Labor Day falls on Monday, September 7, 2026. For many Americans, the holiday signifies a well-earned day off and a long weekend. But for businesses that rely on freight transportation, Labor Day can create some unique shipping challenges — especially when moving oversize (OS), overweight (OW), or over-dimensional (OD) freight.
Jump to holiday restriction resources by state (alphabetical):
How Does Labor Day Affect OSOW Travel?
Labor Day can impact the movement of oversize and overweight (OSOW) freight for two primary reasons:
- Many state permitting offices are closed on Labor Day, which can delay permit processing.
- Many states impose holiday travel restrictions that limit when permitted loads can move.
Together, these factors can affect when your freight moves, how your freight moves, and what it costs to do so.
Planning ahead and verifying each state's holiday restrictions can help keep your shipment on schedule.
What Restrictions Do OSOW Drivers Need to Follow on Labor Day?
Each state has its own unique restrictions and regulations regarding holiday travel.
At Anderson Trucking Service (ATS), we've learned that the best way to plan for holiday shipping isn't to rely on previous years' schedules — it's to verify the latest information directly with each state's permitting authority.
Holiday travel restrictions can change from year to year, making the official state Department of Transportation (DOT) resources the most reliable sources.
Labor Day Travel Restrictions for Oversize Loads (by State)
To simplify your planning, we've compiled links to the best resources for Labor Day travel restrictions and organized them alphabetically by state.
A-I
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
K-N
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
O-W
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Labor Day Planning Checklist
Whether you'll be behind the wheel or coordinating freight this Labor Day, these steps can help minimize holiday delays:
- Confirm each state's current holiday travel restrictions.
- Verify your state's permit office hours before applying for permits.
- Coordinate with escort vehicles, if required.
- Communicate delivery expectations with customers.
- Build flexibility into your schedule and allow for extra transit time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Download the 2026 Freight Shipping Calendar
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 2026 Freight Shipping Calendar to learn which days in the latter half of 2026 will be the most cost-effective to ship on.
