Massachusetts Oversize/Overweight Permits

Massachusets Overweight PermitsPermit Types

Call (888) 799-8858 for Massachusetts oversize/overweight permits.

1. Single-Trip Permits

  • Non-Reducible Single-Trip
  • Cask Non-Reducible
  • Non-Reducible Intermodal
  • Modular Homes
  • Self-Propelled Equipment
  • Superload – 135’ or longer, 15’ or wider, 15’ or taller, and/or 130,000 lbs. or heavier

2. Multi-Trip Permits

Maximum Dimensions for Vehicle-Specific permits:

  • 6-Month Intermodal – A limit up to 88,000 lbs. weight.
  • Boat (Annual) – 80’ length, 11’6″ width, 130,000 lbs. weight. Travel restricted to I-90 and State Roads.
  • Construction Equipment (Annual) – 80’ length, 12’ width, 130,000 lbs. Travel restricted to I-90 and State Roads.
  • Fire Truck Government (Annual) – 70’ length, 12’ width, 130,000 lbs.
  • Self Propelled Crane (Annual) – 95’ length, 12’ width, 130,000 lbs. Travel restricted to I-90 and State Roads.
  • Special Hauling Explosives (Annual)
  • Special Hauling Fuel (Annual)
  • Tandem Trailer Special Hauling (Annual)
  • Reducible (Annual) – Trucks carrying the following materials may only travel on I-90 and State Roads:
  1. Asphalt
  2. Bulk Feed
  3. Concrete
  4. Construction Materials
  5. Fuel, Gravel, and Sand
  6. Hazardous Liquid in Tankers
  7. Refuse
  8. Salt
  9. Logs and Lumber
  10. Mulch
  11. Non-Hazardous Liquids

PERMITS: Massachusetts overweight/oversize permits are valid for five days of travel. You must have a permit prior to crossing state lines.

OPERATING TIME: Generally, vehicles under 12’ wide and under 14’ high may travel from Monday morning, 12:01 a.m. through noon on Saturday and Sunday, 12:01 a.m. until noon. Vehicles between 12’ and 14’ wide, over 13’11” in height, and over 80’ long (but not over 114’ long) are only permitted for travel from sunrise to sunset Monday through Friday, except no travel is allowed between 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. and between 3:30 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.

Legal Dimensions

Width: 8’6″
Height: 13’6″
Weight:
  • Single axle – 18,000 – 22,400 lbs.
  • GVW on Interstate Highways – 80,000 lbs.
Length:
  •  Single Motor Vehicle – 40’
  •  Semitrailer – 53’
Overhang:
  • 3’ front
  • 4’ rear

PERMIT LIMITS

Width: 15’
Weight: 130,000 lbs. gross
Length: 135’
Height: 15’


Loads exceeding these dimensions are treated as superloads. Loads over 130,000 lbs. gross require an engineering company survey of structures before permits can be issued. This can cost thousands of dollars, depending on the route and structures.

ESCORTS FOR WIDE LOAD & OVERSIZED SHIPPING

Escorts are Needed On All Highways:

Length:

  • At 80’ – 1 escort
  • Over 100’ – A state police escort will be required (need 48-hour notice) unless exempted by the state.
Width:

  • At 12’ – 1 escort
  • Over 18′ – 2 state police escorts will be required (need 48-hour notice). The state may require a second escort for some routes.
Height: A route survey may be required for over 13’6″ high. Escorts are not usually required for height.
Overhang:

  • Over 15’ – 1 escort
    • On a 2-lane undivided highway, 2 escorts are required if overhang exceeds 15’ and width is over 12’.

SIGNS, FLAGS & LIGHTS

An “Oversize Load” sign is required for the rear end of an oversize vehicle. Therefore, vehicles with this sign do not require escorts. Please mount red flags on the extremities and corners of any vehicle that is overwidth or overlength. For all overdimensional loads during nighttime hours, a flashing amber light must be in operation above the highest point of the vehicle. The amber light must be visible from the front and rear of the vehicle.

RESTRICTED TRAVEL

No travel is allowed on major holidays, and some holiday weekends. Routes 95 and 93 in the Boston area are restricted to travel only between 9:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.

Massachusetts Turnpike: Between the NY line and I-95, no permit is required up to 10’ wide, legal weight, and up to 80’ long. Turnpike permits are issued for vehicles and loads up to 12’ wide, 13’9″ high, 80’ long, and up to 99,000 lbs. Lower limits apply to the Sumner, Callahan, and Ted Williams Tunnels in the Boston area. Permits to exceed these dimensions on the Turnpike requires special engineering approval plus a $350.00 fee. Vehicles/loads over 12’ wide, over 100’ long, or over 130,000 lbs. gross requires a police escort.

You can also obtain any trip and fuel permits you may need with our sister site!