Pilot car dispatch,
done right.

It depends on your load's dimensions and the rules of every state or province you travel through, which vary widely and can differ from one jurisdiction to the next. As a general rule, escort requirements kick in once width, height, length, or overhang passes certain thresholds, and your oversize permit will usually spell out exactly what's required for each leg of the route. When in doubt, it's best to confirm before you roll, since traveling without a required escort can mean fines or being shut down. Heavy Haul Support dispatches pilot cars 24/7 across the US and Canada and can help you sort out what your route calls for.

Pilot car pricing varies widely depending on the region, the route, the type of escort needed, and current availability, so there's no single flat rate. Most providers charge by the mile with a daily minimum, and extras like high-pole equipment, wait time, or overnight stays can add to the total. The best way to get an accurate number is to share your route and load details so a real quote can be put together — our 2026 cost guide breaks down typical ranges.

Heavy Haul Support dispatches pilot cars and oversize-load escorts across the entire United States and Canada. Our dispatch line is staffed 24/7, including nights, weekends, and holidays, so we can coordinate coverage wherever your route runs. Whether it's a single state or a multi-province haul, we work to line up the escorts you need from origin to destination.

Turnaround depends on your location, the time of day, and how much escort coverage your route requires, so availability can vary. Because our dispatch line is staffed 24/7, we can often arrange escorts on short notice, and giving us more lead time always improves your options and pricing. The fastest way to find out is to call with your route and load details so we can check what's available right away.

A high-pole pilot car carries an adjustable pole, or height pole, set to your load's clearance so it can detect low bridges, overpasses, wires, and other overhead obstructions before your load reaches them. These are typically required for tall loads once height passes certain thresholds, though the exact trigger varies by state and province and is usually noted on your permit. The high-pole car runs ahead of the load to verify clearance along the route.

A front, or lead, escort travels ahead of the load to warn oncoming traffic, watch for low clearances and narrow spots, and alert the driver to hazards before the load arrives. A rear, or chase, escort follows behind to shield the load from traffic coming up from the back and to help with lane changes and turns. Some routes require one, others require both, and the rules depend on the load's size and the jurisdictions you pass through.

This is usually settled in the freight agreement, and it varies from one shipment to the next. In many cases the carrier arranges and pays for escorts and then bills the cost back to the shipper or broker, but the responsibility can be negotiated up front, so it's worth confirming who's covering it before the load moves. Clear terms on the rate confirmation help avoid surprises later.

Booking is simple: call us at (207) 819-8297 or email [email protected] with your pickup and delivery locations, load dimensions, and your planned travel dates. We'll confirm what escort coverage your route needs, line up the pilot cars, and keep you updated through dispatch. Our line is staffed 24/7, so you can reach a real person any time across the US and Canada.