 

What is an Oversized Load?

Oversize loads are common on today’s roads, especially when transporting products like tractors, combines, bulldozers, cranes, steel beams, wind blades, or prefabricated homes. In general, they are loads exceeding a width of 8’5, since a standard truck bed is 8’. 

A load can also be considered oversized if it exceeds a certain weight, length, or height. However, the maximum height for oversized load regulations is generally the same across the US.

When traveling with an oversized load, certain requirements must be met within each state. These requirements include:

1. Permits (for each state the truck will be passing through)
2. Escort Vehicles (depending on the load size and state)
3. Banners, Flags, & Lights (Required by most states)
4. Travel Time Restrictions (30 minutes before sunrise and after sunset in most states)
5. Weekend & Holiday Restrictions (Oversized travel prohibited in many states)

Oversized and Wide Load Requirements by State

As mentioned, every state defines oversize freight differently and has different limits and requirements for your truck to pass through legally. To ensure that your High Stakes Feight meets all requirements for your shipping route, use this chart to see each state’s regulations:

Logistics and Timeline Considerations

Before shipping your freight, you’ll want to make sure it’s permitted for oversized travel in every state on its route and the load specifications depending on which trailer type is required. You might also be required to complete a truck route survey to avoid any surprise challenges en-route. With escort vehicles scheduled, any required banners, flags, lights on-board, and a timeline that considers permit rules and travel restrictions, shippers can maintain a predictable schedule and avoid delays that could negatively impact the progression of your construction project.

Proper preparation and planning for oversize permitted loads is essential when moving High Stakes Freight. After all, there’s a lot on the line. To learn more about how Stream Logistics can make sure your High Stakes Freight gets from A to B on time, in-sequence, and intact, reach out.