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) | 65 ft | Longer |
| Gross weight | 80,000 lbs | Heavier |
| Single axle | 22,400 lbs | Heavier |
| Tandem axle | 36,000 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… | Massachusetts requires |
|---|---|
| 12 ft wide | 1 escort (pilot car) |
| 13.5 ft wide | 2 escorts |
| 13.92 ft high | Escort with a height pole / pole car |
| 80 ft long | 1 escort · 115 ft → 2 escorts |
| 13 ft 8 in high or 13 ft wide | Route survey required |
| 14.92 ft wide | Police escort |
3When you can travel
- Daylight only — sunrise to sunset (for 12'-14' wide loads).
- Weekend travel allowed within dimensional limits.
- Generally prohibited for oversize.
- Holiday blackouts: New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Presidents Day, Patriots' Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas.
4Superloads in Massachusetts
A load is a superload once it exceeds any of these:
| Superload trigger | Threshold |
|---|---|
| Width | 14.92 ft |
| Height | 14 ft 11 in |
| Length | 115 ft |
| Gross weight | 130,000 lbs |
Superloads require a route survey and roughly 7 days of lead time for approval.
5Permit timing
- Standard single-trip: ~2 business days to issue.
- Superload: ~7 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.
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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, 65 ft long (combination), or 80,000 lbs gross.
When do I need a pilot car in Massachusetts?
Massachusetts requires one escort at 12 ft wide (two at 13.5 ft), a height pole at 13.92 ft high, and a police escort at 14.92 ft wide.
Can you drive an oversize load at night in Massachusetts?
No — oversize loads move daylight-only, sunrise to sunset (for 12'-14' wide loads). Weekend travel is allowed within limits.
What counts as a superload in Massachusetts?
Over 14.92 ft wide, 14 ft 11 in high, 115 ft long, or 130,000 lbs gross. It requires a route survey and about 7 days of lead time.
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 →.