In Alaska, any load that exceeds the legal size or weight limits requires an oversize/overweight permit before it moves. Below are the legal limits and the requirements that apply at each threshold.
1When you need a permit
A load is oversize or overweight once it passes any of these:
| Dimension | Alaska legal limit | Permit if over |
|---|---|---|
| Width | 8 ft 6 in | Wider |
| Height | 15 ft | Taller |
| Length (combination) | 75 ft | Longer |
| Gross weight | 80,000 lbs | Heavier |
| Single axle | 20,000 lbs | Heavier |
| Tandem axle | 38,000 lbs | Heavier |
Rear overhang is limited to 4 ft without an over-length permit.
2Escort & pilot car requirements
| Once the load is over… | Alaska requires |
|---|---|
| 10 ft 6 in wide | 1 escort (pilot car) |
| 12 ft wide | 2 escorts |
| 17 ft high | Escort with a height pole / pole car |
| 85 ft long | 1 escort · 100 ft → 2 escorts |
| 16 ft 6 in high or 14 ft wide | Route survey required |
3When you can travel
- Night travel permitted in defined conditions — Night travel allowed at any size if the load carries the lighting and marking in Manual Section 13 (or as stated on the permit); 45 mph max in darkness. Weekend, holiday and peak-hour limits still apply..
- Weekends: Weekend travel is restricted for loads over 10.5 ft wide or 17 ft high or 85 ft long.
- Holiday blackouts: Memorial Day, July 4th, Labor Day.
4Superloads in Alaska
A load is a superload once it exceeds any of these:
| Superload trigger | Threshold |
|---|---|
| Width | 18 ft |
| Height | 18 ft |
| Length | 150 ft |
| Gross weight | 250,000 lbs |
Superloads require individual review and roughly 7 days of lead time for approval.
5Permit timing
- Superload review: ~7 days.
- Validity: a single-trip permit is good for ~3 days.
Get the full cost of your load
FreightDeck estimates every cost on an oversize move — permits, escorts, police, route survey, engineering, and the truck rate — for your exact load and route, across all 48 states and Canada, up to superload size.
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?Alaska permit FAQ
When do I need an oversize permit in Alaska?
Once a load exceeds any legal limit: 8 ft 6 in wide, 15 ft high, 75 ft long (combination), or 80,000 lbs gross.
When do I need a pilot car in Alaska?
Alaska requires one escort over 10 ft 6 in wide (two over 12 ft), and a height pole over 17 ft high.
Can you drive an oversize load at night in Alaska?
Alaska allows night movement in defined conditions (Night travel allowed at any size if the load carries the lighting and marking in Manual Section 13 (or as stated on the permit); 45 mph max in darkness. Weekend, holiday and peak-hour limits still apply). Weekend travel is allowed within limits.
What counts as a superload in Alaska?
Over 18 ft wide, 18 ft high, 150 ft long, or 250,000 lbs gross. It requires individual review and about 7 days of lead time.
How much does a Alaska oversize permit cost?
The state permit fee depends on the load's size and weight. The full cost of a move also includes escorts, police, route surveys, engineering, and the truck rate, which vary by route. FreightDeck estimates all of it for your exact load — price your Alaska load with FreightDeck →.
How long does it take to get an oversize permit in Alaska?
Alaska does not publish a standard processing time for routine permits; superload review takes about 7 days. A permit is valid for 3 days, so line up every state on the route before applying.
Can oversize loads move on weekends and holidays in Alaska?
Weekend travel is restricted for loads over 10.5 ft wide or 17 ft high or 85 ft long. Movement stops on Memorial Day, July 4th, and Labor Day (84-hour restriction from 12:00 noon previous Friday (holiday Sun/Mon) or previous Thursday (holiday Fri/Sat)); check the permit conditions for exact times.
How much overhang is allowed in Alaska?
Rear overhang is limited to 4 ft without an over-length permit.
Does Alaska require a route survey?
Yes, once a load is over 16 ft 6 in high or 14 ft wide. The survey checks every bridge, sign, signal and wire on the route and is filed with the permit; it usually takes longer than the permit itself, so start it first. What a route survey involves →
Does a Alaska permit cover British Columbia?
No. Every state issues its own permit, and a move crossing into British Columbia needs a separate permit there with that state's escort and travel rules. FreightDeck prices every state on the route in one quote.