Aug 30, 2022 2 min read

Height Restrictions

Over-height loads are the most difficult to handle because they need a lot of planning and prep work. It might be the most costly in terms of fees and charges to ensuring that the cargo is transported securely.

On the interstate, a height of 13'6" or less is permitted and allows you to travel over all bridges without any difficulty. Most states mandate a maximum legal height of 13' 6", however other states may allow up to 14'. The difficulty is that in terms of planning and expense, a load that is just a few inches higher than the maximum allowed height might become a super-load.

Oversize loads need authorization in each state. Depending on the state and the height of the cargo, the permit might cost anywhere from $15 to several hundred dollars. However, when comparing the cost of route studies and other fees connected with moving an over-height cargo safely, the permit cost is a bargain.

States are likely to collect a preparation fee in addition to the permit to cover the time it takes to examine the routes, gather all route and cargo information, and issue the permit. Processing costs could reach thousands of dollars because it identifies and measures every overhead barrier along the route, including bridges and overpasses, signs, traffic and train signals, overhead wires, and even tree limbs. The cost of a route survey might range from a few dollars per mile to several thousand dollars. Surveys are normally cost by mile, although the rate may vary depending on the kind of load, from basic oversize loads to super-loads.

Administrative, engineering, and road damage costs are examples of processing fees that are not disclosed but calculated for each load. Some payments, such as administrative and engineering fees, are depending on the number of hours it takes the states to do the study, which is impossible to predict ahead of time.

If the load is not really non-divisible, the total cost of all fees and service charges may demand reassessment of the load transportation. The cost of dismantling the component may be less than the cost of the over-height permission and expenditures. Over-height loads have the same safety requirements as regular oversize load, such as a "OVERSIZE LOAD" flag on the truck and on any accompanying civil escort vehicles. Travel times may also be limited, either to daylight hours or to times when traffic is expected to be heavy. The route description and any time limits will be included in the issued permit.