In Delaware, 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 | Delaware legal limit | Permit if over |
|---|---|---|
| Width | 8 ft 6 in | Wider |
| Height | 13 ft 6 in | Taller |
| Length (combination) | 60 ft | Longer |
| Gross weight | 80,000 lbs | Heavier |
| Single axle | 20,000 lbs | Heavier |
| Tandem axle | 34,000 lbs | Heavier |
Rear overhang is limited to 6 ft and front overhang to 3 ft before it counts toward length, and any overhang must be flagged.
2Escort & pilot car requirements
| When the load reaches… | Delaware requires |
|---|---|
| 13 ft wide | 1 escort (pilot car) |
| 14 ft wide | 2 escorts |
| 15 ft high | Escort with a height pole / pole car |
| 90 ft long | 1 escort · 100 ft → 2 escorts |
| 15 ft high or 15 ft wide | Route survey required |
| 15 ft wide | Police escort |
3When you can travel
- Daylight only — sunrise to sunset.
- Weekend travel allowed within dimensional limits.
- Sealed containers (Load Code 5) and Ship loads (Code 6) allowed 24-hour continuous Mon-Sun. Pole/piling, crane, twin trailer, zero-emission bus, single/multi trip Interstate loads: 24-hour continuous. Superloads require written permission for holiday/event travel..
- Holiday blackouts: New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, Day after Thanksgiving, Christmas Day.
4Superloads in Delaware
A load is a superload once it exceeds any of these:
| Superload trigger | Threshold |
|---|---|
| Width | 15 ft |
| Height | 15 ft |
| Length | 120 ft |
| Gross weight | 120,000 lbs |
Superloads require individual review and roughly 14 days of lead time for approval.
5Permit timing
- Standard single-trip: ~1 business day to issue.
- Superload: ~14 days (route survey + review).
- Validity: a single-trip permit is good for ~5 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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?Delaware permit FAQ
When do I need an oversize permit in Delaware?
Once a load exceeds any legal limit: 8 ft 6 in wide, 13 ft 6 in high, 60 ft long (combination), or 80,000 lbs gross.
When do I need a pilot car in Delaware?
Delaware requires one escort at 13 ft wide (two at 14 ft), a height pole at 15 ft high, and a police escort at 15 ft wide.
Can you drive an oversize load at night in Delaware?
No — oversize loads move daylight-only, sunrise to sunset. Weekend travel is allowed within limits.
What counts as a superload in Delaware?
Over 15 ft wide, 15 ft high, 120 ft long, or 120,000 lbs gross. It requires individual review and about 14 days of lead time.
How much does a Delaware 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 Delaware load with FreightDeck →.