How Far Can an Object Lawfully Extend from Your Vehicle?

One common question we hear is: how far can an object lawfully extend from your vehicle? This is a good question, because the distance varies depending on which state you’re in. Let’s take a look at the rules in each state.

The federal size regulations state that loads can extend up to 3 feet in the front, 4 feet to the rear, and 4 inches to the sides of a vehicle. Same states follow these guidelines, whereas others have overhang laws specific to their own state. For loads exceeding these limits, there usually needs to be a warning flag displayed at the end of the load during the day, and warning lights displayed at the end of the load at night. We’ve listed the size regulations for each state below.

• Alabama: A load can extend 4 feet past the rear of the bed or body of the vehicle.
• Alaska: A load can’t extend beyond 3 feet in the front of the vehicle, and 4 feet in the rear or body of the vehicle.
• Arizona: Loads can extend up to 3 feet in the front and 6 feet in the rear.
• Arkansas: Loads can extend up to 3 feet in the front and 4 feet in the rear.
• California: Loads can extend up to 3 feet to the front of the vehicle, and up to 4 feet to the rear.
• Colorado: A load can extend up to 4 feet to the front and 4 feet to the rear of a vehicle. No loads can extend beyond 4 feet to the front or 10 feet from the rear of a vehicle without a legal permit from the CO Department of Transportation.
• Connecticut: A load can extend up to 3 feet past the front and up to 4 feet past the rear of a vehicle.
• Delaware: Loads can extend up to 3 feet beyond the front of the vehicle and up to 6 feet beyond the rear of the vehicle.
• Florida: In most cases, loads can extend up to 4 feet to the rear and up to 3 feet in the front of a vehicle. For trucks transporting automobiles or boats, the load can extend up to 9 feet to the rear of the vehicle, and for trucks transporting trees, the limit is up to 10 feet to the rear.
• Georgia: Loads can extend up to 3 feet in the front and up to 4 feet to the rear of the vehicle.
• Hawaii: Loads in Hawaii can’t extend beyond 4 feet to the front and 10 feet to the rear of a vehicle.
• Idaho: A load may extend up to 4 feet past the front and 10 feet past the rear of a vehicle.
• Illinois: Loads can extend up to 3 feet beyond the front and 4 feet beyond the rear of a vehicle.
• Indiana: A load can extend up to 3 feet past the front and up to 4 feet past the rear of a vehicle.
• Iowa: Loads can extend up to 3 feet beyond the front and 4 feet beyond the rear of a vehicle.
• Kansas: Loads may extend no more than 3 feet to the front and 4 feet to the rear of a vehicle.
• Kentucky: In this state, loads can extend up to 3 feet in the front and 5 feet in the rear of a vehicle.
• Louisiana: Loads in Louisiana can extend no more than 4 feet in the front and 8 feet in the rear.
• Maine: For loads in Maine, the limit is up to 4 feet to the front and 6 feet to the rear of the vehicle.
• Maryland: Vehicles in this state can carry loads that extend up to 3 feet in the front and 6 feet in the rear.
• Massachusetts: Loads can extend up to 3 feet in the front and 4 feet in the rear.
• Michigan: Any size load is permitted in Michigan, as long as it doesn’t exceed the overall legal length of the vehicle. For loads extended beyond 4 feet, there needs to be a red flag attached to the end of the load during the day, and a red light or lantern at night.
• Minnesota: Loads can extend up to 3 feet beyond the front of the vehicle, and up to 4 feet to the rear of the vehicle.
• Mississippi: In this state, a load can extend no more than 3 feet to the front and 15 feet to the rear of the vehicle. Loads exceeding these limits require a permit and an escort. Forest products can extend up to 28 feet, but can only move during daylight.
• Missouri: Loads can extend up to 3 feet beyond the front and 4 feet beyond the rear of a vehicle.
• Montana: Loads can extend up to 3 feet in the front and 4 feet in the rear.
• Nebraska: In Nebraska, you can carry a load up to the overall legal length of your vehicle. Any loads exceeding 4 feet to the rear of the vehicle must display a red flag during the day, and a red light at night.
• Nevada: Loads can extend no more than 10 feet beyond the front or the rear of the vehicle, or a total of 10 feet to both the rear and the front of the vehicle.
• New Hampshire: A load can extend up to 3 feet past the front and up to 4 feet past the rear of a vehicle.
• New Jersey: Loads can extend up to 3 feet in the front and 4 feet in the rear.
• New Mexico: A special permit is required for loads that extend more than 3 feet beyond the front of the vehicle, or more than 7 feet beyond the rear of the vehicle.
• New York: Loads can extend up to 3 feet beyond the front and 4 feet beyond the rear of a vehicle.
• North Carolina: A load can extend up to 3 feet past the front and up to 4 feet past the rear of a vehicle.
• North Dakota: A load can extend up to 10 feet to the front and the rear of a vehicle.
• Ohio: In this state, loads can extend up to 3 feet in the front and 4 feet in the rear of a vehicle.
• Oklahoma: A load can extend up to 3 feet past the front and up to 4 feet past the rear of a vehicle.
• Oregon: In Oregon, loads can extend up to 3 feet in the front and 5 feet in the rear of a vehicle.
• Pennsylvania: Loads can extend up to 3 feet from the front and no more than 6 feet to the rear of the vehicle.
• Rhode Island: A load can extend up to 3 feet past the front and up to 6 feet past the rear of a vehicle.
• South Carolina: A load can extend up to 3 feet past the front and up to 4 feet past the rear of a vehicle.
• South Dakota: Loads can extend up to 3 feet beyond the front and 4 feet beyond the rear of a vehicle.
• Tennessee: In this state, loads can extend up to 3 feet in the front and 4 feet in the rear of a vehicle.
• Texas: A load can extend up to 3 feet past the front and up to 4 feet past the rear of a vehicle.
• Utah: Loads can extend up to 3 feet beyond the front and 4 feet beyond the rear of a vehicle.
• Vermont: A load can extend up to 3 feet past the front and up to 6 feet past the rear of a vehicle.
• Virginia: Loads can extend up to 3 feet beyond the front and 4 feet beyond the rear of a vehicle.
• Washington: In Washington, loads can extend up to 3 feet to the front and 15 feet to the rear of a vehicle.
• West Virginia: A load can extend up to 3 feet past the front and up to 6 feet past the rear of a vehicle.
• Wisconsin: A load can extend up to 3 feet past the front and up to 4 feet past the rear of a vehicle.
• Wyoming: Loads in Wyoming can extend up to 4 feet to the front and rear of a vehicle.

Keep in mind that these limits must be followed and ignoring them could result in an infraction or other penalties, depending on what state you’re driving in. Always be sure to follow the proper laws in your state when carrying a load.

Want to learn more about traffic safety topics? Taking an online defensive driving course or an insurance discount course is a great way to brush up on your driving skills! Click here to visit our website to see the online courses we offer in your state.

One common question we hear is: how far can an object lawfully extend from your vehicle? This is a good question, because the distance varies depending on which state you’re in. Let’s take a look at the rules in each state.