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Missouri Oversize Permits
Legal size/weight limits, escort thresholds, travel restrictions, and permit office contact for Missouri.
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
- 13.5ft (162in) — limit varies by route
- Max semitrailer length
- 53ft
- Max overall combination length
- 60ft
- Gross Weight
- 80,000 lbs
- Single Axle
- 20,000 lbs
- Tandem Axle
- 34,000 lbs
RSMo 304.170: 14 ft (168 in) applies ONLY on the interstate highway system and on routes designated by the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission. On ALL OTHER HIGHWAYS the maximum height is 13 ft 6 in (162 in). The figure shown is the limit that holds everywhere in the state; confirm your specific route before planning to 14 ft.
Official source for this height limit →
Road-class dependent — a single number cannot be correct. RSMo 304.170.5 sets 60 ft overall as the DEFAULT, then exempts the interstate system, where the only limit is the 53 ft semitrailer and there is NO overall limit ("THERE IS NO OVERALL LENGTH LIMIT FOR THIS VEHICLE ON THE ROUTES MENTIONED ABOVE" — MSHP's own body text). Under 304.170.11 the commission may extend that to designated non-interstate routes plus 10 miles. ⚠️ The MSHP brochure HEADLINES 60 ft, which under-reports the legal length on the National Network while over-reporting what is legal on an undesignated county road.
Escort / Pilot Car Thresholds (see glossary for terms, certification requirements for the driver)
These escort figures are route-dependent — they can change with road classification, lane width, two-lane vs multilane, and time of day. Confirm with the permit office before dispatching.
- Front escort required over
- 12.5ft wide
- Rear escort required over
- 12.5ft wide
- Both escorts required over
- 14ft wide
- Height escort required over
- 15.5ft tall
- Weight escort required over
- 220,000 lbs
Width (7 CSR 10-25.020): base overwidth escort threshold is over 12'6" (150 in). Over 12'6"-14': front escort on two-lane, rear on divided/undivided. Over 14'-16': front AND rear on two-lane/undivided, rear on divided. Over 16'-18': front and rear on all highways, plus additional front and a law-enforcement escort on two-lane. Over 18': front, rear and law-enforcement on all highways, plus additional front on two-lane. HEIGHT: over 15'6" (186 in) requires a front height-detection escort on all highways; over 16' adds front on two-lane; over 17' adds law-enforcement on all highways. LENGTH: over 110'-125' = rear on all except divided; over 125'-150' = rear on all; over 150' = rear + law-enforcement, plus additional front on two-lane. WEIGHT: over 220,000-350,000 lb = front escort on two-lane; over 350,000 lb = front and rear on all plus additional front on two-lane. Loads over 160,000 lb require a front and two rear escorts when bridge-crawling in Kansas City and St. Louis. Escort requirements are cumulative; Missouri State Highway Patrol escorts may be added as needed.
Travel Restrictions
- Night travel
- Generally allowed
- Weekend travel
- Generally allowed
- Sunday travel
- Generally allowed
General rule: travel limited to 1/2 hour before sunrise to 1/2 hour after sunset; no movement when roads snow/ice covered, in hazardous cross winds, or visibility under 500'. NIGHT: over-width loads not exceeding 12'6" that are legal height and not over 110' long MAY travel at night. WEEKEND/SUNDAY: allowed generally EXCEPT no Saturday/Sunday movement in the Lake of the Ozarks area (May 25-Labor Day) and the Branson area (May 1-Nov 30) on named routes. METRO CURFEWS (Mon-Fri; NOT overweight-only loads): St. Louis City & County 6:30-9:00 a.m. and 3:30-6:30 p.m.; St. Charles & Jefferson Counties similar; Kansas City area 7:00-9:00 a.m. and 4:00-6:00 p.m.; Springfield 7:00-9:00 a.m. and 4:00-6:00 p.m. Superloads: no movement 6:30-9:00 a.m. and 3:30-6:00 p.m. on non-divided state routes; Sat/Sun only for moves 16' wide or less.
Holiday blackouts: New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day.
Superload Thresholds
- Width over
- 16ft
- Height over
- 16ft
- Length over
- 150ft
- Weight over
- 160,000 lbs
7 CSR 10-25.020(15) 'Super Heavy and Large Load Movement': applications exceeding routine permit limits (generally over 16' wide, 16' high, 150' long, and/or over 160,000 lb gross) are handled as superloads, submitted electronically with insurance; a minimum $425 escrow may be required for bridge analysis; allow at least two weeks for route evaluation. Loaded height over 17' requires written utility approval. Gross weight over 350,000 lb requires an additional power unit. Missouri State Highway Patrol escorts required over 16' wide on any two-lane, 18' wide on divided/multi-lane undivided, 150' long, or 17' high.
Estimated Permit Cost Current
$15 + $250 if over 16ft wide/16ft tall/150ft long + $20 per 10,000 lb over legal; bridge fee $425–$925 if over 160,000 lbs
Typical processing: 7-day validity
Source: MoDOT regulation (~2025).
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.
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