In Washington, 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 | Washington 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 |
Rear overhang is limited to 15 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… | Washington requires |
|---|---|
| 11 ft wide | 1 escort (pilot car) |
| 14 ft wide | 2 escorts |
| 14 ft 6 in high | Escort with a height pole / pole car |
| 105 ft long | 1 escort · 125 ft → 2 escorts |
| 16 ft high or 16 ft wide | Route survey required |
| 18 ft wide | Police escort |
3When you can travel
- Night travel permitted in defined conditions — Vehicles/loads within defined envelope (≤12 ft W, ≤14'6" H, ≤105 ft L inc. overhang) may move at night. Over-envelope night moves require prior CVS approval and 'Nighttime Movement Approved' noted on permit. Night = 30 min after sunset to 30 min before sunrise..
- Weekend travel allowed within dimensional limits.
- Holiday blackouts: New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, Day after Thanksgiving, Christmas Day.
4Superloads in Washington
A load is a superload once it exceeds any of these:
| Superload trigger | Threshold |
|---|---|
| Width | 16 ft |
| Height | 16 ft |
| Length | 125 ft |
| Gross weight | 200,000 lbs |
Superloads require individual review and roughly 30 days of lead time for approval.
5Permit timing
- Standard single-trip: ~2 business days to issue.
- Superload: ~30 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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?Washington permit FAQ
When do I need an oversize permit in Washington?
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 Washington?
Washington requires one escort at 11 ft wide (two at 14 ft), a height pole at 14 ft 6 in high, and a police escort at 18 ft wide.
Can you drive an oversize load at night in Washington?
Washington allows night movement in defined conditions (Vehicles/loads within defined envelope (≤12 ft W, ≤14'6" H, ≤105 ft L inc. overhang) may move at night. Over-envelope night moves require prior CVS approval and 'Nighttime Movement Approved' noted on permit. Night = 30 min after sunset to 30 min before sunrise.). Weekend travel is allowed within limits.
What counts as a superload in Washington?
Over 16 ft wide, 16 ft high, 125 ft long, or 200,000 lbs gross. It requires individual review and about 30 days of lead time.
How much does a Washington 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 Washington load with FreightDeck →.