In Illinois, 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 | Illinois legal limit | Permit if over |
|---|---|---|
| Width | 8 ft 6 in | Wider |
| Height | 13 ft 6 in | 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… | Illinois requires |
|---|---|
| 14 ft 6 in wide | 1 escort (pilot car) |
| 14 ft 6 in high | Escort with a height pole / pole car |
| 110 ft long | 1 escort · 145 ft → 2 escorts |
| 16 ft high or 16 ft wide | Route survey required |
| 18 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 12 ft wide or 13.5 ft high or 115 ft long.
- Overweight-only (legal dimensions) may travel 24/7; OD loads are daylight-only.
- Holiday blackouts: New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas.
4Superloads in Illinois
A load is a superload once it exceeds any of these:
| Superload trigger | Threshold |
|---|---|
| Width | 14 ft 6 in |
| Gross weight | 120,000 lbs |
5Permit timing
- 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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?Illinois permit FAQ
When do I need an oversize permit in Illinois?
Once a load exceeds any legal limit: 8 ft 6 in wide, 13 ft 6 in high, 65 ft long (combination), or 80,000 lbs gross.
When do I need a pilot car in Illinois?
Illinois requires one escort over 14 ft 6 in wide, a height pole over 14 ft 6 in high, and a police escort over 18 ft wide.
Can you drive an oversize load at night in Illinois?
Daylight only, 30 min before sunrise to 30 min after sunset. Overweight-only (legal dimensions) may travel 24/7; OD loads are daylight-only. Weekend travel is allowed within limits.
What counts as a superload in Illinois?
Over 14 ft 6 in wide, or 120,000 lbs gross.
How much does a Illinois 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 Illinois load with FreightDeck →.
Can oversize loads move on weekends and holidays in Illinois?
Weekend travel is restricted for loads over 12 ft wide or 13.5 ft high or 115 ft long. Movement stops on New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas (Restricted beginning at noon the day preceding the holiday or holiday weekend); check the permit conditions for exact times.
Does Illinois 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 Illinois?
Illinois publishes exemptions or relaxed rules for farm equipment, hay/straw/similar farm products up to 12 ft, and portable ag/livestock buildings <=14 ft (for example self-propelled/towed: combination of no more than 3 vehicles. hauled on a trailer: half hour before sunrise to half hour after sunset, visibility 1,000 ft; red flags; oversize load signs over 10 ft; on interstate/state highways 1 civilian escort over 14 ft 6 in, 2 over 16 ft). Exemptions are narrow and usually limited to specific roads and daylight hours; anything else over the legal limits needs a permit.
Does a Illinois permit cover Wisconsin?
No. Every state issues its own permit, and a move crossing into Wisconsin, Iowa, or Missouri needs a separate permit there with that state's escort and travel rules. FreightDeck prices every state on the route in one quote.