Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania Oversize Permits & Escorts Information
Do you need oversize load permits in the state of Pennsylvania? Find out the maximum width and weight allowed on Pennsylvania highways, the legal operating times, the oversize load signage rules, and when Pennsylvania 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: 70′
- Width: 8’6″
- Height: 13’6″
- Weight: 80,000 lbs gross
- Overhang: 4′ in the front; 6′ off the rear
Permits
Pennsylvania oversize permits are valid for seven days. Must have permit prior to entering the state. For more information, visit the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation.
Legal Operating Times
- Sunrise to sunset Monday through Friday and on Saturday from sunrise until noon. No Sunday travel. Over 10′ wide and/or 85′ long are not allowed weekend travel.
- Continuous 24/7 travel for overweight not exceeding 107,000 lbs and overall length of 70′.
- Inside urban areas movement is allowed seven days a week, except for holidays, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., from 7:00 p.m. to sunset, and from 3:00 a.m. to 7:30 a.m. (requires two pilot cars and special lighting). Philadelphia requires city permit for all routes except Interstates.
- Pennsylvania turnpike requires a permit, which must be ordered in advance, if length exceeds 85′, width exceeds 10′, height exceeds 13’6, weight exceeds 125,000 lbs, or any axle weight exceeds 22,400 lbs. Height exceeding 13’6″ is not allowed on the mainline (I-76). Loads exceeding 90′ length, 11′ in width, or with a rear overhang exceeding 15′ requires a pilot car. From Memorial Day to Labor Day, may travel from dawn to dusk, Monday through Thursday, and from dawn to noon on Friday. After Labor Day until Memorial Day, over-dimensional loads may travel from dawn to dusk, Monday through Friday, and from dawn to noon on Saturday.
- No travel on major holidays (New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day).
Pilot Cars & Escort Vehicles
Escort vehicle or pilot car required for heavy-haul or oversize loads if:
- Length: Over 90′ long requires one rear.
- Width: Over 13′ wide requires one.
- Height: Over 14′6″ high requires one with a height pole.
- Weight: Requires none as long as the load can maintain minimum posted speed.
- Overhang: Decided on a case-by-case basis.
Pilot Car and Escort Vehicle Requirements
Pilot cars and escort vehicles must display on both the front and the rear of the vehicle a clean, yellow warning sign at least 5′ wide by 1′ high containing the words ‘‘OVERSIZE LOAD’’ in black letters at least 8″ high. One or two flashing or revolving amber lights must be in continuous operation during movement. Head lamps and rear lamps must be illuminated during movement. Pilot cars escort vehicles are required to maintain visual and two-way radio contact with the load during movement.
Oversize Load Sign Requirements
“OVERSIZE LOAD signs are required on the front of the tractor and the rear of load or trailer, whichever extends the farthest, on all oversize loads, unless otherwise specified on the permit. Flags are required at the widest points of any oversize load. A rear overhang exceeding 4′ must be flagged or display a red light at the end of the load during night travel. Headlights and rear lamps must be on when load is traveling with a pilot car(s).
The data on this page is for informational purposes only, and we do not guarantee its accuracy.