Missouri

 

When escorts are needed	# of escorts
On 2-lane and undivided highways
- Width over 12'6" to 14' (2 lane)	1 escort (Front)
- Width over 12'6" to 14' (off designated highways)	2 escorts (Front and Rear)
- Width over 14' to 16'	2 escorts (Front and Rear)
- Width exceeding 16'	1 escort (Rear) + police escort in front
- Length over 90' for a combination unit on all highways except divided highways	1 escort (Rear)
- Height over 15'6"	1 escort with height pole
Interstate and divided multi-lane highways
- Width over 12'6" to 16'	1 escort (Rear)
- Width exceeding 16'	2 escorts (Rear) + police escort in front
- Width 18' or greater on interstate	2 escorts (Rear) + police escort in front
- Length of 150' or greater on interstate	2 escorts (Rear) + police escort in front
- Height over 15'6"	1 escort (Front) with height pole and route survey required

Special escort requirements may be specified whenever size, speed or operation of move may require them.

State police escorts:

• A police escort is required in front of loads exceeding 16' wide on 2-lane highways and on any highway other than interstate.
• On the interstate, a police escort is required for any load equal to or exceeding 18’ wide or 150’ in overall length.

Super loads:

All dimensions or weights exceeding the routine limits of the oversize and overweight permit rules (generally in excess of 16’ wide, 16’ high, 150’ long, and/or over 160,000 lbs. gross weight) are considered super loads. If over 17’5” high must have written approval from the appropriate utility company showing approval to disturb lines across route. No movement between 6:30AM-9AM and 3:30PM to 6PM.

If Missouri State Highway Patrol escorts are required for a continuous portion of the move but not the entire move, they are only required for that portion. If the patrol escort is required for an intermittent portion of the move, they will be required to escort the entire move.

The following requirements apply to super heavy and large load movements:

• One front and 1 rear civilian escort is required for all super loads in excess of 350,000 lbs.
• One front civilian escort is required for all super loads on 2-lane highways, except if a load is required to cross bridge structures at crawl speed in the Kansas City and St. Louis areas then 1 front and 2 rear civilian escorts are required for that portion of the move.
• One front and 2 rear civilian escorts are required on all sections of dual-lane highways traversed if load exceeds 16’ wide and Missouri State Highway Patrol escorts are not present. If Missouri State Highway Patrol escorts are present, 1 front and 1 rear civilian escort are required in addition to the civilian escorts required above.
• Missouri State Highway Patrol escorts are required when load exceeds:
  A. 16’ wide on any highway other than interstate or MO 370;
  B. 18’ wide on interstate or MO 370;
  C. 150’ overall length on any highway;
  D. 17’ high on any highway;
  E. Any time deemed necessary due to complexity of route or load.

Escort vehicle requirements can differ significantly by state in terms of mandatory driver qualifications, training, certifications, vehicle weights, obligatory signage/flags/lighting, necessary onboard equipment, and more. The ODS team can provide you with all additional requirements specific to your route.