In Missouri, 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 | Missouri 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 |
Missouri 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… | Missouri requires |
|---|---|
| 12 ft 6 in wide | 1 escort (pilot car) |
| 14 ft wide | 2 escorts |
| 15 ft 6 in high | Escort with a height pole / pole car |
| 110 ft long | 1 escort · 125 ft → 2 escorts |
| 16 ft high or 16 ft wide | Route survey required |
| 16 ft wide | Police escort |
3When you can travel
- Daylight only — 1/2 hour before sunrise to 1/2 hour after sunset.
- Weekends: Weekend rules vary by route or season; check the permit conditions.
- Per 3/31/2025 rule change: night movement permitted for overwidth loads up to 12'6" wide and overlength up to 110 ft with lighted signage, amber lights, and two-way radio communication. Farm hay and emergency moves also allowed at night..
- Holiday blackouts: New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas.
4Superloads in Missouri
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 | 160,000 lbs |
Superloads require individual review and roughly 10 days of lead time for approval.
5Permit timing
- Superload review: ~10 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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?Missouri permit FAQ
When do I need an oversize permit in Missouri?
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 Missouri?
Missouri requires one escort over 12 ft 6 in wide (two over 14 ft), a height pole over 15 ft 6 in high, and a police escort over 16 ft wide.
Can you drive an oversize load at night in Missouri?
Daylight only, 1/2 hour before sunrise to 1/2 hour after sunset. Per 3/31/2025 rule change: night movement permitted for overwidth loads up to 12'6″ wide and overlength up to 110 ft with lighted signage, amber lights, and two-way radio communication. Farm hay and emergency moves also allowed at night. Weekend travel is allowed within limits.
What counts as a superload in Missouri?
Over 16 ft wide, 16 ft high, 150 ft long, or 160,000 lbs gross. It requires individual review and about 10 days of lead time.
How much does a Missouri 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 Missouri load with FreightDeck →.
How long does it take to get an oversize permit in Missouri?
Missouri does not publish a standard processing time for routine permits; superload review takes about 10 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 Missouri?
Weekend rules vary by route or season; check the permit conditions. Movement stops on New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas (From 12:00 noon last business day preceding until 1/2 hr before sunrise first business day after observance; Sat holiday observed Fri, Sun observed Mon); check the permit conditions for exact times.
How much overhang is allowed in Missouri?
Missouri sets no general front-overhang allowance — freight ahead of the trailer counts toward its length limits.
Does Missouri 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 Missouri?
Missouri publishes exemptions or relaxed rules for farm equipment (for example occasional, short-distance moves, sunrise to sunset, licensed driver (night allowed with rsmo 307.115 lighting)). Exemptions are narrow and usually limited to specific roads and daylight hours; anything else over the legal limits needs a permit.
Does a Missouri permit cover Iowa?
No. Every state issues its own permit, and a move crossing into Iowa, Illinois, 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.