Curfew hours & holiday restrictions

Days when travel is restricted: Vehicles operating under special permit for overweight/over dimensional, except as provided for in Washington Administrative Code (WAC 468-38-075), may be restricted from the state highways on the holidays.

Holiday restrictions

Vehicles operating under special motor vehicle permit (PDF 256KB) for overweight/over dimensional, except as provided for in WAC 468-38-075, may be restricted from the state highways on the holidays of New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and the day after Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, and commencing at noon of the day preceding said holidays.

  • The day before New Year’s Day starting at noon and New Year's Day
  • The day before Memorial Day starting at noon and Memorial Day
  • The day before Independence Day starting at noon and Independence Day
  • The day before Labor Day starting at noon and Labor Day
  • The day before Thanksgiving Day starting at noon, Thanksgiving Day and the day after Thanksgiving
  • The day before Christmas starting at noon and Christmas Day

Pilot/escort vehicle requirements

A pilot/escort vehicle and operator must comply with the requirements of WAC 468-38-100 Escort vehicle requirements.

Nighttime movements

A vehicle or vehicle combinations not exceeding the defined envelope of 12 feet wide, 14 feet 6 inches high and 105 feet long, including legal overhang(s), may move at night. A vehicle or vehicle combination which exceeds the defined envelope may also be permitted to move at night on state highways subject to Department preferred

hours/routes of travel, and must have “Nighttime movement approved” stated on permits. All night moves must comply with published curfew restrictions. Night means one-half hour after sunset to one-half hour before sunrise. Vehicle and load must have proper lighting (49 CFR 393.11).

Winter road restrictions

Movement by permit is prohibited in areas where any of the following signs are displayed: “TRACTION ADVISORY OVERSIZE VEHICLES PROHIBITED”, VEHICLES OVER 10,000GVWR CHAINS REQUIRED”, and “ALL VEHICLES CHAINS REQUIRED EXCEPT ALL-WHEEL DRIVE” except as specified in WAC 468-38-075.

Commuter curfew hours: (Monday through Friday only)

Vehicles operating under a Special Motor Vehicle Permit that are required to display “Oversize Load” signs are restricted from the following areas during the listed times. Exception: Vehicles with over dimension in width only and do not exceed the width limits of the table are not subject to curfew hours. Over weight is not a factor in this restriction unless the vehicle cannot maintain the speed of surrounding traffic.

Special motor vehicle permit regulations and conditions 560-002 (PDF 256KB)

Commuter Curfew Hours: (Monday through Friday only) Vehicles operating under a Special Motor Vehicle Permit that are required to display “Oversize Load” signs are restricted from the following areas during the listed times (table). Exception: Vehicles with over dimension in width only and do not exceed the width limits of the table are not subject to curfew hours. Over weight is not a factor in this restriction unless the vehicle cannot maintain the speed of surrounding traffic.
VicinitySRDirectionMilepostLocation and BoundariesHours (M-F)Width
Seattle-Everett 2 EB 0 - 2.42 I-5 to SR 204 3-7 PM 9’
Seattle-Everett 2 WB 2.42 - 0 I-5 to SR 204 6-9 AM 9’
Seattle-Everett 5 NB 127.48 - 155.94 SR 512 to SR 599 6-9 AM, 3-6 PM 10’
Seattle-Everett 5 SB 155.94 - 127.48 SR 512 to SR 599 3-6 PM 10’
Seattle-Everett 5 NB 155.94 -174.58 SR 599 to SR 523 6-9 AM, 3-6 PM 9’
Seattle-Everett 5 SB 174.58 - 155.94 SR 599 to SR 523 6-9 AM, 3-6 PM 9’
Seattle-Everett 5 NB 174.58 -199.11 SR 523 to SR 528 3-6 PM 10’
Seattle-Everett 5 SB 199.11 - 174.58 SR 523 to SR 528 6-9 AM, 3-6 PM 10’
Seattle-Everett 5 NB 199.11 - 206.08 SR 528 to SR 531 4-6 PM 10’
Seattle-Everett 5 SB 206.08 - 199.11 SR 528 to SR 531 7-9 AM, 4-6 PM 10’
Seattle-Everett 18 EB .01 - 4.15 I-5 to SR 164 6-9 AM, 3-7 PM 10’
Seattle-Everett 18 WB 4.15 - .01 I-5 to SR 164 6-9 AM, 3-7 PM 10’
Seattle-Everett 18 EB 4.15 -11.38 SR 164 to SR 516 6:30-8:30 AM, 3-7 PM 10’
Seattle-Everett 18 WB 11.38 - 4.15 SR 164 to SR 516 6-9 AM, 3-7 PM 10’
Seattle-Everett 90 EB 2.54 - 9.93 I-5 to I-405 6-9 AM, 3-7 PM 10’
Seattle-Everett 90 WB 9.93 - 2.54 I-5 to I-405 6-9 AM, 3-7 PM 10’
Seattle-Everett 90 EB 9.93 -18.36 I-405 to Sunset I/C 3-7 PM 10’
Seattle-Everett 90 WB 18.36 - 9.93 I-405 to Sunset I/C 6-9 AM, 3-7 PM 10’
Seattle-Everett 167 NB 5.98 - 14.33 SR 512 to SR 18 6-9 AM 10’
Seattle-Everett 167 SB 14.33 - 5.98 SR 512 to SR 18 3-7 PM 10’
Seattle-Everett 167 NB 14.33 - 26.29 SR 18 to I-405 6-9 AM, 3-7 PM 10’
Seattle-Everett 167 SB 26.29 - 14.33 SR 18 to I-405 3-7 PM 10’
Seattle-Everett 405 NB 0 - 30.32 Entire Route 6-9 AM, 3-7 PM 10’
Seattle-Everett 405 SB 30.32 - 0 Entire Route 6-9 AM, 3-7 PM 10’
Seattle-Everett 518 EB 0 - 3.81 SR 509 to I-5 6-9 AM, 3-7 PM 10’
Seattle-Everett 518 WB 3.81 - 0 SR 509 to I-5 6-9 AM, 3-7 PM 10’
Seattle-Everett 522 EB 11.10 - 14.09 I-405 to SR 9 3-7 PM 10’
Seattle-Everett 522 WB 14.09 - 11.10 I-405 to SR 9 6-9 AM 10’
Tacoma 5 NB 118 - 127.48 Exit 118 to SR 512 6:30-8:30 AM, 4-6 PM 10’
Tacoma 5 SB 127.48 - 118 Exit 118 to SR 512 6:30-8:30 AM, 4-6 PM 10’
Tacoma 16 EB 10.28 - 0 I-5 to Olympic Drive 6-9 AM 10’
Tacoma 16 WB 0 – 10.28 I-5 to Olympic Drive 3-7 PM 10’
Tacoma 512 EB 0 - 8.74 I-5 to SR 161 3-7 PM 10’
Tacoma 512 WB 8.74 - 0 I-5 to SR 161 7-9 AM, 3-7 PM 10’
Tacoma 512 EB 8.74 - 12.06 SR 161 to SR 167 3-7 PM 10’
Tacoma 512 WB 12.06 - 8.74 SR 167 to SR 161 3-7 PM 10’
Olympia 5 NB 99 - 109 Exit 99 to Exit 109 4-6 PM 10’
Olympia 5 SB 109 - 99 Exit 109 to Exit 99 4-6 PM 10’
Vancouver 5 NB 0 - 7.48 Oregon to I-205 3-6 PM 10’
Vancouver 5 SB 7.48 - 0 I-205 to Oregon 6-9 AM 10’
Vancouver 205 NB 26.59 – 37.16 Oregon to I-5 4-7 PM 10’
Vancouver 205 SB 37.16 - 26.59 I-5 to Oregon 6-9 AM 10’
Kelso 433 NB .94 - 0 Lewis and Clark Bridge 6-9 AM 10’
Kelso 433 SB 0 - .94 Lewis and Clark Bridge 6-9 AM 10’
Spokane 90 EB 272.66 - 295.73 Medical Lk. to Liberty Lk. Exit 6-9 AM, 3-7 PM 11’2”
Spokane 90 WB 296.64 - 272.96 Liberty Lk. to Medical Lk. Exit 6-9 AM, 3-7 PM 11’2”

Slow down on ice and snow.

It's easier to skid or lose control traveling at higher speeds. Give yourself more time to stop.

Carry chains, practice installing them.

Winter conditions could mean chains are required on your route. Practice putting them on your vehicle ahead of time.

Pack your winter car kit.

Carry extra supplies like warm clothing, ice scraper and brush, jumper cables and other emergency items.