In Kansas, 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 | Kansas legal limit | Permit if over |
|---|---|---|
| Width | 8 ft 6 in | Wider |
| Height | 14 ft | 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… | Kansas requires |
|---|---|
| 14 ft wide | 1 escort (pilot car) |
| 16 ft 6 in wide | 2 escorts |
| 16 ft high | Escort with a height pole / pole car |
| 126 ft long | 1 escort · 140 ft → 2 escorts |
3When you can travel
- Daylight only — 30 min before sunrise to 30 min after sunset.
- Weekends: Weekend travel is allowed.
4Superloads in Kansas
A load is a superload once it exceeds any of these:
| Superload trigger | Threshold |
|---|---|
| Width | 16 ft 6 in |
| Height | 18 ft |
| Gross weight | 150,000 lbs |
Superloads require individual review and roughly 3 days of lead time for approval.
5Permit timing
- Superload review: ~3 days.
- Validity: a single-trip permit is good for ~7 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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?Kansas permit FAQ
When do I need an oversize permit in Kansas?
Once a load exceeds any legal limit: 8 ft 6 in wide, 14 ft high, 75 ft long (combination), or 80,000 lbs gross.
When do I need a pilot car in Kansas?
Kansas requires one escort over 14 ft wide (two over 16 ft 6 in), and a height pole over 16 ft high.
Can you drive an oversize load at night in Kansas?
No — oversize loads move daylight-only, 30 min before sunrise to 30 min after sunset. Weekend travel is allowed within limits.
What counts as a superload in Kansas?
Over 16 ft 6 in wide, 18 ft high, or 150,000 lbs gross. It requires individual review and about 3 days of lead time.
How much does a Kansas 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 Kansas load with FreightDeck →.
How long does it take to get an oversize permit in Kansas?
Kansas does not publish a standard processing time for routine permits; superload review takes about 3 days. A permit is valid for 7 days, so line up every state on the route before applying.
Can oversize loads move on weekends and holidays in Kansas?
Weekend travel is allowed.
Are any loads exempt from oversize permits in Kansas?
Kansas publishes exemptions or relaxed rules for farm equipment, and bales of hay <=12 ft (for example the no-permit rule does not authorize travel on interstate highways (farm tractors and fertilizer dispensing machines are barred from interstates). implement dealers moving machinery must hold an annual permit and follow k.s.a. 8-1918. over-width ioh must move to the right for oncoming/following traffic and hill crests). Exemptions are narrow and usually limited to specific roads and daylight hours; anything else over the legal limits needs a permit.
Does a Kansas permit cover Nebraska?
No. Every state issues its own permit, and a move crossing into Nebraska, Missouri, or Oklahoma needs a separate permit there with that state's escort and travel rules. FreightDeck prices every state on the route in one quote.