Massachusetts Oversize & Overweight Permits
Over 8'6" wide, 13'6" high, or 80,000 lb, MassDOT permits under 700 CMR 8.00 and MGL c.85 §30/§30A (about $40 for a five-day single trip, $400 annual). Daylight only, and the windows are brutal. The biggest loads (over 14' wide, 115' long, or 14' high) move Tuesday-Thursday, 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m., only. On I-93 into Boston, no travel 7-9 a.m. or 3-7 p.m. Over 130,000 lb draws an engineering survey; over 14'11" wide adds State Police.
A detail here is flagged medium confidence — confirm with the state permit office before you rely on it.
When Massachusetts needs a permit
Over 8'6" wide, 13'6" high, or 80,000 lb, MassDOT permits under 700 CMR 8.00 and MGL c.85 §30/§30A (about $40 for a five-day single trip, $400 annual). Daylight only, and the windows are brutal. The biggest loads (over 14' wide, 115' long, or 14' high) move Tuesday-Thursday, 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m., only. On I-93 into Boston, no travel 7-9 a.m. or 3-7 p.m. Over 130,000 lb draws an engineering survey; over 14'11" wide adds State Police.
Thresholds, escorts, and curfews
- Legal max before a permit: No permit up to 8'6" wide, 13'6" high (tunnel-free routes), 80,000 lb, and within legal length. Over any one of those and MassDOT permits the move before you travel.
- Escort / pilot car: Width: over 12' one escort, over 13'6" two, over 14'11" two plus State Police. Length: over 80' one, over 95' two, 115'+ two State Police, 145'+ more. Height: over 13'8" one escort plus route survey, over 14'11" two escorts plus State Police.
- Superload: Massachusetts publishes no single clean superload number; loads over about 130,000 lb draw an engineering survey (with a review fee), and the widest, longest, and tallest loads move only on narrow State-Police windows. Confirm the current review threshold with the MassDOT truck permit office.
- Travel curfew: Daylight only, and the windows are strict. Loads 12'-14' wide, over 80' long, or over 13'11" high: no travel 7-9 a.m. or 3:30-7 p.m., Monday-Friday. Over 14' wide, 115' long, or 14' high: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. only. On I-93 from Route 95 in Canton to Exit 21 in Boston, daylight with no travel 7-9 a.m. or 3-7 p.m. Holiday bans apply.
- Permit fee: About $40 for a five-day single-trip permit; about $400 for an annual permit. Engineering review on the heaviest loads carries its own charge.
Massachusetts Oversize Permit FAQ
When do I need an oversize permit in Massachusetts?
Does Massachusetts require a pilot car or escort?
Can I move an oversize load at night or on weekends in Massachusetts?
What does an oversize permit cost in Massachusetts?
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.mass.gov/commercial-truck-permits. See our Terms & Disclaimer.
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