Do I Really Need An Escort?
Width-Based Requirements:
• Over 10 feet wide: May require one escort on two-lane highways.
• Over 12 feet wide: One front pilot car required on two-lane roads.
• Over 14 feet wide: One rear pilot car required on multi-lane roads.
• Over 16 feet wide: Two pilot cars required (one front, one rear).
Length-Based Requirements:
• Over 120 feet long: One rear escort required on multi-lane roads.
• Over 150 feet long: Two escorts required (one front, one rear).
Height-Based Requirements:
• Over 17 feet high: Route survey and high-pole pilot car required.
Weight-Based Escort Needs:
• No specific escort requirement for overweight loads unless they exceed size thresholds.
Nighttime Travel Restrictions:
• Pilot cars may be required for oversized loads traveling at night or in reduced visibility conditions.
Urban Areas & Special Routes:
• Phoenix & Tucson: Special restrictions and additional pilot car requirements may apply.
Superloads (Extreme Oversize Loads):
• Loads exceeding 250,000 lbs. or extreme dimensions typically require additional escorts and permits.
Based on the Arizona DOT Route Restriction Information (Table 4), here are additional details regarding pilot car requirements for oversized loads on specific Arizona highways:
Statewide Escort Requirements:
• Width Over 14’ to 16’ → Rear Escort (R) Required
• Applies to most highways and interstates listed in the document.
• Length Over 100’ Non-Articulated on I-15 → Front and Rear Escort + 2 Law Enforcement Escorts (F/R + 2 LE)
• Applies to Virgin River Bridge #5 (MP 15.38 - 29.40, Utah State Line).
• Height Over 14’ to 16’ on Certain Bridges → Escorts Required
• Some structures have clearance restrictions as low as 14’, requiring height pole escorts.
• Special Conditions for Extreme Weights
• Loads over 250,000 lbs. require special analysis and ADOT approval (e.g., Class C permits on Interstate 15 and certain bridges).
Route-Specific Escort Needs:
• Interstate 8, 10, 17, 19, and 40:
• Any load over 14’ - 16’ in width requires a rear escort (R).
• Height restrictions apply at certain underpasses (some as low as 15’ 7”).
• Interstate 15 (Virgin River Bridge) requires additional law enforcement escorts.
• State Business Routes & Smaller Highways:
• State Route 24, 51, 77, and 87 → Rear escort required over 14’-16’.
• State Route 73 (Coal Mine Canyon) → Requires 2 law enforcement escorts if over 14’.
• Local Jurisdiction Control:
• Certain sections of State Business 40 and State Route 66 fall under county or city jurisdiction, requiring additional clearance from Yavapai, Coconino, or Flagstaff authorities.
Key Takeaways:
• Most oversized loads exceeding 14’ width will need a rear escort.
• I-15, I-10, and I-40 have multiple height and width restrictions, requiring careful planning.
• Certain bridges and urban routes require law enforcement support or additional escort vehicles.
• For extreme weight (250,000+ lbs.), coordination with ADOT Bridge Group is necessary.
Always verify the latest Arizona DOT (ADOT) regulations before a haul, as they may update requirements periodically. If you need to check on pilot car requirements on the other states you will be traveling through, click here.