Mississippi

Mississippi Oversize Permits & Escorts Information

Do you need oversize load permits in the state of Mississippi? Find out the maximum width and weight allowed on Mississippi highways, the legal operating times, the oversize load signage rules, and when Mississippi requires pilot cars. The following data is for informational purposes only. We are not a permit service, do not arrange permits for carriers, and do not answer permit and escort requirement questions.

Oversize Load Limits

Maximum load sizes before a permit is required:

• Length: 53′
• Width: 8’6″
• Height: 13’6″
• Weight: 80,000 lbs gross
• Overhang: 3′ in the front; maximum 14′ off the rear

Permits

Mississippi oversize permits are valid for three days. Permits are required prior to entering the state. For more information, visit the Mississippi Department of Transportation.

Legal Operating Times

• One-half hour after sunrise to one-half hour before sunset, Monday through Saturday. No Sunday travel.
• No travel on major holidays (New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day).
• Continuous travel (including Sunday) for loads not exceeding 12′ wide, 13’6″ high, 99′ in overall length, 150,000 lbs gross weight, and a 4′ rear overhang. (Note: when a continuous travel load is over 10′ wide, an escort is required for night travel.)

Pilot Cars & Escort Vehicles

Escort vehicle or pilot car required for heavy-haul or oversize loads if:

• The length is over 85′. (One pilot car is required. Some routes require two.)
• The length is over 105′. (One pilot car and one escort vehicle required.)
• The width is over 12’11”. (One pilot car or escort vehicle required.)
• The width is over 16′. (One pilot car and one escort vehicle required.)
• The height is over 14′. (One pilot car with a height pole may be required on some routes.)
• The height is over 15’7″. (A route survey may be required.)
• The overhang exceeds 15′ in the front. (One lead pilot car is required.)

Pilot Car and Escort Vehicle Requirements

Pilot car and escort vehicles must be a single motor vehicle equipped with two red or orange fluorescent safety mounted on the vehicle and an amber rotating or strobe light mounted atop the vehicle. “OVERSIZE LOAD” signs can be mounted either on top of the vehicle so that it does not obstruct the view of the amber light or to the front of the vehicle when leading or the rear when chasing.

Oversize Load Sign Requirements

“OVERSIZE LOAD” signs are required for all loads greater than 12′ wide. Flags, mounted at a height of approximately 6′ above the pavement are required on all corners of loads exceeding 10′ wide. Loads over 12′ wide require flashing amber lights mounted on the rear of the load and flags mounted on the front corners or the load. Over-length loads and load with an overhang exceeding 4′ must be flagged.

The data on this page is for informational purposes only, and we do not guarantee its accuracy.