In Maine, any load that exceeds the legal size or weight limits requires an oversize/overweight permit before it moves. Below are the legal limits and the requirements that apply at each threshold.
1When you need a permit
A load is oversize or overweight once it passes any of these:
| Dimension | Maine legal limit | Permit if over |
|---|---|---|
| Width | 8 ft 6 in | Wider |
| Height | 13 ft 6 in | Taller |
| Length (combination) | 74 ft | Longer |
| Gross weight | 80,000 lbs | Heavier |
| Single axle | 22,400 lbs | Heavier |
| Tandem axle | 38,000 lbs | Heavier |
Maine sets no general front-overhang allowance — freight ahead of the trailer counts toward its length limits.
2Escort & pilot car requirements
| Once the load is over… | Maine requires |
|---|---|
| 12 ft wide | 1 escort (pilot car) |
| 15 ft high | Escort with a height pole / pole car |
| 80 ft long | 1 escort · 125 ft → 2 escorts |
| 20 ft wide | Route survey required |
| 16 ft wide | Police escort |
3When you can travel
- Daylight only — 30 min before sunrise to 30 min after sunset.
- Weekends: Weekend rules vary by route or season; check the permit conditions.
- Holiday blackouts: New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Jr Day, Presidents Day, Patriots' Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Indigenous Peoples Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving Day, Thanksgiving Friday, Christmas Day.
4Superloads in Maine
A load is a superload once it exceeds any of these:
| Superload trigger | Threshold |
|---|---|
| Width | 16 ft |
| Height | 15 ft |
| Length | 125 ft |
| Gross weight | 160,000 lbs |
5Permit timing
- Validity: a single-trip permit is good for ~7 days.
Get the full cost of your load
FreightDeck estimates every cost on an oversize move — permits, escorts, police, route survey, engineering, and the truck rate — for your exact load and route, across all 48 states and Canada, up to superload size.
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?Maine permit FAQ
When do I need an oversize permit in Maine?
Once a load exceeds any legal limit: 8 ft 6 in wide, 13 ft 6 in high, 74 ft long (combination), or 80,000 lbs gross.
When do I need a pilot car in Maine?
Maine requires one escort over 12 ft wide, a height pole over 15 ft high, and a police escort over 16 ft wide.
Can you drive an oversize load at night in Maine?
No — oversize loads move daylight-only, 30 min before sunrise to 30 min after sunset. Weekend travel is allowed within limits.
What counts as a superload in Maine?
Over 16 ft wide, 15 ft high, 125 ft long, or 160,000 lbs gross.
How much does a Maine oversize permit cost?
The state permit fee depends on the load's size and weight. The full cost of a move also includes escorts, police, route surveys, engineering, and the truck rate, which vary by route. FreightDeck estimates all of it for your exact load — price your Maine load with FreightDeck →.
Can oversize loads move on weekends and holidays in Maine?
Weekend rules vary by route or season; check the permit conditions. Movement stops on New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Jr Day, Presidents Day, Patriots' Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Indigenous Peoples Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving Day, Thanksgiving Friday, and Christmas Day (Holiday plus associated holiday weekends per annual letter); check the permit conditions for exact times.
How much overhang is allowed in Maine?
Maine sets no general front-overhang allowance — freight ahead of the trailer counts toward its length limits.
Does Maine require a route survey?
Yes, once a load is over 20 ft wide. The survey checks every bridge, sign, signal and wire on the route and is filed with the permit; it usually takes longer than the permit itself, so start it first. What a route survey involves →
Are any loads exempt from oversize permits in Maine?
Maine publishes exemptions or relaxed rules for logging trucks, and rolled baled hay <=11 ft within 20 mi of farm (for example designated routes, proper axle spacing). Exemptions are narrow and usually limited to specific roads and daylight hours; anything else over the legal limits needs a permit.
Does a Maine permit cover New Hampshire?
No. Every state issues its own permit, and a move crossing into New Hampshire, New Brunswick, or Quebec needs a separate permit there with that state's escort and travel rules. FreightDeck prices every state on the route in one quote.