Home › Guides › Canada vs US

Oversize rules: Canada vs the US

Cross-border heavy haul runs into two different systems. The provinces measure in metric, allow far heavier legal gross weights, and set their own escort rules. Here is what changes at the line.

Updated September 2026 · Figures from FreightDeck's audit of 51 US jurisdictions and its monthly market-rate check

Legal limits side by side

Jurisdiction	Legal height	Legal width	Legal gross weight
US (typical)	13 ft 6 in (14 ft in some states)	8 ft 6 in	80,000 lbs
Alberta	13 ft 7 in	8 ft 6 in	about 140,000 lbs
British Columbia	13 ft 7 in	8 ft 6 in	about 140,000 lbs
Manitoba	13 ft 7 in	8 ft 6 in	about 138,000 lbs
New Brunswick	13 ft 7 in	8 ft 6 in	about 138,000 lbs
Newfoundland and Labrador	13 ft 7 in	8 ft 6 in	about 138,000 lbs
Nova Scotia	13 ft 7 in	8 ft 6 in	about 91,000 lbs
Ontario	13 ft 7 in	8 ft 6 in	about 140,000 lbs
Prince Edward Island	13 ft 7 in	8 ft 6 in	about 137,000 lbs
Quebec	13 ft 7 in	8 ft 6 in	about 138,000 lbs
Saskatchewan	13 ft 7 in	8 ft 6 in	about 138,000 lbs

Provincial figures are converted from metric (4.15 m height, 2.6 m width are the common national limits). Gross weight in Canada depends on the axle configuration and can legally exceed 130,000 lbs on the right combination, which is why a load that is overweight in the US can be legal in Ontario.

What changes at the border

Weight. The biggest difference. A 100,000 lb gross combination needs an overweight permit in every US state and may be legal in Canada. Southbound loads get their first overweight permit at the border state.
Units. Provincial permits are in metres and kilograms. FreightDeck converts, but paperwork and pilot cars work in the local units.
Escorts. Provinces set width and length triggers for pilot vehicles much like states; several require a lead vehicle for over-width on two-lane highways. Check the province page.
Hours and seasons. Spring thaw (frost law) restrictions are widespread across the provinces, and daylight and holiday rules apply as in the US.

Price the whole move, not just the permit

FreightDeck estimates permits, escorts, police, route surveys, engineering and the truck rate for your exact load and route, across 50 states and Canada.

Price a load free →

Questions

Is oversize the same in Canada and the US?

No. Height and width limits are close, but Canadian gross weight limits are far higher, permits use metric units, and each province sets its own escort rules.

Do I need a US permit and a Canadian permit?

Yes, one per jurisdiction crossed on each side of the border. FreightDeck prices all 62.