Labor Day is a federal holiday set aside to honor the hard-working individuals who keep our country working.
Like all holidays, it’s also a day our hard-working drivers keep goods and commodities moving. Your Labor Day supplies — including grills, camping gear, notebooks and backpacks, and even the patio furniture you got on sale — were all transported in a truck.
The Anderson Trucking Company (ATS) team has been transporting freight for more than 65 Labor Days. During that time, we've learned that the best way to predict the holiday regulations is not to try to predict it – it's best to go to the source.
We've compiled links to the best sources of information for Labor Day travel restrictions. Click the link for any states you plan to travel through for accurate and complete information.
What Restrictions Do Drivers Need to Follow on Labor Day?
Dry vans and most flatbed loads can travel as usual during Labor Day weekend (however, it will likely cost more – drivers earn a premium for working holidays).
Oversize cargo that requires a special permit, like mobile homes, construction supplies and heavy equipment, have restricted travel times. Many states forbid oversize/overweight loads from traveling on state roads during all or part of the holiday weekend.
Most state offices are closed on Labor Day, September 4, and each state has individual restrictions for oversize travel. Hauling overdimensional freight during these restricted times can mean significant fines, so it’s best to understand the restrictions and plan accordingly.
Which States Have Restrictions on Labor Day Permitted Travel?
The first weekend of September is a busy one for the transportation industry. Labor Day often means changes to drivers' home lives, it's in the middle of the busy harvest season and it's also the time when retailers are preparing for the fourth quarter. It's a busy time on roads nationwide for all types of freight.
The best source of information is the Department of Transportation for the state(s) you will be traveling through. Below is a list of all 50 states in the union, and a link to their holiday travel restrictions.
Alabama Department of Transportation Holiday Restrictions
Alaska Administrative Permit Manual: Oversize and Overweight Permits
California Transportation Permit Special Conditions for Holiday Travel
Colorado Holiday Restrictions & Important Notices
Connecticut Transportation Permits and Holiday Restrictions
Delaware Oversize / Overweight Permit System
Florida Holiday Travel Restriction
Georgia State Patrol Motor Carrier Compliance Division
Illinois Transportation Automated Permits
Indiana Department of Revenue General Provisions of an Oversize/Overweight Vehicle Permit
Iowa General Provisions for Oversize Load Permits
Kansas DOT Permit Applications and Information
Kentucky Overweight Overdimensional
Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development Get a Permit
Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles
Massachusetts Commercial Truck Permits
Maryland Department of Transportation Hauling Permit Restrictions
Michigan Holiday Travel Restrictions
Minnesota Holiday Travel Restrictions for Oversize Vehicles
Mississippi Office of Enforcement
Missouri Oversize/Overweight Permit Restrictions
Montana Holiday Restrictions for 2023
Nebraska Observed Holidays 2023
Nevada Holiday Travel Restrictions
New Hampshire Holiday Travel Restrictions
New Jersey DOT Permit Requirements
New Mexico Transportation and Highways Size and Weight of Vehicles and Loads
New York Oversize Holiday Travel Restrictions
North Carolina Oversize/Overweight Travel Restrictions
North Dakota Oversize/Overweight Restrictions
Ohio Holiday Restrictions Notice
Pennsylvania Holiday Travel Restrictions
Rhode Island Statewide Truck and Bridge Restrictions
South Carolina Permit Office Closures
South Dakota Clearance & Route Restrictions
Tennessee Holiday Travel Restrictions
Texas Holiday Hours & Movement Restrictions
Vermont Overweight and Overdimension Permits
Virginia Register and Regulations
Washington State Commercial Vehicle Guide
Wisconsin Holiday Days and Operations for Oversize Vehicles
Wyoming Trucking/Commercial Vehicles
As you can see in the linked content, there's a variety of restrictions for overdimensional travel over the holiday weekend. Before hitting the road with a permitted load, be sure you are prepared for any additional restrictions.
Download the 2023 Holiday Freight Schedule
Fines for hauling a permitted load during restricted times will be significant. The bottom line is that if you can avoid hauling a permitted load over Labor Day, that is probably the easiest answer. But if it can't be avoided, be sure to abide by the restrictions for whatever state you are in.
Labor Day isn’t the only holiday that impacts oversize freight travel. Planning ahead now will save money and time in the long run. Download the 2023 Holiday Freight Schedule to plan and prepare your shipping schedule.
If you're looking for a quote for holiday or non-holiday travel, the ATS team is happy to help.
