Legal size limits without a permit
| Measurement | Alaska legal limit |
|---|---|
| Height | 15' (17' between Fox Weigh Station and Prudhoe Bay on the Dalton/Elliott Hwy) |
| Width | 102" (8'6") |
| Front Overhang | 3' |
| Rear Overhang | 4' |
Axle and gross weights
How much each axle group and the whole vehicle can carry in Alaska, 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 | ~25,000 lbs (permits up to 125% of legal weight issued without further bridge-condition review) |
| Tandem axle | 38,000 lbs | ~47,500 lbs (125% of legal, subject to bridge analysis above this) |
| Tridem axle | 42,000 lbs | Confirmed at filing |
| Quad axle | Confirmed at filing | Confirmed at filing |
| Gross weight | Set by Bridge Formula | Up to 250,000 lbs before a load is reclassified as a superload |
Superload: Loads over 150' long, 18' wide, 18' high, or 250,000 lbs GVW require superload handling/route review
Permit types we file in Alaska
Single-Trip PermitValid 3 days (5 days for moves over 400 miles) for a specific one-way or round move.
Extended-Period PermitIssued for 1, 3, 6, 9, or 12 months for a specific vehicle/configuration making repeated similar moves.
Multiple-Move / Superload PermitCovers repeated identical loads over the same route, or oversized/overweight superloads requiring engineering route review.
Maximum dimensions with a permit
| Dimension | Maximum with a permit |
|---|---|
| Length | Up to 150' (over this triggers superload review) |
| Width | Up to 18' (over this triggers superload review) |
| Height | Up to 18'; loads over 17' are daylight-only with a front escort/height pole |
| Rear Overhang | Up to 20' before an escort is mandated (25' front overhang) |
Alaska defines a superload as any load exceeding 150' length, 18' width, 18' height, or 250,000 lbs GVW; these require individual route review.
Escorts and travel restrictions
Escort & pilot car rules
- Widths 12'-14' require one escort; 14'-18' require two-three escorts with reduced speed; 18'-22' require four escorts at 40 mph max; over 22' require four escorts at 35 mph max.
- Length: single units 65'-85' need one escort, over 85' need two; combinations 85'-100' need one escort, 100'-150' need two, over 150' need three.
- Loads over 16'6" require a pilot vehicle with an over-height pole on the Glenn Highway (MP 0-27); loads over 17' are restricted to daylight travel with a front escort and height pole.
- Front overhang over 25' or rear overhang over 20' requires a pilot/escort vehicle.
When you can travel
- Over-width loads (without proper lighting) and loads over 17' in height are restricted to daylight-only travel.
- No movement is allowed after noon Saturday or at any time Sunday, with an exception for the Fairbanks North Star area (Oct 1-Apr 15) north/east of the Fox Weigh Station.
- Movement is restricted for 84 hours around Memorial Day, Independence Day, and Labor Day.
- Urban peak-traffic restrictions apply in Anchorage and Fairbanks; specific hours and boundaries vary by location.
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.
Alaska specifics
- Banner size, flag size and light rules for Alaska 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 DOT&PF and can change. We confirm the current rules for your exact load before filing.