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) | 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 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) |
| 999 ft wide | 2 escorts |
| 14.5 ft high | Escort with a height pole / pole car |
| 90 ft long | 1 escort · 999 ft → 2 escorts |
| 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.
- No weekend travel for oversize loads.
- 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 a route survey 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, 65 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 (two at 999 ft), a height pole at 14.5 ft 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.
What counts as a superload in Pennsylvania?
Over 16 ft wide, 16 ft high, 160 ft long, or 201,000 lbs gross. It requires a route survey 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 →.