Colorado (CO) Pilot Car & Escort Vehicle Requirements

Escort requirements, travel restrictions, and signage rules for oversize/overweight loads in Colorado.

PCP - Pilot Cars & Permits provides professional pilot car escort services throughout Colorado. Whether you need a lead vehicle, chase car, or high pole escort, our certified pilots are available 24/7 across Colorado and all connecting states. We handle the coordination so your oversize load moves safely and on time.

Legal Dimensions — Colorado

Max Width
8'6"
Max Height
14'6"
Max Length
57'4"
Gross Weight
80,000 lbs
Front Overhang
3'0"
Rear Overhang
4'0"

Interstate Escort Requirements

Width

Min WidthMax Width EscortsPositionNotes
8'7" 12'0" 0 Permit required, no escort
12'1" 14'0" 1 Rear 1 rear on 4-lane highways
14'1" 20'0" 2 Front + Rear Night travel prohibited over 14'

Height

Min HeightMax Height EscortsPositionNotes
14'7" 16'0" 0 Permit required. Eisenhower Tunnel max 13'11".
16'1" 17'6" 1 Front High pole required
Height pole required
17'7" 20'0" 1 Front Route survey + utility clearance letters required
Height pole required

Length

Min LengthMax Length EscortsPositionNotes
57'5" 130'0" 0 Permit required, no escort
130'1" 200'0" 1 Rear 1 escort on 4-lane highways

Overhang

Min OverhangMax Overhang EscortsPositionNotes
25'1" 40'0" 1 Rear

Non-Interstate / State Road Escort Requirements

Width

Min WidthMax Width EscortsPositionNotes
8'7" 12'0" 0 Permit required
12'1" 14'0" 1 Front 1 front on 2-lane highways
14'1" 20'0" 2 Front + Rear Night travel prohibited over 14'

Height

Min HeightMax Height EscortsPositionNotes
13'1" 16'0" 0 13' legal on non-designated highways
16'1" 17'6" 1 Front High pole required
Height pole required
17'7" 20'0" 1 Front Route survey + utility clearance letters
Height pole required

Length

Min LengthMax Length EscortsPositionNotes
57'5" 85'0" 0 Permit required, no escort
85'1" 110'0" 1 Front 1 front on mountainous 2-lane highways (85'+); non-mountainous 2-lane escort starts at 110'
110'1" 200'0" 1 Front 1 front on all 2-lane highways

Overhang

Min OverhangMax Overhang EscortsPositionNotes
25'1" 40'0" 1 Rear

Travel Restrictions

Standard Hours
Sunrise to sunset for loads over 12' wide. Night travel under 12' wide with lighting.
Night Travel
Under 12' wide with proper lighting only
Weekend Travel
Standard daylight travel
Holiday Restrictions
No travel on major holidays
Urban Restrictions
Eisenhower Tunnel: max 13'11" height, over 11' wide must get clearance. Denver requires separate city permit.

Signage & Flag Requirements

Oversize Load Sign
Required on oversize loads
Flags
Standard flags at extremities
Additional Notes
All pilot cars must be over 60" wide for Colorado

Pilot Car Services in Colorado

PCP - Pilot Cars & Permits coordinates experienced pilot car operators throughout Colorado for both local and interstate moves. From a single-county delivery to a multi-state haul that begins or passes through Colorado, our team matches your load with the right escorts — lead cars, chase cars, high pole escorts, and steer cars — based on the dimension thresholds and travel rules outlined above.

Because oversize requirements change at every state line, we plan your route end to end so your equipment stays compliant from origin to destination. Our dispatchers handle scheduling, positioning, and communication with your drivers, keeping your oversize or overweight load moving safely and on time across Colorado and beyond.

Disclaimer: These regulations are for informational purposes only. Always verify with the Colorado Department of Transportation before moving any oversize/overweight load. Regulations change frequently.

Need a Pilot Car in Colorado?

Call us at (214) 550-7192 or order online. Our pilots are ready to escort your load anywhere in Colorado and beyond.