Louisiana oversize permit requirements
Louisiana runs the widest routine permit in the region — eighteen feet, against sixteen in Texas and Mississippi — and pairs it with sixteen feet six of height and a hundred and twenty-five feet of length. For heavy industrial cargo coming off the river or out of the petrochemical corridor, that matters more than the headline dimensions of most neighbouring states.
The axle allowances split by road type in a way that rewards checking. On the Interstate a tandem carries thirty-four thousand pounds and a tridem forty-two; off it, thirty-seven and forty-five. The higher figures apply on exactly the surface roads a wide load is often pushed onto anyway, so a route that looks worse for width can be better for weight.
The restrictions are river and festival shaped. The New Orleans-area Mississippi River bridges close morning and evening on weekdays; loads over twelve feet wide are barred from the Interstate at peak in Shreveport, Monroe, Lake Charles, Baton Rouge and New Orleans; and Mardi Gras carries its own area restrictions, which is a closure no other state has to write down. Permits are short — one to three days for oversize, four for overweight — and a vehicle must be registered for eighty-eight thousand pounds before an overweight permit will issue.
Legal dimensions
At or under these figures, no oversize permit is required in Louisiana.
- Width
- 8′6″
- Height
- 14′0″
- Gross weight
- 80,000 lb
- Overhang
- 4′ front, 8′ rear
- Single axle
- 20,000 lb
- Tandem
- 34,000 lb on the Interstate, 37,000 lb elsewhere
- Tridem
- 42,000 lb on the Interstate, 45,000 lb elsewhere
- Quad
- 50,000 lb on the Interstate, 53,000 lb elsewhere
Routine permit limits
Above legal dimensions and up to these figures, Louisiana issues a permit as routine business. Beyond them the load becomes a superload, reviewed case by case.
- Length
- 125′
- Width
- 18′
- Height
- 16′6″
- 5 axles
- 108,000 lb
- 6 axles
- 120,000 lb
- 7 axles
- 132,000 lb
- 8 axles
- 152,000 lb
Escort requirements
A load reaching any of these figures needs an escort in Louisiana — the figure is the first size that requires one, so a load measuring exactly this much already needs it.
- Width
- 12′1″
- Height
- 15′0″
- Length
- 90′1″
When the load may move
Permit validity. Oversize permits run one to three days as required. Overweight permits run four days.
Operating time. Sunrise to sunset, seven days a week. Overweight-only loads within 65′ of length may travel continuously.
Restricted travel. The New Orleans-area Mississippi River bridges close 6:30–9 AM and 3:30–6 PM, Monday to Friday. Loads over 12′ wide may not use the Interstate in Shreveport, Monroe, Lake Charles, Baton Rouge or New Orleans between 7–9 AM and 3:30–5 PM on weekdays. No travel on major holidays, and Mardi Gras carries its own area restrictions.
Worth knowing
- The 18′ routine width is the widest in the region — Texas and Mississippi stop at 16′.
- Axle allowances are higher off the Interstate than on it, which is the reverse of most states.
- A vehicle must be registered for 88,000 lb before an overweight permit will issue.
- Legal length is 59′6″ on the Interstate and designated highways, 65′ for a truck and trailer elsewhere.
- Legal width drops to 8′ on non-designated routes.
- A load over 232,000 lb gross, or beyond the routine limits, is a superload.
Louisiana permits, answered
How wide can a load be on a Louisiana routine permit?
18′, which is the widest routine allowance in the region — Texas and Mississippi both stop at 16′.
Are Louisiana axle limits higher off the Interstate?
Yes, and it is worth checking. A tandem carries 37,000 lb off the Interstate against 34,000 lb on it, and a tridem 45,000 lb against 42,000 lb.
When do the New Orleans river bridges close to oversize loads?
6:30–9 AM and 3:30–6 PM, Monday to Friday. Loads over 12′ wide are separately barred from the Interstate at peak in five cities including New Orleans.
Does Mardi Gras affect oversize movement in Louisiana?
Yes. Mardi Gras carries its own area restrictions on top of the ordinary holiday rules — a closure no other state has to publish.
What registration do I need for a Louisiana overweight permit?
The vehicle must be registered for 88,000 lb before an overweight permit will be issued.
Crossing more than Louisiana?
A permit is per state. If the route leaves Louisiana, these are the states it most likely enters.
Get a permit quote for Louisiana
Enter the load once and the estimator prices every state on the route, flags where an escort is required, and turns the quote into an order.
Price a permit for Louisiana →Compiled from published state DOT sources. Regulations change — confirm the current rules before dispatch. Last reviewed 2026-07-30.