In Maryland, 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 | Maryland legal limit | Permit if over |
|---|---|---|
| Width | 8 ft 6 in | Wider |
| Height | 13 ft 6 in | Taller |
| Length (combination) | 55 ft | Longer |
| Gross weight | 80,000 lbs | Heavier |
| Single axle | 22,400 lbs | Heavier |
| Tandem axle | 44,000 lbs | Heavier |
Rear overhang is limited to 6 ft without an over-length permit.
2Escort & pilot car requirements
| Once the load is over… | Maryland requires |
|---|---|
| 13 ft 1 in wide | 1 escort (pilot car) |
| 14 ft wide | 2 escorts |
| 14 ft 6 in high | Escort with a height pole / pole car |
| 85 ft 1 in long | 1 escort · 140 ft → 2 escorts |
| 14 ft 6 in high | Route survey required |
| 16 ft wide | Police escort |
3When you can travel
- Daylight only — 30 min after sunrise to 30 min before sunset.
- Weekends: Weekend travel is restricted for oversize loads; check the permit for exact hours.
- Night movement not authorized absent specific permission noted on permit..
- Holiday blackouts: New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day.
4Superloads in Maryland
A load is a superload once it exceeds any of these:
| Superload trigger | Threshold |
|---|---|
| Width | 16 ft |
| Height | 16 ft |
| Gross weight | 150,000 lbs |
Superloads require individual review and roughly 30 days of lead time for approval.
5Permit timing
- Superload review: ~30 days.
- Validity: a single-trip permit is good for ~5 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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?Maryland permit FAQ
When do I need an oversize permit in Maryland?
Once a load exceeds any legal limit: 8 ft 6 in wide, 13 ft 6 in high, 55 ft long (combination), or 80,000 lbs gross.
When do I need a pilot car in Maryland?
Maryland requires one escort over 13 ft 1 in wide (two over 14 ft), a height pole over 14 ft 6 in high, and a police escort over 16 ft wide.
Can you drive an oversize load at night in Maryland?
Daylight only, 30 min after sunrise to 30 min before sunset. Night movement not authorized absent specific permission noted on permit. Weekend travel is restricted.
What counts as a superload in Maryland?
Over 16 ft wide, 16 ft high, or 150,000 lbs gross. It requires individual review and about 30 days of lead time.
How much does a Maryland 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 Maryland load with FreightDeck →.
How long does it take to get an oversize permit in Maryland?
Maryland does not publish a standard processing time for routine permits; superload review takes about 30 days. A permit is valid for 5 days, so line up every state on the route before applying.
Can oversize loads move on weekends and holidays in Maryland?
Weekend travel is restricted for oversize loads; check the permit for exact hours. Movement stops on New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day (No moves from noon the preceding business day until 9:00 a.m. the next business day after the holiday/holiday weekend (annual HPU sheet)); check the permit conditions for exact times.
How much overhang is allowed in Maryland?
Rear overhang is limited to 6 ft without an over-length permit.
Does Maryland require a route survey?
Yes, once a load is over 14 ft 6 in high. 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 Maryland?
Maryland publishes exemptions or relaxed rules for farm equipment (width), and vehicle transporting farm equipment (width) (for example width limit (md. transp. 24-102) does not apply). Exemptions are narrow and usually limited to specific roads and daylight hours; anything else over the legal limits needs a permit.
Does a Maryland permit cover Pennsylvania?
No. Every state issues its own permit, and a move crossing into Pennsylvania, Delaware, or Virginia needs a separate permit there with that state's escort and travel rules. FreightDeck prices every state on the route in one quote.