Operating Hours, Restricted Travel, and Holiday Restrictions
Movement is strictly prohibited in Albuquerque, Espanola, and Santa Fe from 7 to 9 am and 4 to 6 pm. Additionally, in Santa Fe, movement from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm is not allowed. The only exception is for SR599. There are no curfew times on I-25 going through Santa Fe, but any curfew times are applicable in Albuquerque.
Travel will be restricted if visibility ever falls under 1000 feet or when wind speeds reach 25 miles per hour or more. Additionally, there is no travel allowed on major holidays, and closures to travel may start as early as noon the day before a major holiday.
Signs, Flags, and Lights Requirements
Signs, flags, and lights may be required when moving oversize loads or superloads for the safety of others on the road.
Signs
Oversize signs should be on both the vehicle's front and rear ends of all combinations, loads, or oversize vehicles. The sign must say “OVERWIDTH,” “OVERLENGTH,” “OVERHEIGHT,” or “OVERSIZE.” Signs reading “OVERSIZE” can be used in place of any of the other signs. Additionally, signs should be bright yellow with black letters and be five feet wide by twelve inches high.
All sign letters must be at least one inch wide and ten inches high. The front sign needs to be completely visible to all motorists while keeping all lights clear and visible. The sign should not obstruct any plates or important information. The rear sign must be visible but not block any plates or other important information.
Flags
All oversize combinations or loads should have the proper flags at all times. These flags should be fluorescent red or orange, and square or rectangular. They should be no less than 18 inches all the way around.
Lights
There are no state light restrictions in New Mexico pertaining to the movement of oversized loads.
Obtaining a permit
All single trip permits for oversize and overweight loads are valid for five days. This applies to hay loads, liquid loads, and wreckers.
For more information and to order permits, visit the New Mexico state website here:
https://permits.dot.state.nm.us/ or call (505) 476-2475.
