In Pennsylvania, 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 | Pennsylvania 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 |
Rear overhang is limited to 6 ft and front overhang to 3 ft before it counts toward length, and any overhang must be flagged.
2Escort & pilot car requirements
| When the load reaches… | Pennsylvania requires |
|---|---|
| 13 ft wide | 1 escort (pilot car) |
| 14 ft 6 in high | Escort with a height pole / pole car |
| 90 ft long | 1 escort |
| 14 ft 6 in high or 14 ft wide | Route survey required |
| 16 ft wide | Police escort |
3When you can travel
- Daylight only — Sunrise to sunset.
- Weekend travel restricted.
- Prohibited sunset-to-sunrise generally; in urbanized areas permitted 3am-7:30am, 9am-4pm, 7pm-sunset per 67 Pa. Code § 179.10.
- Holiday blackouts: New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day.
4Superloads in Pennsylvania
A load is a superload once it exceeds any of these:
| Superload trigger | Threshold |
|---|---|
| Width | 16 ft |
| Height | 16 ft |
| Length | 160 ft |
| Gross weight | 201,000 lbs |
Superloads require individual review and roughly 15 days of lead time for approval.
5Permit timing
- Standard single-trip: ~1 business day to issue.
- Superload: ~15 days (route survey + review).
- 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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?Pennsylvania permit FAQ
When do I need an oversize permit in Pennsylvania?
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 Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania requires one escort at 13 ft wide, a height pole at 14 ft 6 in high, and a police escort at 16 ft wide.
Can you drive an oversize load at night in Pennsylvania?
No — oversize loads move daylight-only, Sunrise to sunset. Weekend travel is restricted.
What counts as a superload in Pennsylvania?
Over 16 ft wide, 16 ft high, 160 ft long, or 201,000 lbs gross. It requires individual review and about 15 days of lead time.
How much does a Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania load with FreightDeck →.