In Ohio, 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 | Ohio legal limit | Permit if over |
|---|---|---|
| Width | 8 ft 6 in | Wider |
| Height | 13 ft 6 in | Taller |
| Length (combination) | 65 ft | Longer |
| Gross weight | 80,000 lbs | Heavier |
| Single axle | 20,000 lbs | Heavier |
| Tandem axle | 34,000 lbs | Heavier |
Ohio 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… | Ohio requires |
|---|---|
| 13 ft wide | 1 escort (pilot car) |
| 14 ft 6 in wide | 2 escorts |
| 14 ft 6 in high | Escort with a height pole / pole car |
| 90 ft long | 1 escort · 130 ft → 2 escorts |
| 14 ft 10 in high or 14 ft 6 in wide | Route survey required |
| 16 ft wide | Police escort |
3When you can travel
- Daylight only — 30 min before sunrise to 30 min after sunset.
- Weekends: Weekend travel is restricted for loads over 12 ft wide.
- Night travel (sunset to sunrise) prohibited except emergencies per OAC 5501:2-1-04.
- Holiday blackouts: New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas.
4Superloads in Ohio
A load is a superload once it exceeds any of these:
| Superload trigger | Threshold |
|---|---|
| Width | 14 ft |
| Height | 14 ft 6 in |
| Gross weight | 120,000 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 ~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.
Price your Ohio load free →The most complete heavy-haul cost estimator · 48 states + Canada · no card to start · See plans & pricing
?Ohio permit FAQ
When do I need an oversize permit in Ohio?
Once a load exceeds any legal limit: 8 ft 6 in wide, 13 ft 6 in high, 65 ft long (combination), or 80,000 lbs gross.
When do I need a pilot car in Ohio?
Ohio requires one escort over 13 ft wide (two over 14 ft 6 in), 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 Ohio?
Daylight only, 30 min before sunrise to 30 min after sunset. Night travel (sunset to sunrise) prohibited except emergencies per OAC 5501:2-1-04. Weekend travel is allowed within limits.
What counts as a superload in Ohio?
Over 14 ft wide, 14 ft 6 in high, or 120,000 lbs gross. It requires individual review and about 14 days of lead time.
How much does a Ohio 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 Ohio load with FreightDeck →.
How long does it take to get an oversize permit in Ohio?
Ohio does not publish a standard processing time for routine permits; superload review takes about 14 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 Ohio?
Weekend travel is restricted for loads over 12 ft wide. Movement stops on New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas (From 12 noon the day preceding until sunrise (ODOT: 1/2 hr before sunrise) the day following the holiday/holiday weekend; Sunday holiday observed Monday, Saturday observed Friday); check the permit conditions for exact times.
How much overhang is allowed in Ohio?
Ohio sets no general front-overhang allowance — freight ahead of the trailer counts toward its length limits.
Does Ohio require a route survey?
Yes, once a load is over 14 ft 10 in high or 14 ft 6 in 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 Ohio?
Ohio publishes exemptions or relaxed rules for farm equipment, and poles on pole trailers, pipes, well-drilling equipment (for example dimension limits only; r.c. 5577.05 states no road-type or farm-use condition. weight limits are in other sections and are not exempted by 5577.05). Exemptions are narrow and usually limited to specific roads and daylight hours; anything else over the legal limits needs a permit.
Does a Ohio permit cover Pennsylvania?
No. Every state issues its own permit, and a move crossing into Pennsylvania, West Virginia, 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.