A new web-based, self-service permitting system for motor carriers moving over-dimension loads through Oregon has created $940,000 in savings in its first year of operation, according to the state's Department of Transportation The Oregon Routing Information Online project is better known as ORION,.
A typical 18-wheeler is about 9 feet wide, 13 feet tall and 70 feet long. Over-dimension loads can be 12 to 16 feet wide and reach heights of 18 feet or more. Superloads can exceed 150 feet in length, with weights upwards of 250,000 pounds or more. Any vehicle that exceeds legal vehicle dimensions and weight must get an over-dimension permit.
“The movement of freight is essential to commerce in Oregon, and the amount of over-dimension traffic on our roadways increases every year,” said ODOT Commerce and Compliance Administrator Carla Phelps. “Ensuring these over-dimension loads can travel through the state without incident is critical to the safety of the traveling public, commercial drivers, and Oregon roads and bridges.”
Before ORION went live in May of 2025, the over-dimension permit process was labor intensive and time consuming, according to ODOT. Permit analysts used paper maps and attachments for guidance on which routes were best depending on the weight, width, length and height of the load. They also used an electronic routing manual to verify vertical clearances, weight restrictions and temporary restrictions along each state highway.
Today, all that information has been programmed in the ORION system and is regularly updated. Commercial carriers with an active registration/tax account in Oregon can enter their vehicle information -- including weight, length, width and height -- and their start and end points. ORION analyzes all the information and provides the shortest, safest route.
ODOT said there are still certain load or route criteria that, when triggered, require additional review and approval from analysts and road authorities. However, that process has been greatly automated, sending emails to the road authorities, letting them know they have a permit to review in ORION, according to ODOT.
