clearance heights

[Silvertwinky]

Does anyone know of some good web sites that may show the heights of bridges, etc..?

I was also wondering what the minimum height has to be on an overpass bridge clearance before there has to be a warning sign posted. Anyone know?

[JakBluMule]

I don't know of a website that has the information, but get a Rand McNally "Motor Carriers Road Atlas" at most any truck stop, and in the front is a state-by-state listing of bridges that are under 13'6" (standard height for freight trailers). If you're planning to travel in Canada or Mexico, remember those countries use the metric system (13.6 is 4.2 meters). Many bridges in NY state are marked as 1 foot LESS than their actual clearance (I've been told they're measured from the curb, not the roadway). There was a little article in the local paper the other day about some poor trucker from Texas who ran all the way through the Lincoln Tunnel and took off the top of his trailer and damaged the ceiling of the tunnel. If in doubt, go around.

[overlander63]

Originally Posted by Silvertwinky

I was also wondering what the minimum height has to be on an overpass bridge clearance before there has to be a warning sign posted. Anyone know?

13'6", more on an Interstate highway.

[klattu]

Stay out of Chicago and you will be OK

[wanderer1]

Jakblumule is right on.I've been a trucker for quite a few years and rule of thumb is 13'6" cept for NY & NJ where their marked 1 foot lower than they really are.Chicago and many of the larger cities have many low underpasses.Most have sign posted either 1000' before the pass or right on them.It's a real big pain when posted like 13'0" for a semi,you don't see it until your at the thing,and of course no where to turn around w/ten cars laying on their horns right on your bumper .Most semi's get in trouble like this from people that give the directions, who don't have a clue we're bigger than their four wheeler (car).Also the height signs are mainly on roads that a semi might visit,so,if off the main roads in the woods/narrow road,lots of overpasses are NOT posted due to lack of truck traffic.....Brian-hope that helps

[wanderer1]

Opps,forgot to tell ya the good stuff .If ya travel alot w/your a/s,buy a Rand Mcnally motor carrier road atlas.In the front of the map is a current list of "low clearance locations" and the key to it on the state map.Best map you can get!!! Any large truck stop has 'em,not cheap ($20.00) some times you can find 'em on sale for around $10.00....Brian

[azflycaster]

Recently in NYC:

It was just six inches.
That was what made the difference at 4:40 a.m. yesterday as Gilberto Cantu, a truck driver from Texas, approached the New Jersey entrance of the Lincoln Tunnel in his big rig, loaded with bathtubs, toilets and plumbing fixtures. The truck was 13 feet 6 inches high. The tunnel has a height limit of 13 feet. Six inches can make a big difference.
Mr. Cantu drove the entire 1.5 miles of the tunnel from Weehawken, N.J., to Manhattan, tearing his way under the Hudson River in the tunnel’s center tube and peeling back the roof of his tractor-trailer as if it were a tin can. No one was injured, but an undetermined number of decorative tunnel ceiling tiles were ripped off.