The city of Boston is the only place in the world where a boat can sail under a train driving under a car driving under an airplane. So, if you’re moving an oversized load through Boston, you can be part of the world’s largest transportation sandwich. But before hitting the road, you’ll need to obtain a Massachusetts oversize permit.
At The Permit Company, we take the hassle out of obtaining oversize and overweight truck permits by working directly with state and local agencies on your behalf. Contact us to obtain your permit, and read the article below to find all the necessary information for moving oversized loads through Massachusetts.
1. How long are oversize permits valid for in Massachusetts?
Single-trip permits are valid for five consecutive days.
2. What are the legal dimensions for loads in Massachusetts?
The legal limits in Massachusetts are as follows:
- Gross weight: 80,000 lbs. on all roads
- Width: 8’6” on all roads
- Height: 13’6” on all roads
- Length: 40’ for single units and buses on all roads, 45’ for buses on all roads, 53’ for semi-trailers on all roads, 33’ for trailers on all roads, 28’ for twins/doubles on designated highways (not allowed on other roads), 65’ for autotransporters on designated highways (60’ on other roads), 75’ for stinger-steered on all roads, 75’ for saddle mounts on all roads and 48’ for mobile cranes on all roads; Rocky Mountain doubles and triples not allowed; Call 888-331-0601 for turnpike doubles information.
3. What are the permit limits for loads in Massachusetts?
The routine-issue permit limits in Massachusetts are as follows:
- Weight:
- Single: Depends on axle spacing
- Tandem: Depends on axle spacing
- Tridem: Depends on axle spacing
- Quad: Depends on axle spacing
- Gross weight:
- Five to eight axles: 99,000 for reducible loads, 130,000 for non-reducible loads
- Tandem combination: 127,400 for 92′ spacings
- Tractor and semi-trailer: 71,000
- Unit of dolly and semi-trailer: 56,400
- Length: 115’, 100’ for mobile homes
- Width: 14’11”
- Height: 14’11” (more than 13’8” requires a route survey)
If the load exceeds any of these dimensions or weights, refer to the section on Superloads. Must be registered for the weight that you are hauling.
4. Is continuous travel allowed for oversize permits in Massachusetts?
As a general rule, unless otherwise stated herein, all over-dimensional and overweight vehicles with a permit may travel from Monday mornings at 12:01 a.m. to 12:00 noon on Saturdays, apart from special exceptions. Vehicles between 12′ and 14′ wide, 80′ and 114′ long, and over 13’11” in height may travel under permit only during daylight hours (sunrise to sunset), except from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. and from 3:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Vehicles more than 15′ wide and mobile homes more than 14′ wide may travel between the hours of 9:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. — only on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.
Travel is permitted on Saturdays and Sundays until 12:00 noon.
Travel is prohibited on New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. On holidays, travel is suspended from noon the day before until noon the day after.
5. When are escorts needed in Massachusetts?
On all highways:
- One rear escort needed for lengths 80’–94’11”
- One front and one rear escort (two in total) needed for lengths over 94’11”
- Two escorts and a Massachusetts State Police escort needed for lengths over 134’
- One front and one rear escort (two in total) needed for widths over 12’ with dozer blade attached
- One rear escort needed for widths 12’1”–13’6”
- One front and one rear escort (two in total) needed for widths over 13’6”
- Two escorts and a Massachusetts State Police escort needed for widths over 14’11”
- One front escort needed for heights 13’8”–13’11”
- One front and one rear escort (two in total) needed for heights 13’11”–14’11”
- Height survey needed for heights over 13’8”
- Two front escorts and a Massachusetts State Police escort needed for heights over 14’11”
In the city of Boston:
- At least one escort and ally city police escort needed if over legal dimensions
In Cape Cod:
- One escort and a Massachusetts State Police escort needed if over legal dimensions
On the Massachusetts turnpike:
- One rear escort needed for widths 12’1”–13’
- One front and one rear escort (two in total) needed for widths 13’1”–14’11”
- One front and one rear escort (two in total) and two police escorts needed for widths over 15’
- One rear escort needed for lengths 80’–85’
- One front and one rear escort (two in total) needed for lengths 85’1”–134’11”
- One front and one rear escort (two in total) and two police escorts needed for lengths 135’ and more
- One rear escort needed for vehicles with an overhang of 4′ or more if the load is poles, masts or booms
- One rear escort needed for vehicles with an overhang of 10′ or more if the load isn’t poles, masts or booms
- One rear escort needed if the vehicle is a drill rig with boom, a shovel or a crane, or is odd-shaped
The escort vehicle must be a light truck or passenger car with two flashing amber lights visible from the front and rear, 24″ square red flags on the right and left rear, and a sign reading “Oversize Load.”
6. What is a superload in Massachusetts?
Vehicles more than 14’11” wide (more than 14’ for modular), 134′ long, 14’11” high or 130,000 lbs. are considered superloads. The superload permit fee is $300.
When traveling on the turnpike, there is a $300 fee for vehicle loads that exceed 12′ wide, 13’6″ high, 100′ long or 130,000 lbs., and you may require a state police escort. If over 15′ wide or 135′ long, two state police escorts are required.
Superloads require a full structure analysis. If the vehicle is over 130,000 lbs., an outside engineering firm must do a route survey.
Allow up to 10 days for approval.
If you need help with getting an oversize permit in Massachusetts or have a question about permits in any other states, give us a call at (877) 416-1051 or send us an email.