Kansas oversize load rules
Legal limits, pilot car requirements, travel restrictions, superload thresholds and permit fees for oversize and overweight loads in Kansas.
Legal limits without a permit
| Width | 8′6″ (102 in) |
|---|---|
| Height | 14′ |
| Length | 59′6″ semitrailer · 65′ other combinations · 45′ single vehicle |
| Weight | 80,000 lb gross under the Federal Bridge Formula |
At a glance
| Escorts | 5 escort rules, starting at 14′ wide |
|---|---|
| Superload | 4 review triggers (height, length, weight, width) |
| Travel | 3 restrictions (curfews, night, holidays) |
| Fees | 4 published fee lines |
Escort (pilot car) requirements
- 5 width, height and length thresholds with the escort count for each
- Overhang and route-type conditions
Travel restrictions
- 3 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
- 4 published fee lines with links to the fee schedule
- Validity periods and add-on charges
Common questions
When does a load need an escort in Kansas?
Over 14′ wide on highways with fewer than four lanes (front and rear, or front plus a warning light). On four-lane highways only superloads and large structures need a rear escort.
Can oversize loads travel on holidays in Kansas?
Yes. Kansas allows oversize and overweight moves every day of the year, including holidays, in daylight.
What is a superload in Kansas?
An overweight load over 150,000 lb gross. Loads wider than 16′6″, longer than 126′ or higher than 18′ use a large structure permit instead.
Sources
- K.A.R. 36-1-36, common requirements (escorts, travel)
- K.A.R. 36-1-38, types of permits (superload, large structure)
- K.S.A. 8-1911, permit fees
- K.S.A. 8-1904, height and length limits
- KDOT testimony on OSOW permitting and routing, March 2025 (permit limits, fees)
Planning reference. Permits carry their own conditions, and city and county roads have separate rules. Confirm with the Kansas DOT Central Permit Office (K-TRIPS) before moving a load. Found an error? Report it.
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