Holiday and Weekend Travel Restrictions for New York Trucking Permits

Jan. 5, 2026, 7:31 p.m.
Operating oversize or overweight loads in New York requires careful planning — especially around weekends and major holidays. The New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) sets strict travel restrictions to ensure safety and minimize disruption during peak travel periods. Understanding these rules helps carriers avoid fines, delays, and permit violations.
Holiday and Weekend Travel Restrictions for New York Trucking Permits

1. Standard Travel Day Rules

Under New York’s permitting regulations, oversize and overweight movements are generally only authorized on regular weekdays, and only during daylight hours — from 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset — unless a specific permit states otherwise. dot.ny.gov

2. Weekend Restrictions

  • No movement is permitted on Sundays under standard special hauling permits.  

  • Saturday travel is restricted:
    Most oversize/overweight moves are not allowed on Saturdays or Sundays. However, there is a limited exception: loads no wider than 12 feet and no longer than 85 feet that can travel at normal highway speeds may be permitted to move on Saturday — but only until 12 noon, and only if that Saturday is not immediately before or after a holiday weekend.  

These exceptions are especially useful for carriers needing weekend flexibility, but you must verify the load dimensions and permit conditions.  

3. Major Holiday Travel Restrictions

New York strictly prohibits oversize and overweight permitted travel on major holidays, and often starts the restriction early in the day before the holiday:

Restricted Holiday Periods Include:

  • New Year’s Day

  • Memorial Day

  • Independence Day (July 4)

  • Labor Day

  • Thanksgiving Day

  • Christmas Day

For most of these holidays, travel is banned from 12:00 PM (noon) the day before the holiday, continuing through the holiday itself.  

 

Example: For Thanksgiving, no oversize/overweight travel is allowed from noon the Wednesday before Thanksgiving through Thanksgiving Day. 

These restrictions apply whether the holiday falls on a weekday or weekend. 

4. What Do These Restrictions Mean for Your Trip?

  • Plan early: If your route crosses into a holiday timeframe, plan to arrive well in advance or schedule for after the restricted period.

  • Verify permit type: Some permits may list specific additional restrictions or allowances based on load type.

  • Don’t assume Sunday movement: Without special provisions, Sunday travel is generally not authorized. 

5. Special Notes & Exceptions

  • Overweight-only loads: Heavier loads that are not oversize and are within 125% of legal weight may have fewer timing restrictions — but this depends on the permit and must be confirmed before travel. 

  • Local or City Permits (e.g., NYC): New York City may have separate travel windows or limitations, especially for oversize permits issued by NYC DOT. These are outside the state’s standard holiday/weekend rules and must be checked separately. 

  • NY Thruway holiday schedules: The Thruway authority also publishes specific holiday travel advisories that can affect permitted loads on its toll road system. 

Quick Summary of New York Holiday & Weekend Restrictions

Day Type Travel Allowed? Notes
Weekdays  (Daylight hours) With valid permit
Saturdays  (until noon for small oversize loads) For ≤12’ wide, ≤85’ long loads only
Sundays no Standard permits do not authorize Sunday travel
Major Holidays no No travel from noon day before through the holiday

Final Tip: Always check the exact wording on your issued permit and consult NYSDOT or a permit service before scheduling around holiday weekends to avoid costly compliance issues.

 

Holiday and Weekend Travel Restrictions for New York Trucking Permits