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 without an over-length permit.
2Escort & pilot car requirements
| Once the load is over… | 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 wide | Police escort |
3When you can travel
- Daylight only — sunrise to sunset.
- Weekends: Weekend travel is allowed.
- 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
- Superload review: ~14 days.
- 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 over 13 ft wide (two over 14 ft), a height pole over 15 ft high, and a police escort over 15 ft wide.
Can you drive an oversize load at night in Delaware?
Daylight only, sunrise to sunset. 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. 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 →.
How long does it take to get an oversize permit in Delaware?
Delaware does not publish a standard processing time for routine permits; superload review takes about 14 days. A permit is valid for 5 days, so line up every state on the route before applying.
Can oversize loads move on weekends and holidays in Delaware?
Weekend travel is allowed. Movement stops on New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, Day after Thanksgiving, and Christmas Day; check the permit conditions for exact times.
How much overhang is allowed in Delaware?
Rear overhang is limited to 6 ft without an over-length permit.
Are any loads exempt from oversize permits in Delaware?
Delaware publishes exemptions or relaxed rules for farm equipment temporarily moved (incl. dealer/commercial transport) (for example size limits (21 del.c. 4502) do not apply, incl. moves by a manufacturer, dealer or commercial transporter; owner liable for highway damage). Exemptions are narrow and usually limited to specific roads and daylight hours; anything else over the legal limits needs a permit.
Does a Delaware permit cover Maryland?
No. Every state issues its own permit, and a move crossing into Maryland, Pennsylvania, or New Jersey needs a separate permit there with that state's escort and travel rules. FreightDeck prices every state on the route in one quote.