Maryland Oversize & Overweight Permits
Maryland ties most permitted loads to daylight, a half-hour either side of the sun, weekdays and Saturday to noon; only dimensionally modest loads run around the clock. Fees are $30 for the first 40 tons plus $5 a ton above that, with a book of ten single-trip permits at $300. Escorts start at 13' wide or 85' long; 14' wide takes two. Superloads face 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. windows and bridge review.
A detail here is flagged medium confidence — confirm with the state permit office before you rely on it.
When Maryland needs a permit
Maryland ties most permitted loads to daylight, a half-hour either side of the sun, weekdays and Saturday to noon; only dimensionally modest loads run around the clock. Fees are $30 for the first 40 tons plus $5 a ton above that, with a book of ten single-trip permits at $300. Escorts start at 13' wide or 85' long; 14' wide takes two. Superloads face 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. windows and bridge review.
Thresholds, escorts, and curfews
- Legal max before a permit: Permit needed over 8'6" wide, 13'6" high, 80,000 lb gross, or over legal length (semitrailer 48 ft, 53 ft on designated routes). MDOT SHA Hauling Permits issues; Baltimore and city structures can add a local permit.
- Escort / pilot car: One escort for loads over 13' wide, over 85' long, over 14'6" high, or over 60 tons (120,000 lb); two escorts at 14' wide or more (including manufactured housing) or 140' or longer. Police escort comes in on the widest and heaviest moves, and a height-pole car plus a route survey ride the tall loads. Confirm the exact escort on the permit.
- Superload: Superload thresholds hinge on the route: generally over 150,000 lb gross (or over 120,000 lb on non-Interstate routes), with dimensional caps around 16' wide, 16' high, and 120' long. Bridge/structure review, a route survey, and 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. day moves come before it rolls.
- Travel curfew: A half-hour before sunrise to a half-hour after sunset, weekdays and Saturday until noon, is the default. Dimensionally modest permitted loads (roughly within 13'11" wide, 14'6" high, and 120' long) may run around the clock. Loads 14' wide or wider, and superloads, are boxed into 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., with the Capital Beltway (I-495) and Baltimore Beltway (I-695) especially tight.
- Permit fee: Base fee is $30 for the first 40 tons of gross weight plus $5 for each additional ton over 40 tons; a book of ten single-trip permits is $300. Gross over 60 tons adds an engineering structural-review fee. Annual/blanket options exist. Apply about 5 days out; the permit is good for 5 travel days.
Maryland Oversize Permit FAQ
When do I need an oversize permit in Maryland?
Does Maryland require a pilot car or escort?
Can I move an oversize load at night or on weekends in Maryland?
What does an oversize permit cost in Maryland?
Reference information for planning, not legal advice. Traffic laws change and this can be out of date, so always confirm the current statute and obey posted signs before you rely on it. Last reviewed July 2026. Source: https://www.roads.maryland.gov/oots/md_hauling_permit_manual.pdf. See our Terms & Disclaimer.
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