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2024 Thanksgiving Oversized Restrictions | State-by-State Guide

Hauling Oversized Turkeys? Let’s Talk Thanksgiving Freight Rules

Thanksgiving is the season for family, feasting, and… freight delays? That’s right—while most people are focused on turkey and pie, freight carriers are busy navigating the oversized load equivalent of a holiday buffet: state-by-state restrictions. Picture hauling a turkey so big it needs a pilot car and a wide-load banner. Funny as that sounds, navigating oversize and overweight (OSOW) freight regulations during Thanksgiving can feel just as over-the-top.

From permit office closures to restricted travel windows, each state has its own holiday policies. Miss a detail, and your freight could end up stuck on the roadside while everyone else enjoys their Thanksgiving dinner. But don’t worry—Abound Transport has your back. Whether you’re tackling Alabama’s sunset-to-sunrise restrictions or Alaska’s lack of rules altogether, we’ve compiled everything you need to know to plan ahead and keep your shipments moving.

Thanksgiving 2024 Oversize Freight Travel Restrictions, State by State

Moving oversize and overweight freight during Thanksgiving isn’t just about permits—it’s about strategy. On Nov. 28, 2024, Thanksgiving Day, freight carriers will face unique challenges: increased traffic, limited daylight, and strict regulations across many states. Add in permit office closures, and it’s clear why preparation is key.

At Abound Transport, we specialize in helping shippers like you navigate these complexities. Whether your freight needs to cross one state or several, this guide provides a detailed state-by-state breakdown of Thanksgiving 2024 restrictions. Plan ahead, stay compliant, and avoid costly delays with our insights.

State-by-State Freight Rules: Table of Contents
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    Alabama

    • Permit Office Closed: Nov. 28-29
    • Travel Restrictions: No permitted travel is allowed from sunset on Wednesday, Nov. 27, until sunrise on Monday, Dec. 2. Restrictions are subject to change.
    • Learn More: Alabama 2024 Holiday Travel Restrictions.

    Alaska

    Arizona

    • Permit Office Closed: Nov. 28
    • Travel Restrictions: No travel allowed from noon on Wednesday, Nov. 27, to one-half hour before sunrise on Friday, Nov. 29. If eligible for night transport under R17-6-402, travel is restricted until 3:00 a.m. Friday.
    • Learn More: Arizona Freight Permits.

    Arkansas

    • Permit Office Closed: Nov. 28
    • Travel Restrictions: No OSOW freight may move on Thanksgiving Day.
    • Learn More: Arkansas OSOW Permitting.

    California

    • Office Closed: Nov. 28-29
    • Travel Restrictions:
      • Permitted freight requiring a pilot car is prohibited from traveling:
        • 4 p.m. to midnight on Wednesday, Nov. 27.
        • Noon to midnight from Thursday, Nov. 28, to Sunday, Dec. 1.
      • All other freight is allowed to move unrestricted.
    • Learn More: Visit California’s full holiday travel information.

    Colorado

    • Office Closed: Nov. 28-29
    • Travel Restrictions:
      • Permitted freight requiring a pilot car is prohibited from traveling:
        • 4 p.m. to midnight on Wednesday, Nov. 27.
        • Noon to midnight from Thursday, Nov. 28, to Sunday, Dec. 1.
      • All other freight is allowed to move unrestricted.
    • Learn More: Visit California’s full holiday travel information.

    Connecticut

    • Office Closed: Nov. 28-29
    • Travel Restrictions:
      • Permitted freight requiring a pilot car is prohibited from traveling:
        • 4 p.m. to midnight on Wednesday, Nov. 27.
        • Noon to midnight from Thursday, Nov. 28, to Sunday, Dec. 1.
      • All other freight is allowed to move unrestricted.
    • Learn More: Visit California’s full holiday travel information.

    Delaware

    Florida

    • Office Closed: Nov. 28-29
    • Travel Restrictions: No OSOW freight exceeding 80 feet long, 14 feet 6 inches high, or 10 feet wide can move on Thursday, Nov. 28, or Friday, Nov. 29.
    • Learn More: View Florida’s holiday travel restrictions.

    Georgia

    Hawaii

    Idaho

    • Office Closed: Nov. 28
    • Travel Restrictions:
      • Red-Coded Routes: No loads may travel starting at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 27, until sunrise on Monday, Dec. 2.
      • Black-Coded and Interstate Routes: Shipments exceeding 10 feet wide, 100 feet long, or 15 feet high cannot move from 4 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 27, until sunrise on Friday, Nov. 29.
    • Learn More: Check out Idaho’s full permitting manual.

    Illinois

    • Office Closed: Nov. 28-29
    • Travel Restrictions: No OSOW shipments are allowed to travel beginning at noon on Wednesday, Nov. 27, through sunrise on Friday, Nov. 29.
    • Learn More: Visit the Illinois Transportation Automated Permits site.

    Indiana

    • Office Closed: Nov. 28-29
    • Travel Restrictions: No permitted OSOW vehicles, except those issued Overweight Commodity or Bulk Milk permits, may operate on state highways from noon on Wednesday, Nov. 27, until 30 minutes before sunrise on Friday, Nov. 29.
    • Learn More: Visit Indiana’s OSOW motor carrier service page.

    Iowa

    Kansas

    Kentucky

    • Office Closed: Nov. 28-29
    • Travel Restrictions: No OSOW holiday travel restrictions unless noted on the permit.
    • Learn More: View Kentucky’s OSOW resources.

    Louisiana

    Maine

    • Office Closed: Nov. 28-29
    • Travel Restrictions: No OSOW loads can move starting 30 minutes after sunset on Wednesday, Nov. 27, and ending 30 minutes before sunrise on Saturday, Nov. 30.
    • Learn More: Check out Maine’s holiday closures/restrictions.

    Maryland

    • Office Closed: Nov. 28-29
    • Travel Restrictions: No OSOW loads can move from noon on Wednesday, Nov. 27, until 9 a.m. on Monday, Dec. 2.
    • Learn More: See Maryland’s holiday restrictions.

    Massachusetts

    Michigan

    • Office Closed: Nov. 28-29
    • Travel Restrictions: No OSOW travel is permitted beginning at noon on Wednesday, Nov. 27, until daybreak on Friday, Nov. 29.
    • Learn More: View Michigan’s holiday travel restrictions.

    Minnesota

    Mississippi

    Missouri

    Montana

    • Office Closed: Nov. 28
    • Travel Restrictions: No OSOW travel from Thursday, Nov. 28, until daybreak on Monday, Dec. 2.
    • Learn More: Check out Montana’s permit restrictions.

    Nebraska

    • Office Closed: Nov. 28-29
    • Travel Restrictions: No OSOW travel is permitted starting at noon on Wednesday, Nov. 27, until sunrise on Monday, Dec. 2.
    • Learn More: See Nebraska’s permitted travel guide.

    Nevada

    • Office Closed: Nov. 28-29
    • Travel Restrictions:
      • No OSOW travel is allowed from:
        • Noon on Wednesday, Nov. 27, until 30 minutes before sunrise on Thursday, Nov. 28.
        • 30 minutes after sunset on Thursday, Nov. 28, until 30 minutes before sunrise on Friday, Nov. 29.
        • 30 minutes after sunset on Friday, Nov. 29, until 30 minutes before sunrise on Saturday, Nov. 30.
        • 30 minutes after sunset on Saturday, Nov. 30, until noon on Sunday, Dec. 1.
        • Noon on Sunday, Dec. 1, until 30 minutes before sunrise on Monday, Dec. 2.
    • Learn More: Visit Nevada’s holiday travel restrictions.

    New Hampshire

    New Jersey

    • Office Closed: Nov. 27-28
    • Travel Restrictions: No OSOW permits will be issued or valid for travel on Wednesday, Nov. 27, and Thursday, Nov. 28.
    • Learn More: Visit New Jersey’s permitting webpage.

    New Mexico

    • Office Closed: Nov. 28
    • Travel Restrictions: No OSOW travel is permitted beginning at sunset on Wednesday, Nov. 27, until sunrise on Friday, Nov. 29.
    • Learn More: Visit New Mexico’s permitting webpage.

    New York

    North Carolina

    • Office Closed: Nov. 28-29
    • Travel Restrictions: No travel for OSOW permitted vehicles or combinations with a gross weight exceeding 112,000 lbs is authorized on North Carolina highways from noon on Wednesday, Nov. 27, until noon on Friday, Nov. 29.
    • Learn More: View North Carolina’s OSOW holiday restrictions.

    North Dakota

    • Office Closed: Nov. 28
    • Travel Restrictions: No oversized loads exceeding 16 feet wide are allowed to move starting at noon on Wednesday, Nov. 27, until 30 minutes before sunrise on Friday, Nov. 29.
    • Learn More: Check out North Dakota’s OSOW permit pages.

    Ohio

    • Office Closed: Nov. 28
    • Travel Restrictions: No OSOW travel permitted starting at noon on Wednesday, Nov. 27, until sunrise on Friday, Nov. 29.
    • Learn More: See Ohio’s holiday restrictions.

    Oklahoma

    • Office Closed: Nov. 28-29
    • Travel Restrictions: No OSOW travel is permitted on Thursday, Nov. 28.
    • Learn More: Visit Oklahoma’s permitting page.

    Oregon

    • Office Closed: Nov. 28-29

      Travel Restrictions:
      • No OSOW exceeding 8 feet 6 inches wide can travel from noon on Wednesday, Nov. 27, until 30 minutes before sunrise on Monday, Dec 2.

        Exceptions to this rule:
        • Travel allowed between 12:01 a.m. on Thursday, Nov. 28, and 12 p.m. (midnight) on Saturday, Nov. 30, on certain routes.
        • Travel allowed between 12:01 a.m. Monday, Dec. 2, and 30 minutes before sunrise on certain routes.
        • Division 74 Triples, Division 78 Long Logs/Poles and Pilings may not move from noon on Wednesday, Nov. 27, until sunrise on Monday, Dec. 2.
    • Learn More: Visit Oregon’s complete holiday restrictions page.

    Pennsylvania

    • Office Closed: Nov. 28-29
    • Travel Restrictions: No OSOW travel is permitted from noon on Wednesday, Nov. 27, until sunrise on Monday, Dec. 2.
    • Learn More: View Pennsylvania’s OSOW hauling website.

    Rhode Island

    • Office Closed: Nov. 28
    • Travel Restrictions: No OSOW travel permitted starting on Wednesday, Nov. 27, through Sunday, Dec. 1.
    • Learn More: Visit Rhode Island’s OSOW webpage.

    South Carolina

    • Office Closed: Nov. 28-29
    • Travel Restrictions: No OSOW travel is permitted on Thursday, Nov. 28.
    • Learn More: Learn more about OSOW shipping in South Carolina.

    South Dakota

    • Office Closed: Nov. 28
    • Travel Restrictions: No OSOW holiday travel restrictions.
    • Learn More: Learn more about permitting in South Dakota.

    Tennessee

    • Office Closed: Nov. 28-29
    • Travel Restrictions:
      • No OSOW escorted travel is allowed starting at noon on Wednesday, Nov. 27, through Sunday, Dec. 1.
      • No travel on Thursday, Nov. 28, for site-built houses and houseboats.
      • All other OSOW loads are allowed to move normally.
    • Learn More: Visit Tennessee’s permitting website.

    Texas

    • Office Closed: Nov. 28-29
    • Travel Restrictions: The movement of loads exceeding 14 feet wide, 16 feet high, or 110 feet long, and all manufactured housing is suspended on Thursday, Nov. 28.
    • Learn More: View Texas’ holiday restrictions.

    Utah

    • Office Closed: Nov. 28
    • Travel Restrictions: No OSOW exceeding 10 feet wide, 14 feet 6 inches tall, or 105 feet long may travel starting at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 27, until daylight on Friday, Nov. 29.
    • Learn More: Visit Utah’s permitting page.

    Vermont

    • Office Closed: Nov. 28-29
    • Travel Restrictions: No shipment exceeding 108,000 pounds, 12 feet wide, or 100 feet long may travel on Thursday, Nov. 28.
    • Learn More: View Vermont’s full permit rules.

    Virginia

    • Office Closed: Nov. 28-29
    • Travel Restrictions: No OSOW travel is permitted starting at noon on Wednesday, Nov. 27, until sunrise on Friday, Nov. 29.
    • Learn More: Visit Virginia’s hauling permits page.

    Washington

    • Office Closed: Nov. 28-29
    • Travel Restrictions: No OSOW travel is permitted starting at noon on Wednesday, Nov. 27, until sunrise on Saturday, Nov. 30.
    • Learn More: Learn more about Washington’s OSOW permitting requirements.

    West Virginia

    Wisconsin

    • Office Closed: Nov. 28-29
    • Travel Restrictions:
      • For freight exceeding 13 feet 6 inches tall, 150 feet long, or 12 feet wide, no travel is permitted starting at noon on Wednesday, Nov. 27, until sunrise on Friday, Nov. 29.
      • In Columbia, Dane, Milwaukee, Rock, and Waukesha counties, freight not exceeding the stated dimensions cannot travel from 4-8 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 27, and Thursday, Nov. 28.
    • Learn More: View Wisconsin’s complete holiday hours for oversize cargo.

    Wyoming

    • Office Closed: Nov. 28
    • Travel Restrictions: Any OSOW load requiring escorts is prohibited from traveling starting 30 minutes after sunset on Wednesday, Nov. 27, until 30 minutes before sunrise on Friday, Nov. 29.
    • Learn More: Visit Wyoming’s permit resources webpage.

    Preparing for Holiday Freight Challenges

    The Thanksgiving holiday season brings more than just road restrictions—it’s a time when increased traffic, limited daylight, and permit office closures add extra complexity to freight shipping. As a freight professional, staying ahead of these challenges requires careful planning and expert knowledge.

    Tips for Navigating Holiday Freight Rules

    1. Plan Permits Early: With many offices closed during the holiday, secure all necessary permits in advance to avoid last-minute surprises.
    2. Communicate with Carriers: Ensure your drivers are fully aware of route restrictions and timing limitations for each state.
    3. Monitor Your Routes: Unexpected delays can happen during busy travel days, so have contingency plans in place for alternate routes.
    4. Partner with Experts: Working with a knowledgeable freight broker can make all the difference in navigating holiday complexities.

    At Abound Transport, we’re here to simplify your shipping during Thanksgiving and beyond. With our expertise in oversized freight logistics, you can focus on your business while we handle the details.

    FAQs About Thanksgiving Oversize Freight Restrictions

    1. What’s the most common restriction during Thanksgiving?
    Many states prohibit oversize freight movement on Thanksgiving Day itself, while some extend restrictions to the days before and after the holiday.

    2. Are all state permit offices closed on Thanksgiving?
    Yes, most state permit offices are closed on Thanksgiving, and many remain closed through Black Friday. Always check ahead to ensure permits are in place before the holiday.

    3. Can I move oversized loads during restricted times with a special permit?
    This depends on the state. Some states allow exceptions, but most enforce strict bans during peak holiday travel times.

    4. How can I avoid delays during the Thanksgiving season?
    Plan early, review all state restrictions, and ensure drivers are informed about specific travel limitations. Partnering with a broker like Abound Transport ensures you stay compliant.

    5. Does every state have restrictions during Thanksgiving?
    No, not every state has restrictions. States like Alaska and Louisiana have no specific rules for oversize freight during Thanksgiving.

    Let Abound Transport handle the details. We got you!

    Managing oversized freight during the holidays doesn’t have to be stressful. At Abound Transport, we specialize in navigating complex regulations and ensuring your freight moves smoothly—even during peak travel times like Thanksgiving.

    Let us take the guesswork out of shipping this holiday season. Contact us today to get started on a logistics plan tailored to your needs.

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