Heavy Haul in Florida: Permits, Routes, and Real Costs for Oversize Loads in 2026

Moving an oversize or overweight load across Florida is a different exercise than moving a 40-foot dry van. The truck is bigger, the chassis configuration matters, the permits are state-issued and route-specific, and the cost structure has a half-dozen line items that a standard FTL quote does not. If you are quoting a heavy haul out of PortMiami or anywhere in South Florida in 2026, here is what you need to plan for.

What counts as heavy haul in Florida

Florida defines an oversize vehicle as one that exceeds 8 feet 6 inches wide, 13 feet 6 inches tall, 75 feet long, or 80,000 pounds gross vehicle weight. Anything beyond those limits requires a Florida Department of Transportation oversize/overweight permit. Single-trip permits are the most common, but blanket permits exist for repetitive moves on defined routes.

Equipment choice drives everything

The first question on any heavy haul quote is what trailer the load needs. A low boy handles taller loads that would otherwise exceed bridge clearance. A Landoll with hydraulic tilt is the right choice for self-propelled equipment that needs to drive on. An RGN (removable gooseneck) handles the tallest, heaviest loads and lets you drive cargo on directly from grade level. Go Drayage maintains a fleet that includes low boys, Landolls, and RGNs out of South Florida, which is rare for a regional carrier.

Permitting realities

Florida FDOT permits are route-specific. The state will not approve a permit if the routing crosses a bridge that cannot bear the load or passes under a structure too low. That means the permit office has to evaluate the actual proposed route, including bridges, work zones, and overhead structures. In 2026, single-trip permit turnarounds are typically 2 to 5 business days, faster for routine moves and longer for superloads requiring engineering review. Plan accordingly.

Escort vehicles and police

Florida requires certified pilot/escort vehicles for oversize loads above defined thresholds. Loads wider than 12 feet generally require one escort, wider than 14 feet require two, and loads above certain dimensions require a Florida Highway Patrol escort. FHP escort scheduling is a separate process from the FDOT permit and adds its own lead time and cost.

Daylight and weekend restrictions

Most Florida oversize movements are limited to daylight hours, Monday through Saturday, with no movement on Sundays, holidays, or during certain peak traffic periods in metro areas. Movement is generally not permitted in adverse weather, which in summer South Florida means afternoon thunderstorms can freeze a planned move. Building a 24- to 48-hour weather window into the schedule is good practice.

What heavy haul actually costs

A heavy haul quote should itemize the linehaul, the trailer surcharge (low boy, Landoll, or RGN), the FDOT permit cost (varies by dimensions and route), the escort cost, FHP cost if required, any necessary route survey or engineering, and fuel surcharge. Shippers who only see a single number usually find out about the rest after the fact.

Where heavy haul intersects with project cargo

Most heavy hauls in Florida are not one-off moves. They are part of a larger project: an industrial install, a generator delivery, a vessel-discharged piece of plant machinery going from PortMiami to a job site in central Florida. A 3PL that can pair the drayage off the vessel, the bonded storage, the heavy-haul move, and the customs paperwork delivers a meaningfully simpler process than four separate vendors stitched together.

Need an oversize or overweight move in Florida? Learn about our oversized loading service or request a quote.