As the Labor Day weekend approaches, the roads will become significantly busier with families and individuals traveling. For heavy-haul drivers and dispatchers, this means it’s a critical time to be aware of and plan for oversize load travel restrictions. This year, with the holiday falling on Monday, September 1st, many states will enforce restrictions starting as early as Friday, August 29th, and these will last until the morning of Tuesday, September 2nd.
Understanding these holiday restrictions is not just about avoiding fines; it’s about ensuring safety, preventing delays, and maintaining a smooth operation.
Why Do States Enforce These Restrictions?
You might wonder why a permitted move, which is usually allowed, gets shut down for a few days. The reasons are rooted in safety and traffic management.
Increased Traffic Volume: Labor Day is one of the busiest travel weekends of the year. The sheer number of passenger vehicles on the road makes it dangerous for oversize loads (also known as OS/OW) to travel.
Safety First: Oversize and overweight loads require more space to maneuver, take longer to stop, and can be challenging for other drivers to pass. Limiting their movement during peak traffic periods drastically reduces the risk of accidents for everyone on the road.
- Infrastructure Management: State Departments of Transportation (DOT) and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) need to ensure that routes are clear for emergency services and that there are no unnecessary disruptions to infrastructure during a major holiday.
By adhering to these restrictions, you are contributing to a safer, more efficient road network for the entire public.
Key Things Drivers and Dispatchers Need to Know
Planning is the most important part of handling oversize load travel restrictions. Here’s a quick guide to help you get ready:
Check State-Specific Restrictions: This is the most crucial step. While most states have similar rules for Labor Day, the exact start and end times can vary. For example, some states may stop travel at noon on Friday, while others allow movement until sunset. A few states, like Kansas and Kentucky, have no major restrictions, while others have strict multi-day blackouts. Always consult the official DOT information for each state on your route.
Read Your Permit Carefully: Every single oversize permit you receive has specific terms and conditions. Many of these permits include detailed clauses about holiday travel. Ignoring a restriction written on your permit is a violation, and it can lead to hefty fines and a lot of downtime.
- Communicate and Plan Ahead: Don’t wait until the last minute. Inform your customers and dispatchers about the potential for delays. Adjust your route and schedule to ensure your load is either safely parked before the restrictions begin or that you’re not on the road during a restricted period.
- Secure Safe Staging Areas: If your load can’t make it to its destination before the travel ban starts, you’ll need a secure place to park. Look for well-lit, secure staging areas with enough space for your truck and load.
A Practical Checklist for a Smooth Labor Day Weekend
To make sure your operation goes as smoothly as possible, use this simple checklist:
- Review the Route: Look at your planned route and identify which states you will be traveling through.
- Confirm Restrictions: Find the specific Labor Day travel restrictions for each of those states.
- Adjust Your Schedule: Based on the restrictions, determine if you need to leave earlier, take a longer route, or park for the holiday weekend.
- Communicate with the Team: Make sure your dispatchers, drivers, and customers are all on the same page about the new plan.
- Park Safely: If parking for the holiday, choose a secure, legal, and safe location well in advance.
LABOR DAY 2025
Oversize/Overweight Travel Restrictions
State | Permit Office | Restrictions | Friday travel allowed? | Saturday travel allowed? | Sunday travel allowed? | Monday travel allowed? | Tuesday travel allowed? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
AL | CLOSED | NO TRAVEL ALLOWED FROM SUNSET ON 8/30 UNTIL SUNRISE ON 9/2 | YES | NO | NO | NO | YES, FROM SUNRISE |
AR | CLOSED | NO TRAVEL ALLOWED ON 8/30, 8/31, AND 9/1 | YES | NO | NO | NO | YES |
AZ | CLOSED | NO TRAVEL ALLOWED FROM 12PM ON 8/29 UNTIL 30 MINS BEFORE SUNRISE ON 9/2
OR AT 3AM ON 9/2 IF ELIGIBLE FOR NIGHT TRAVEL IF LOAD DOES NOT EXCEED 250K,
10-0W,14-6H, 120-0L AND/OR 10-0 OF FRONT OR REAR OVERHANG | YES, UNTIL NOON | NO | NO | NO | Yes, 30 min BEFORE
SUNRISE, FOR LOADS
OVER 10-0 W, 14-6 H,
120-0 L
**TRAVEL MAY
COMMENCE AT 3 AM ON
7/7 IF ELIGIBLE FOR NIGHT TRAVEL
|
CA | CLOSED | NO PILOT = NO TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS
PILOT CAR REQUIRED = NO TRAVEL ALLOWED ON 8/29 FROM 4PM TO 12AM MIDNIGHT
AND NO TRAVEL ALLOWED ON 8/30, 8/31, AND 9/1 FROM 12PM NOON UNTIL 12AM
MIDNIGHT | Yes, until 4PM (if
pilot car is required) | Yes, if pilot car is
not required | Yes, if pilot car is not
required | Yes, if pilot car is not
required | Yes |
CO | CLOSED | FOR LEGAL VEHICLE COMBINATIONS (LVC) = NO TRAVEL ALLOWED ON 9/1
AN EXTRA-LEGAL VEHICHLE OR LOAD, OTHER THAN AN LVC = NO TRAVEL ALLOWED
FROM 6AM TO 9PM ON 9/1 | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
CT | CLOSED | NO TRAVEL ALLOWED FROM NOON AT 8/28 UNTIL DAYLIGHT ON 9/2 | No | No | No | No | Yes, from sunrise |
DE | CLOSED | NO TRAVEL ALLOWED FROM NOON ON 8/31 UNTIL 9AM ON 9/2 | Yes | Yes | Yes, until noon | No | Yes, from sunrise |
FL | CLOSED | NO TRAVEL ALLOWED ON 9/1 FOR LOADS EXCEEDING 14-6H, 80-0L, AND/OR 10-0W | Yes | Yes, until noon | Yes, until noon | Yes, for loads up to
14’6″H – 80’L and or
10’W | Yes |
GA | CLOSED | NO TRAVEL ALLOWED ON 9/1 | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
IA | CLOSED | NO TRAVEL ALLOWED FROM 12PM NOON ON 8/29 UNTIL 30 MINS BEFORE SUNRISE ON
9/2 | Yes, until noon | No | No | No | Yes, from sunrise |
ID | CLOSED | NO TRAVEL ALLOWED FROM 4PM ON 8/31 UNTIL SUNRISE ON 9/2, IF DIMENSIONS
EXCEED 12-0W, 120-0L, AND/OR 15-0H (BLACK CODED ROUTES)
NO TRAVEL ALLOWED FROM 2PM ON 8/29 UNTIL SUNRISE ON 9/2 (RED CODED
ROUTES) | Yes | Yes | Yes, until 4pm if
dimensions exceed 12’W,
120’L and or 15’H | No | Yes, from sunrise |
IL | CLOSED | NO TRAVEL ALLOWED FROM 12PM NOON ON 8/31 UNTL SUNRISE ON 9/2 | Yes | Yes | Yes, until noon | No | Yes, from sunrise |
IN | CLOSED | NO TRAVEL ALLOWED FROM 12PM NOON ON 8/29 UNTIL 30 MINS BEFORE SUNRISE ON
9/2
**OVERWEIGHT COMMODITY AND BULK MILK PERMITS ARE EXEMPT FROM TRAVEL
RESTRICTIONS | Yes, until noon | No | No | No | Yes, from sunrise |
KS | CLOSED | NO TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
KY | CLOSED | NO TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
LA | CLOSED | NO TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
MA | CLOSED | NO TRAVEL ALLOWED ON 9/1 | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
MD | CLOSED | NO TRAVEL ALLOWED FROM 12PM NOON ON 8/29 UNTIL 9AM ON 9/2 | Yes | Yes, until noon | No | No | Yes, from 9am |
BALT CITY | CLOSED | NO TRAVEL ALLOWED FROM 12PM NOON ON 8/29 UNTIL 9AM ON 9/2 | Yes, until noon | No | No | No | Yes, from 9am |
DC | CLOSED | NO TRAVEL ALLOWED ON 9/1 | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
ME | CLOSED | NO TRAVEL ALLOWED ON 8/30 UNTIL 30 MINS BEFORE SUNRISE ON 9/2 | Yes | No | No | No | No |
MI | CLOSED | NO TRAVEL ALLOWED FROM 12PM NOON ON 8/29 UNTIL DAYBREAK ON 9/2 MOBILE HOMES: NO TRAVEL ALLOWED FROM 12PM NOON ON 8/29 UNTIL NOON ON 9/2 | Yes, until noon | No | No | No | Yes, from sunrise |
MN | CLOSED | NO TRAVEL ALLOWED FROM 2PM ON 8/31 UNTIL 2AM ON 9/2, IF DIMENSIONS EXCEED
12-6W OR 110-0L **OVERWEIGHT ONLY = NO RESTRICTIONS | Yes | Yes | Yes, until 2pm | No | Yes, from 2am |
MS | CLOSED | NO TRAVEL FROM 8/31 AT 12 PM UNTIL SUNRISE 9/3 * IF YOU DO NOT HAVE
CONTINUOUS TRAVEL* | Yes | Yes | Yes, until noon | No | No |
MO | CLOSED | NO TRAVEL ALLOWED FROM 12PM NOON ON 8/29 UNTIL 30 MINS BEFORE SUNRISE ON
9/2 | Yes, until noon | No | No | No | Yes, from sunrise |
MT | CLOSED | NO TRAVEL ALLOWED FROM 12PM NOON ON 8/29 UNTIL 30 MINS BEFORE SUNRISE ON
9/2
NON-INTERSTATE HIGHWAYS = NO TRAVEL ALLOWED FOR LOADS EXCEEDING 12-6W,
150-0L, AND/OR 15-6H ON 8/30, 8/31, AND 9/1 | Yes, until noon | No | No | No | Yes, from 30min before
sunrise |
NC | CLOSED | NO TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS
TRAVEL IS AUTHORIZED BY PRIOR ISSUED PERMIT | Yes, travel authorized
by prior issued permit | Yes, travel authorized by prior
issued permit | Yes, travel authorized by prior
issued permit | No sunday travel | Yes, travel authorized by prior
issued permit |
ND | CLOSED | NO TRAVEL ALLOWED FROM 12PM NOON ON 8/30 UNTIL SUNRISE ON 9/2, IF LOAD
EXCEEDS 16-0W | Yes | Yes, until noon | No | No | Yes, from sunrise |
NE | CLOSED | NO TRAVEL ALLOWED FROM 12PM NOON ON 8/29 UNTIL SUNRISE ON 9/2 | Yes, until noon | No | No | No | Yes, from sunrise |
NH | CLOSED | NO TRAVEL ALLOWED ON 9/1 | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
NJ | CLOSED | NO TRAVEL ALLOWED ON 8/29 AND ON 9/1 | No | No | No | No | Yes |
NM | CLOSED | NO TRAVEL FROM SUNSET 8/31 UNTIL SUNRISE ON 9/2 | Yes, until noon | No | No | No | Yes, from sunrise |
NV | CLOSED | NO TRAVEL ALLOWED FROM 12PM NOON TO 12AM MIDNIGHT ON 8/29 AND ON 9/1 | No, from 12pm to 12am | Yes | Yes | No, from 12pm to 12am | Yes |
NY | CLOSED | NO TRAVEL ALLOWED FROM 12PM NOON ON 8/29 UNTIL 30 MINS BEFORE SUNRISE ON
9/2 | Yes, until 12pm | No | No | No | Yes, 30min before sunrise |
NYC | CLOSED | NO TRAVEL ALLOWED FROM 5:30 AM ON 8/30 UNTIL 10 AM ON 9/2
APPS FOR 9/2 MUST BE SUBMITTED BY 11:59 PM ON 8/28
APPS FOR 9/3 ARE DUE BY 11:59 PM ON 9/1 | Yes | Yes, unti 5:30am | No | No | Yes, from 10am |
NY THWY | CLOSED | NO TRAVEL ALLOWED FROM 12PM NOON ON 8/29 UNTIL 30 MINS BEFORE SUNRISE ON
9/2 | Yes, until noon | No | No | No | Yes, 30min before sunrise |
OH | CLOSED | NO TRAVEL ALLOWED FROM 12PM NOON ON 8/29 UNTIL SUNRISE ON 9/2 | Yes, until noon | No | No | No | Yes, 30min before sunrise |
OH TP | CLOSED | NO TRAVEL ALLOWED FROM SUNRISE ON 8/29 UNTIL SUNRISE ON 9/2 | Yes, until noon | No | No | No | Yes, 30min before sunrise |
OK | CLOSED | NO TRAVEL ALLOWED ON 9/1 | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
OR | CLOSED | NON DIVISIBLE LOADS AND MOBILE/MODULAR: NO TRAVEL ALLOWED FROM 12PM
NOON 8/29 UNTIL 30 MINS BEFORE SUNRISE ON 9/2 | Yes, until noon | No | No | No | Yes, 30min before sunrise |
PA | CLOSED | NO TRAVEL ALLOWED FROM 12PM NOON ON 8/29 UNTIL SUNRISE ON 9/2 | Yes, until 12pm noon | No | No | No | Yes, from sunrise |
PA TP | CLOSED | NO TRAVEL ALLOWED FROM 3PM ON 8/28 UNTIL 11PM ON 9/1 | No | No | No | No | Yes |
RI | CLOSED | NO TRAVEL ALLOWED ON 8/30, 8/31 OR 9/1 | Yes | No | No | No | Yes |
SC | CLOSED | NO TRAVEL ALLOWED ON 9/1 | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
SD | CLOSED | NO TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
TN | CLOSED | NO PILOTS = NO TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS WITH NORMAL TRAVEL CONDITIONS AS
AUTHORIZED
PILOT CAR REQUIRED = NO TRAVEL ALLOWED FROM 12PM NOON ON 8/29 UNTIL
SUNRISE ON 9/2
*SITE BUILT HOUSES AND HOUSE BOATS = NO TRAVEL ALLOWED ON 9/1 | Yes, if no escorts are
needed | Yes, if no escorts are
needed | Yes, if no escorts are
needed | Yes, if no escorts are
needed | Yes |
TX | CLOSED | NO TRAVEL ALLOWED ON 9/1 FOR ALL MANUFACTURED HOUSING | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes, unless load is manufactured housing | Yes |
UT | CLOSED | NO TRAVEL ALLOWED FROM 2PM ON 8/29, NORMAL TRAVEL MAY RESUME FROM
SUNRISE ON 8/30 THROUGH 8/31 UNTIL 12AM MIDNIGHT
NO TRAVEL FROM 12:01 AM ON 9/1 UNTIL SUNRISE ON 9/2 | Yes, until 2pm | Yes, from sunrise | Yes, until midnight | No | Yes, from sunrise |
VA | CLOSED | NO TRAVEL ALLOWED FROM 12PM NOON ON 8/29 UNTIL 9/2 AS OUTLINED IN PERMIT | Yes, until noon | No | No | No | Yes |
VT | CLOSED | NO TRAVEL ALLOWED ON 9/1 | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
WA | CLOSED | NO TRAVEL ALLOWED FROM 12PM NOON ON 8/31 UNTIL SUNRISE ON 9/2 | Yes | Yes | Yes, until 12pm noon | No | Yes |
WI | CLOSED | NO TRAVEL ALLOWED FROM 12PM NOON ON 8/29 UNTIL SUNRISE ON 9/2 – IF
DIMENSIONS ARE GREATER THAN 12-0W, 13-6H, 150-0L **STATEWIDE
NO TRAVEL ALLOWED FROM 4PM TO 8PM ON 8/29, 8/30, 8/31, 9/1 – IF DIMENSIONS DO
NOT EXCEED 12-0W, 13-6H, 150-0L **IN COLUMBIA, DANE, MILWAUKEE, ROCK, OR WAUKESHA COUNTIES | Yes, until noon IF DIMENSIONS ARE GREATER THAN
12-0W, 13-6H, 150-0L –
otherwise no travel
allowed from 4pm – 8pm | No | No | No | Yes, from sunrise |
WV | CLOSED | NO TRAVEL ALLOWED ON 9/1 | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
WY | CLOSED | NO PILOTS = NO RESTRICTIONS
PILOT CAR LOADS = NO TRAVEL ALLOWED FROM 30 MINS AFTER SUNSET ON 8/31
UNTIL 30 MINS BEFORE SUNRISE ON 9/2
ALL POE WILL BE CLOSED ON 9/1 | Yes | Yes | Yes, if no escorts are needed,
otherwise no travel allowed
from 30 min after sunset | No | Yes, from 30min before
sunrise |
Check out the Labor Day 2025 Oversize/Overweight Travel Restrictions PDF
Navigating oversize load travel restrictions during a major holiday like Labor Day can be challenging, but with careful planning and communication, it’s manageable. These rules are in place to keep drivers and the public safe. By doing your homework and adhering to the regulations, you’ll avoid unnecessary stress, fines, and delays.
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