Arkansas Oversize & Overweight Permit Requirements & Rules (2026)

In Arkansas, 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	Arkansas 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

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…	Arkansas requires
12 ft wide	1 escort (pilot car)
14 ft wide	2 escorts
15 ft high	Escort with a height pole / pole car
100 ft long	1 escort · 115 ft → 2 escorts
17 ft high or 16 ft wide	Route survey required

3When you can travel

Night travel permitted within limits.
Weekend travel allowed within dimensional limits.
Night movement allowed for loads not exceeding 12 ft wide, 150,000 lbs, 99 ft long, 13'6" height with amber lights/escort.
Holiday blackouts: New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day.

4Superloads in Arkansas

A load is a superload once it exceeds any of these:

Superload trigger	Threshold
Width	16.5 ft
Height	15 ft 6 in
Length	100 ft
Gross weight	180,000 lbs

Superloads require a route survey and roughly 5 days of lead time for approval.

5Permit timing

Standard single-trip: ~1 business day to issue.
Superload: ~5 days (route survey + review).
Validity: a single-trip permit is good for ~5 days.

Get the full cost of your load

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Note: these requirements are for planning and are verified as of May 2026. Rules change — always confirm with the state permitting authority before dispatch.

?Arkansas permit FAQ

When do I need an oversize permit in Arkansas?

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 Arkansas?

Arkansas requires one escort at 12 ft wide (two at 14 ft), a height pole at 15 ft high.

Can you drive an oversize load at night in Arkansas?

Travel windows are set on the permit in Arkansas.

What counts as a superload in Arkansas?

Over 16.5 ft wide, 15 ft 6 in high, 100 ft long, or 180,000 lbs gross. It requires a route survey and about 5 days of lead time.

How much does a Arkansas 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 Arkansas load with FreightDeck →.