Iowa oversize load rules
Legal limits, pilot car requirements, travel restrictions, superload thresholds and permit fees for oversize and overweight loads in Iowa.
Legal limits without a permit
| Width | 8′6″ |
|---|---|
| Height | 13′6″ |
| Length | 53′ trailer (57′ lowboys hauling construction equipment) · 45′ single vehicle |
| Weight | 80,000 lb gross |
At a glance
| Escorts | 4 escort rules, starting at 12′ wide |
|---|---|
| Superload | 4 review triggers (height, length, weight, width) |
| Travel | 4 restrictions (curfews, night, holidays) |
| Fees | 2 published fee lines |
Escort (pilot car) requirements
- 4 width, height and length thresholds with the escort count for each
- Overhang and route-type conditions
Travel restrictions
- 4 restrictions: curfews, night travel, weekends and holidays
- Which ones apply to a given load size
Superloads
- Exact thresholds and what the state requires past them
- Lead times, route surveys and police escort conditions
Permit fees
- 2 published fee lines with links to the fee schedule
- Validity periods and add-on charges
Common questions
When does a load need a pilot car in Iowa?
Over 12′ wide (or an amber light instead), over 14′6″ high (a height pole escort), or over 120′ long (a rear escort).
Which holidays restrict oversize travel in Iowa?
Memorial Day, Independence Day and Labor Day, including their holiday weekends, from noon the day before until the morning after.
Can oversize loads travel at night in Iowa?
Yes, up to 12′ wide, 14′6″ high and 100′ long at legal axle weights, on roads at least 22′ wide with the required lamps.
Sources
Planning reference. Permits carry their own conditions, and city and county roads have separate rules. Confirm with the Iowa DOT Motor Vehicle Division, Oversize/Overweight Permits before moving a load. Found an error? Report it.
Other states: Alabama · Arizona · Arkansas · California · Colorado · Connecticut · Delaware · Florida · Georgia · Idaho · Illinois · Indiana · Kansas · Kentucky · Louisiana · Maine · Maryland · Massachusetts · Michigan · Minnesota · Mississippi · Missouri · Montana · Nebraska · Nevada · New Hampshire · New Jersey · New Mexico · New York · North Carolina · North Dakota · Ohio · Oklahoma · Oregon · Pennsylvania · Rhode Island · South Carolina · South Dakota · Tennessee · Texas · Utah · Vermont · Virginia · Washington · West Virginia · Wisconsin · Wyoming