Maryland Oversize Permits

Legal size/weight limits, escort thresholds, travel restrictions, and permit office contact for Maryland.

⚠ REFERENCE ONLY — NOT A PERMIT. VERIFY WITH THE STATE BEFORE YOU TRAVEL.

These figures are a reference summary of publicly published state rules, not a substitute for a state-issued permit and not legal advice. Rules change — always confirm current limits and requirements directly with the state permit office before you plan or run a move. Last verified: 2026-07-16. Oversize Ops is NOT responsible and CANNOT be held liable for decisions made from this reference. Official source ↗

Legal Maximum Dimensions (no permit required)

Width: 8.5ft (102in)
Height: 13.5ft (162in)
Max semitrailer length: 53ft on designated routes · 48ft elsewhere
Gross Weight: 80,000 lbs
Single Axle: 20,000 lbs
Tandem Axle: 34,000 lbs

Md. Code, Transportation § 24-104: the height of any vehicle and its load may not exceed 13 ft 6 in (162 in). ⚠️ Exception: a combination transporting FARM EQUIPMENT may reach 16 ft where the trip is under 75 miles and the load cannot readily be reduced in height. (§ 24-109 is gross weight, not height.)

Official source for this height limit →

53 ft applies ONLY on the national interstate system and State highways designated by the Secretary (Transp. 24-104.2), plus shortest-practical access routes — and in Baltimore City, routes authorised by the Mayor. Off that designated network, 24-104.1(i) caps the semitrailer at 48 ft. UNRESOLVED: 24-104.1(i) removes the overall-length limit in text conditioned on a 48 ft semitrailer; 24-104.2 grants 53 ft but is silent on overall length, and MDOT SHA publishes no overall figure. Whether a 53 ft semitrailer is also free of an overall limit is NOT confirmed — treat as open and ask the permit office.

Official source for these length limits →

Escort / Pilot Car Thresholds (see glossary for terms, certification requirements for the driver)

These escort figures are route-dependent — they can change with road classification, lane width, two-lane vs multilane, and time of day. Confirm with the permit office before dispatching.

Front escort required over: 13.1ft wide
Rear escort required over: 13.1ft wide
Both escorts required over: 14ft wide
Height escort required over: 14.5ft tall
Weight escort required over: 120,000 lbs

Per MDOT SHA Motor Carrier Handbook (Ch. XIII, Escort Policies) and the SHA Oversize/Overweight Hauling Permit Manual: ONE private escort required when the load (excluding manufactured/mobile-modular housing) exceeds 13 ft wide (>157 in), or is 14 ft 6 in high (height-pole vehicle, 174 in), or exceeds 60 tons (120,000 lb) gross, or is construction equipment over 12 ft wide off the Interstate. Mobile/modular homes need no escort until 14 ft wide. TWO private escorts required at 14 ft wide or more (168 in), for manufactured housing, or at 140 ft or more in length. A Maryland State Police escort is required IN ADDITION when the move is 16 ft or more wide (192 in), 16 ft or more high (192 in), 140 ft in length, or 75 tons (150,000 lb) or more (at 16 ft wide, SHA District Engineer approval + 48-hour MSP notice also required). Length: 1 escort over 85 ft, 2 escorts at 140 ft or more. Position: a single escort follows on multi-lane and precedes on two-lane; a height-pole vehicle always precedes. Route-specific: US 1 Conowingo Dam crossing requires a police escort for loads over 11 ft wide.

Travel Restrictions

Night travel: Generally restricted
Weekend travel: Generally allowed
Sunday travel: Generally restricted

General movement is daylight only (1/2 hour after sunrise to 1/2 hour before sunset). BELTWAY/curfew: any load exceeding 45 tons (90,000 lb) OR 100 ft or more long OR 12 ft or more wide may move only 9:00 a.m.-3:30 p.m. over I-495/I-95 (Capital Beltway) and I-695 (Baltimore Beltway); loads 14 ft wide or more are 9:00 a.m.-3:30 p.m. on ANY highway. No permit-load movement Saturday after 12:00 noon or any time Sunday. On MdTA facilities, no permit loads Friday 12:00 noon to Monday 9:00 a.m. (incl. I-95 north of the Fort McHenry Tunnel to the Delaware line). I-895 (Baltimore Harbor Tunnel) allows NO permit loads except containerized cargo. Each MdTA facility must be contacted 1 hour before crossing. NOTE: a secondary-sourced night-travel pilot (9 p.m.-5 a.m. within 12 ft/75 ft/14'6"/120,000 lb) could NOT be confirmed officially, so night travel is recorded as not allowed.

Holiday blackouts: New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day.

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Superload Thresholds

Width over: 16ft
Height over: 16ft
Length over: 120ft
Weight over: 120,000 lbs

Maryland classifies a move as a 'Super Load' when it exceeds any of: 120 ft or more in length; 16 ft wide or more; 16 ft or more in height; over 150,000 lb (75 tons) or over 27,000 lb on any axle on Interstate highways; or over 120,000 lb (60 tons) or over 27,000 lb on any axle on Maryland State highways. All super loads require a performance/liability bond, SHA engineering/bridge review, and 48-hour advance notice. The weight field uses the lower 120,000 lb state-highway threshold; the Interstate threshold is 150,000 lb.

Estimated Permit Cost Verify before relying

$30 for first 40 tons + $5 per ton over 40 tons

Source: COMAR 11.04.01.08 — verify current fee with the permit office before budgeting a move.

Permit fee only — does not include escort/pilot-car service costs (market-rate, arranged separately) or third-party permit-service fees. This is an estimate for planning purposes, not a quote.

Get a Permit

Online portal: https://marylandone.gotpermits.com/marylandone
Phone: 1-800-543-4564

Baltimore Beltway (I-695) and I-495 (DC Beltway) have restricted travel times for oversize.

Planning a move through Maryland?

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