Virginia

Escort Requirements:

When Escorts are Required & Number of Escorts:

Width:

• 12’1 – 14’:

• Non-Interstate: 2 (Lead and Chase)

• Interstate: 1 Chase

• 14’1” – 16’:

• Non-Interstate: 3 (2 Lead and Chase)

• Interstate: 2 (Lead and Chase)

• 16’1” – 18’:

• Non-Interstate: 4 (2 Lead and 2 Chase)

• Interstate: 3 (Lead and 2 Chase)

• Any load exceeding 18’ wide and/or 200' long:

• Escorted on a case-by-case basis.

Height:

• Greater than 14’5”:

• Non-Interstate: Height-Pole

• Interstate: Height-Pole

Length:

• 90’1” – 120’:

• Non-Interstate: 1 Chase

• Interstate: No escort needed

• 120’1” – 150’:

• Non-Interstate: 1 Chase

• Interstate: 1 Rear

• 150’1” – 200’:

• Non-Interstate: 2 (Lead and Chase)

• Interstate: 2 (Lead and Chase)

• Any load exceeding 200’ long:

• Escorted on a case-by-case basis.

Overhang:

• Exceeding 10’ :Lead

• Non-Interstate: Lead

• Exceeding 15’ : Lead

• Non-Interstate: 1 Chase

Top of Form

​

In Chesapeake:

• For widths exceeding 10’7” up to 12’, one Lead escort is required on all routes. Additionally, a Chase escort is necessary on 2-lane undivided highways.

• In cases where lengths exceed 13’7” up to 14’, one Lead escort is needed on all routes. A Chase escort is also mandatory on 2-lane undivided highways.

• When lengths surpass 85’, a Chase escort is required on all routes.

In Hampton:

• For widths exceeding 10’ up to 10’6”, one Lead escort is required on all routes.

• In cases where widths exceed 10’7” up to 12’, two escorts (Lead and Chase) are necessary on all routes.

• When there is a side overhang exceeding 3’, two escorts (Lead and Chase) are required on all routes.

​

In Henrico:

• For widths exceeding 10’1” up to 12’, one Lead escort is required on all routes.

• When widths exceed 12’1” up to 14’, two escorts (Lead and Chase) are necessary on all routes.

In Newport News:

• Width exceeding 9’1” up to 10’ requires 1 Chase escort on 2-lane, 2-way arterial, collector, or residential roads.

• Width exceeding 10’1” up to 11’ requires 2 escorts (Lead and Chase) on 2-lane, 2-way arterial, collector, or residential roads.

• Width exceeding 11’ requires 1 Chase escort on multilane arterial roads and 2 escorts (Lead and Chase) on 2-lane, 2-way arterial, collector, or residential roads.

• For lengths exceeding 65’, 1 Chase escort is required on 2-lane, 2-way arterial, collector, or residential roads.

In Norfolk:

• Width exceeding 9’1” up to 10’6” requires 1 Chase escort on all routes.

• Width exceeding 10’6” requires 2 escorts (Lead and Chase) on all routes.

• For lengths exceeding 65’, 1 Chase escort is required on all routes.

In Portsmouth:

• Width exceeding 10’6” requires 2 escorts (Lead and Chase) on all routes.

• For lengths exceeding 85’, 2 escorts (Lead and Chase)  are required on all routes.

• Any rear overhang requires 2 escorts (Lead and Chase) on all routes.

In Suffolk:

• Width exceeding 8’7” up to 10’ requires 1 Lead escort on secondary routes.

• Width exceeding 10’1” up to 12’ requires 2 escorts (Lead and Chase) on secondary routes.

• Width exceeding 11’1” up to 12’ requires 1 Chase escort on primary routes and 2 escorts (Lead and Chase) on secondary routes.

In Virginia Beach:

• Width exceeding 10’7” up to 12’ requires 2 escorts (Lead and Chase) on all routes.

• Front overhang exceeding 10’ requires a Lead escort on all routes.

• Rear overhang exceeding 4’ requires a rear escort on all routes.

For the Big Walker Mountains Tunnel:

• Vehicles over 12' in width on Interstate 77 must be accompanied by a Chase escort.

• When the load height exceeds 14', 2 escorts (Lead and Chase) are required, and the permittee must travel on the centerline through East River and Big Walker Mountain tunnels.

​

Super loads refer to any load surpassing the standard weight chart specifications, including gross weight, axle weight, or routine dimensions. Typically, super loads are those exceeding 15’1” in width, 15' in height (depending on the permit type), and 150' in length.