OVERVIEW
PERMITS: Arkansas oversize permits are valid for three days. Must have permit prior to entering state.
OPERATING TIME: Daylight only (sunrise to sunset for Arkansas), seven days a week. Continuous travel may be allowed if OW only, not to exceed 108,000 pounds. Loads not exceeding 90′ long (other dimensions legal) may have continuous travel
RESTRICTED TRAVEL: No oversize movement through the metropolitan Little Rock area between the hours of 7:00 am – 9:00 am and 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm, and on I-30 (M.M. 138-143), I-40 (M.M. 151-155), and all of I-630. No travel on major holidays (New Years, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas). If holiday falls on Monday or Friday, no weekend movement allowed.
LEGAL DIMENSIONS
Length: 53′-6″ trailer & load
Overhang:
- 60′ poles, pipes, machinery, steel beams or other objects of a structural nature do not require a permit for daylight travel for up to 90′ overall length.
- Night travel requires a permit.
- Otherwise, up to 53′-6″ trailer/load is allowed without permit.
- (If long beams are on a stretch trailer and do not extend beyond the rear of the trailer, then a permit is required.)
Width: 8′-6″
Height: 13′-6″
Weight: 80,000 Gross
- Single – 20,000
- Tandem – 34,000
- Tridem – 54,000
- Steer Axle – Arkansas asks for manufacturer’s front axle weight rating (up to maximum of 20,000 pounds), which you are not allowed to exceed.
ROUTINE PERMIT LIMITS
Length: No set limit
Width: 16′ (20′ on some non-interstate routes)
Height: 17′ (Over 16′ must obtain special approval, and not allowed on Interstates. Utilities personnel must accompany load over 17′.)
Note: Over 14′ wide or over 15′ high is looked at on a case-by-case basis to determine if route survey is required.
Weight:
- Single – 20,000
- Tandem – 46,000
- Tridem – 60,000
- Quad – 68,000
Loads exceeding these dimensions are classed as Super Loads.
ESCORTS
Length:
- Over 100′ – one escort
- over 130′ – two escorts
Width:
On 2-lane Highways:
- Over 12′ – one escort
- over 14′ – two escorts
On Interstate and Controlled Access Highways:
- over 14′ – one escort
- over 16′ – two escorts
- Police escorts for larger loads are looked at on a case-by-case basis.
Height: Over 15′ – one escort with height pole
Signs, Flags, and Lights:
- “Oversize Load” signs required on all loads exceeding legal width, height or length.
- Red flags 18″ square are required on rear corners on all loads exceeding legal width, height or length.
- There are no sign or flag requirements for overweight only loads.