Arizona OS/OD Overview
Permit Required
Yes – any vehicle or load that exceeds legal size/weight limits needs a permit from the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT).
Legal Limits (Without Permit)
- Width: 8'6"
- Height: 14'
- Length: 65' (single units); 75' (combinations)
- Weight: 80,000 lbs (GVW)
Permitted Load Maximums (Typical Upper Limits)
- Width: Up to 14' on most routes; wider loads possible with escorts
- Height: No fixed max, but over 16' requires route survey and approval
- Length: 120'+ with permit
- Weight: 250,000+ lbs with axle spacings and engineering review
Superloads require custom routing and clearance from ADOT.
Travel Hours
- Standard: Sunrise to Sunset for most oversize loads
- Restrictions: No weekend or night travel for wider loads (typically >10')
- Holiday travel: Prohibited
- Metro curfews: May apply in areas like Phoenix and Tucson during rush hours
Escort Requirements (Standard Guide)
| Dimension | Escort Requirement |
|---|---|
| Width > 12' | 1 Escort (rear or front depending on route) |
| Width > 14' | 2 Escorts (front and rear) |
| Height > 16' | Route survey and high pole car |
| Length > 120' | 2 Escorts |
Additional Notes
- Oversize Load signs, flags, and amber lights are mandatory where required
- Route surveys required for heights over 16’ or critical infrastructure
- Permits are issued via the ADOT ePro system
Detailed Information
PERMITS: Permits valid for four days. Drivers have the option of purchasing permits at most Ports of Entry.
OPERATING TIME: Daylight hours, (one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset). Loads/vehicles not over 10' wide or 14'6” high or not over 10' rear overhang are allowed continuous travel. Loads not over 16' wide, 16' high, 120' long and 250,000 pounds may travel on Interstate and specified state routes at night, and from 3:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon on weekends (except on holiday weekends and in curfew areas), but this must be requested when permit is ordered and must be stated on the permit. Note that loads over 11' wide will be required to have one escort to travel from 3 a.m. to noon on weekends, and loads 15' high and over will need escort with height pole.
RESTRICTED TRAVEL: No O/D or O/W loads allowed on I-17, I-10 and SR 60 within city limits of greater Phoenix area, or I-10 or I-19 within city limits of greater Tucson area between hours of 7:00 – 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 – 6:00 p.m. weekdays.
Local "Courtesy Permit"/route approval is required for O/D travel within Phoenix and Tucson.
LEGAL DIMENSIONS:
Width: 8'6" Height: 14' Length: 57' trailer on Interstate. On non-designated roads, 65' overall for over 53' semi-trailer. Overhang: 3' front, 6' rear. Weight: 80,000 Gross Single – 20,000 Tandem – 34,000 Tridem – 42,000
ROUTINE PERMIT LIMITS:
Width: 14' Height: 16' Length: 120' Weight: Tandem – 46,000* Tridem – 51,450–53,974* Single – 28,000
*(Tandem and Tridem weights may vary depending on axle spacing’s, and axle width. For example, a tridem with 9' of axle spacing (4'6 + 4'6) and 8'0 axle width gets 51,450).
Note: A "Class C Tridem Permit" can now be obtained to allow 59,168 pounds at 9' of Tridem axle spacing (57,960 at 8', 60,000 at 10'). However, this is only for travel on Interstates 10, 19 and 40, and for the portions of SR68 and US93 connecting I-40 and the Nevada line. Any other (including detour) routes will disqualify you.
Over 14' wide, 16' high, 120' long and 250,000 requires a "Class C". A route survey may be required.
ESCORTS:
Width: over 14'– 1 or more escorts. Some restricted routes require 2 escorts over 12' wide and a few for over 10' wide. Height: over 16' – 1 or more escort. Length: over 120' – 1 or more escort. Overhang: Front or Rear over 20' – 1 escort.
MISCELLANEOUS: Bulldozer blades and arms over 14' wide (measured at right angles to the trailer axis) shall be detached and hauled in a manner to not create a safety hazard. Dozer blades shorter than 14' wide may be hauled without being detached provided the dozer is firmly supported. If buckets, blades, counterweights, etc., are easy to remove, they must be removed, but can be hauled with the load. Blade can be detached and hauled with the dozer on same trailer if the load would be overweight with or without the blade, but it must be stated on the permit. On wide loads, side mirrors must extend far enough to avoid view being blocked by the load.
SIGNS, FLAGS & LIGHTS: All overwidth vehicles or loads exceeding 9' in width shall display “Oversize Load” signs. All overwidth loads and vehicles must be flagged with red flags 12" square or larger on extremities. Any front or rear overhang must be flagged or lighted. Up to 10' overhang may travel at night, but must be lit and flagged. There are no sign or flag requirements for overheight only or overweight only loads.