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Illinois (IL) Pilot Car & Escort Vehicle Requirements

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

Legal Dimensions — Illinois

Max Width
8'6"
Max Height
13'6"
Max Length
53'0"
Gross Weight
80,000 lbs
Front Overhang
3'0"
Rear Overhang
4'0"

Interstate Escort Requirements

Width

Min WidthMax Width EscortsPositionNotes
8'7" 14'6" 0 — Permit required, no escort
14'7" 16'0" 1 Rear
16'1" 18'0" 3 Front + Rear
18'1" 20'0" 3 Police Front + Rear State Police required

Height

Min HeightMax Height EscortsPositionNotes
13'7" 14'6" 0 — Permit required
14'7" 16'0" 1 Front High pole required. Interstate practical max height is 15'9". Route survey required over 15'6".
Height pole required
16'1" 18'0" 2 Front + Rear Route survey + State Police may be required
Height pole required
18'1" 20'0" 3 Police Front + Rear 3 escorts required; State Police required
Height pole required

Length

Min LengthMax Length EscortsPositionNotes
53'1" 110'0" 0 — Permit required
110'1" 145'0" 1 Rear
145'1" 200'0" 3 Front + Rear
200'1" 300'0" 3 Police Front + Rear State Police required

Weight

Min WeightMax Weight EscortsPositionNotes
150,001 lbs 999,999 lbs 2 Front + Rear Superload
Route survey required

Non-Interstate / State Road Escort Requirements

Width

Min WidthMax Width EscortsPositionNotes
8'7" 14'6" 0 — Permit required
14'7" 16'0" 1 Rear
16'1" 18'0" 3 Front + Rear
18'1" 20'0" 3 Police Front + Rear State Police required

Height

Min HeightMax Height EscortsPositionNotes
13'7" 14'6" 0 — Permit required
14'7" 16'0" 1 Front High pole required
Height pole required
16'1" 18'0" 2 Front + Rear Route survey + State Police may be required
Height pole required
18'1" 20'0" 3 Police Front + Rear 3 escorts required for all moves exceeding 18' high (IDOT)
Height pole required

Length

Min LengthMax Length EscortsPositionNotes
53'1" 110'0" 0 — Permit required
110'1" 145'0" 1 Rear
145'1" 200'0" 3 Front + Rear
200'1" 300'0" 3 Police Front + Rear State Police required

Weight

Min WeightMax Weight EscortsPositionNotes
150,001 lbs 999,999 lbs 2 Front + Rear Superload
Route survey required

Travel Restrictions

Standard Hours
Sunrise to sunset
Night Travel
Not permitted for oversize loads
Weekend Travel
Standard loads (14'6" wide or less, 15' H or less, 145' L or less, 120,000 lbs or less): 7 days sunrise-sunset. Larger: Mon-Fri, Sat sunrise-noon.
Holiday Restrictions
No travel on major holidays
Urban Restrictions
Cook County: 120,000 max, 12' wide, 13'6" H. Width 14'6"-16': 9 AM-3 PM Mon-Fri in Cook/DuPage/Lake/Kane counties.

Signage & Flag Requirements

Oversize Load Sign
Required on oversize loads
Flags
Standard flags at extremities
Disclaimer: These regulations are for informational purposes only. Always verify with the Illinois Department of Transportation before moving any oversize/overweight load. Regulations change frequently.

Moving an Oversize Load Through Illinois?

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