Massachusetts permits
Massachusetts Oversize Permit Rules
Legal limits, pilot cars, the Boston tunnel heights, travel days, holidays and super loads for oversize and overweight loads in Massachusetts, each checked against the MassDOT pages and the Massachusetts rules.
Last checked: Oct 17, 2026
This page is general information only, not legal advice and not a permit. Rules change often and each state's permit and official rules are the final word. Always confirm limits, escorts, routes and travel times with the state permit office before moving a load. Reliable Transport LLC is not responsible for decisions made using this information.
- Pilot cars start
- Over 12'W
- Legal size
- 8'6"W, 13'6"H
- Super load
- Over 130,000 lbs
Hauling through other states? Use our permit map and route planner
Open the route plannerMassDOT permits
How Massachusetts sizes up a heavy load
The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) issues oversize and overweight permits through its online permit system and its truck permit office in Weston, on the Mass Pike, under M.G.L. c. 90 and the MassDOT rules in 700 CMR 7.00 and 8.00. These are the numbers we plan every Massachusetts load with. Run your exact load and route through our permit tool to see every state on the trip.
Check your load
Enter your width, height, length and weight in our permit tool to see the rules for every state on your route, each with its official source.
Massachusetts limits
Massachusetts legal limits and permit thresholds
Over any legal limit, the load needs a MassDOT permit before it moves.
Massachusetts legal size, weight and permits
Official sources linked| Rule | Limit |
|---|---|
| Legal width | 8'6"W (MassDOT height and weight limitations, 700 CMR 7.07(4), M.G.L. c. 90, s. 19) |
| Legal height | 13'6"H (MassDOT height and weight limitations, 700 CMR 7.07(4)) |
| Legal gross weight | 80,000 lbs on 3 or more axles; heavier loads need a permit (M.G.L. c. 90, s. 19A, 700 CMR 8.04) |
| Tunnel heights | 12'6"H in the Callahan and Sumner Tunnels; 13'6"H in the Ted Williams and O'Neill Tunnels and on the Turnpike (MassDOT height and weight limitations, 700 CMR 7.07(4)) |
| Super load | Over 130,000 lbs; detailed engineering calculations required (700 CMR 7.07(3), 700 CMR 8.06) |
Escorts
Massachusetts escort requirements
These are the MassDOT pilot car rules for the Massachusetts Turnpike and the Metropolitan Highway System, set by width.
Massachusetts escorts by load size
Official sources linked| Load | Escorts |
|---|---|
| Over 12'W up to 13'6"W | One pilot car behind the load (700 CMR 7.07(4)(d)) |
| Over 13'6"W up to 16'W | One pilot car in front and one behind (700 CMR 7.07(4)(d)) |
Pilot car rules come from 700 CMR 7.07(4)(d). The permit lists the pilot cars and any police escort for each move and overrides the general table. (700 CMR 7.07(4)(d))
Height and routes
Route surveys, tall loads and utilities
What Massachusetts asks of the tallest loads.
Legal height
13'6"H is the legal height on the Turnpike and on other roads. Taller loads need a permit. (MassDOT height and weight limitations, 700 CMR 7.07(4))
Boston tunnels
The Callahan and Sumner Tunnels allow up to 12'6"H, and the Ted Williams, O'Neill and CANA (City Square) Tunnels up to 13'6"H. (MassDOT height and weight limitations, 700 CMR 7.07(4))
Travel times
Travel hours, nights, weekends and holidays
When a permitted load may move in Massachusetts.
Days and hours
Permitted loads move on state highways from 12:01 a.m. Monday to noon Saturday, and on Sunday from 12:01 a.m. to noon. (MassDOT height and weight limitations)
Holidays
No movement on major holidays. (MassDOT height and weight limitations)
Superloads
Massachusetts superloads
MassDOT treats a load over 130,000 lbs as a super load. The permit needs detailed engineering calculations, and the super load fee applies to a single trip. (700 CMR 7.07(3), 700 CMR 8.06)
See how we plan the biggest loads on our Superload Transport page.
Our moves
Heavy loads we have moved
207,000 lb dryer drum
A 207,000 lb dryer drum from Louisville, KY to Richmond, VA.
Read the move →110,000 lb switchgear building
A switchgear building of 110,000 lbs, from Houston, TX to Los Angeles, CA.
Read the move →150,000 lb transformer
A 150,000 lb transformer from Pocatello, ID to Akron, OH.
Read the move →Moving a load in Massachusetts?
Send the dimensions and weight. We file the Massachusetts permit and book the escorts.
Request a quote →See every move on our Moves page.
Sources
Official Massachusetts sources
Every rule on this page is taken from the official rule text below and confirmed by a second source. Rules we could not confirm twice are left off this page. Rules change, and the permit itself always decides. Last checked: Oct 17, 2026.
- MassDOT, Commercial truck permits: height and weight limitations
- 700 CMR 7.00, Use of the Massachusetts Turnpike and the Metropolitan Highway System
- 700 CMR 8.00, Permitting, operation and transport of overdimensional loads
- M.G.L. c. 90, s. 19, vehicle width and length
- M.G.L. c. 90, s. 19A, vehicle weight
- MassDOT online truck permit system
Questions
Massachusetts permit questions
What are the legal size and weight limits in Massachusetts?
8'6"W and 13'6"H, and 80,000 lbs on 3 or more axles.
When does Massachusetts require pilot cars?
On the Massachusetts Turnpike and the Metropolitan Highway System, one pilot car follows a load over 12'W up to 13'6"W, and over 13'6"W up to 16'W there is one in front and one behind.
How tall can a load be in the Boston tunnels?
12'6"H in the Callahan and Sumner Tunnels, and 13'6"H in the Ted Williams and O'Neill Tunnels.
When can oversize loads move in Massachusetts?
From 12:01 a.m. Monday to noon Saturday, and on Sunday from 12:01 a.m. to noon. No movement on major holidays.
When is a Massachusetts load a super load?
Over 130,000 lbs. The permit then needs detailed engineering calculations.
Keep planning
More for your Massachusetts move
Permit rules in other states
Hauling through other states? Use our permit map and route planner
Open the route plannerReliable Transport LLC | Reliable Heavy Haul
Ready to move it?
We haul oversize and overweight loads across the USA and Canada from our home base at 7660 W Third St, Dayton, OH 45417. Send your load details and we will plan the Massachusetts permit, route and escorts.
This page is general information only, not legal advice and not a permit. Rules change often and each state's permit and official rules are the final word. Always confirm limits, escorts, routes and travel times with the state permit office before moving a load. Reliable Transport LLC is not responsible for decisions made using this information.