Legal size limits without a permit
| Measurement | Iowa legal limit |
|---|---|
| Height | 13'6" |
| Width | 8'6" |
| Front Overhang | Confirmed at filing |
| Rear Overhang | Confirmed at filing |
Axle and gross weights
How much each axle group and the whole vehicle can carry in Iowa, without a permit and with an overweight permit.
| Axle group | Legal limit | With a permit |
|---|---|---|
| Steer axle | Confirmed at filing | Confirmed at filing |
| Single axle | 20,000 lbs | 20,000 lbs standard; up to 24,000 lbs for self-propelled cranes; up to 36,000 lbs for construction equipment |
| Tandem axle | UNCONFIRMED specific figure | Governed by an axle-count formula (e.g. 89,600-107,520 lbs total for 5-7 axles) |
| Tridem axle | Confirmed at filing | Confirmed at filing |
| Quad axle | Confirmed at filing | Confirmed at filing |
| Gross weight | 80,000 lbs | 156,000 lbs under most Annual/Multi-Trip permits; up to 256,000 lbs under Special Alternative Energy Multi-Trip Permit |
Superload: No single published statewide figure; loads beyond 156,000-256,000 lb permit-type ceilings require individual engineering/route review
Permit types we file in Iowa
Single or Round Trip PermitFor an indivisible load exceeding legal limits; valid 5 days.
Multi-Trip PermitUnlimited trips between two fixed points on a specified route; valid 60 days, up to 156,000 lbs.
Annual Oversize/Overweight & All-Systems Permits12-month, unlimited-trip permits at varying width/height/weight tiers.
Maximum dimensions with a permit
| Dimension | Maximum with a permit |
|---|---|
| Length | 120 ft (most Annual/Multi-Trip permit types) |
| Width | 16 ft (Large Annual Oversize / All-Systems Oversize Permit) |
| Height | 15'5" (most Annual/Multi-Trip permit types) |
| Rear Overhang | Confirmed at filing |
Loads beyond the standard Annual/Multi-Trip permit ceilings require case-by-case Iowa DOT engineering and route review.
Escorts and travel restrictions
Escort & pilot car rules
- Front & rear escort required for loads over 120 ft long.
- Front & rear escort with height pole required for loads over 14'6" up to 20' high.
- Front and/or rear escort required for widths over 12 ft.
When you can travel
- No movement on Memorial Day, Independence Day, or Labor Day, or after noon the day before.
- Nighttime continuous movement permitted only for loads ≤11' wide, ≤14'6" high, ≤100' long.
- Larger loads are generally restricted to daylight-hours-only travel.
Signs, flags and lights
Most states require
- An “OVERSIZE LOAD” banner on the front of the truck and the rear of the load.
- Red or fluorescent orange warning flags at each corner and at the widest points of the load.
- Amber warning lights or clearance lights when moving at night, where night travel is allowed.
Iowa specifics
- Banner size, flag size and light rules for Iowa are listed on your permit.
- We include them in your permit notes so your driver has them before the trip.
Rules change. Limits and requirements are set by the state DOT and can change. We confirm the current rules for your exact load before filing.