There is no single U.S. rear-overhang number
A four-foot number can mean a marking threshold in one provision and a standard maximum in another. It can also be measured from the vehicle rear, the bed or body, the taillamps, the last point of support or the center of the last axle. A flag does not turn an otherwise over-limit setup into a legal one.
This comparison is deliberately limited to four states whose official sources have been reviewed by Overhangers. For every other state, use the calculator only as a measurement worksheet and confirm the current state rule yourself.
How to use the comparison
First choose the state for the road you will use. Then measure the legal projection from that state's named reference point. Record physical support separately: an open tailgate or bed extender can support the load without necessarily changing the legal reference point.
- Compare the entered projection with the state's daylight or nighttime marker boundary.
- Check the separate rear-projection maximum or manual maximum calculation.
- Confirm total length, width, securement, special cargo, vehicle class, route and permit rules.
What this page does not decide
It does not determine wheelbase, axle position, total vehicle-and-load length, commercial-vehicle rules, cargo securement or whether a specialized exception or permit applies. Those facts can change the result and require review of the cited law or an appropriate authority.
Four state rules, side by side
| State | Measure from | Daylight | After dark | Maximum / other limit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| California → | Marker: from taillamps. Maximum: beyond the last point of support. | At 4 ft or more: red or fluorescent-orange flag or cloth, at least 18 in square; load width affects whether one or two are required. | At 4 ft or more: two red lights visible at least 500 ft to the sides and rear. | Generally no more than two-thirds of wheelbase beyond the last point of support; also check overall length and special loads. |
| Texas → | Maximum/day flag: vehicle rear. Night equipment: rear of bed or body. | More than 4 ft beyond the vehicle rear: red flags at least 12 in square under the projecting-load provision. | At least 4 ft beyond the bed or body: rear lamps, reflectors and side lamps specified by §547.382. | A load generally may not extend more than 4 ft beyond the rear, except as permitted by other law. |
| North Carolina → | Rear of the bed or body. | More than 4 ft: red or orange flag at least 18 by 18 in. | More than 4 ft: red or amber light visible at least 200 ft to the rear. | Generally no more than 14 ft; forestry products and utility poles are named exceptions. |
| Washington → | Flag: vehicle rear. Night equipment: bed or body. Maximum: center of last axle. | More than 4 ft: red or fluorescent-orange flags at least 18 in square. | At 4 ft or more beyond the bed or body: rear lamps, reflectors and side lamps specified by RCW 46.37.140. | No more than 15 ft beyond the center of the last axle, subject to the statute's specialized-equipment exception. |
Checks that still need human review
- Wheelbase or last-axle measurements
- Overall vehicle-and-load length
- Special cargo and vehicle-class exceptions
- Securement, route and permit requirements
CHECK YOUR NUMBERS
Turn the measurements into a state-specific review.
Enter the physical support length and the state-defined legal projection separately. The result keeps marker rules, projection limits and manual checks distinct.
Measure my load →Continue planning the load
Read the covered state rules
Frequently asked questions
Is four feet the legal rear-overhang limit in every state?
No. Four feet can be a flag or lighting threshold, a standard maximum, or neither. The legal meaning and measurement point depend on the state provision and the setup.
Does a red flag make a long load legal?
No. A marker is a visibility requirement. Maximum projection, total length, securement, cargo exceptions and permits remain separate checks.
Does a bed extender become the legal rear of the truck?
Do not assume that it does. A support device can change physical support while a state rule may still measure from the vehicle rear, bed or body, taillamps, last support point or axle.
OFFICIAL SOURCES
Rule information was last checked on Aug 19, 2026. Official pages control if this guide and the current law differ.
Caltrans · CVC §§ 35410, 24604 ↗Texas DPS · Extended Loads ↗Texas Transportation Code § 621.206 ↗Texas Transportation Code § 547.382 ↗N.C. General Statutes § 20-117 ↗Washington RCW 46.37.140 ↗Washington RCW 46.44.034 ↗