Legal size limits without a permit
| Measurement | Ohio legal limit |
|---|---|
| Height | 13 ft 6 in |
| Width | 102 in / 8 ft 6 in |
| 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 Ohio, 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 | UNCONFIRMED — governed by load-per-tire-width |
| Tandem axle | 34,000 lbs (tridem groups up to 48,000 lbs) | Determined per bridge formula/permit engineering review |
| Tridem axle | Confirmed at filing | Confirmed at filing |
| Quad axle | Confirmed at filing | Confirmed at filing |
| Gross weight | 80,000 lbs | Vehicles may exceed 80,000 lbs by up to 7.5% for certain permits without full analysis |
Superload: Reviewed case by case
Permit types we file in Ohio
Trip PermitSingle one-way movement.
Continuing Annual PermitTied to a specific vehicle for repeat moves over a year.
Special-Use PermitsIncludes Construction Equipment, Manufactured Building Component, and Boat permits.
Maximum dimensions with a permit
| Dimension | Maximum with a permit |
|---|---|
| Length | Reviewed against legal length; escort required above 90 ft |
| Width | One escort required above 13 ft; two escorts above 14 ft 6 in |
| Height | Signs required above 14 ft 6 in; escort required above 14 ft 6 in; two escorts above 14 ft 10 in |
| Rear Overhang | 4 ft or more requires a flag |
ODOT does not publish one specific superload weight number; oversize loads exceeding standard limits are individually referred for structural (bridge) analysis.
Escorts and travel restrictions
Escort & pilot car rules
- 1 lead (or rear, on multi-lane highways) escort required when width exceeds 13 ft.
- 1 rear escort required when length exceeds 90 ft.
- 1 lead escort with height-sensing device required when height exceeds 14 ft 6 in.
When you can travel
- General movement allowed daylight hours only (1/2 hour before sunrise to 1/2 hour after sunset).
- No travel from noon the day before through 1/2 hour before sunrise the day after on major federal holidays.
- Rush-hour ban in 20 designated counties: 6:30–9:00 a.m. and 4:30–6:00 p.m., Monday–Friday.
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.
Ohio specifics
- Banner size, flag size and light rules for Ohio 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 ODOT and can change. We confirm the current rules for your exact load before filing.