Idaho Oversize & Overweight Permits for Heavy Haul
Idaho permit rules, legal limits and escort triggers, and how we book heavy haul carriers for moves in and through the state.
Quick answer
Do I need an oversize or overweight permit in Idaho?
Yes, once a load is over 8 ft 6 in wide or 14 ft high, or above 80,000 lbs on the Interstate or 105,500 lbs on other state highways. ITD charges $30 for an oversize-only single trip permit and $33 for an overweight one, and overweight loads also pay a road use fee for every mile.
Updated November 2026 by the Quickway Transports broker team (FMCSA MC# 1245224).
Heavy haul and oversize freight in Idaho
Idaho's heavy freight follows I-84 from Oregon through Boise and Twin Falls toward Utah, I-15 and I-86 through Pocatello and Idaho Falls, I-90 across the panhandle through Coeur d'Alene, and US-95 as the long north-south route. Mining and timber equipment, farm machinery, food processing plants and wind and power projects keep oversize loads moving. We book carriers for moves within Idaho or across it.
Idaho sorts its highways by color, and the color sets almost everything. On red routes loads run in daylight only and stop by Friday afternoon, while black routes and the Interstates allow loads up to 12 ft wide around the clock. Escort counts, convoy sizes and holiday cutoffs change with the color too, so the route is chosen before the permit is filed.
What are the legal size and weight limits in Idaho?
Under the oversize load regulations in Idaho, a load above any of these limits needs a state oversize or overweight permit.
| Width | 8 ft 6 in |
|---|---|
| Height | 14 ft |
| Semitrailer length | 53 ft |
| Gross weight | 105,500 lbs |
| Single axle | 20,000 lbs |
| Tandem axle | 34,000 lbs |
Limits are set by Idaho Code 49-1001 and 49-1010. The gross limit is 80,000 lbs on the Interstate and 105,500 lbs on other state highways, and divisible loads can reach 129,000 lbs on designated routes with a $45 annual permit.
Who issues Idaho oversize permits?
ITD's Commercial Vehicle Services office in Boise issues permits through ITRPS, its online permit system, and applications are also taken at ports of entry. An ITD permit covers Interstates and state highways only, so county, city and highway district roads need their own permit unless that local agency has an agreement with ITD.
Idaho has no superload class. Instead, loads over 16 ft wide on red or black routes, 18 ft wide on the Interstate, 16 ft high, or 120 ft long off the Interstate (150 ft on it) need extra ITD approval, which can take up to 24 working hours. Heavier loads may need a bridge analysis, up to 3 business days to 250,000 lbs and 10 business days above that.
Permit system: Idaho Transportation Permits System (ITRPS)
What do Idaho oversize and overweight permits cost?
- request_quote Oversize-only single trip: $30.
- request_quote Overweight or oversize-overweight single trip: $33 plus a road use fee per mile.
- request_quote Road use fee: from 4 cents a mile, rising 4 cents a mile for each further 2,000 lbs. On a 5-axle unit the schedule starts at 80,001 lbs.
- request_quote Annual non-divisible oversize-overweight permit: $128. Annual 129,000 lb extra length and excess weight permit: $45. Annual permits bought online cost $5 less.
- request_quote A reissue or transfer is $15, and fees are refunded only if CVS is contacted within 2 working days of the permit start date.
Worked example: a 90,000 lb 5-axle load over 250 miles
On ITD's first road use column, a 5-axle unit starts paying at 80,001 lbs, and 90,000 lbs falls in the fifth 2,000 lb step at 20 cents a mile. Over 250 miles that is 250 x $0.20 = $50 in road use fees, plus the $33 permit fee, or $83 before any other charge.
Idaho pilot car and escort requirements
- local_police Red routes: one front escort from 8 ft 7 in to 10 ft wide, and front and rear from 10 ft 1 in to 12 ft 6 in.
- local_police Black routes: no escort up to 12 ft wide, one front from 12 ft 1 in to 14 ft, and front and rear from 14 ft 1 in to 18 ft.
- local_police Interstates: no escort up to 15 ft wide, then one rear escort from 15 ft 1 in to 18 ft.
- local_police Length: a front escort is added past 75 ft on red routes and past 120 ft on black routes.
- local_police Over 16 ft high: the front escort leads with a non-metallic height pole, and loads of 16 ft 6 in or more may need utility contact for power lines.
- local_police On two-lane highways, loads over 18 ft wide, 150 ft long or 16 ft high need a traffic control plan from a licensed engineer or certified traffic control supervisor.
What hours can oversize loads move in Idaho?
- calendar_today Red routes: daylight only, stopping at 2 PM Friday with no Saturday or Sunday travel, and starting again at sunrise Monday.
- calendar_today Black routes and Interstates: loads up to 12 ft wide, 120 ft long and 15 ft high can travel at any hour, weekends included, and larger loads move in daylight.
- calendar_today Holidays: before Christmas, New Year's Day, Thanksgiving, Memorial Day, Labor Day and Independence Day, red route loads stop at 2 PM the day before, and larger black route and Interstate loads stop at 4 PM, both until sunrise the day after.
- calendar_today Loads over 13 ft wide stay off the road from 6 to 9 AM and 4 to 6:30 PM on weekdays around Boise, Coeur d'Alene, Idaho Falls, Pocatello and Twin Falls.
- calendar_today Every oversize vehicle stops at each port of entry on its route, and a permit becomes void when 511 marks the road Difficult or wind tops 40 mph.
Seasonal weight limits in Idaho
Idaho has no fixed frost law calendar. In late winter and spring ITD posts breakup restrictions highway by highway, capping axles at 16,000, 14,000 or 12,000 lbs and trucks at 30 mph where red markers are posted, and limiting permits on restricted two-lane highways to 12 ft 6 in wide. Interstates are not restricted, and the postings come and go with thaw conditions.
Idaho Oversize Load Questions
Permits, escorts and travel rules for oversize moves in Idaho.
What does an Idaho oversize permit cost?
Can oversize loads travel at night in Idaho?
What are Idaho's red and black routes?
Does Idaho allow 129,000 lb trucks?
When do Idaho spring load restrictions start?
Sources
We last checked the figures above against these official sources in October 2026. Before each move, the carrier's permit service confirms the rules in force that day.
- Idaho Code 49-1001 Allowable gross loads
- Idaho Code 49-1004 Permits for overweight or oversize loads
- Idaho Code 49-1010 Size of vehicles and loads
- IDAPA 39.03.01 Rules Governing Special Permits (current, all sections eff. 7-1-24)
- ITRPS permit system login and Helpful Links
- ITD Pilot/Escort Vehicle Travel Requirements and Vertical Clearance of Structures Map (January 8, 2025)
- ITD Extra Length/Excess Weight up to 129,000 Pounds statewide map (December 30, 2025)
- ITD Non-Divisible Overweight Fees Chart
- ITD Spring Break Up Season notice (rev. 4-4-2024)
- ITRPS Frequently Asked Questions
- ITD Ports of Entry
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Heavy Haul Solutions for Oversized and Specialized Loads
Near Idaho: states and services
- Heavy Haul in Washington →Oversize moves in and through Washington: Seattle, Spokane, Tacoma and the WA permit rules.
- Heavy Haul in Oregon →Oversize moves in and through Oregon: Portland, Salem, Eugene and the OR permit rules.
- Heavy Haul in Utah →Oversize moves in and through Utah: Salt Lake City, Ogden, Provo and the UT permit rules.
- Heavy Haul in Montana →Oversize moves in and through Montana: Billings, Missoula, Great Falls and the MT permit rules.
- Heavy Equipment Transport →Which trailer, permits and preparation each kind of construction, farm, mining and industrial machine needs.
- Heavy Haul Trucking →Oversize and overweight loads on RGN, step-deck and flatbed trailers, with permits, pilot cars and route surveys arranged.