Pennsylvania Oversize & Overweight Permits

When Pennsylvania needs a permit

Pennsylvania splits the base fee by width: $46 for 14' wide or less, $97 over, plus $0.04 per ton-mile overweight. A single-trip permit covers one move in 5 days, and PennDOT permits don't cover the Turnpike, which sells its own. A pilot car follows past 90' long, a lead car runs ahead past 14'6" high, and two pilots over 14' wide. Superload starts at 201,000 lb, 16' wide, or 160' long.

Thresholds, escorts, and curfews

• Legal max before a permit: Permit needed over 8'6" wide, 13'6" high, 80,000 lb gross, or over legal length (53 ft semitrailer; longer combinations and non-divisible loads need a permit). PennDOT issues, and the PA Turnpike sells its own separate permit for its roads.
• Escort / pilot car: One pilot car follows if total length tops 90 ft or rear overhang exceeds 15 ft. A lead car runs well ahead if height tops 14'6" to catch overhead obstructions. Two pilot cars over 14' wide; mobile/modular units over 14' body width take a lead and a follow. Superloads use Pennsylvania State Police or PennDOT-certified escort vehicles.
• Superload: Superload over 201,000 lb gross, over 16' wide, or over 160' long (height case-by-case). A windshield route survey and structure analysis follow, with State Police or PennDOT-certified escorts riding the move.
• Travel curfew: Daylight travel for oversize loads, and never in inclement weather. A load that can't hold 40 mph on a limited-access highway is boxed into 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. behind a pilot car, and night moves through urbanized areas need a lead and a follow car. No travel on the major holidays (New Year's, Memorial Day, July 4th, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas).
• Permit fee: Single-trip base is $46 for 14' wide or less, $97 over 14' wide, plus $0.04 per ton-mile for overweight; one single-trip permit covers a move within 5 days. Superloads add a $68 preliminary fee plus $12 per county on top of the permit fee. Annual and seasonal permits cost more.

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