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Height limitUnited States

An introduction to the traffic rules and road signs of United States. Learn about driving, road safety and much more in our illustrated book, with answers to frequently asked questions.

For informational purposes only. Always follow official regulations. Some content and images were created with AI assistance.

Traffic signs
Traffic rules
United States

35. Height limit

A height limit prohibits vehicles whose total height exceeds the value shown from entering or passing a road section, bridge, tunnel, gateway or other structure. The vehicle’s height includes its load and any equipment attached above it.

Drivers of tall vehicles must know their exact height, observe advance warnings and use an alternative route when necessary. They should never rely only on visual judgment or attempt to pass beneath a structure when safe clearance is uncertain.

Height limit of 11 feet 8 inches or 3.55 meters at a bridge. Overheight when the lights are flashing. (North Carolina, United States)
Wikimedia.org • Washuotaku • CC BY-SA
How should you read a low-bridge height restriction in the United States?

Low-clearance warnings in the United States commonly use feet and inches. Do not confuse a clearance warning with a legally posted vehicle restriction, and never drive beneath a structure unless the vehicle has sufficient actual headroom.

🔗 mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov • FHWA MUTCD11th Edition including Revision1 December2025 — relevant regulatory/warning/guide, marking and signal provisions

Does a roof load count when checking vehicle height in the United States?

Yes for practical clearance: measure the vehicle at its highest point with its load and fitted accessories, such as a roof box, bicycle or roof rack. Check the local legal measurement rules as well; an empty vehicle’s registered height is not enough when equipment has been added.

🔗 mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov • FHWA MUTCD11th Edition including Revision1 December2025 — relevant regulatory/warning/guide, marking and signal provisions

What should you do if your vehicle is too high for a bridge or tunnel in the United States?

Do not try to squeeze under the structure. Use the signed alternative route and, if you are already close to the obstruction, stop where safe and seek traffic-control assistance rather than reversing unpredictably into moving traffic.

🔗 mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov • FHWA MUTCD11th Edition including Revision1 December2025 — relevant regulatory/warning/guide, marking and signal provisions

1 United States 2 Freeway 3 Expressway 4 Speed limit 5 Minimum speed 6 Advisory speed 7 Bike path 8 Pedestrian warning 9 Tunnel 10 Bridge 11 Speed bump 12 Toll road 13 One-way traffic 14 Slope 15 Bus lane 16 Bus stop 17 Dead end 18 Stop sign 19 Yield 20 Roundabout 21 Road narrowing 22 Crosswalk 23 Railroad crossing 24 Mandatory direction 25 Turn prohibition 26 School area 27 Crossing animals 28 Slippery road 29 Rockfall 30 Aircraft 31 Curve 32 Chevron 33 Wrong-way driving 34 Road work 35 Height limit 36 Weight limit 37 Radar speed sign 38 Selective barriers 39 Traffic signals 40 Traffic signals ahead 41 Pedestrian signals 42 Pavement markings 43 Bike box 44 Speed feedback 45 Driver's license 46 Traffic mirror 47 Emergency telephone 48 Bicycle route 49 Parking 50 No parking 51 No stopping 52 Parallel parking 53 Park and ride 54 Kiss and ride 55 Disabled parking 56 Traffic management 57 Backing up 58 U-turn 59 Carpool 60 Detour 61 Uncontrolled intersection 62 Ramp 63 Exit 64 Horseback riding 65 Emergency exit 66 Runaway truck ramp 67 Oversize load 68 City limit 69 Tourist attraction 70 Horn 71 Axle weight limit 72 License plate 73 Charging station 74 Flooding 75 Dip 76 Horse 77 Local traffic 78 Pedestrian 79 Bicyclist 80 Motorcycle 81 Truck 82 Bus 83 Police 84 Ambulance 85 Police signals 86 Gravel road 87 Pothole 88 Median 89 Public property 90 Path 91 Particulates 92 Air pollution 93 Interchange 94 Rush hour 95 Gas station 96 Road code 97 Two-way traffic 98 Passing lane 99 Street gutter 100 Road debris ...