Hauling Heavy Equipment

Illinois Equipment and Oversize Load Transport For Every Industry

Serving individuals and businesses for equipment hauling throughout Illinois

/>
Heavy Equipment Transport Logo

No Compromises. Full Results.

Speak with a logistics expert - we’ll handle
your transport from A to Z.

(888) 730-2951
Heavy Equipment Carriers
23,000+
Carriers
Nationwide
Freight Shipping
16+
Years of
Experience
Heavy Equipment
130+
Logistics
Experts

Heavy Equipment Transport Across Illinois’ Hub And Heartland

Illinois sits at the center of American freight. Chicago's rail yards, interstate network, and industrial base make it one of the busiest logistics markets in the country. Downstate, agricultural operations and manufacturing plants spread across flat terrain that looks simple but hides permitting complexity and access challenges.

Heavy Equipment Transport moves machinery throughout Illinois with the planning that this high-traffic state demands. We coordinate Chicago metro deliveries, downstate rural pickups, and everything between.

Why companies trust Heavy Equipment Transport in Illinois:

  • Local Expertise: Our team knows Illinois’s routes, ports, and permit offices — ensuring efficient, compliant delivery every time.
  • Permit-Ready Precision: We secure all oversize, overweight, and escort permits in advance to prevent costly downtime.
  • End-to-End Control: One point of contact manages your haul from dispatch to delivery, keeping communication clear.
  • Fleet Flexibility: From bulldozers to buses, we match your load with the right trailer and hauling equipment.
  • Proven Reliability: On-time delivery backed by over 15 years of nationwide heavy haul experience.

Heavy Equipment Transport is built to handle every detail — from permits to delivery — with the same level of care you expect from your own team.

Transporting a 2018 JD 844k wheel loader

Get your quote today!

(888) 730-2951

YOUR LOCAL ILLINOIS TRANSPORT EXPERTS

Illinois’ dense freight corridors and strict state regulations can slow even the best operations. Heavy Chicago traffic, weight-restricted bridges, construction zones, seasonal weather shifts, and route-specific travel hour limitations all add layers of complexity.

Illinois roads demand precision. Between congested metro routes in Chicago, industrial corridors near Joliet and Rockford, and rural transport lanes across Central and Southern Illinois, one misstep can throw off your entire delivery schedule. That’s why businesses across Chicago, Peoria, Springfield, Rockford, and beyond trust Heavy Equipment Transport.

Our team carefully plans every route, secures all Illinois DOT permits in advance, coordinates escorts when required, and stays in constant communication from pickup through delivery — so your haul arrives safely, compliantly, and right on schedule.

Truck transport with expertise
Heavy Equipment Transport logo

Expertise you
can trust

Need specialized heavy equipment shipping?
Our logistics agents have the solutions you need.

16+ Logistics Experts
23+ Carriers Nationwide

Managing Illinois Loads Through Urban Traffic and Farmland

Illinois freight splits into two worlds. The Chicago metro runs on tight delivery windows, truck-restricted zones, and toll roads that add cost without planning. South of I-80, the pace changes. Here, you find grain elevators, equipment dealers, and job sites accessed by county roads that don't appear on standard routing software.

Our Illinois team:

  • Times Chicago deliveries around rush hour and construction on I-90, I-94, and I-290
  • Coordinates downstate pickups at grain facilities, farms, and rural sites
  • Confirms receiver access in Springfield, Peoria, Champaign, and Quad Cities

Equipment arrives whether you're shipping to a Chicagoland warehouse or a central Illinois field.

Equipment We Move

Heavy Equipment Transport provides equipment hauling for independent contactors, small businesses, and corporations across Illinois.

Industries Served
● Construction
● Mining
● Agriculture
● Energy
● Manufacturing
Common Equipment
● Excavators
● Bulldozers
● Cranes
● Tractors
● Forklifts
● Generators
● Compactors
● Industrial units

Every shipment is matched to the right trailer, route, and permit, ensuring safe and efficient transport every time.

(888) 730-2951
image

Hauling Semi Trucks for Illinois Fleets and Dealers

Illinois trucking supports manufacturing, agriculture, retail distribution, and one of the nation's largest intermodal networks. When tractors need moving between terminals, dealerships, or service facilities, timing matters.

We handle Illinois semi truck transport for carriers, fleet operators, and dealer groups.

Illinois semi truck services:

  • Terminal shuttles across Chicago metro and northern Illinois industrial areas
  • Dealer stock transfers between Joliet, Rockford, Bloomington, and St. Louis markets
  • Auction transport from regional sales throughout the Midwest

Running or down, we match your truck with carriers who know Illinois roads.

Our Process

  1. Secure loading and tie-downs
  2. Route optimization for time and fuel
  3. Full-coverage insurance
  4. Professional drivers and dispatchers

From dealerships to distribution yards, Heavy Equipment Transport moves your trucks safely and on schedule.

Illinois Driveaway When Flatbed Timing Won't Work

When flatbed scheduling doesn't fit your timeline, driveaway moves trucks faster. Our CDL drivers pick up your vehicle and deliver it directly to the destination.

Our Driveaway Services Include:

  • Licensed, insured CDL drivers
  • Pre-trip inspections and safety checks
  • Route planning and real-time tracking
  • DOT-compliant documentation and delivery confirmation

We verify vehicle condition, plot the route, and report status until delivery.

Transporting a 2018 JD 844k wheel loader

Contact our expert driveaway specialists

(888) 730-2951

OVERSIZE AND OVERWEIGHT PERMITS IN ILLINOIS

Regulations shouldn’t slow your project down. Heavy Equipment Transport manages every step of Illinois DOT compliance for oversize and overweight loads. From securing permits to coordinating pilot cars, we ensure your haul meets all Illinois state and federal requirements before it hits the road.

Key Thresholds for Oversize/Overweight Loads:

  • Width: Over 8’6”
  • Height: Over 13’6”
  • Weight: Over 80,000 lbs GVW

When your equipment exceeds these limits, Heavy Equipment Transport manages the entire process: securing special permits, mapping approved routes, coordinating escort vehicles when required, and planning travel around Illinois restrictions.

Our compliance team stays current with Illinois Department of Transportation regulations, so your shipment remains legal, efficient, and on schedule. With Heavy Equipment Transport, you get a fully managed, worry-free hauling experience from paperwork to delivery.

ILLINOIS OVERSIZE LOAD PERMITS AND PILOT CAR REQUIREMENTS

Oversize and Overweight Permits in Illinois

Any load exceeding Illinois’ legal size or weight limits must obtain a state-issued oversize/overweight permit before transport begins.

Legal Limits in Illinois:

  • Width: 8 ft. 6 in.
  • Height: 13 ft. 6 in.
  • Length: 53 ft. (semi-trailer; overall length varies by combination and route)
  • Weight: 80,000 lbs (gross), subject to federal bridge formula

Permits are issued by the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) Oversize/Overweight Permit Office. Most permits are valid for a limited number of travel days and may include route-specific instructions. Certain urban areas — particularly Chicago metro routes — may have additional restrictions.

Permit Notes
  • Loads exceeding 14 ft. wide, 15 ft. high, or 120,000 lbs may require route surveys or engineering review.
  • Travel Times: Typically allowed from ½ hour before sunrise to ½ hour after sunset, Monday through Friday. Weekend travel may be limited depending on size and route.
  • Chicago metro restrictions may limit peak-hour travel.
  • Escort vehicles are required based on width, height, length, and route conditions.
  • Night travel may be restricted depending on load dimensions.
Pilot car escort through snow

Pilot Cars For
The Biggest Loads

Certified, compliant, and ready when you are.
Call us or get a free quote today!

4.85 Trusted by 56,362+ Businesses & Individuals
Pilot car escort through snow

PILOT CAR AND ESCORT REQUIREMENTS IN ILLINOIS

Escort vehicle requirements in Illinois depend on load dimensions, route classifications, and whether travel occurs on state highways, interstates, or within the Chicago metro area. The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) enforces the following general guidelines.

General Pilot Car and Escort Guidelines
Dimension Escort Requirement
Width over 12 ft. up to 14 ft. 1 escort (typically rear on multi-lane highways; front on two-lane highways)
Width over 14 ft. up to 16 ft. 1 front and 1 rear escort required
Width over 16 ft. Multiple escorts required; police escort may be mandated depending on route and location
Height over 14 ft. 6 in. Height pole vehicle required; route survey may be necessary
Length over 100 ft. 1 rear escort required
Length over 120 ft. 1 front and 1 rear escort required
Overweight Loads (120,000+ lbs.) Route survey and bridge clearance analysis required; may require engineering review by IDOT

ESCORT VEHICLE REQUIREMENTS:

Escort vehicles operating in Connecticut must meet visibility and communication standards suited for high-traffic, urbanized corridors.

  • Must display “Oversize Load” signs visible front and rear
  • Amber flashing or rotating lights (360° visibility)
  • Two-way communication with truck driver
  • Height pole required when applicable
  • Proper certification per Illinois pilot car standards
  • Minimum safe spacing maintained between escort and load

ILLINOIS OVERSIZE LOAD ROUTING NOTES

  • Interstate Restrictions: Loads exceeding 16 ft. in width are often restricted to daylight hours and may require state police escort.
  • Chicago Metro Restrictions: Travel may be limited during peak traffic hours within Cook County and surrounding areas. Additional municipal permits may apply.
  • Holiday Restrictions: Movement typically restricted on major holidays and holiday weekends.
  • Weather Restrictions: No travel permitted during severe weather, high winds, or hazardous road conditions.
  • Bridge & Construction Zones: Active construction and posted bridge limits may require alternate routing.

Heavy Equipment Transport Logo Talk to a Heavy Equipment Transport Specialist

No matter what state you need equipment or freight trucking services for, we'll handle it professionally and with quality services.
Call now and let's get started!
(888) 730-2951

Oversize Heavy Haul Across Illinois with IDOT Rules

Illinois oversize regulations cover dimensions, travel times, and route restrictions. IDOT permits require accurate load specifications and advance planning, especially for moves through Chicago or across Mississippi River bridges.

We manage Illinois heavy haul logistics from permit filing through delivery. We submit IDOT applications, arrange escorts for superloads, and map routes avoiding low-clearance overpasses and weight-restricted bridges.

Call now for your free, no-obligation quote!

(888) 730-2951

Why Illinois Shippers Work With Us

Heavy Equipment Transport operates as part of Nationwide Transport Services, a family-owned company with 15 years of freight experience and an A+ BBB rating. Illinois clients choose us because we understand both Chicago's complexity and downstate's rural access challenges.

Illinois shippers rely on:

  • Planners who track Chicago construction and seasonal farm traffic patterns
  • Carriers comfortable with urban tolls, rural gravel, and everything between
  • Quotes reflecting actual Illinois lane rates
  • Communication from booking through delivery
Transporting a scraper

Start your free quote and see the difference

Start Quote

Illinois Equipment and Semi Truck Transport – FAQs

1. What types of heavy equipment are commonly transported within and through Illinois?

Excavators, bulldozers, skid steers, farm tractors, combines, and industrial machinery move regularly. We handle construction, agricultural, and manufacturing equipment statewide.

2. When are oversize or overweight permits required for hauling equipment in Illinois?

IDOT requires permits when loads exceed legal width, height, length, or weight limits. We file applications and confirm compliance before dispatch.

3. Can equipment be transported through major metro areas like Chicago without delays?

Yes. We time deliveries around peak traffic, plan routes avoiding restricted zones, and coordinate with receivers to minimize wait times.

4. What trailers are typically used for heavy equipment transport in Illinois?

Flatbeds, step decks, lowboys, and RGNs, depending on equipment dimensions and weight. We match trailer type to your specific load.

5. How far in advance should equipment transport be scheduled in Illinois?

Contact us as soon as dates are confirmed. Lead time helps secure permits and carrier availability, especially for Chicago-area moves.

Where Is Your Heavy Equipment Headed?



Choose Your Region in Illinois and Get an Equipment Shipping Quote!


Northern Illinois

  • Chicago
  • Evanston
  • Aurora
  • Delaware City
  • Belvidere
  • Cicero
  • Berwyn
  • Arlington Heights
  • Des Plaines
  • Oak Lawn
  • Mount Prospect
  • Bolingbrook
  • Alton
  • Joliet
  • Highland Park
  • Elgin
  • Waukegan
  • Tinley Park
  • Skokie
  • Palatine
  • Schaumburg
  • Northbrook
  • Rockford
  • Naperville

Southern Illinois

  • Belleville
  • Carbondale
  • Cobden
  • East St. Louis
  • Granite City
  • Makanda
  • Southern View

Central Illinois

  • Arcola
  • Bloomington
  • Champaign
  • Danville
  • Normal
  • North Peoria
  • Decatur
  • Leland Grove
  • Peoria
  • Springfield