In Arkansas, 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 | Arkansas legal limit | Permit if over |
|---|---|---|
| Width | 8 ft 6 in | Wider |
| Height | 14 ft | Taller |
| Length (combination) | 60 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… | Arkansas requires |
|---|---|
| 12 ft wide | 1 escort (pilot car) |
| 14 ft wide | 2 escorts |
| 15 ft high | Escort with a height pole / pole car |
| 100 ft long | 1 escort · 115 ft → 2 escorts |
| 17 ft high or 16 ft wide | Route survey required |
3When you can travel
- Daylight only — Daylight hours only as established by NOAA National Weather Service (27 CAR 111-106(b)); no 30-min extension, no width-based split.
- Weekends: Weekend travel is allowed.
- 24/7 continuous movement (incl. nights/holidays) ONLY for: (1) overweight-only loads within legal width/height/length (27 CAR 111-105(e)); (2) overlength-only combos <=90 ft overall within legal width/height (111-207(c)(2)). Over 90 ft overall = daylight only (111-207(c)(3)). All other permitted loads: daylight hours only (111-106(b))..
- Holiday blackouts: New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day.
4Superloads in Arkansas
A load is a superload once it exceeds any of these:
| Superload trigger | Threshold |
|---|---|
| Width | 16 ft 6 in |
| Height | 15 ft 6 in |
| Length | 100 ft |
| Gross weight | 180,000 lbs |
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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?Arkansas permit FAQ
When do I need an oversize permit in Arkansas?
Once a load exceeds any legal limit: 8 ft 6 in wide, 14 ft high, 60 ft long (combination), or 80,000 lbs gross.
When do I need a pilot car in Arkansas?
Arkansas requires one escort over 12 ft wide (two over 14 ft), and a height pole over 15 ft high.
Can you drive an oversize load at night in Arkansas?
Daylight only, Daylight hours only as established by NOAA National Weather Service (27 CAR 111-106(b)); no 30-min extension, no width-based split. 24/7 continuous movement (incl. nights/holidays) ONLY for: (1) overweight-only loads within legal width/height/length (27 CAR 111-105(e)); (2) overlength-only combos up to 90 ft overall within legal width/height (111-207(c)(2)). Over 90 ft overall = daylight only (111-207(c)(3)). All other permitted loads: daylight hours only (111-106(b)). Weekend travel is allowed within limits.
What counts as a superload in Arkansas?
Over 16 ft 6 in wide, 15 ft 6 in high, 100 ft long, or 180,000 lbs gross.
How much does a Arkansas 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 Arkansas load with FreightDeck →.
Can oversize loads move on weekends and holidays in Arkansas?
Weekend travel is allowed. Movement stops on New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day (Whole observed day; if observed Monday or Friday, the adjoining weekend is also prohibited); check the permit conditions for exact times.
Does Arkansas require a route survey?
Yes, once a load is over 17 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 Arkansas?
Arkansas publishes exemptions or relaxed rules for farm equipment/special cargoes for normal farm purposes, round bales of hay, forestry machinery, and compacted seed cotton vehicles (for example daylight, <=50-mile radius, no interstate/fully controlled-access; natural-resource vehicle or dealer/repair moves). Exemptions are narrow and usually limited to specific roads and daylight hours; anything else over the legal limits needs a permit.
Does a Arkansas permit cover Missouri?
No. Every state issues its own permit, and a move crossing into Missouri, Tennessee, or Mississippi needs a separate permit there with that state's escort and travel rules. FreightDeck prices every state on the route in one quote.