In New Hampshire, 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 | New Hampshire 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 |
New Hampshire 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… | New Hampshire requires |
|---|---|
| 12 ft wide | 1 escort (pilot car) |
| 90 ft long | 1 escort |
| 13 ft 6 in high | Route survey required |
| 14 ft wide | Police escort |
3When you can travel
- Daylight only — 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset.
- Weekends: Weekend travel is restricted for oversize loads; check the permit for exact hours.
- No night travel for overdimensional.
- Holiday blackouts: New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Washington's Birthday (Presidents' Day), Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving Day, Day after Thanksgiving, Christmas Day.
4Superloads in New Hampshire
A load is a superload once it exceeds any of these:
| Superload trigger | Threshold |
|---|---|
| Width | 15 ft |
| Height | 13 ft 6 in |
| Length | 110 ft |
| Gross weight | 149,999 lbs |
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.
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?New Hampshire permit FAQ
When do I need an oversize permit in New Hampshire?
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 New Hampshire?
New Hampshire requires one escort over 12 ft wide, and a police escort over 14 ft wide.
Can you drive an oversize load at night in New Hampshire?
Daylight only, 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset. No night travel for overdimensional. Weekend travel is allowed within limits.
What counts as a superload in New Hampshire?
Over 15 ft wide, 13 ft 6 in high, 110 ft long, or 149,999 lbs gross.
How much does a New Hampshire 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 New Hampshire load with FreightDeck →.
Can oversize loads move on weekends and holidays in New Hampshire?
Weekend travel is restricted for oversize loads; check the permit for exact hours. Movement stops on New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Washington's Birthday (Presidents' Day), Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving Day, Day after Thanksgiving, and Christmas Day (Full day; Sunday holiday -> following Monday also; Saturday holiday -> previous Friday also); check the permit conditions for exact times.
How much overhang is allowed in New Hampshire?
New Hampshire sets no general front-overhang allowance — freight ahead of the trailer counts toward its length limits.
Does New Hampshire require a route survey?
Yes, once a load is over 13 ft 6 in high. 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 New Hampshire?
New Hampshire publishes exemptions or relaxed rules for implements of husbandry - exempt from rsa 266:24 special permit, and loose hay/fodder may exceed 102 in (for example exempt from the rsa 266:24 special-permit requirement). Exemptions are narrow and usually limited to specific roads and daylight hours; anything else over the legal limits needs a permit.
Does a New Hampshire permit cover Maine?
No. Every state issues its own permit, and a move crossing into Maine, Massachusetts, or Vermont needs a separate permit there with that state's escort and travel rules. FreightDeck prices every state on the route in one quote.