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 without an over-length permit.
2Escort & pilot car requirements
| Once the load is over… | 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.
- Weekends: Weekend travel is restricted for oversize loads; check the permit for exact hours.
- 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 |
| Length | 160 ft |
| Gross weight | 201,000 lbs |
Superloads require individual review and roughly 15 days of lead time for approval.
5Permit timing
- Superload review: ~15 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 Pennsylvania load free →The most complete heavy-haul cost estimator · 48 states + Canada · no card to start · See plans & pricing
?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 over 13 ft wide, 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 Pennsylvania?
Daylight only, Sunrise to sunset. Prohibited sunset-to-sunrise generally; in urbanized areas permitted 3am-7:30am, 9am-4pm, 7pm-sunset per 67 Pa. Code § 179.10. Weekend travel is restricted.
What counts as a superload in Pennsylvania?
Over 16 ft wide, 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 →.
How long does it take to get an oversize permit in Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania does not publish a standard processing time for routine permits; superload review takes about 15 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 Pennsylvania?
Weekend travel is restricted for oversize loads; check the permit for exact hours. Movement stops on New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day (The holiday AND the day preceding it, unless permit specifies otherwise); check the permit conditions for exact times.
How much overhang is allowed in Pennsylvania?
Rear overhang is limited to 6 ft without an over-length permit.
Does Pennsylvania require a route survey?
Yes, once a load is over 14 ft 6 in high or 14 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 Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania publishes exemptions or relaxed rules for farm equipment, and manufactured homes (for example up to 12 ft (also crop/nutrient loads): sunrise to sunset, non-freeway. up to 14 ft 6 in: any time, non-freeway, within 50 mi of owner's farm or up to 150 mi between farms/farm and dealer or mechanic; 360-degree yellow light and hazards at night. over 14 ft 6 in to 18 ft: sunrise to sunset, non-freeway, financial responsibility, pilot vehicle with oversize load sign and hazards, yellow 360 light). Exemptions are narrow and usually limited to specific roads and daylight hours; anything else over the legal limits needs a permit.
Does a Pennsylvania permit cover New York?
No. Every state issues its own permit, and a move crossing into New York, New Jersey, or Delaware needs a separate permit there with that state's escort and travel rules. FreightDeck prices every state on the route in one quote.