The short version: a Illinois single-trip permit starts at $0 before bands, overweight and the transaction charge; an escort is first required at over 14'6" wide; and the load becomes a superload at a gross weight the state does not publish. Everything below carries the Illinois document it came from, that document's own revision date, and the date we read it.
1. Illinois legal limits
Anything over one of these needs a permit. Every value links to the document that sets it.
| Measure | Legal limit |
|---|---|
| Width | 8'6"rev. 2022-05-13 · read 2026-09-01 |
| Height | 13'6"rev. 2002-01-01 · read 2026-09-01 |
| Semitrailer length | 53'rev. 2026-01-01 · read 2026-09-01 |
| Overall length | 65'rev. 2026-01-01 · read 2026-09-01 |
| Kingpin to rear axle | None published |
| Front overhang | 3'rev. 2012-08-01 · read 2026-09-01 |
| Rear overhang | None published |
| Gross weight | 80,000 lbrev. 2026-06-16 · read 2026-09-01 |
| Single axle | 20,000 lbrev. 2026-06-16 · read 2026-09-01 |
| Tandem axle | 34,000 lbrev. 2026-06-16 · read 2026-09-01 |
2. When Illinois requires an escort
| Measurement | First escort trigger | First police escort trigger |
|---|---|---|
| Width | over 14'6"rev. 2012-08-01 · read 2026-09-01 | None published |
| Height | over 14'6"rev. 2012-08-01 · read 2026-09-01 | None published |
| Length | over 110'rev. 2012-08-01 · read 2026-09-01 | None published |
| Rear overhang | None published | None published |
| Gross weight | None published | None published |
Every escort rule on file, in full8 rules
- Over 14 ft 6 in wide — one civilian escort (about 300 ft ahead on a two-lane highway, about 300 ft behind on a multilane divided highway) — 554.505/.507/.508/.604/.605/.611 — civilian escort counts, State Police triggers, superload treatment, spacing, route survey rev. 2012-08-01 · read 2026-09-01
- Over 14 ft 6 in high — one civilian escort leading with a height pole set 3 in above the permitted load height — 554.505/.507/.508/.604/.605/.611 — civilian escort counts, State Police triggers, superload treatment, spacing, route survey rev. 2012-08-01 · read 2026-09-01
- Over 110 ft long — one civilian escort (about 300 ft ahead on a two-lane highway, about 300 ft behind on a multilane divided highway) — 554.505/.507/.508/.604/.605/.611 — civilian escort counts, State Police triggers, superload treatment, spacing, route survey rev. 2012-08-01 · read 2026-09-01
- Over the escort threshold in two or more of width, height and length — two civilian escorts, one ahead and one trailing — 554.505/.507/.508/.604/.605/.611 — civilian escort counts, State Police triggers, superload treatment, spacing, route survey rev. 2012-08-01 · read 2026-09-01
- Over 18 ft high — two civilian escorts under the adopted administrative rule — 554.505/.507/.508/.604/.605/.611 — civilian escort counts, State Police triggers, superload treatment, spacing, route survey rev. 2012-08-01 · read 2026-09-01
- Over 16 ft wide, over 18 ft high, or over 145 ft long — three civilian escorts — civilian escort counts; height pole set three inches above permitted load height rev. 2024-08-07 · read 2026-09-01
- Over 18 ft wide, over 200 ft long, or over 18 ft high — an Illinois State Police escort is required in addition to the civilian escorts — IDOT $40 per hour per vehicle, minimum $80; Illinois State Police $125 per hour per vehicle, minimum $500; fractions of an hour rounded up rev. 2026-06-16 · read 2026-09-01
- Illinois adds escort and engineering conditions that are set when the permit issues, and prices several of them only by the hour — bridge and pavement structural analysis, field investigation, accompanying the move and damage inspection at $40 per hour rev. 1996-01-25 · read 2026-09-01
3. Illinois single-trip permit fees
| Charge | Amount |
|---|---|
| Single-trip base | $0rev. 2022-05-13 · read 2026-09-01 |
| Transaction / card | 2.25% of the totalrev. 2019-06-01 · read 2026-09-01 |
| Route analysis review | Not yet covered |
| Route with no bridges | Not yet covered |
Dimension bands
| Band | Fee |
|---|---|
| category (a) — within 10 ft wide, 14 ft 6 in high and 70 ft long; first 90 miles | $12rev. 2022-05-13 · read 2026-09-01 |
| category (a) — within 10 ft wide, 14 ft 6 in high and 70 ft long; 90 to 180 miles | $15rev. 2022-05-13 · read 2026-09-01 |
| category (a) — within 10 ft wide, 14 ft 6 in high and 70 ft long; 180 to 270 miles | $18rev. 2022-05-13 · read 2026-09-01 |
| category (a) — within 10 ft wide, 14 ft 6 in high and 70 ft long; more than 270 miles | $21rev. 2022-05-13 · read 2026-09-01 |
| category (b) — over 10 ft up to 12 ft wide, within 14 ft 6 in high and 85 ft long; first 90 miles | $15rev. 2022-05-13 · read 2026-09-01 |
| category (b) — over 10 ft up to 12 ft wide, within 14 ft 6 in high and 85 ft long; 90 to 180 miles | $20rev. 2022-05-13 · read 2026-09-01 |
| category (b) — over 10 ft up to 12 ft wide, within 14 ft 6 in high and 85 ft long; 180 to 270 miles | $25rev. 2022-05-13 · read 2026-09-01 |
| category (b) — over 10 ft up to 12 ft wide, within 14 ft 6 in high and 85 ft long; more than 270 miles | $30rev. 2022-05-13 · read 2026-09-01 |
| category (b) — over 70 ft up to 85 ft long, within 10 ft wide and 14 ft 6 in high; first 90 miles | $15rev. 2022-05-13 · read 2026-09-01 |
| category (b) — over 70 ft up to 85 ft long, within 10 ft wide and 14 ft 6 in high; 90 to 180 miles | $20rev. 2022-05-13 · read 2026-09-01 |
| category (b) — over 70 ft up to 85 ft long, within 10 ft wide and 14 ft 6 in high; 180 to 270 miles | $25rev. 2022-05-13 · read 2026-09-01 |
| category (b) — over 70 ft up to 85 ft long, within 10 ft wide and 14 ft 6 in high; more than 270 miles | $30rev. 2022-05-13 · read 2026-09-01 |
| category (c) — over 12 ft up to 14 ft wide, within 15 ft high and 100 ft long; first 90 miles | $25rev. 2022-05-13 · read 2026-09-01 |
| category (c) — over 12 ft up to 14 ft wide, within 15 ft high and 100 ft long; 90 to 180 miles | $30rev. 2022-05-13 · read 2026-09-01 |
| category (c) — over 12 ft up to 14 ft wide, within 15 ft high and 100 ft long; 180 to 270 miles | $35rev. 2022-05-13 · read 2026-09-01 |
| category (c) — over 12 ft up to 14 ft wide, within 15 ft high and 100 ft long; more than 270 miles | $40rev. 2022-05-13 · read 2026-09-01 |
| category (c) — over 14 ft 6 in up to 15 ft high, within 12 ft wide and 100 ft long; first 90 miles | $25rev. 2022-05-13 · read 2026-09-01 |
| category (c) — over 14 ft 6 in up to 15 ft high, within 12 ft wide and 100 ft long; 90 to 180 miles | $30rev. 2022-05-13 · read 2026-09-01 |
| category (c) — over 14 ft 6 in up to 15 ft high, within 12 ft wide and 100 ft long; 180 to 270 miles | $35rev. 2022-05-13 · read 2026-09-01 |
| category (c) — over 14 ft 6 in up to 15 ft high, within 12 ft wide and 100 ft long; more than 270 miles | $40rev. 2022-05-13 · read 2026-09-01 |
| category (c) — over 85 ft up to 100 ft long, within 12 ft wide and 14 ft 6 in high; first 90 miles | $25rev. 2022-05-13 · read 2026-09-01 |
| category (c) — over 85 ft up to 100 ft long, within 12 ft wide and 14 ft 6 in high; 90 to 180 miles | $30rev. 2022-05-13 · read 2026-09-01 |
| category (c) — over 85 ft up to 100 ft long, within 12 ft wide and 14 ft 6 in high; 180 to 270 miles | $35rev. 2022-05-13 · read 2026-09-01 |
| category (c) — over 85 ft up to 100 ft long, within 12 ft wide and 14 ft 6 in high; more than 270 miles | $40rev. 2022-05-13 · read 2026-09-01 |
| category (d) — over 14 ft up to 18 ft wide, within 16 ft high and 120 ft long; first 90 miles | $30rev. 2022-05-13 · read 2026-09-01 |
| category (d) — over 14 ft up to 18 ft wide, within 16 ft high and 120 ft long; 90 to 180 miles | $40rev. 2022-05-13 · read 2026-09-01 |
| category (d) — over 14 ft up to 18 ft wide, within 16 ft high and 120 ft long; 180 to 270 miles | $50rev. 2022-05-13 · read 2026-09-01 |
| category (d) — over 14 ft up to 18 ft wide, within 16 ft high and 120 ft long; more than 270 miles | $60rev. 2022-05-13 · read 2026-09-01 |
| category (d) — over 15 ft up to 16 ft high, within 14 ft wide and 120 ft long; first 90 miles | $30rev. 2022-05-13 · read 2026-09-01 |
| category (d) — over 15 ft up to 16 ft high, within 14 ft wide and 120 ft long; 90 to 180 miles | $40rev. 2022-05-13 · read 2026-09-01 |
| category (d) — over 15 ft up to 16 ft high, within 14 ft wide and 120 ft long; 180 to 270 miles | $50rev. 2022-05-13 · read 2026-09-01 |
| category (d) — over 15 ft up to 16 ft high, within 14 ft wide and 120 ft long; more than 270 miles | $60rev. 2022-05-13 · read 2026-09-01 |
| category (d) — over 100 ft up to 120 ft long, within 14 ft wide and 15 ft high; first 90 miles | $30rev. 2022-05-13 · read 2026-09-01 |
| category (d) — over 100 ft up to 120 ft long, within 14 ft wide and 15 ft high; 90 to 180 miles | $40rev. 2022-05-13 · read 2026-09-01 |
| category (d) — over 100 ft up to 120 ft long, within 14 ft wide and 15 ft high; 180 to 270 miles | $50rev. 2022-05-13 · read 2026-09-01 |
| category (d) — over 100 ft up to 120 ft long, within 14 ft wide and 15 ft high; more than 270 miles | $60rev. 2022-05-13 · read 2026-09-01 |
| category (e) — over 18 ft wide; first 90 miles | $50rev. 2022-05-13 · read 2026-09-01 |
| category (e) — over 18 ft wide; 90 to 180 miles | $75rev. 2022-05-13 · read 2026-09-01 |
| category (e) — over 18 ft wide; 180 to 270 miles | $100rev. 2022-05-13 · read 2026-09-01 |
| category (e) — over 18 ft wide; more than 270 miles | $125rev. 2022-05-13 · read 2026-09-01 |
| category (e) — over 16 ft high, within 18 ft wide; first 90 miles | $50rev. 2022-05-13 · read 2026-09-01 |
| category (e) — over 16 ft high, within 18 ft wide; 90 to 180 miles | $75rev. 2022-05-13 · read 2026-09-01 |
| category (e) — over 16 ft high, within 18 ft wide; 180 to 270 miles | $100rev. 2022-05-13 · read 2026-09-01 |
| category (e) — over 16 ft high, within 18 ft wide; more than 270 miles | $125rev. 2022-05-13 · read 2026-09-01 |
| category (e) — over 120 ft long, within 18 ft wide and 16 ft high; first 90 miles | $50rev. 2022-05-13 · read 2026-09-01 |
| category (e) — over 120 ft long, within 18 ft wide and 16 ft high; 90 to 180 miles | $75rev. 2022-05-13 · read 2026-09-01 |
| category (e) — over 120 ft long, within 18 ft wide and 16 ft high; 180 to 270 miles | $100rev. 2022-05-13 · read 2026-09-01 |
| category (e) — over 120 ft long, within 18 ft wide and 16 ft high; more than 270 miles | $125rev. 2022-05-13 · read 2026-09-01 |
4. How Illinois prices overweight
625 ILCS 5/15-306 prices an overweight AXLE permit from the excess over a 20,000 lb single-axle equivalency per axle or axle group, in 45-mile steps, and marks several combinations "not permitted"; 15-307 then says "one fee only shall be charged, whichever is the greater, but not for both". Both inputs are per-axle. The out-of-category rate — "$50 plus 3.5 cents per ton-mile in excess of legal weight" — applies only to loads already known to fall outside the Table 2 categories, which is the same determination we cannot make. 15-302 additionally requires weights to be taken "to the next highest 1,000 pounds" and distances "from the Illinois Official Highway Map", not from a routing engine.
5. Illinois's superload threshold
Above one of these, the state stops issuing over the counter and prices the move after an engineering review.
| Trigger | Threshold |
|---|---|
| Gross weight | None published |
| Width | None published |
| Height | None published |
| Length | None published |
| Short axle spacing | Not yet covered |
6. Route survey and bridge review
The dimensions at which Illinois triggers a physical route inspection or an engineering review, and what the agency charges to review it.
| Measurement | Inspection / review trigger |
|---|---|
| Width | over 16'rev. 2012-08-01 · read 2026-09-01 |
| Height | 16' or morerev. 2012-08-01 · read 2026-09-01 |
| Length | Not yet covered |
7. Police escorts
Illinois State Police publishes a rate. One officer costs at least $500 before mileage.
What the schedule does not price2 items
- IDOT escorts are charged separately at $40.00 per hour per vehicle with an $80.00 minimum per vehicle. Whether IDOT accompanies a given move is decided when the permit is written.
- Time is counted from pickup to completion including delays, with any fraction of an hour rounded up, so the charged hours are not the moving hours.
8. When you can move it
Holiday, curfew and night-travel windows are not yet encoded for Illinois.
Illinois spring thaw restrictions →
Why those windows are absent rather than estimated
They are not guessed at here. What we do publish is the seasonal weight-restriction picture, with the date we last read each state's own bulletin — a curfew invented from a plausible pattern is worth less than an honest gap, because a reader cannot tell the two apart on the page.
9. Permit office
The agency behind each figure above is linked from that figure. We publish no per-state permit-office phone number.
Why there is no phone number here
We are not publishing per-state permit-office phone numbers yet, and the reason is worth stating: the two seed lists available for them are both demonstrably stale — the federal one gives two different states the same phone number — and a wrong number on a page like this costs somebody a morning. The agency behind each figure above is linked from that figure, which is the part we can stand behind today.
11. What this does not include
Named rather than gestured at, because each of these can exceed the permit itself. Every item is listed; open one for why it is excluded.
Line haul, fuel and driver time
This is a permit fee, not a freight rate.
Civilian pilot car rates
We hold no rate data, and the two commercial sites that publish market rates disagree by nearly a factor of two on the same service.
Route-survey engineering
The agency's review fee is shown where the state publishes one; the engineer's own fee is a private cost with no schedule.
Bonds and escrow
Set per move by the agency, and in at least one state the escort is billed at actual cost against it.
Utility coordination and line lifts
Arranged with each utility, priced by each utility.
Second-issuer permits
A toll, bridge or city authority inside the same state issues its own permit, and a state total that omits it is missing a whole permit.
12. Every source behind this page (12)
Every document behind Illinois12 sources
- 625 ILCS 5/15-102 — Width of vehicles — Illinois General Assembly — 8 ft 6 in on Class III and non-designated State and local highways; (e) same width on Class I, Class II and locally designated highways
rev. 2022-05-13 · read 2026-09-01 - 625 ILCS 5/15-103 — Height of vehicles — Illinois General Assembly — 13 ft 6 in on any highway in the State, inclusive of load
rev. 2002-01-01 · read 2026-09-01 - 625 ILCS 5/15-107 — Length of vehicles — Illinois General Assembly — single vehicle 42 ft; semitrailer 53 ft; no overall cap on Class I/II; 65 ft on non-designated highways
rev. 2026-01-01 · read 2026-09-01 - 625 ILCS 5/15-111 — Weight limits — Illinois General Assembly — 20,000 lb single axle; 34,000 lb tandem; 80,000 lb gross on 5 or more axles; federal bridge formula
rev. 2026-06-16 · read 2026-09-01 - 625 ILCS 5/15-305 — Fees for overdimension permits — Illinois General Assembly — categories (a) through (e), each with "For the first 90 miles" / "From 90 miles to 180 miles" / "From 180 miles to 270 miles" / "For more than 270 miles"
rev. 2022-05-13 · read 2026-09-01 - 625 ILCS 5/15-307 — Overweight gross permit fees — Illinois General Assembly — greater-of rule against 15-306; continuation beyond 225 miles; out-of-category rate of $50 plus 3.5 cents per ton-mile
rev. 2021-07-23 · read 2026-09-01 - 625 ILCS 5/15-312 — Charges for Department and State Police escorts — Illinois General Assembly — IDOT $40 per hour per vehicle, minimum $80; Illinois State Police $125 per hour per vehicle, minimum $500; fractions of an hour rounded up
rev. 2026-06-16 · read 2026-09-01 - 92 Ill. Adm. Code 554.910 — Engineering and investigation charges — Illinois Joint Committee on Administrative Rules — bridge and pavement structural analysis, field investigation, accompanying the move and damage inspection at $40 per hour
rev. 1996-01-25 · read 2026-09-01 - 92 Ill. Adm. Code Part 554 — Permits for excess size and weight (2012 amendments) — Illinois Joint Committee on Administrative Rules — 554.505/.507/.508/.604/.605/.611 — civilian escort counts, State Police triggers, superload treatment, spacing, route survey
rev. 2012-08-01 · read 2026-09-01 - IDOT — Apply for an oversize/overweight permit (convenience fees) — Illinois Department of Transportation — JetPay convenience fee of 2.25% of the total amount due, minimum $1.00; E-Check $0.75 per transaction
rev. 2019-06-01 · read 2026-09-01 - IDOT — Table 2, Overweight Fee Categories (PDF) — Illinois Department of Transportation — categories f-r by axle count and axle-group weight, priced in 45-mile steps; included dimensions and the $15 width addition
undated document · read 2026-09-01 - IDOT OPER 993 — Special provisions for oversize/overweight permits (PDF) — Illinois Department of Transportation — civilian escort counts; height pole set three inches above permitted load height
rev. 2024-08-07 · read 2026-09-01
Questions
How much is an oversize permit in Illinois?
The single-trip base is $0, before the dimension bands, the overweight component and the transaction charge. The base alone is rarely what is paid.
When does Illinois require a pilot car?
The first width trigger is over 14'6".
What is a superload in Illinois?
Illinois publishes no gross-weight superload threshold in the documents on file — see the superload section, which shows the dimensional triggers it does publish.