Mississippi oversize load rules
Legal limits, pilot car requirements, travel restrictions, superload thresholds and permit fees for oversize and overweight loads in Mississippi.
Legal limits without a permit
| Width | 8′6″ (102 in) |
|---|---|
| Height | 13′6″ |
| Length | 99′ overall · trailers over 53′ need a permit |
| Weight | 80,000 lb gross |
Travel restrictions
- Daylight only: sunrise to sunset for loads up to 12′ wide; 30 minutes after sunrise to 30 minutes before sunset for loads over 12′ wide
- Night movement is allowed only for loads up to 12′ wide, 99′ long and 150,000 lb, with escorts and amber lights
- No movement after noon on the day before, on the day of, or on the day after New Year's Day, Memorial Day, July 4, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas
- Over-width loads may not move in inclement weather
Escort (pilot car) requirements
- Daylight: front escort on two-lane roads, rear escort on divided highways, plus flashing amber lights on the rear of the load (13′ and wider)
- Police (blue-light) escort may be required depending on route and load (18′ and wider), in addition to private escorts
- Height pole escort (15′7″ and higher; superload)
- Front and/or rear escort as the permit directs (over 99′ long)
- Two blue-light escorts (160′ and longer)
- Two blue-light escorts (300,000 lb and over)
- Night moves (allowed only up to 12′ wide, 99′ long and 150,000 lb): loads 10′ and wider need a front escort on two-lane roads or a rear escort on divided highways, plus amber lights; under 10′ wide, amber lights only.
- Front projection of 15′ or more, or rear overhang of 15′ or more: front and/or rear escort.
- Escorts may also be required on specific bridges.
Superloads
A Super Load is over 17′ wide, 15′7″ high, 121′ long, or 190,000 lb gross. It needs a route survey, a traffic control plan, axle and tire diagrams, utility permission over 16′7″ high and railroad permission over 120′ long or 16′7″ high. Two blue-light escorts are required from 160′ long and from 300,000 lb.
Permit fees
| Single trip, oversize | $10 |
|---|---|
| Single trip, overweight | By weight and miles in Mississippi |
| Single trip permit, out-of-state registration | $25 |
| Oversize blanket (annual, per company) | $100 |
Single-trip permits are valid up to 3 consecutive days.
Common questions
When does a load need a pilot car in Mississippi?
In daylight, from 13′ wide: a front escort on two-lane roads or a rear escort on divided highways. At night, which is only allowed up to 12′ wide, escorts start at 10′ wide. Loads over 99′ long and overhangs of 15′ or more also need escorts.
What is a superload in Mississippi?
Over 17′ wide, 15′7″ high, 121′ long, or 190,000 lb gross. Superloads need a route survey and traffic control plan, and two blue-light escorts from 160′ long or 300,000 lb.
Can oversize loads move on holidays in Mississippi?
No movement after noon the day before, the day of, or the day after the six major holidays unless the permit says otherwise.
Sources
Planning reference. Permits carry their own conditions, and city and county roads have separate rules. Confirm with the Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT) Permit Division before moving a load. Found an error? Report it.
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