Alaska Oversize Permits

Legal size/weight limits, escort thresholds, travel restrictions, and permit office contact for Alaska.

⚠ REFERENCE ONLY — NOT A PERMIT. VERIFY WITH THE STATE BEFORE YOU TRAVEL.

These figures are a reference summary of publicly published state rules, not a substitute for a state-issued permit and not legal advice. Rules change — always confirm current limits and requirements directly with the state permit office before you plan or run a move. Last verified: 2026-07-16. Oversize Ops is NOT responsible and CANNOT be held liable for decisions made from this reference. Official source ↗

Legal Maximum Dimensions (no permit required)

Width: 8.5ft (102in)
Height: 15ft (180in) — limit varies by route
Max semitrailer length: 53ft
Max overall combination length: 75ft
Max single-unit vehicle length: 45ft
Gross Weight: 80,000 lbs
Single Axle: 20,000 lbs
Tandem Axle: 38,000 lbs

17 AAC 25.012: a vehicle including load may not exceed 15 ft (180 in) in height, EXCEPT that a vehicle operating between the Fox Weigh Station and Prudhoe Bay on the Dalton and Elliott Highways may be 17 ft (204 in) high. Permits are required over 15 ft generally, and over 17 ft on that corridor (17 AAC 25.320).

Official source for this height limit →

17 AAC 25.012: 53 ft cargo-carrying semitrailer on all routes. No overall limit for a tractor plus one unit on the NHS; the 75 ft overall applies OFF the NHS — that is what our stored figure was. The POWER VEHICLE itself is capped at 45 ft, which is unusual and easy to miss. Alaska's permit manual states no legal maximum length. ⚠️ The "Alaska = 85 ft" figure in circulation is a PILOT-CAR threshold for permitted moves, and the 75 ft is also used as a signage trigger — neither is a legal length maximum.

Official source for these length limits →

Escort / Pilot Car Thresholds (see glossary for terms, certification requirements for the driver)

Front escort required over: 10.5ft wide
Rear escort required over: 12ft wide
Both escorts required over: 12ft wide
Height escort required over: 17ft tall

Width: >10'6" (126in)=1 pilot/escort (precedes/front); >12'-14'=2 (front+rear); >14'-18'=3; >18'-22'=4; >22'=4+. Length single unit: >65'-85'=1, >85'=2. Combination: >85'-100'=1, >100'-150'=2, >150'=3. Height: >17'=front car with over-height pole (not required N of Fox Weigh Station); on Glenn Hwy MP0-27, >16'6" needs front over-height pole car. Front overhang >25'-60'=1 front car, >60'=2. Rear overhang >20'-35'=1 rear car, >35'=2. No weight-tied escort. Escort must be legal-size passenger vehicle/light truck, not towing.

Travel Restrictions

Night travel: Generally allowed
Weekend travel: Generally allowed
Sunday travel: Generally restricted

Over-width >10'6", front overhang >10', rear overhang >4', length >85', or height >17' are restricted to daylight hours unless equipped with proper lighting/retroreflective tape or as stated on permit. Permits may impose weekend restriction: no movement after 12:00 noon Saturday or any time Sunday. Urban-area peak-traffic restrictions apply as noted on permit in Anchorage, Eagle River, Fairbanks, Juneau, Kenai/Soldotna, Ketchikan, Palmer/Wasilla. Over 16'6" height limited to 45 MPH in darkness. Fairbanks North winter (Oct 1-Apr 15) exceptions N/E of Fox Weigh Station.

Holiday blackouts: Movement prohibited for Memorial Day, Independence Day (July 4), and Labor Day. Holiday on Sun/Mon: restricted 84 hours from 12:00pm the previous Friday. Holiday on Fri/Sat: restricted 84 hours from 12:00pm the previous Thursday.

See how Alaska compares to every state ›

Superload Thresholds

Width over: 18ft
Height over: 18ft
Length over: 150ft
Weight over: 250,000 lbs

Super Loads (17.1.1) = overall length >150 ft, width >18 ft, height >18 ft, OR gross vehicle weight >=250,000 lbs. Those requiring bridge analysis typically need ~5 working days to process.

Estimated Permit Cost Verify before relying

$40 base (oversize-only or overweight-only) + $25–$35 surcharge; $70 base if both

Source: AK DOT&PF Permit Fees schedule (effective Feb 29, 2016) — verify current fee with the permit office before budgeting a move.

Permit fee only — does not include escort/pilot-car service costs (market-rate, arranged separately) or third-party permit-service fees. This is an estimate for planning purposes, not a quote.

Get a Permit

Online portal: https://dot.alaska.gov/mscvc/pages/permits.shtml
Phone: 907-365-1200

Cold weather weight limits apply.

Planning a move through Alaska?

Enter your load's exact size to see whether it needs a permit or escort here, plan a truck-legal route, or find a transporter or escort.

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