New Mexico oversize load rules
Legal limits, pilot car requirements, travel restrictions, superload thresholds and permit fees for oversize and overweight loads in New Mexico.
Legal limits without a permit
| Width | 8′6″ |
|---|---|
| Height | 14′ |
| Length | 65′ combination · 40′ single vehicle, including overhang |
| Weight | 86,400 lb gross on New Mexico highways (80,000 lb on interstates) |
At a glance
| Escorts | 6 escort rules, starting at 12′ wide |
|---|---|
| Superload | 3 review triggers (height, weight, width) |
| Travel | 4 restrictions (curfews, night, holidays) |
| Fees | 2 published fee lines |
Escort (pilot car) requirements
- 6 width, height and length thresholds with the escort count for each
- Police escort triggers
- 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 an escort in New Mexico?
At 14′ wide (earlier on mapped routes), over 110′ long, and possibly over 16′ high. Over 120′ long takes two escorts; 20′ wide adds flaggers.
Can oversize loads travel at night in New Mexico?
Only under a continuous-movement permit, which is limited to 10′ wide, 14′6″ high, 120′ long and 140,000 lb.
What is the legal gross weight in New Mexico?
86,400 lb on state highways, which is why permit fees are calculated above that figure; interstates follow the federal 80,000 lb limit.
Sources
- 18.19.8 NMAC, Permits for Oversize and Overweight Vehicles
- 18.19.8.81 NMAC, escort required for overwidth vehicles
- NMSA 66-7-413, permits for excessive size and weight (fees)
Planning reference. Permits carry their own conditions, and city and county roads have separate rules. Confirm with the New Mexico DPS Motor Transportation Police Division, Permits before moving a load. Found an error? Report it.
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