How heavy haul and oversize loads are priced
A normal dry van load is priced per mile. Oversize work is priced per job, because the costs go well beyond the truck:
Quote = loaded miles × linehaul rate
+ deadhead miles × deadhead rate
+ permits (each state on the route)
+ pilot cars (miles × escort rate, or their minimum)
+ extras (tarps, flags, tolls, route surveys, delay days)
Oversize loads often can't run at night, on weekends or on holidays in some states, so a 650-mile trip can take two or three days. Charge for that time.
How much do oversize loads pay per mile?
| Equipment / load | Common linehaul range |
|---|---|
| Flatbed or step deck, legal size | About $2.60–$3.60/mi (DAT flatbed spot, Sept 2026) |
| Step deck, oversize (wide, no escorts) | About $3.50–$5.00/mi |
| RGN / lowboy heavy haul | About $4.00–$8.00+/mi |
| Superloads (engineering, police escorts) | Quoted per job |
Permits and pilot cars are added on top of these figures. Pilot cars commonly charge about $1.75–$2.50 a mile with a daily minimum. Treat the ranges as a starting point. Your lane, the season and how much paperwork the load needs all move the price.
Flatbed figure: DAT national flatbed spot average for September 2026 was $3.61/mi including fuel and $2.60 without. The other ranges are typical market quotes, not published averages.
Divisible vs non-divisible loads
A divisible load can be split into smaller loads to stay within legal size and weight limits, such as a stack of steel coils or pallets. States generally won't issue oversize or overweight permits for divisible loads. You split them instead. A non-divisible load is one item that can't be taken apart without damage or excessive cost, such as a bulldozer, transformer or bridge beam. Only non-divisible loads qualify for most oversize and overweight permits.
Permits and pilot cars
- Permits: needed in every state on the route once a load is over legal width (usually 8 ft 6 in), height, length or weight. Single-trip oversize permits often run tens of dollars to a couple of hundred per state. Overweight permits can add a per-mile or per-ton fee.
- Pilot cars (escorts): each state sets the width, length and height that need one or two escorts, and on which roads. Wider loads, two-lane highways and urban areas usually need more escorts.
- Restrictions: daylight-only travel, curfews in cities and holiday bans are common. Build these into your days on the road.
Common questions
How much do oversize loads pay per mile?
Linehaul for oversize step deck freight commonly runs about $3.50 to $5.00 a mile, and RGN or lowboy heavy haul about $4 to $8 or more. Permits and pilot cars are billed on top.
What is a divisible load?
A load that can be split into smaller loads to meet legal size and weight limits. Divisible loads generally can't get oversize or overweight permits; they must be split instead.
What is a non-divisible load?
A single item that can't be taken apart without damage or excessive cost, such as heavy equipment or a transformer. Non-divisible loads qualify for oversize and overweight permits.
Who pays for permits and pilot cars?
Usually the shipper, through the carrier's quote. List them as separate lines so they're clearly paid on top of the linehaul rate.