How to read a Kansas oversize permit

Kansas issues every oversize and overweight permit through K-TRIPS, KDOT's online system, which builds the route from your load's size and weight and gives a mapped route with driving directions. A routed Kansas permit must be driven on exactly the route printed on it.

How to read the route

KDOT has not published a sample permit, so the exact layout of the route section is not public. KDOT says a routed permit comes with a mapped route and driving directions. Routed permits must follow the route on the permit. K-TRIPS picks the route around low clearances, posted bridges, tight turns, and work zones based on the size, weight, and axle details you entered, so a different truck or load can get a different route.

Road names on Kansas permits

On the permit	Means
I-70	Interstate 70
US-59	U.S. Highway 59
K-10	Kansas state highway 10 (K means a Kansas highway)
K-7	Kansas state highway 7
US-77	U.S. Highway 77

Where the route starts and ends

In K-TRIPS the start and end can be set as a border crossing, an address, an intersection, a point on the map (latitude/longitude), a road and mile marker, a landmark, or a crossing state road. KDOT has not published how these are printed on the permit itself.

Conditions to watch for

Travel time

If your load is over legal width or length, you may not drive from 30 minutes after sunset until 30 minutes before sunrise, unless another rule allows it. Source

“During the time period between 30 minutes after sunset to 30 minutes before sunrise”

Weekends and holidays

The state rule lets permitted loads move every day of the year, holidays included. Your permit can still add limits, so read it. Source

“Carriers transporting oversize or overweight loads may move every day of the year, including holidays.”

City rush hours

Some cities, including Kansas City, Lawrence, Leavenworth, Leawood, Lenexa, Olathe, Overland Park, Shawnee, Topeka, and Wichita, can have no-travel windows of 7 to 9 a.m. and 4 to 6:30 p.m. Pickups and deliveries in those cities are excluded. Check your permit. Source

“Geographical time restrictions (7:00am to 9:00am, and 4:00pm to 6:30pm) may exist for certain areas”

Escorts

Superloads, large structures, and loads over 14 feet wide need escort vehicles, and escort drivers must be registered with KDOT. Source

“Superloads, large structures, and loads exceeding 14 feet in width require escort vehicles.”

Signs and flags

Over legal width or length, show an OVERSIZE LOAD sign at least 7 feet long and 18 inches high, readable from 500 feet, and a red flag at each of the four corners. Take the sign down when you are back to legal size. Overweight-only loads do not show the sign. Source

“Each such vehicle shall be equipped with red flags on all four corners of the oversize load.”

Weather

Do not move a permitted load when you can see less than half a mile, in moderate to heavy rain, sleet, snow, fog, or smoke, or on icy, snow-packed, or slick roads. Source

Easy to miss

K-TRIPS also has a free "Bid Route" tool. KDOT calls that a preliminary, suggested route only. Drive the route on your issued permit, not a bid route.
City rush-hour windows can apply in Wichita, Topeka, the Kansas City suburbs, and other listed cities. The Highway Patrol says to check your permit before you start.
Escort drivers must be registered with KDOT. An officer can stop the load until a registered escort is in place.

Questions

How do I get an oversize permit in Kansas?

All Kansas oversize and overweight permits come from K-TRIPS at k-trips.ksdot.gov. The KDOT Central Permitting Office phone number is (785) 368-6501. Weigh stations do not sell permits.

Can oversize loads run at night in Kansas?

Not if the load is over legal width or length. Those loads may not run from 30 minutes after sunset to 30 minutes before sunrise unless another rule allows it. Loads that are only overweight may run at night.

Can I run an oversize load on a holiday in Kansas?

The state rule says permitted loads may move every day of the year, holidays included. Your permit can still carry its own limits, such as city rush-hour windows, so read it before you go.

Sources

Your permit is the legal document; follow everything it says. Rules change; check KDOT's site before you move.Last checked October 2026.