In Minnesota, 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 | Minnesota 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… | Minnesota requires |
|---|---|
| 15 ft wide | 1 escort (pilot car) |
| 15 ft wide | 2 escorts |
| 110 ft long | 1 escort · 150 ft → 2 escorts |
| 16 ft high or 20 ft wide | Route survey required |
3When you can travel
- Night travel permitted in defined conditions — No general night limit. Twin Cities 7-county metro: loads over 16 ft wide must travel 12 a.m.-5 a.m. Mon-Fri. Weekday rush-hour bans in the Twin Cities and Duluth for loads over 14 ft 6 in wide or 110 ft long..
- Weekends: Weekend travel is restricted for loads over 12.5 ft wide or 110 ft long.
- Holiday blackouts: New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, Fishing Opener.
4Superloads in Minnesota
A load is a superload once it exceeds any of these:
| Superload trigger | Threshold |
|---|---|
| Width | 16 ft |
| Height | 16 ft |
| Length | 150 ft |
| Gross weight | 250,000 lbs |
Superloads require individual review and roughly 14 days of lead time for approval.
5Permit timing
- Superload review: ~14 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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?Minnesota permit FAQ
When do I need an oversize permit in Minnesota?
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 Minnesota?
Minnesota requires one escort over 15 ft wide (two over 15 ft).
Can you drive an oversize load at night in Minnesota?
Minnesota allows night movement in defined conditions (No general night limit. Twin Cities 7-county metro: loads over 16 ft wide must travel 12 a.m.-5 a.m. Mon-Fri. Weekday rush-hour bans in the Twin Cities and Duluth for loads over 14 ft 6 in wide or 110 ft long). Weekend travel is allowed within limits.
What counts as a superload in Minnesota?
Over 16 ft wide, 16 ft high, 150 ft long, or 250,000 lbs gross. It requires individual review and about 14 days of lead time.
How much does a Minnesota 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 Minnesota load with FreightDeck →.
How long does it take to get an oversize permit in Minnesota?
Minnesota does not publish a standard processing time for routine permits; superload review takes about 14 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 Minnesota?
Weekend travel is restricted for loads over 12.5 ft wide or 110 ft long. Movement stops on New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and Fishing Opener (2:00 pm the day before to 2:00 am the day after; applies to loads >12'6" wide or >110 ft long); check the permit conditions for exact times.
Does Minnesota require a route survey?
Yes, once a load is over 16 ft high or 20 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 Minnesota?
Minnesota publishes exemptions or relaxed rules for farm equipment (for example not on interstate highways; max 35 mph; obey bridge weight postings; towed (non-self-propelled) pneumatic tires max 500 lb per inch of tire width; if over 13 ft 6 in high or over legal width, operator must avoid damaging structures and utility lines; left-of-center only to avoid obstacles or with front escort showing hazard lights). Exemptions are narrow and usually limited to specific roads and daylight hours; anything else over the legal limits needs a permit.
Does a Minnesota permit cover North Dakota?
No. Every state issues its own permit, and a move crossing into North Dakota, South Dakota, or Iowa needs a separate permit there with that state's escort and travel rules. FreightDeck prices every state on the route in one quote.