Pennsylvania oversize permit requirements
Pennsylvania is two permit systems wearing one state. PennDOT covers the state highways; the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission runs its own regime with its own thresholds, and a load crossing the state on I-76 is dealing with both. The Turnpike requires its own permit past ten feet of width, eighty-five feet of length, thirteen feet six of height, a hundred and twenty-five thousand pounds, or any axle above twenty-two thousand four hundred pounds — and anything over thirteen feet six is prohibited on the I-76 mainline outright.
The travel window is narrow by regional standards. Sunrise to sunset Monday to Friday, Saturday only until noon, and no Sunday movement at all. Loads over ten feet wide or eighty-five feet long lose the weekend entirely. Continuous travel is available, but only within a hundred and seven thousand pounds and seventy feet — a tight envelope. Urban areas add their own windows, including a three to half-past-seven in the morning slot that requires two pilots and special lighting.
Philadelphia sets thresholds low enough to be worth quoting: police escort past eleven feet five of width, fourteen feet of height, seventy-five feet of length or a hundred and forty-five thousand pounds. Routine permits otherwise reach a hundred and twenty feet, or a hundred and sixty on four-lane highways, with height capped at fourteen feet six. The permit runs seven days.
Legal dimensions
At or under these figures, no oversize permit is required in Pennsylvania.
- Width
- 8′6″
- Height
- 13′6″
- Gross weight
- 80,000 lb
- Overhang
- 6′ rear, on divisible loads
- Steer axle
- 20,000 lb
- Single axle
- 20,000 lb
- Tandem
- 34,000 lb
- Tridem
- 42,500 lb
Routine permit limits
Above legal dimensions and up to these figures, Pennsylvania issues a permit as routine business. Beyond them the load becomes a superload, reviewed case by case.
- Length
- 120′, or 160′ on four-lane highways
- Width
- 16′
- Height
- 14′6″
- Single axle
- 27,000 lb
- Tandem
- 52,000 lb
- Tridem
- 63,000 lb
- Quad
- 72,000 lb
Escort requirements
A load reaching any of these figures needs an escort in Pennsylvania — the figure is the first size that requires one, so a load measuring exactly this much already needs it.
- Width
- 13′1″
- Height
- 14′6″
- Length
- 90′1″
When the load may move
Permit validity. Permits are valid for seven days.
Operating time. Sunrise to sunset, Monday to Friday. Saturday until noon only. No Sunday travel. Continuous travel is allowed within 107,000 lb and 70′ of length. Urban areas run 9 AM–4 PM and 7 PM–sunset, with a 3–7:30 AM slot available where two pilots and special lighting are provided.
Restricted travel. No Sunday travel. Loads over 10′ wide or over 85′ long may not travel at weekends. Holiday travel is usually barred from noon the day before the six major holidays. Philadelphia requires a police escort past 11′5″ wide, 14′ high, 75′ long or 145,000 lb.
Worth knowing
- The Pennsylvania Turnpike is a separate permitting authority from PennDOT, and a state permit does not cover it.
- The Turnpike requires its own permit past 10′ wide, 85′ long, 13′6″ high, 125,000 lb, or any axle over 22,400 lb — and bars anything over 13′6″ from the I-76 mainline.
- Legal length is 53′ for the semitrailer, or 70′ to 85′ for a non-divisible load.
- Legal width drops to 8′ off the designated highways.
- A dozer with a blade between 12′ and 15′ wide requires a traffic protector guide rail device.
- Oversize Load signs must be removed once the load is no longer oversize.
- A load over 201,000 lb gross, over 16′ wide or over 160′ long is a superload.
Pennsylvania permits, answered
Does the Pennsylvania Turnpike need a separate permit?
Yes. The Turnpike Commission is its own authority, with its own thresholds — 10′ wide, 85′ long, 13′6″ high, 125,000 lb, or any axle over 22,400 lb. Anything over 13′6″ is barred from the I-76 mainline entirely.
Can an oversize load travel at the weekend in Pennsylvania?
Saturday morning until noon, and not at all on Sunday. Loads over 10′ wide or 85′ long lose the weekend completely.
When does Philadelphia require a police escort?
Past 11′5″ of width, 14′ of height, 75′ of length or 145,000 lb — thresholds low enough that many ordinary permitted loads meet them.
Can a Pennsylvania load run continuously?
Only within 107,000 lb and 70′ of length. Outside that envelope the daylight window applies.
How long can a load be on a Pennsylvania permit?
120′ generally, and 160′ on four-lane highways.
Crossing more than Pennsylvania?
A permit is per state. If the route leaves Pennsylvania, these are the states it most likely enters.
Get a permit quote for Pennsylvania
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 Pennsylvania →Compiled from published state DOT sources. Regulations change — confirm the current rules before dispatch. Last reviewed 2026-07-30.