---
title: Pennsylvania Oversize & Overweight Permits (OS/OW) | PennDOT Superload | Alpine Truck Service
description: Expedited Pennsylvania PennDOT oversize permits, PA Turnpike clearances, Pittsburgh tunnel routing, and PSP escorts across I-80, I-76, and I-81. Call (918) 607-6547.
image: https://www.alpinetruckservice.com/alpine-third-party-charges.webp
---

# Pennsylvania Oversize, Overweight & Superload Permitting Services

Comprehensive commercial trucking permits and heavy haul compliance across Pennsylvania.

## Agency & Permitting Authority
- **Agency**: Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT)
- **Portal**: PennDOT APRAS (Automated Permit Routing Analysis System)
- **Regulatory Advisory**: State DOT regulations and permit processing queues are determined by individual state transportation authorities and vary by agency workload. Carriers should verify active route advisories and state requirements prior to movement.

## Legal vs. Routine Permitted Dimensions
- **Legal Width**: 8' 6" | **Max Routine**: 16' 0"
- **Legal Height**: 13' 6" | **Max Routine**: 14' 6"
- **Legal Length**: 53' Semi-Trailer / 65' Overall | **Max Routine**: 120' 0"
- **Legal Gross Weight**: 80,000 lbs | **Max Routine**: 150,000 lbs
- **Axle Limits**: Single: 20,000 lbs, Tandem: 34,000 lbs, Tridem: 42,000 lbs

## Permitting Scope & Services in Pennsylvania
- **Routine Oversize (OS) Cab-Cards**: Single-trip authorizations for dimensions exceeding 8' 6" width or 13' 6" height.
- **Overweight (OW) Axle Permits**: Overload cab-cards for heavy machinery and configurations exceeding 80,000 lbs GVW.
- **Multi-Axle Superload Permits**: Specialized filings exceeding Over 201,000, including State DOT and certified partner bridge reviews, route surveys, and police escorts.
- **Annual & Blanket Fleet Permits**: Continuous-operation annual highway authorizations for construction fleets.
- **Temporary Trip & Fuel Permits**: 72-hour IRP vehicle registration and IFTA fuel tax credentials.
- **County, City & Toll Road Clearances**: Municipal authorizations and turnpike clearances.

## Superload Permitting & State Review Protocol
- **Weight Trigger**: Over 201,000 lbs GVW or exceeding structural bridge capacities
- **Width Trigger**: Over 16' 0" wide
- **Height Trigger**: Over 14' 6" high (Requires route survey and high pole)
- **Length Trigger**: Over 160' 0" overall length
- **State & Partner Bridge Review**: Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) electronic systems and certified structural engineering partners evaluate axle load distribution across bridge structures upon submission.
- **Route Surveys & Clearances**: Required for extreme heights/widths to verify overhead physical clearances.
- **Utility & Escorts**: Coordinated wire lifts with power utilities and State Police / Highway Patrol escorts.

## Pilot Cars & Escort Vehicle Requirements
- **Front Escort**: Required over 13' 0" wide on all highways; or length > 90' 0" (with rear pilot)
- **Rear Escort**: Required over 13' 0" wide on two-lane roads; length > 90' 0"
- **Height Pole**: Required over 14' 6" high (front escort with calibrated height pole and written route survey)
- **Police Escort**: Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) escort required over 16' 0" wide, 160' 0" long, or over 201,000 lbs

## Metro Curfews & Travel Restrictions
- **Curfew Zones**:
  - Philadelphia Metro (I-95, I-76 Schuylkill Expressway, I-476, I-676): 6:00–9:00 AM & 4:00–6:00 PM M-F
  - Pittsburgh Metro (I-376, I-279, Fort Pitt & Liberty Tunnels): 6:00–9:00 AM & 4:00–6:00 PM M-F
  - Allentown / Bethlehem / Easton Metro Area: 7:00–9:00 AM & 4:00–6:00 PM M-F
- **Travel Rules**: Daylight only (sunrise to sunset). Saturday movement permitted until noon for loads under 14' wide. No Sunday travel for oversize loads. Overweight-only loads up to 107k lbs may travel 24/7.

## Key Freight Corridors
- I-76 / I-70 (Pennsylvania Turnpike)
- I-80 (Northern Cross-State Spine)
- I-81 (Shenandoah to Northeast)
- I-79 (Pittsburgh to Erie)
- I-95 (Philadelphia Metro Corridor)

## Frequently Asked Questions
### How does PennDOT APRAS process oversize permits?
PennDOT uses APRAS to calculate bridge weight formulas and route clearances. Routine permits are typically processed by the state in 2–4 business hours.

### What are the permit requirements for the Pennsylvania Turnpike?
The PA Turnpike Commission requires an independent permit for loads exceeding 10' wide, 13'6" high, 85' long, or 100,000 lbs gross weight.

### What is Pennsylvania's superload definition?
Pennsylvania classifies loads over 201,000 lbs gross weight, 16' wide, 14'6" high, or 160' long as superloads, requiring bridge crawl reviews and State Police escorts.

### Are oversize loads allowed through Pittsburgh tunnels?
Loads over 13'6" high or 10' wide have strict restrictions through the Fort Pitt, Squirrel Hill, and Liberty Tunnels and often detour via I-79 / I-376 bypasses.

## Contact & Direct Dispatch
- **Direct Phone**: (918) 607-6547 (CALL: [918-607-6547](tel:9186076547))
- **Email**: [permits@alpinetruck.com](mailto:permits@alpinetruck.com)
- **Online Intake**: [alpinetruckservice.com/permits/pennsylvania](https://www.alpinetruckservice.com/permits/pennsylvania)