The following information about Pennsylvania Oversize Permits is for informational purposes only. It’s important to always read your permits and provisions sheets carefully as we cannot guarantee the accuracy of the information provided. If you have any questions or need assistance, you can contact the following number.

Pennsylvania DOT #: 1 (717) 412-5300

Pennsylvania Oversize Permits Duration

Pennsylvania oversize permits are valid for a duration of seven days, and it is essential to obtain the permit before entering the state.

Operating Time

Travel is permitted from sunrise to sunset on weekdays (Monday through Friday) and on Saturdays from sunrise until noon. For overweight vehicles not exceeding 107,000 pounds and 70 feet in overall length, continuous travel is allowed at prevailing speeds.

Restricted Travel in Pennsylvania

Daylight travel is restricted until noon on Saturdays, with no travel permitted on Sundays. Vehicles over 10 feet wide and/or 85 feet in length are prohibited from weekend travel. Within urban areas (refer to the included map), movement is permitted seven days a week between 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. – sunset, as well as from 3:00 a.m. – 7:30 a.m. (with the requirement of 2 pilots and special lighting). Movement is allowed in urban areas on holidays. Philadelphia requires a city permit for all routes except Interstates. Travel is typically restricted from noon the day before major holidays and holiday weekends until the following weekday.

Pennsylvania Turnpike

Advance permits are necessary for widths exceeding 10 feet, lengths over 85 feet, heights exceeding 13’6, weights over 125,000 pounds, or any axle weight exceeding 22,400 pounds. Heights over 13’6″ are not permitted on the mainline (I-76). Loads exceeding 11′ in width, 90′ in length, or with over 15′ rear overhang require a pilot car. From Memorial Day to Labor Day, oversize/overweight loads can travel between dawn to dusk Monday through Thursday and dawn to noon on Friday. After Labor Day until Memorial Day, travel is allowed from dawn to dusk Monday through Friday and dawn to noon on Saturday. Toll costs vary based on gross weight, with loads between 80,000 – 100,000 pounds incurring moderate expenses and loads over 100,000 pounds incurring higher costs. An online toll calculator is accessible at http://www.paturnpike.com/toll/tollmileage.aspx, and inquiries can be made to the PA Turnpike phone number: (717) 939-9551, ext. 2980.

Get Permit Now

Call (832) 454-5883 For Permit Consultation

Legal Dimensions for Pennsylvania Oversize Load Permits

Length:

 53′ semitrailer (kingpin to center line of rear axle group must not exceed 41′). If combination is legal without load, no permit is required if load is 70′ or less or if overall length is 85′ or less and load is non-divisible (no extra length created by multiple end-to-end pieces). No overhang restrictions. This includes beams, utility poles, pipes, building materials, etc.

Overhang:

 Up to 6′ rear overhang allowed on a divisible load. No overhang is legal unless it is a non-divisible load as above.

Width:

  • 8’6″ on designated highways
  • 8′ on other roads

Height:

 13’6″

Weight: 

80,000

  • Steer Axle – 20,000
  • Single – 20,000
  • Tandem – 34,000
  • Tridem – 42,500

Routine Permit Limits at Pennsylvania

Length:

  • 120′
  • 160′ on 4-lane highways

Width:

 16′

Height: 

14’6″

Weight:

  • Single – 27,000
  • Tandem – 52,000
  • Tridem – 63,000
  • Quad – 72,000

Loads exceeding 201,000 gross weight, width over 16 feet, or 160 feet overall length, are considered superloads.

Pennsylvania Oversize Permits image

Escort Requirements for Pennsylvania Oversize Permits

Length:

  • Over 90′ – 1 escort
  • Over 160′ – police escort

Overhang:

 Over 15′ – 1 escort

Note: If both length exceeds 90′ and width exceeds 13′, front and rear pilots are required on all two-lane highways.

Width:

  • Over 13′ on all highways – 1 escort
  • Over 16′ – police escort

Height: 

Over 14’6″ – 1 escort with height pole, and PA requires a route survey to accompany application.

Weight: 

Over 201,000 – police escort.

Other:

  • If permit reduced speeds over bridges – 1 escort
  • If permit requires load to be only vehicle on a bridge, or to occupy more than one lane of traffic on a bridge – 2 escorts

Philadelphia: 

Police escort required when over and of the following:

  • 11’5″ wide
  • 14′ high
  • 75′ long
  • 145,000 pounds

Miscellaneous

For dozers with blades exceeding 12′ but not exceeding 15′ in width, transportation is permitted if a securely fastened traffic protector guide rail device is attached to the dozer. It’s important to note that hauling a detached bucket or blade on an overweight load is not allowed.

Signs, Flags & Lights for Pennsylvania Oversize Permits

All oversized loads must display “Oversize Load” signs, positioned on the front of the tractor and the rear of the load or trailer (whichever extends farther), unless otherwise specified in the permit. These signs must be removed or covered once the vehicle/load is no longer considered oversize. Additionally, flags are mandatory at the widest points of any oversize load. If the rear overhang is 4′ or more, it must be flagged or have a red light attached during darkness. Furthermore, headlights and rear lamps of a permitted vehicle must be turned on during movement when accompanied by pilot car(s).