In Iowa, 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 | Iowa legal limit | Permit if over |
|---|---|---|
| Width | 8 ft 6 in | Wider |
| Height | 13 ft 6 in | Taller |
| Length (combination) | 75 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… | Iowa requires |
|---|---|
| 14 ft 6 in wide | 1 escort (pilot car) |
| 14 ft 6 in high | Escort with a height pole / pole car |
| 120 ft long | 1 escort |
| 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 allowed.
- Holiday blackouts: Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day.
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.
Price your Iowa load free →The most complete heavy-haul cost estimator · 48 states + Canada · no card to start · See plans & pricing
?Iowa permit FAQ
When do I need an oversize permit in Iowa?
Once a load exceeds any legal limit: 8 ft 6 in wide, 13 ft 6 in high, 75 ft long (combination), or 80,000 lbs gross.
When do I need a pilot car in Iowa?
Iowa 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 Iowa?
No — oversize loads move daylight-only, 30 min before sunrise to 30 min after sunset. Weekend travel is allowed within limits.
How much does a Iowa 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 Iowa load with FreightDeck →.
Can oversize loads move on weekends and holidays in Iowa?
Weekend travel is allowed. Movement stops on Memorial Day, Independence Day, and Labor Day (No movement after 12 noon on day preceding the holiday/holiday weekend; entire holiday weekend when holiday falls Fri/Sat/Sun/Mon; resume 1/2 hr before sunrise day after); check the permit conditions for exact times.
Does Iowa 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 Iowa?
Iowa publishes exemptions or relaxed rules for farm equipment (for example between farm, dealer, or mechanic. no interstate. no width limit specified). Exemptions are narrow and usually limited to specific roads and daylight hours; anything else over the legal limits needs a permit.
Does a Iowa permit cover Minnesota?
No. Every state issues its own permit, and a move crossing into Minnesota, Wisconsin, or Illinois needs a separate permit there with that state's escort and travel rules. FreightDeck prices every state on the route in one quote.