PERMITS
Missouri oversize permits are valid for seven days and must be secured prior to entering the state.
OPERATING HOURS
Travel is permitted from 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset, including Saturdays and Sundays. However, loads over 14 feet wide are not allowed to travel on weekends. Additional restrictions apply in metro and tourist areas. Overweight-only loads up to 112,000 pounds gross with legal dimensions may travel 24/7, excluding metro and tourist zones.
RESTRICTED TRAVEL
No permitted movement is allowed on major holidays or after noon the day before a holiday or holiday weekend. Weekday travel is restricted during peak hours in the following areas:
- St. Louis City and County: No travel from 6:30 AM – 9:00 AM and 3:30 PM – 6:30 PM (except Route 370). Restrictions also apply to St. Charles County (I-70, Route 94, Route 40/61) and Jefferson County (I-55, Routes 21, 30, 141, and 61/67).
- Kansas City Area: No travel from 7:00 AM – 9:00 AM and 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM on Routes 150, 291, I-470, 152 (west to I-435), and inside the perimeter formed by these highways.
- Springfield City Limits: Curfew applies except on I-44 and Route 65.
Metro travel restrictions do not apply to overweight-only loads. No permitted movement is allowed on Mississippi River bridges in St. Louis (I-70, I-55, I-64) or on Route 60/62 to Cairo, IL.
Tourist Season Restrictions:
- No weekend travel on routes near Lake of the Ozarks or within 10 miles of Branson, except on Route 65.
- Applies from June 1 through Labor Day in Lake of the Ozarks and through October 31 in Branson.
Refer to Part 9 of the MO Permit Regulations Booklet for complete curfew details.
LEGAL DIMENSIONS
Length:
- 53 feet for semi-trailer and load (including rear overhang) on Interstates and designated highways
- 60 feet allowed when more than 10 air miles from the designated system
Width:
- 8 feet 6 inches on Interstates and designated highways
- 8 feet on all other roads
Height:
- 14 feet on designated highways
- 13 feet 6 inches on other roads
Note: Overheight loads must be hauled on a drop-deck trailer to be permitted.
Gross Weight Limit: 80,000 pounds
- Single axle: 20,000 pounds (22,000 on secondary roads)
- Tandem: 34,000 pounds (36,000 on secondary roads)
- Tridem:
- 34,000 pounds with 8 feet spacing
- 42,500 pounds with 9 feet spacing
Note: Missouri does not issue permits for legal gross weight, only for axle group overloads.
ROUTINE PERMIT LIMITS
Length: 150 feet
Width: 16 feet
Height: 16 feet (some routes have a 15 feet 7 inch maximum)
Weight Limits:
- 5 axles: 104,000 pounds
- 6 axles: 120,000 pounds
- 7 axles (1-3-3 configuration): 130,000 pounds
- Single axle: 20,000 pounds
- Tandem: 46,000 pounds (40,000 with 10-foot spread)
- Tridem: 60,000 pounds
- Quad: 72,000 pounds
Note: 1-2-2-1 configurations (tandem drive tractor with tandem trailer and booster) are not permitted. A tridem-drive tractor is required to operate with a tandem trailer and booster in Missouri.
Loads that exceed these dimensions or a gross weight of 160,000 pounds are considered Super Loads.
ESCORT REQUIREMENTS
Length:
- Over 90 feet: 1 escort on all highways except divided highways
Width:
- Over 12 feet 4 inches: 1 escort (2 escorts if traveling off the designated highway system)
- Over 14 feet:
- 1 escort on Interstate and divided highways
- 2 escorts required on two-lane and undivided highways
Height:
- Over 15 feet 6 inches on two-lane and undivided highways: 1 escort required
- Over 15 feet 6 inches on divided highways: Route survey required and 1 escort with high pole. A utility bucket truck may be needed for raising wires.
MISCELLANEOUS
If the trailer is a stretch type, Missouri requires disclosure of the used and unused space in the well, as well as on the front and rear decks.
SIGNS, FLAGS & LIGHTING
- “Oversize Load” signs are required on the front and rear of the vehicle when the width exceeds 10 feet 6 inches, and on the rear when length exceeds 90 feet
- Red flags are required at the outermost edges or projections of all overwidth and overlength loads
