In Michigan, 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 | Michigan 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… | Michigan requires |
|---|---|
| 12 ft wide | 1 escort (pilot car) |
| 14 ft wide | 2 escorts |
| 14 ft 6 in high | Escort with a height pole / pole car |
| 90 ft long | 1 escort · 100 ft → 2 escorts |
| 15 ft high or 16 ft wide | Route survey required |
| 16 ft wide | Police escort |
3When you can travel
- Daylight only — ½ hour before sunrise to ½ hour after sunset.
- Weekends: Weekend travel is restricted for loads over 10 ft wide or 14 ft high or 90 ft long.
- Permits issued for daylight hours only, Monday–Friday (T-2 Section H)..
- Holiday blackouts: New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day.
4Superloads in Michigan
A load is a superload once it exceeds any of these:
| Superload trigger | Threshold |
|---|---|
| Width | 16 ft |
| Height | 15 ft |
| Length | 150 ft |
Superloads require individual review and roughly 10 days of lead time for approval.
5Permit timing
- Standard single-trip: ~1 business day to issue.
- Superload review: ~10 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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?Michigan permit FAQ
When do I need an oversize permit in Michigan?
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 Michigan?
Michigan requires one escort over 12 ft wide (two over 14 ft), a height pole over 14 ft 6 in high, and a police escort over 16 ft wide.
Can you drive an oversize load at night in Michigan?
Daylight only, ½ hour before sunrise to ½ hour after sunset. Permits issued for daylight hours only, Monday–Friday (T-2 Section H). Weekend travel is allowed within limits.
What counts as a superload in Michigan?
Over 16 ft wide, 15 ft high, or 150 ft long. It requires individual review and about 10 days of lead time.
How much does a Michigan 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 Michigan load with FreightDeck →.
How long does it take to get an oversize permit in Michigan?
Routine single-trip permits usually issue in about 1 business day; superload review takes about 10 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 Michigan?
Weekend travel is restricted for loads over 10 ft wide or 14 ft high or 90 ft long. Movement stops on New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day (From 12:00 noon the day preceding until daylight of the first day after; Fri/Mon holiday: noon before the 3-day weekend until daylight after it); check the permit conditions for exact times.
Does Michigan require a route survey?
Yes, once a load is over 15 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 →
Does Michigan have spring thaw weight restrictions?
Yes. Seasonal axle weight limits apply roughly March through May, cutting posted limits by about 25%. Overweight permits on posted roads are limited or unavailable during the window, so schedule heavy deliveries around it. Spring thaw rules by state →
Are any loads exempt from oversize permits in Michigan?
Michigan publishes exemptions or relaxed rules for farm equipment, and logging trucks (for example exempt only when the farm equipment is being driven or towed (not hauled on a trailer) and maintains minimum posted speed). Exemptions are narrow and usually limited to specific roads and daylight hours; anything else over the legal limits needs a permit.
Does a Michigan permit cover Ohio?
No. Every state issues its own permit, and a move crossing into Ohio, Indiana, or Wisconsin needs a separate permit there with that state's escort and travel rules. FreightDeck prices every state on the route in one quote.