Any vehicle, or combination of vehicles, trailer(s), or load exceeding 125 feet in overall length must obtain authorization from a Chief Engineer, the Turnpike Highway Patrol Commander, or his designee, prior to moving such vehicle on the Kansas Turnpike. Authorization will not be granted for night operation, except in extreme emergency, or disaster conditions.

 

Vehicles and/or loads activating high load detectors when entering the Kansas Turnpike are required to stop, and cannot proceed until authorized by a Turnpike Highway Patrol Trooper. All overhead structures on the Kansas Turnpike will allow movement of loads not exceeding 14 feet in height. All vehicles and/or loads over 14 feet in height will be denied entry until a Turnpike Highway Patrol Trooper has measured the load. The trooper will then authorize or prohibit entry onto the Kansas Turnpike based on the measured height of the vehicle and/or load and the destination of the vehicle and/or load.

 

Vehicles and/or loads up to, but not exceeding 12 feet in width may use the Kansas Turnpike without special authorization during daylight hours. Loads exceeding 8 feet 6 inches in width MAY NOT travel the Kansas Turnpike during nighttime hours. Authorization for loads wider than 8 feet 6 inches during nighttime operation will only be granted in extreme emergency or disaster conditions. Vehicles and/or loads exceeding 12 feet wide are required to obtain authorization from a Chief Engineer, the Turnpike Highway Patrol Commander, or his designee prior to using the Kansas Turnpike. Movement of vehicles over 14 feet in width is limited to Monday through Thursday between the hours of 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. At least one escort vehicle is required to accompany the movement of loads over 14 feet in width on the Kansas Turnpike. Vehicles and/or loads exceeding 16 feet in width will rarely be authorized for any operation on the Kansas Turnpike.

 

All vehicle axle weights must comply with Kansas Law (KSA 8-1908 and 8-1909). "Single Axle" shall not exceed 20,000 pounds, including any axle of a group of axles. "Tandem Axles" shall not exceed 34,000 pounds, with such axles spaced not less than 40 inches and not more than 96 inches apart. "Triple Axles" shall not exceed 42,000 pounds, with such three or more consecutive axles spaced more than 96 inches and not more than 120 inches apart. "Quad Axles" shall not exceed 50,000 pounds, with such four or more consecutive axles arranged in tandem, spaced more than 120 inches and not more than 150 inches apart. No authorization is required for vehicles and/or loads up to and including 120,000 pounds if legal axle weights are not exceeded. Any vehicle and/or load exceeding the above weight limitations cannot legally use the Kansas Turnpike without advance authorization from a Chief Engineer. Such authorization will be unlikely except in extreme emergency, or disaster situations.