MoDOT Waives Hay Hauling Fees As Drought Grips Missouri

With 97 percent of Missouri still in drought conditions, the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) is waiving fees for hay haulers to help farmers and ranchers move feed where it’s needed most.

The move follows Gov. Mike Kehoe’s drought alert declaration affecting all or portions of 85 counties and the City of St. Louis, as producers across the state continue to battle dry pastures and limited forage supplies.

Under the temporary relief measure, MoDOT will issue special overwidth hauling permits at no charge through Dec. 1, 2025. The waiver applies to both the $96 blanket permit and the $15 single-trip permit typically required for hay loads wider than standard limits.

“This waiver will help farmers get hay to the areas that need it most, while ensuring safety on Missouri roadways,” MoDOT officials said in a statement.

Farmers and haulers can request the special permit online through MoDOT’s Carrier Express service at www.modot.org/mce. To ensure the fee is waived, applicants must note the drought-related waiver in the comments section of their application.

Drivers must still meet safety and route requirements. Any load wider than 8 feet 6 inches requires the permit and must be mapped to avoid work zones, bridges, and areas with weight or height restrictions. MoDOT provides a special bridge and height restriction view on its Traveler Information Map at traveler.modot.org.

What the Permit Allows

• Haul hay up to 12 feet 6 inches wide under a blanket permit.
• Haul hay up to 14 feet wide using a single-trip permit.
• Move hay during holidays and nighttime hours, provided reflective signs and clearance lights are used when visibility is below 500 feet.

All haulers must continue to follow permit rules, including using proper signage, lighting, and stopping at weigh stations.

Getting Started

First-time users of MoDOT Carrier Express will need to create an account by providing:

• The make, license plate number, and VIN of the power unit, and
• The farm business name and address.

The special permit program is one of several measures Missouri agencies have enacted to support producers as drought conditions persist across nearly the entire state.