Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Heavy Haul Trucking in Pittsburgh
Oversize and superload freight in and out of Pittsburgh and Allegheny County, with PennDOT and Turnpike permits, routing and pilot cars run by our own team.
This page is general information only, not legal advice and not a permit. Rules change often and each state's permit and official rules are the final word. Always confirm limits, escorts, routes and travel times with the state permit office before moving a load. Reliable Transport LLC is not responsible for decisions made using this information.
Pittsburgh heavy haul
Tunnels, rivers and urbanized area hours
Reliable Transport LLC runs heavy haul and superload moves across the USA and Canada from our home base in Dayton, Ohio. For a Pittsburgh load, our in house team files the PennDOT permit and any local permit, plans the route and books the escorts, and times the move to fit the urbanized area windows and the tunnel hours that apply in Allegheny County.
Hauling through other states? Use our permit map and route planner
Open the route plannerLocal rules
Pittsburgh tunnels, hours and Turnpike legs
Rules come from the Pennsylvania Code, PennDOT and the Pennsylvania Turnpike. Single source items say check with the agency.
Allegheny County tunnels
Permitted loads may use the Fort Pitt, Squirrel Hill or Liberty Tunnels only from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. (67 Pa. Code 179.10, PennDOT form M 938, permit conditions)
Urbanized area hours
In urbanized areas, permitted loads move 7 days a week only 3 to 7:30 a.m., 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. to sunset, except on holidays. From 3 a.m. to sunrise the load needs extra lighting seen from 1,000' on all sides and pilot cars. (67 Pa. Code 179.10, PennDOT form M 938, permit conditions)
Turnpike legs
The PennDOT permit is not valid on the Turnpike. On Turnpike 576, 43, 66 and I 376 the Turnpike allows up to 14'W and 14'H, with a company escort over 11'6"W and a certified escort over 14'W. A trip through a tunnel over 11'6"W needs a State Police escort in the tunnel. The permit fee is $37 plus 24 cents per ton mile over 80,000 lbs. (Pennsylvania Turnpike permits and restrictions, 67 Pa. Code 179.10)
City and local streets
Local roads and streets need the local authority's permission, and the permit lists them in brackets or parentheses. (67 Pa. Code 179.10, PennDOT form M 938, permit conditions) Check with the City of Pittsburgh Department of Mobility and Infrastructure.
Sources: 67 Pa. Code 179.10; PennDOT form M 938, permit conditions; Pennsylvania Turnpike permits and restrictions.
Pennsylvania rules
Pittsburgh oversize rules at a glance
The Allegheny County tunnel rule first, then the PennDOT rules every Pittsburgh load runs under.
Pittsburgh and Pennsylvania
Official sources linked| Where | Restriction |
|---|---|
| Fort Pitt, Squirrel Hill and Liberty Tunnels | 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. only. (67 Pa. Code 179.10, PennDOT form M 938, permit conditions) |
| Urbanized areas | 3 to 7:30 a.m., 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. to sunset, 7 days a week, except holidays. (67 Pa. Code 179.10, PennDOT form M 938, permit conditions) |
| Legal limits | Without a permit, a load in Pennsylvania can be up to 8'6"W and 13'6"H, at up to 80,000 lbs gross. (75 Pa.C.S. 4921, width, 75 Pa.C.S. 4922, height, 75 Pa.C.S. 4941, weight) |
| Length pilot car | A load over 90'L, or more than 15' past the rear, needs one following pilot car. (67 Pa. Code 179.10, general conditions, PennDOT pilot car cheat sheet) |
| Width pilot car | A load over 13'W needs one pilot car: behind on roads with two or more lanes in your direction, in front on roads with one. (67 Pa. Code 179.10, general conditions, PennDOT pilot car cheat sheet) |
| Height pole | A load over 14'6"H needs a lead pilot car with a height pole, 1,000' to 3,000' ahead, and the utilities on the route get at least 24 hours' notice. (67 Pa. Code 179.10, general conditions, PennDOT form M 938, permit conditions) |
| Holidays | No movement over the six holidays on PennDOT's yearly list, starting at 12 noon. (PennDOT 2026 holiday travel restrictions, 67 Pa. Code 179.10, general conditions) |
| Turnpike and local roads | The PennDOT permit is not valid on the Pennsylvania Turnpike, and local roads need the local authority's permission. (67 Pa. Code 179.10, general conditions, PennDOT form M 938, permit conditions) |
Rules change often. We checked these on October 2, 2026 against the official sources linked in each row, and each one against a second source where one exists; single source items say check with the agency. Our permitting team confirms the current rules for every move.
Our moves
Heavy loads we have moved
These moves ran on other routes. They show the size of loads our team permits, routes and escorts.
150,000 lb transformer
Pocatello, ID - Akron, OH in early 2024, at 240,000 lbs gross and 16'H loaded, with help from the Ohio State Highway Patrol.
207,000 lb dryer drum
Louisville, KY - Richmond, VA in December 2025, at 300,000 lbs gross and 165'L x 13'6"W x 17'H loaded, with a crew of 15.
220,000 lb submarine engine
Within Missouri in January 2025, at 320,000 lbs gross and 136'L x 10'W x 16'H loaded.
Moving something in Pittsburgh?
Send the size and weight. We will tell you what the permit, route and escorts look like.
Request a quote →See every move on our Moves page.
Questions
Pittsburgh heavy haul questions
When can an oversize load use the Pittsburgh tunnels?
Only from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. through the Fort Pitt, Squirrel Hill or Liberty Tunnels in Allegheny County.
What hours can oversize loads move in the Pittsburgh area?
In urbanized areas, 3 to 7:30 a.m., 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. to sunset, 7 days a week, except on holidays.
Does the PennDOT permit cover the Turnpike?
No. The Turnpike issues its own permit, and on Turnpike 576, 43, 66 and I 376 it allows up to 14'W and 14'H.
How heavy a load can you haul?
Our superload service handles loads up to 300,000 lbs, with permits, routing and escorts by our own team.
Hauling through other states? Use our permit map and route planner
Open the route plannerKeep planning
More for your Pittsburgh move
Other city pages
Pittsburgh heavy haul
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Send the load dimensions, weight, pickup and delivery points. Our in house team prices the permits, route and escorts and gets back to you fast.
This page is general information only, not legal advice and not a permit. Rules change often and each state's permit and official rules are the final word. Always confirm limits, escorts, routes and travel times with the state permit office before moving a load. Reliable Transport LLC is not responsible for decisions made using this information.