In Arizona, 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 | Arizona legal limit | Permit if over |
|---|---|---|
| Width | 8 ft 6 in | Wider |
| Height | 14 ft | Taller |
| Length (combination) | 65 ft | Longer |
| Gross weight | 80,000 lbs | Heavier |
| Single axle | 20,000 lbs | Heavier |
| Tandem axle | 34,000 lbs | Heavier |
2Escort & pilot car requirements
| Once the load is over… | Arizona requires |
|---|---|
| 11 ft wide | 1 escort (pilot car) |
| 14 ft wide | 2 escorts |
| 15 ft high | Escort with a height pole / pole car |
| 95 ft long | 1 escort · 120 ft → 2 escorts |
| 16 ft high or 16 ft wide | Route survey required |
| 20 ft wide | Police escort |
3When you can travel
- Daylight only — 30 min before sunrise to 30 min after sunset.
- Weekends: Weekend travel is restricted for loads over 10 ft wide or 14.5 ft high or 120 ft long or 250,000 lbs.
- Continuous 24/7 travel up to 10 ft wide, 14 ft 6 in high, 120 ft long and 250,000 lb (overhang 10 ft or less). Loads over 10-16 ft wide or over 14 ft 6 in-16 ft high may start at 3:00 a.m. on R17-6-412 Table 4 routes only, with escorts before sunrise..
- Holiday blackouts: New Year's Day, Memorial Day, July 4th, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas.
4Superloads in Arizona
A load is a superload once it exceeds any of these:
| Superload trigger | Threshold |
|---|---|
| Width | 14 ft |
| Height | 16 ft |
| Length | 120 ft |
| Gross weight | 250,000 lbs |
Superloads require individual review and roughly 2 days of lead time for approval.
5Permit timing
- Superload review: ~2 days.
- Validity: a single-trip permit is good for ~4 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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?Arizona permit FAQ
When do I need an oversize permit in Arizona?
Once a load exceeds any legal limit: 8 ft 6 in wide, 14 ft high, 65 ft long (combination), or 80,000 lbs gross.
When do I need a pilot car in Arizona?
Arizona requires one escort over 11 ft wide (two over 14 ft), a height pole over 15 ft high, and a police escort over 20 ft wide.
Can you drive an oversize load at night in Arizona?
Daylight only, 30 min before sunrise to 30 min after sunset. Continuous 24/7 travel up to 10 ft wide, 14 ft 6 in high, 120 ft long and 250,000 lb (overhang 10 ft or less). Loads over 10-16 ft wide or over 14 ft 6 in-16 ft high may start at 3:00 a.m. on R17-6-412 Table 4 routes only, with escorts before sunrise. Weekend travel is allowed within limits.
What counts as a superload in Arizona?
Over 14 ft wide, 16 ft high, 120 ft long, or 250,000 lbs gross. It requires individual review and about 2 days of lead time.
How much does a Arizona 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 Arizona load with FreightDeck →.
How long does it take to get an oversize permit in Arizona?
Arizona does not publish a standard processing time for routine permits; superload review takes about 2 days. A permit is valid for 4 days, so line up every state on the route before applying.
Can oversize loads move on weekends and holidays in Arizona?
Weekend travel is restricted for loads over 10 ft wide or 14.5 ft high or 120 ft long or 250,000 lbs. Movement stops on New Year's Day, Memorial Day, July 4th, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas (Applies above continuous-travel limits. Fri/Sat holiday: stop noon preceding Thursday, resume Monday 1/2 hr before sunrise; Sun/Mon holiday: stop noon preceding Friday, resume Tuesday; Tue-Thu holiday: stop noon day before, resume day after); check the permit conditions for exact times.
Does Arizona require a route survey?
Yes, once a load is over 16 ft high or 16 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 →
Are any loads exempt from oversize permits in Arizona?
Arizona publishes exemptions or relaxed rules for farm equipment (for example must be temporarily moved on a highway. the statute sets no road-type, between-farms or daylight conditions). Exemptions are narrow and usually limited to specific roads and daylight hours; anything else over the legal limits needs a permit.
Does a Arizona permit cover California?
No. Every state issues its own permit, and a move crossing into California, Nevada, or Utah needs a separate permit there with that state's escort and travel rules. FreightDeck prices every state on the route in one quote.