Overheight and Overlength Load Rules in Oregon

Nov. 22, 2025, 8:20 p.m.
Oregon is one of the most heavily regulated states in the Northwest when it comes to oversize commercial vehicle operations. Carriers moving overheight or overlength loads must comply with strict rules designed to protect bridges, power lines, road geometry, and traffic flow. Understanding these regulations is essential for safe, legal, and efficient travel through the state. Below is a complete guide to Oregon’s rules, limits, permit requirements, escort needs, and routing considerations for overheight and overlength loads.
Oregon Overlength Permit

1. Standard Legal Dimensions in Oregon

Before determining whether your load is oversize, verify Oregon’s legal maximums.

Legal Height Limit

  • 14 feet is the standard maximum height in Oregon.

Legal Length Limits

  • Single vehicle: 40 ft

  • Truck + semi-trailer: 65 ft

  • Truck + trailer combination: 75 ft

  • Semitrailer alone: 53 ft (on most highways)

If your load exceeds either height or length limit, a permit is required.

2. When a Load Is Considered Overheight

A load is considered overheight if it exceeds:

  • 14 ft (general rule)

  • Highway-specific limitations such as low bridges, tunnels, or overhead signs

Key note: Oregon has many low-clearance points, especially on secondary highways, mountain passes, and older bridge structures. Oregon DOT routing is highly specific for loads above 14 ft 6 in.

3. When a Load Is Considered Overlength

A load is overlength when:

  • The vehicle combination exceeds the legal limits above

  • The load itself extends beyond the trailer or vehicle frame

  • Specialized equipment such as poles, long beams, wind turbine blades, or logging loads exceed standard lengths

Oregon frequently issues permits for:

  • Wind turbine components

  • Structural steel

  • Utility poles

  • Bridge beams

  • Boats and aviation equipment

  • Modular buildings

4. Overheight & Overlength Permit Requirements

Any carrier exceeding standard limits must obtain a Single Trip Oversize Permit through the Oregon Motor Carrier Transportation Division (MCTD).

Permits specify:

  • Authorized route

  • Maximum allowed dimensions

  • Time-of-day restrictions

  • Escort/Pilot car requirements

  • Bridge crossing instructions

  • Mountain pass precautions

  • Required signage and lighting

Self-route selection is prohibited—Oregon must approve routes to ensure vertical and horizontal clearance.

5. Escort (Pilot Car) Requirements

Escort requirements depend on exact height, length, and route.

Overheight

  • 14’–15’10”: Often no escort

  • 15’11”–17’00”: 1 escort, depending on route

  • Over 17 ft: Usually 2 escorts + height pole car

  • Extreme heights require a front pilot car with a height pole to check clearances

Overlength

  • Over 95 ft: 1 escort typically required

  • Over 120 ft: 2 escorts commonly required

  • Over 140 ft: Additional restrictions, police escort possible

  • Wind turbine blade moves often require multiple escorts + route-specific conditions

Escort rules vary by corridor (I-5, US-97, coastal routes, etc.).

6. Travel Time Restrictions

Oregon enforces time-of-day rules for oversize loads.

General Restrictions

  • No movement during darkness unless specifically authorized

  • No travel on major holidays (Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s, Memorial Day, Labor Day, 4th of July)

  • Urban curfews in Portland, Eugene, Salem, Medford, and other metro areas

  • Adverse weather restrictions—overheight loads may be stopped during high winds or snow conditions

Daylight is often required for height-sensitive moves.

7. Special Routing Considerations

Oregon has many highways with complex restrictions:

Mountain Passes

  • Siskiyou Pass

  • Santiam Pass

  • Government Camp (US-26)

  • Willamette Pass

Overheight loads may be restricted on these due to overhanging rocks, tunnels, and low tree canopies.

Coastal Highways (US-101)

  • Multiple bridges with limited vertical clearance

  • Sharp curves affecting long-load routing

Urban Areas

Portland has significant overhead infrastructure:

  • Low overpasses

  • Light rail infrastructure

  • Overhead power lines

  • Tight interchanges

Many extreme-height loads must bypass Portland entirely.

8. Signage, Lighting & Safety Requirements

Oregon requires:

  • Oversize Load signs front and rear

  • Red or fluorescent orange flags on extremities

  • Amber rotating or strobe lights for certain dimensions

  • Escort vehicle equipment (flags, warning lights, height poles)

Loads projecting beyond trailer edges must be flagged.

9. Penalties for Violations

Operating an overheight or overlength load without proper permits or in violation of permit conditions can result in:

  • Fines up to $436 per violation

  • Higher civil penalties for severe violations

  • Being placed out of service

  • Required offloading or re-routing at carrier expense

  • Liability for damage to bridges, infrastructure, or utilities

Oregon aggressively enforces oversize rules to prevent infrastructure damage.

10. Key Takeaways

  • Oregon sets strict standards for overheight and overlength loads.

  • Most oversize moves require a Single Trip Permit and state-approved routing.

  • Escorts may be required depending on size and route.

  • Time-of-day, weather, and urban restrictions are strictly enforced.

  • Oregon’s terrain and infrastructure require careful planning for oversize hauls.

Staying compliant ensures safe travel and prevents delays, citations, and costly violations.