Maryland oversize permit requirements
Maryland closes its toll facilities to oversize movement from noon on Friday until nine on Monday morning, and applies the same shutdown to I-95 from Baltimore to the Delaware line. In a state this narrow, that is most of the through routes, for most of the weekend. A load crossing the Chesapeake or heading north-east on I-95 has a Friday deadline whether or not anyone told the driver.
Against that, Maryland runs a night travel programme that few of its neighbours match. A load within twelve feet of width, seventy-five feet of length, fourteen feet six of height and a hundred and twenty thousand pounds may move between nine at night and five in the morning on unrestricted routes. For a modest load on a tight schedule, the night is often the only free road in the state.
The Capital Beltway takes its own carve-out: over twelve feet wide or over ninety-two thousand pounds, movement is confined to nine in the morning until half past three, and Saturday until noon. Anything fourteen feet wide or more is held to that same window on every highway in the state. Routine permits reach a hundred and twenty feet of length, sixteen feet of width and sixteen feet of height, with gross weight allowed to a hundred and fifty thousand pounds on the Interstate against a hundred and twenty thousand off it. Baltimore's Dundalk Marine Terminal has a predefined route folded into the state permit for loads within twelve feet, fourteen feet six and eighty-five feet.
Legal dimensions
At or under these figures, no oversize permit is required in Maryland.
- Width
- 8′6″
- Height
- 13′6″
- Gross weight
- 80,000 lb
- Overhang
- 3′ front, 6′ rear
- Single axle
- 20,000 lb
- Tandem
- 34,000 lb
- Tridem
- 42,500 lb
Routine permit limits
Above legal dimensions and up to these figures, Maryland issues a permit as routine business. Beyond them the load becomes a superload, reviewed case by case.
- Length
- 120′
- Width
- 16′
- Height
- 16′ — a route survey is required above 14′6″
- Gross
- 150,000 lb on the Interstate, 120,000 lb elsewhere
- Single axle
- 27,000 lb
- Tandem
- 52,000 lb
- Tridem
- 63,000 lb
Escort requirements
A load reaching any of these figures needs an escort in Maryland — the figure is the first size that requires one, so a load measuring exactly this much already needs it.
- Width
- 13′1″
- Height
- 14′6″
- Length
- 85′1″
When the load may move
Permit validity. Permits are valid for five travel days and must be obtained before entering the state.
Operating time. Daylight — half an hour before sunrise to half an hour after sunset — Monday to Friday, and Saturday until noon. A load within 12′ wide, 75′ long, 14′6″ high and 120,000 lb may also travel 9 PM to 5 AM on unrestricted routes.
Restricted travel. No toll facility crossings from noon Friday to 9 AM Monday, and the same shutdown on I-95 from Baltimore to the Delaware line. On the Capital Beltway, loads over 12′ wide or over 92,000 lb may move only 9 AM–3:30 PM, and Saturday until noon. Loads 14′ wide and over are held to that window on all highways. No travel on the six major holidays or holiday weekends.
Worth knowing
- Toll facilities and I-95 from Baltimore to the Delaware line are closed to oversize movement from noon Friday until 9 AM Monday.
- A night travel programme allows movement 9 PM to 5 AM for loads within 12′ wide, 75′ long, 14′6″ high and 120,000 lb.
- Baltimore's Dundalk Marine Terminal has a predefined route included in the state permit for loads within 120,000 lb, 12′ wide, 14′6″ high and 85′ long.
- Construction equipment may keep a blade or bucket attached up to 12′ of width.
- In Montgomery and Prince George's counties, loads over 12′ wide need two escorts on two-lane undivided roads.
- Legal length is 53′ on the Interstate and 48′ elsewhere; legal width drops to 8′ off the Interstate.
Maryland permits, answered
Can an oversize load cross a Maryland toll facility at the weekend?
No. Toll crossings are closed from noon Friday until 9 AM Monday, and I-95 from Baltimore to the Delaware line closes with them. In a state this narrow that removes most of the through routes for most of the weekend.
Can an oversize load travel at night in Maryland?
Yes, within 12′ wide, 75′ long, 14′6″ high and 120,000 lb — between 9 PM and 5 AM on unrestricted routes. For a modest load it is often the only free road in the state.
When can a wide load use the Capital Beltway?
Between 9 AM and 3:30 PM, and Saturday until noon, if it is over 12′ wide or over 92,000 lb. Anything 14′ wide or more is held to that window on every highway in the state.
How heavy can a Maryland permit load be?
150,000 lb on the Interstate and 120,000 lb elsewhere. Above 120,000 lb a civilian escort is required, and above 130,000 lb a police escort on all routes.
Is there a set route to the Port of Baltimore?
Yes. A predefined Dundalk Marine Terminal route is folded into the state permit for loads within 120,000 lb, 12′ wide, 14′6″ high and 85′ long.
Crossing more than Maryland?
A permit is per state. If the route leaves Maryland, these are the states it most likely enters.
Get a permit quote for Maryland
Enter the load once and the estimator prices every state on the route, flags where an escort is required, and turns the quote into an order.
Price a permit for Maryland →Compiled from published state DOT sources. Regulations change — confirm the current rules before dispatch. Last reviewed 2026-07-30.