Legal size & loaded measurements
General width
8′6″Ordinary vehicle-and-load limit; safety-device, vehicle and load exceptions may apply.
Loaded height
13′6″General limit. Callahan and Sumner tunnels have a lower 12′6″ limit; check the exact facility.
Loaded dimensions
The baseline is 102 inches wide and 13 feet 6 inches high, but tunnel heights and configuration-specific length limits can be lower.
Axles, weight & bridges
Use axle count and spacing, gross weight, tire and registration ratings, bridge formula, posted bridges and route ownership; GVW alone is not a Massachusetts answer.
Loaded width
Massachusetts uses a 102-inch baseline width, inclusive of the load, with statutory exclusions for specified safety devices and route-specific exceptions.
Permits, routes & larger loads
Roads & authorities
MassDOT permits cover the named vehicle/load and approved state or through route. MassDOT roads, Turnpike/MHS, tunnels, local ways, bridges and facility owners must be checked separately.
When a permit is needed
Obtain the applicable Massachusetts special permit before movement when size, weight or route conditions exceed the legal baseline. Product and route conditions are not interchangeable.
Larger-load review
Turnpike/MHS routine tables reach 99,000 pounds for five or more axles; weight over 130,000 pounds is a detailed-engineering class. Neither is a universal route authorization.
State permit fees
Single-trip agency fee example
$40 for this Massachusetts planning example: a nondivisible load measuring 8′7″ wide, 13′ high and 70′ overall, at 72,000 lb gross on a five-axle rig with a 48′ trailer. The example uses 100 in-state miles. Change the load details in the calculator for your move.
What the agency estimate includes
The calculator applies Massachusetts's maintained single-trip permit schedule to the loaded vehicle and the supplied fee inputs. It itemizes the supported state charges, including weight or distance charges where applicable. Annual permits, special products, local permissions and payment-method charges need their own applicable schedule.
MA / Permit worksheet
Price your Massachusetts movement.
Enter the complete loaded vehicle. Get estimated agency fees and escort requirements before sharing your contact details.
The numbers behind your next move.
Your result will show the agency fee breakdown, potential pilot-car requirements, and the rules used to calculate them.
- 01 State agency fee subtotal
- 02 Escort & survey considerations
- 03 Sources & pricing assumptions
Single-state pricing uses the mileage you enter. For a proposed route and intermediate states, use the route calculator.
About the example equipment
The samples use ODPermit’s editable 48 ft flatbed · 5 axles planning profile. Loaded dimensions, gross weight, 100 state miles and Texas registration are example inputs, not a capacity rating or a route approval. Replace them with your actual setup.
Great Dane Freedom trailer specifications — 48 ft platform; the illustrated 40 in drop deck and 20 in drop support a 60 in upper-deck planning height. Combined tare and tractor geometry are editable ODPermit assumptions.
Pilot cars, height poles & surveys
14′6″-wide load example
Example: 14′6″ wide × 13′ high, 75′ overall, 72,000 lb gross, zero overhang or rear projection, ordinary nondivisible freight in daylight. Depending on the road or permit conditions: On the Turnpike and Metropolitan Highway System, plan for front and rear civilian pilots for width over 13 ft 6 in through 16 ft. Confirm the vehicle class on the permit. Depending on the road or permit conditions: On the Turnpike/MHS, a rear pilot is required for overhang at least 10 ft, or at least 4 ft for poles, masts and similar cargo. Drill rigs, shovels, cranes and odd-shaped loads also require a rear pilot. Depending on the road or permit conditions: Use MassDOT's route-specific escort assignment for highways outside the Turnpike and MHS, including any pole car or police conditions. The Turnpike table does not establish the crew for those roads.
17′6″-high load example
Example: 9′ wide × 17′6″ high, 75′ overall, 72,000 lb gross, zero overhang or rear projection, ordinary nondivisible freight in daylight. Depending on the road or permit conditions: On the Turnpike/MHS, a rear pilot is required for overhang at least 10 ft, or at least 4 ft for poles, masts and similar cargo. Drill rigs, shovels, cranes and odd-shaped loads also require a rear pilot. Depending on the road or permit conditions: Use MassDOT's route-specific escort assignment for highways outside the Turnpike and MHS, including any pole car or police conditions. The Turnpike table does not establish the crew for those roads.
Travel hours & road restrictions
Travel hours
Travel dates and times must be checked against the product, route, holiday calendar, tunnel/MHS curfews, weather, construction and the issued permit.
Current route restrictions
No movement is allowed on listed major holidays, with noon-to-noon windows around New Year's, Independence Day and Christmas; Truck Check and the permit control route-specific restrictions.
Signs, flags & safety equipment
Safety equipment
Secure the load under adopted federal/state rules and obey permit signs, flags, lights, clearance, speed, bridge, traffic and weather conditions.
What the driver needs
Carry the permit
Keep the original permit and designated-way list in the vehicle and present both on request; match the approved vehicle, load, route, dates and conditions.
Prepare the driver packet
The driver packet must contain the original permit, designated-way list, vehicle/load identity, dimensions, axle diagram, route, dates, escort instructions and current restrictions.
Special equipment & permit programs
Special permit programs
Reducible/irreducible loads, large tandems, transporters, house trailers, explosives, special fuel, construction and emergency paths each have separate eligibility and route controls.
BEFORE THE TRUCK ROLLS
Turn the estimate
into a permitted move.
Confirm the loaded measurements, carrier details, travel dates and exact pickup and delivery. We can help coordinate permits, escorts and route surveys around those facts.
THE SOURCE RECORD
Official references.
Read the rule behind each requirement. These are dated references; current restrictions and the issued permit control your move.
- 01Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 90, Section 19: Dimensions and Weights
M.G.L. c. 90, §19
Source record: - 02
- 03
- 04700 CMR 7.00: Use of the Massachusetts Turnpike and Metropolitan Highway System
700 CMR 7.07(3), Tables 3–4 and Bridge Gross Weight Formula
Source record: - 05700 CMR 8.00: Permitting, Operation, and Transport of Overdimensional Loads
700 CMR 8.01, 8.04 and 8.05
Source record: - 06
- 07700 CMR 8.00: Permitting, Operation, and Transport of Overdimensional Loads
700 CMR 8.05(1), 8.05(3) and Table 1
Source record: - 08700 CMR 7.00: Use of the Massachusetts Turnpike and Metropolitan Highway System
700 CMR 7.07(3), Table 3
Source record: - 09700 CMR 8.00: Permitting, Operation, and Transport of Overdimensional Loads
700 CMR 8.05(3)-(4), Table 1
Source record: - 10700 CMR 8.05(4), Table 1 — irreducible and superload fees
700 CMR 8.05(4), Table 1 — irreducible and superload fees
Source record: - 11MassDOT 700 CMR 7.07(4)(d) — Turnpike and MHS pilot cars
MassDOT 700 CMR 7.07(4)(d) — Turnpike and MHS pilot cars
Source record: - 12MassDOT 700 CMR 7.07(4)(d) — Turnpike and MHS pilot cars
MassDOT 700 CMR 7.07(4)(d) — Turnpike and MHS pilot cars
Source record: - 13
- 14540 CMR 14.00: Motor Carrier Safety and Hazardous Material Transportation
540 CMR 14.03
Source record: - 15700 CMR 7.00: Use of the Massachusetts Turnpike and Metropolitan Highway System
700 CMR 7.07(4)(d)6–8
Source record: - 16700 CMR 8.00: Permitting, Operation, and Transport of Overdimensional Loads
700 CMR 8.06(9)
Source record: - 17MassDOT Oversize Overweight Permitting and Routing Application (OASIS)
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Source record: