What is OOG (oversize) freight?

OOG (Out of Gauge) freight is cargo that exceeds standard legal trucking limits for width, height, length, or weight. It requires specialized equipment (flatbed, step deck, or double-drop/lowboy trailers) and sometimes permits and escort vehicles to move legally. Common examples include industrial equipment, steel structures, transformers, and prefabricated units.

What legal limits does this tool use?

The tool uses commonly used US baselines: the 102 in (8.5 ft) width limit without a permit and the 80,000 lb gross vehicle weight limit are federal standards (23 CFR). Total vehicle height has no single federal cap — it's set state by state, most commonly 162 in (13.5 ft), with some states allowing up to 168 in (14 ft); the tool uses the more common, more conservative 162 in figure. The actual limits for a specific route still depend on state and bridge restrictions, so always confirm with your carrier and local DOT.

How are deck height and tare weight estimated?

Deck heights vary by trailer type: Flatbed is roughly 60 in, Step Deck roughly 36 in, and Double Drop/Lowboy roughly 20 in. Empty tractor+trailer weight is estimated at roughly 34,000–38,000 lb depending on configuration. These are common industry figures — actual equipment varies, so confirm deck height and tare weight with the specific carrier.

How accurate is the "permit likely needed" result?

This is a quick estimate based on commonly used baselines, not a formal permit determination. Whether a permit is actually required — and which type (width/height/weight/escort) — must be confirmed by the carrier or a permit service based on the actual route and equipment.

When is a pilot car / escort vehicle required?

Pilot car requirements vary by state, but common triggers are roughly: width over ~12 ft, height over ~14 ft 6 in, or length over ~75–100 ft (exact thresholds vary by state). Some states require a lead car, a trailing car, or even police escort. Carriers typically arrange this based on the actual route.

📏 OOG / Oversize Checker · OOG超限判断

Enter cargo dimensions and weight to estimate whether it's oversize/overweight against US legal limits — with automatic metric/imperial conversion.
输入货物尺寸重量，按美国合法限值快速判断是否超宽、超高、超重，自动完成单位换算。

📦 Cargo Details

Length x Width x Height

Dimension Unit

Weight per Unit

Weight Unit

Units per Trailer (units loaded together on one trailer)

Trailer Type (determines assumed deck height & tare weight)

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Important This is a quick estimate based on commonly used US compliance baselines, not a formal permit determination. Actual limits vary by state, route, and bridge restrictions, and deck height / tare weight vary by actual equipment. Confirm whether a permit is truly required — and which type — with your carrier or a permit service.

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Enter cargo details to check
The result will appear here

The tool converts your dimensions and weight to inches/lbs and checks them against commonly used US compliance limits (width ≤102in, total vehicle height ≤162in, GVW ≤80,000 lb without a permit — width/weight are federal standards, height is the common state-set threshold).

OOG Basics: What Actually Counts as Oversize?

Not every large shipment is OOG, and not every OOG shipment needs a permit. Here's the industry-standard way US trucking determines what counts as oversize.

↔️ Width

Over 102 in (8.5 ft) is considered overwidth — that's the standard legal width limit for trucks without a permit.

↕️ Height

Cargo height plus deck height — over roughly 162 in (13.5 ft) total is considered overheight. Deck height varies by trailer: flatbed ~60in, step deck only ~36in — which is why the same cargo can avoid a height permit just by switching trailer type.

⚖️ Weight

Cargo weight plus empty tractor+trailer weight (~34,000–38,000 lb) — total gross vehicle weight (GVW) over the federal 80,000 lb limit is considered overweight. Axle weight distribution matters too — see our Loading Planner。

📏 Length

Length limits vary by state far more than width/height/weight. Single-piece cargo under about 48–53 ft (standard trailer length) usually won't trigger OOG on length alone.

Do I need a pilot car / escort vehicle? Beyond roughly 12 ft wide, 14 ft 6 in tall, or 75–100 ft long (exact thresholds vary by state), you typically also need a lead/trailing pilot car — some states require police escort. All of this falls under Heavy Haul / oversize freight — permit applications, route planning, and escort coordination. If your shipment is confirmed OOG and you want a quote, head to our drayage / project cargo quote page.

📏 OOG / Oversize Checker · OOG超限判断

OOG Basics: What Actually Counts as Oversize?

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