In Indiana, 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 | Indiana 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 |
Indiana sets no general front-overhang allowance — freight ahead of the trailer counts toward its length limits.
2Escort & pilot car requirements
| Once the load is over… | Indiana requires |
|---|---|
| 12 ft 4 in wide | 1 escort (pilot car) |
| 14 ft 4 in wide | 2 escorts |
| 14 ft 6 in high | Escort with a height pole / pole car |
| 110 ft long | 1 escort · 130 ft → 2 escorts |
| 17 ft high or 18 ft wide | Route survey required |
| 17 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 14.33 ft wide or 15 ft high or 200,000 lbs.
- Superloads: Mon-Fri 8:30am-3:30pm only (ISP escort window); standard OD loads daylight-only.
- Holiday blackouts: New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas.
4Superloads in Indiana
A load is a superload once it exceeds any of these:
| Superload trigger | Threshold |
|---|---|
| Width | 17 ft |
| Height | 15 ft |
| Length | 110 ft |
| Gross weight | 200,000 lbs |
5Permit timing
- Standard single-trip: ~1 business day to issue.
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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?Indiana permit FAQ
When do I need an oversize permit in Indiana?
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 Indiana?
Indiana requires one escort over 12 ft 4 in wide (two over 14 ft 4 in), a height pole over 14 ft 6 in high, and a police escort over 17 ft wide.
Can you drive an oversize load at night in Indiana?
Daylight only, 30 min before sunrise to 30 min after sunset. Superloads: Mon-Fri 8:30am-3:30pm only (ISP escort window); standard OD loads daylight-only. Weekend travel is allowed within limits.
What counts as a superload in Indiana?
Over 17 ft wide, 15 ft high, 110 ft long, or 200,000 lbs gross.
How much does a Indiana 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 Indiana load with FreightDeck →.
How long does it take to get an oversize permit in Indiana?
Routine single-trip permits usually issue in about 1 business day.
Can oversize loads move on weekends and holidays in Indiana?
Weekend travel is restricted for loads over 14.33 ft wide or 15 ft high or 200,000 lbs. Movement stops on New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas (From 12:00 noon the last weekday preceding until 1/2 hour before sunrise on the day following); check the permit conditions for exact times.
How much overhang is allowed in Indiana?
Indiana sets no general front-overhang allowance — freight ahead of the trailer counts toward its length limits.
Does Indiana require a route survey?
Yes, once a load is over 17 ft high or 18 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 Indiana?
Indiana publishes exemptions or relaxed rules for farm equipment, and manufactured homes (for example non-interstate, farm operations only). Exemptions are narrow and usually limited to specific roads and daylight hours; anything else over the legal limits needs a permit.
Does a Indiana permit cover Michigan?
No. Every state issues its own permit, and a move crossing into Michigan, Ohio, or Kentucky needs a separate permit there with that state's escort and travel rules. FreightDeck prices every state on the route in one quote.