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 and front overhang to 3 ft before it counts toward length, and any overhang must be flagged.
2Escort & pilot car requirements
| When the load reaches… | 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.
- Weekend travel restricted.
- Night movement not authorized absent specific permission noted on permit..
- Holiday blackouts: Holiday periods per list compiled by Hauling Permits Unit each calendar year (COMAR-specified); typical: New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving (day of & after), Christmas.
4Superloads in Maryland
A load is a superload once it exceeds any of these:
| Superload trigger | Threshold |
|---|---|
| Width | 16 ft |
| Height | 16 ft |
| Length | 120 ft |
| Gross weight | 120,000 lbs |
Superloads require individual review and roughly 5 days of lead time for approval.
5Permit timing
- Standard single-trip: ~2 business days to issue.
- Superload: ~5 days (route survey + review).
- 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.
Price your Maryland load free →The most complete heavy-haul cost estimator · 48 states + Canada · no card to start.
?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 at 13 ft 1 in wide (two at 14 ft), a height pole at 14 ft 6 in high, and a police escort at 16 ft wide.
Can you drive an oversize load at night in Maryland?
No — oversize loads move daylight-only, 30 min after sunrise to 30 min before sunset. Weekend travel is restricted.
What counts as a superload in Maryland?
Over 16 ft wide, 16 ft high, 120 ft long, or 120,000 lbs gross. It requires individual review and about 5 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 →.