RouteAllOregon Oversize Load Requirements: Permits, Escorts, Hours
Last verified October 14, 2026 against the Oregon rules linked below.
An Oregon load needs an over-dimension permit once it is wider than 8 feet 6 inches, taller than 14 feet, or past the length and weight limits. The Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) issues permits through ORION, with an $8 state administrative fee.
On This Page
Oregon counts pilot vehicles by the route colour on its maps, and closes some roads on summer weekends. This page covers both.
What are Oregon's legal size limits?
Oregon allows 8 feet 6 inches wide and 14 feet high, including the load, without a permit. Gross weight follows the bridge table up to 80,000 pounds. Overall combination length is set by ODOT route maps rather than one number.
The table lists the statutory limits.
| Dimension | Legal limit | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Width | 8 feet 6 inches | ORS 818.080 |
| Height | 14 feet, including load | ORS 818.080 |
| Length | Set by ODOT Group Map 1 and Route Map 7 | ODOT |
| Weight | 80,000 pounds gross; 20,000 single axle; 34,000 tandem | ORS 818.010 |
How do you get an Oregon oversize permit?
Apply through ORION, the Oregon Routing Information Online system, after opening a Commerce and Compliance Division account. The state administrative fee is $8 for a single-trip or annual permit. A single-trip permit runs up to 10 consecutive days. ODOT answers at (503) 373-0000.
| Permit | Fee | Valid | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single trip | $8 state fee | Up to 10 consecutive days | ODOT; 734-082-0002 |
| Annual | $8 state fee, plus up to $8 per county | One year | ODOT |
| Overweight | Plus a road use assessment fee | By permit | 734-082-0003 |
RouteAll reads the permit you upload and drives the route it names, so the roads on the screen are the roads ODOT approved.
When does Oregon require a pilot car?
The route colour on ODOT Route Map 2 decides. On interstates and multilane highways, one pilot vehicle starts at 14 feet 1 inch wide. On green routes, one starts at 12 feet 1 inch and two at 14 feet 1 inch. Some red routes need two from 8 feet 7 inches.
| Load | Interstate and multilane | Green routes | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12 feet 1 inch to 14 feet wide | None | One | Route Map 2 |
| 14 feet 1 inch to 16 feet wide | One | Two | Route Map 2 |
| 110 feet 1 inch to 120 feet long | None | One | Route Map 2 |
| 120 feet 1 inch to 150 feet long | One, at the rear | Two | Route Map 2 |
| Over 14 feet 6 inches high | One | One | Route Map 2 |
With one pilot, it runs in front, but at the rear on multilane highways. If the permit names a different number, the permit wins. Pilot vehicles carry a 5-foot by 10-inch OVERSIZE LOAD roof sign, amber lights and a two-way radio (734-082-0035). See pilot car requirements by state.
When can an oversize load move in Oregon?
Overwidth loads move from half an hour before sunrise to half an hour after sunset. At night, 8 feet 7 inches to 10 feet may run on interstates and green routes, 10 feet 1 inch to 12 feet on interstates only, and nothing over 12 feet. Summer weekends and city rush hours add closures.
- Urban rush hours: 7 to 9 a.m. and 4 to 6 p.m. on business days in Portland, Salem, Eugene, Grants Pass and Medford (ODOT Attachment H).
- Portland, over 14 feet wide: barred 7 to 9 a.m. and 4 to 6 p.m. weekdays on I-5, I-84, I-205 and US 26.
- Summer weekends: from the last Monday in May to the first Monday in September, after noon Saturday and all Sunday, non-interstates west of the Cascades close to overwidth loads.
- Holidays: New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas, typically noon the day before to half an hour before sunrise the day after.
- Weather: no overwidth movement on ice, snow or frost, or under 500 feet of visibility (734-082-0023).
What signs, flags and lights does Oregon require?
Oregon requires OVERSIZE LOAD signs front and rear, 7 feet by 18 inches, with 10-inch black letters on yellow, reflective at night. WIDE LOAD or LONG LOAD may replace the wording when it fits. Flags are red, at least 18 inches square, at the widest points.
"The outermost extremities of any overwidth load must be marked during daylight hours with red flags not less than 18 inches square." — Or. Admin. Code 734-082-0037(4). Verified October 14, 2026.
Amber cab lights are required over 10 feet wide on two-lane roads or 12 feet on four-lane roads, unless two pilots run (734-082-0036). Compare states in sign requirements by state.
What is a superload in Oregon?
ODOT treats a load as a superload over 16 feet wide on interstate or multilane highways, over 14 feet on two-lane highways, over 17 feet high or over 150 feet long (ODOT superloads). Processing takes up to 10 days, and drivers need 3 years of experience.
Use This Check In RouteAll
After receiving the issued permit, use RouteAll’s permit-to-GPS workflow to compare its highway sequence with a reviewable map. Keep local permissions, travel windows and escort instructions available separately. RouteAll does not issue permits or amend the authorized roads.
Before you roll
Check the load against 8 feet 6 inches and 14 feet, then open the permit in ORION. Count pilot vehicles from the route colour on Route Map 2, and remember the permit number wins. Over 12 feet wide, plan a daylight-only move, and stay clear of Portland rush hours and summer weekend closures.
Common questions
How much is an Oregon oversize permit?
The state administrative fee is $8 for a single-trip or annual over-dimension permit, under ORS 818.270. Counties may add up to $8 each on annual permits. Overweight permits add a road use assessment fee based on weight and axles.
When do you need a pilot car in Oregon?
It depends on the route colour on ODOT Route Map 2. On the interstate, one pilot vehicle is required from 14 feet 1 inch wide. On green routes, one from 12 feet 1 inch and two from 14 feet 1 inch. Over 14 feet 6 inches high, one is required everywhere.
Can oversize loads travel at night in Oregon?
Only overwidth loads up to 12 feet. From 8 feet 7 inches to 10 feet they may run on interstates and green routes, from 10 feet 1 inch to 12 feet on interstates only. Over 12 feet wide, no night movement is allowed.
Further reading
Sources
- ORS chapter 818, sections 818.010, 818.080 and 818.270.
- Or. Admin. Code 734-082: -0002, -0003, -0023, -0035, -0036 and -0037.
- ODOT: over-dimension operations, Route Map 2 legend (January 7, 2026), Attachment H, superloads, and ORION.
RouteAll reads the permit you provide. It does not issue permits or guarantee compliance. The driver remains responsible for the load. Oregon rules change, and your permit can be stricter than the rule; verify against the permit and the Oregon permit office before every move.