In Massachusetts, 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 | Massachusetts legal limit | Permit if over |
|---|---|---|
| Width | 8 ft 6 in | Wider |
| Height | 13 ft 6 in | Taller |
| Length (combination) | 60 ft | Longer |
| Gross weight | 80,000 lbs | Heavier |
| Single axle | 22,400 lbs | Heavier |
| Tandem axle | 36,000 lbs | Heavier |
Massachusetts 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… | Massachusetts requires |
|---|---|
| 12 ft wide | 1 escort (pilot car) |
| 13 ft 6 in wide | 2 escorts |
| 13 ft 8 in high | Escort with a height pole / pole car |
| 80 ft long | 1 escort · 100 ft → 2 escorts |
| 13 ft 8 in high or 13 ft wide | Route survey required |
| 16 ft wide | Police escort |
3When you can travel
- Daylight only — sunrise to sunset (for 12'-14' wide loads).
- Weekends: Weekend rules vary by route or season; check the permit conditions.
- Generally prohibited for oversize.
- Holiday blackouts: New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day.
4Superloads in Massachusetts
A load is a superload once it exceeds any of these:
| Superload trigger | Threshold |
|---|---|
| Gross weight | 130,000 lbs |
Get the full cost of your load
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?Massachusetts permit FAQ
When do I need an oversize permit in Massachusetts?
Once a load exceeds any legal limit: 8 ft 6 in wide, 13 ft 6 in high, 60 ft long (combination), or 80,000 lbs gross.
When do I need a pilot car in Massachusetts?
Massachusetts requires one escort over 12 ft wide (two over 13 ft 6 in), a height pole over 13 ft 8 in high, and a police escort over 16 ft wide.
Can you drive an oversize load at night in Massachusetts?
Daylight only, sunrise to sunset (for 12'-14' wide loads). Generally prohibited for oversize. Weekend travel is allowed within limits.
What counts as a superload in Massachusetts?
Over 130,000 lbs gross.
How much does a Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts load with FreightDeck →.
Can oversize loads move on weekends and holidays in Massachusetts?
Weekend rules vary by route or season; check the permit conditions. Movement stops on New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day (New Year's Day, Independence Day, Christmas: no movement from noon the day preceding to noon the day following); check the permit conditions for exact times.
How much overhang is allowed in Massachusetts?
Massachusetts sets no general front-overhang allowance — freight ahead of the trailer counts toward its length limits.
Does Massachusetts require a route survey?
Yes, once a load is over 13 ft 8 in high or 13 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 Massachusetts?
Massachusetts publishes exemptions or relaxed rules for farm machinery/implements used exclusively for agriculture (width) (for example may exceed the maximum width on any way when used exclusively for agricultural purposes). Exemptions are narrow and usually limited to specific roads and daylight hours; anything else over the legal limits needs a permit.
Does a Massachusetts permit cover New Hampshire?
No. Every state issues its own permit, and a move crossing into New Hampshire, Vermont, or New York needs a separate permit there with that state's escort and travel rules. FreightDeck prices every state on the route in one quote.