Legal size & loaded measurements
General width
8′6″Ordinary vehicle-and-load limit; safety-device, vehicle and load exceptions may apply.
Loaded height
13′6″Ordinary vehicle-and-load limit; listed exceptions and actual route clearances apply.
Loaded dimensions
Iowa baselines are 8 feet 6 inches width and 13 feet 6 inches height; length and weight are configuration- and road-system-specific.
Axles, weight & bridges
Use axle count, spacing, bridge/road system, registration and exception facts; GVW alone is not an Iowa weight decision.
Loaded width
Iowa's statutory outside-width baseline is 8 feet 6 inches, with scoped agricultural and equipment exceptions.
Loaded height
Iowa's statutory height baseline is 13 feet 6 inches, with specified passenger-vehicle and hay exceptions.
Permits, routes & larger loads
Roads & authorities
Iowa DOT permits ordinarily cover Interstate, U.S. and Iowa roads unless stated otherwise; county and city routes may require separate permits.
When a permit is needed
Chapter 321E and the issued Iowa DOT product govern excessive size/weight permits, routes and conditions.
Larger-load review
Iowa permit products include single/round, multi-trip, annual, crane, construction, alternative-energy and other scoped paths; do not infer a routine envelope from one dimension.
State permit fees
Single-trip agency fee example
$35 for this Iowa planning example: a nondivisible load measuring 8′7″ wide, 13′ high and 70′ overall, at 72,000 lb gross on a five-axle rig with a 48′ trailer. The example uses 100 in-state miles. Change the load details in the calculator for your move.
What the agency estimate includes
The calculator applies Iowa's maintained single-trip permit schedule to the loaded vehicle and the supplied fee inputs. It itemizes the supported state charges, including weight or distance charges where applicable. Annual permits, special products, local permissions and payment-method charges need their own applicable schedule.
IA / Permit worksheet
Price your Iowa movement.
Enter the complete loaded vehicle. Get estimated agency fees and escort requirements before sharing your contact details.
The numbers behind your next move.
Your result will show the agency fee breakdown, potential pilot-car requirements, and the rules used to calculate them.
- 01 State agency fee subtotal
- 02 Escort & survey considerations
- 03 Sources & pricing assumptions
Single-state pricing uses the mileage you enter. For a proposed route and intermediate states, use the route calculator.
About the example equipment
The samples use ODPermit’s editable 48 ft flatbed · 5 axles planning profile. Loaded dimensions, gross weight, 100 state miles and Texas registration are example inputs, not a capacity rating or a route approval. Replace them with your actual setup.
Great Dane Freedom trailer specifications — 48 ft platform; the illustrated 40 in drop deck and 20 in drop support a 60 in upper-deck planning height. Combined tare and tractor geometry are editable ODPermit assumptions.
Pilot cars, height poles & surveys
14′6″-wide load example
Example: 14′6″ wide × 13′ high, 75′ overall, 72,000 lb gross, zero overhang or rear projection, ordinary nondivisible freight in daylight. Depending on the road or permit conditions: Use a front escort on two-lane roads and a rear escort on four-lane roads, or compliant amber/strobe lights on the power unit and rear extremity. Height and length requirements still apply.
17′6″-high load example
Example: 9′ wide × 17′6″ high, 75′ overall, 72,000 lb gross, zero overhang or rear projection, ordinary nondivisible freight in daylight. All road types: 1 front (height pole required) pilot car.
Travel hours & road restrictions
Travel hours
Movement hours and daylight/night authorization come from the current permit, Chapter 511, county proclamations, route and conditions; no universal window is assumed.
Current route restrictions
Check Iowa 511, county/city proclamations, bridge postings, weather and the current permit before movement.
Signs, flags & safety equipment
Safety equipment
Apply Iowa/federal securement, signs, flags, amber lighting, utility and bridge controls in addition to permit conditions.
What the driver needs
Carry the permit
Carry the issued permit and follow its route and conditions; electronic permits are legal unless the permit states otherwise.
Prepare the driver packet
The driver packet must match the issued vehicle/load, route, dates and conditions and include required safety/securement records.
Special equipment & permit programs
Special permit programs
Hay, raw agricultural, construction, cranes, manufactured housing, milk, forest products and emergency/tow paths have scoped conditions and are not blanket exemptions.
BEFORE THE TRUCK ROLLS
Turn the estimate
into a permitted move.
Confirm the loaded measurements, carrier details, travel dates and exact pickup and delivery. We can help coordinate permits, escorts and route surveys around those facts.
THE SOURCE RECORD
Official references.
Read the rule behind each requirement. These are dated references; current restrictions and the issued permit control your move.
- 01
- 02
- 03
- 04
- 05
- 06
- 07Iowa Oversize/Overweight Permit Types and Operating Limits
Oversize & Overweight Permit Types and Pricing
Source record: - 08
- 09Iowa DOT IM25-26 — single-trip tonnage and registration basis
Iowa DOT IM25-26 — single-trip tonnage and registration basis
Source record: - 10Iowa Code 321E.12 — single-trip registration fee
Iowa Code 321E.12 — single-trip registration fee
Source record: - 11Iowa adopted rule ARC 0327D, effective July 15, 2026 — 511.5(5) single-trip registration
Iowa adopted rule ARC 0327D, effective July 15, 2026 — 511.5(5) single-trip registration
Source record: - 12Iowa Administrative Code 761—511.20 — adopted escort and warning-device table
Iowa Administrative Code 761—511.20 — adopted escort and warning-device table
Source record: - 13Iowa Administrative Code 761—511.20 — adopted escort and warning-device table
Iowa Administrative Code 761—511.20 — adopted escort and warning-device table
Source record: - 14Iowa Administrative Code 761 Chapter 511: Special Permits for Excess Size and Weight
Rule 761—511.13(1)(c)
Source record: - 15