Minnesota Oversize Load Permits: Fees, Escorts, Curfews

What Are Minnesota’s Legal Size Limits?

The Minnesota State Patrol lists the legal limits: 13 feet 6 inches high, 8 feet 6 inches wide, 75 feet for two-unit combinations, 53 feet for a semitrailer and 80,000 pounds gross. A semitrailer longer than 48 feet can have no more than 43 feet from the kingpin to the center of the rear axle group.

How Do You Get A Minnesota Oversize Permit?

MnDOT issues permits online. The single-trip permit is valid for seven days for one non-divisible load and costs $15. An oversize and overweight single trip costs $15 plus a damage assessment fee, and the route must be approved. MnDOT permits cover state highways and the Interstate system; county and city roads need permission from the road authority (General Provisions 4).

When Does Minnesota Require An Escort?

Minnesota requires escorts to hold a current Minnesota certification. MnDOT accepts holders of Colorado, Florida, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Utah, Virginia and Washington certifications who meet Minnesota’s insurance, vehicle, sign and equipment rules.

MnDOT can add escorts to protect the public or the road. See Minnesota pilot car qualifications for the certification course.

When Can An Oversize Load Move In Minnesota?

MnDOT’s General Provisions, which are part of every permit, say that in general travel is not restricted, with these exceptions (General Provisions 12):

• Rush hour: in the Twin Cities and Duluth metros, no travel weekdays 6:00 to 8:30 a.m. and 3:30 to 6:00 p.m. when over 14 feet 6 inches wide or 110 feet long.
• Night travel required: in the seven-county Twin Cities metro, loads over 16 feet wide move from midnight to 5 a.m., Monday through Friday, unless the permit says otherwise.
• Summer weekends: from Memorial Day to Labor Day, no travel statewide from 4 to 8 p.m. on Fridays and Sundays when over 12 feet 6 inches wide or 110 feet long.
• Holidays: no travel statewide from 2 p.m. the day before the holiday to 2 a.m. the day after, at the same thresholds.
• Weather: no movement in hazardous conditions or under 500 feet of visibility.

MnDOT’s 2026 holiday schedule restricts Memorial Day, Independence Day (observed July 3), Labor Day, Thanksgiving (November 26 and 27), Christmas and New Year’s, and also the fishing opener weekend in May. Overweight-only loads are not restricted on holidays unless the permit says so.

How Do Spring Load Restrictions Affect Your Permit?

Minnesota sets seasonal load limits by frost zone. In 2026, spring load restrictions ran from March 3 in the South, Southeast and Metro zones to May 15 in the North zone, with winter load increases before them. Each start and end takes effect at 12:01 a.m. after at least three days’ notice. Heavier overweight permits come back in two steps: middle-range permits when a zone’s restrictions lift, then full-summer permits about two to three weeks later. See frost laws by state for how this compares with Michigan and Wisconsin.

What Signs, Flags And Lights Does Minnesota Require?

OVERSIZE LOAD signs go on the front and rear over 12 feet 6 inches wide or 95 feet long, lighted or reflective from half an hour before sunset (General Provisions 7). Red or orange 18-inch flags mark overhang over 3 feet in front or 4 feet behind, and loads over 9 feet wide; over 75 feet long, add flags at least every 20 feet underneath. At night, lights go at the flag locations (General Provisions 6). MnDOT’s light and flag chart and the Minnesota signs guide have the details.

What Is A Superload In Minnesota?

MnDOT’s guide to transporting superloads defines one as a vehicle or load over 16 feet high, 16 feet wide, 150 feet long or 250,000 pounds gross. Superloads apply through Minnesota’s separate SUPERLOAD permit system.

Where Does RouteAll Fit?

RouteAll does not issue or approve permits. Once Minnesota issues yours, upload the PDF and RouteAll lists every road it read, so you can check them against the permit, then warns you if you leave them. One free trip every month covers up to six state permits.

Before You Roll

• Check whether your route touches the Twin Cities or Duluth during rush hour.
• Over 16 feet wide in the metro, plan a midnight-to-5 a.m. weekday move.
• Between Memorial Day and Labor Day, avoid 4 to 8 p.m. on Fridays and Sundays.
• In spring, check MnDOT’s load-limit dates for every frost zone you cross.

Common Questions

How much is an oversize permit in Minnesota?

Fifteen dollars for a single-trip permit valid for seven days. An oversize and overweight single trip costs $15 plus a damage assessment fee, with route approval. Checked November 12, 2026.

When do you need a pilot car in Minnesota?

On a divided multi-lane road, one certified rear escort over 15 feet wide (16 feet at the top) or 110 feet long, and front and rear over 150 feet. On an undivided road, front and rear over 15 feet wide or 110 feet long, plus a peace officer if the load crosses the centerline.

Can oversize loads move at night in Minnesota?

Generally yes: MnDOT’s General Provisions say travel is not generally restricted. Loads over 16 feet wide in the seven-county Twin Cities metro must move between midnight and 5 a.m. on weekdays unless the permit says otherwise.