2021 Maryland state shipping regulations, limitations, and laws for oversize and heavy haul trucking.

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Seal of the great state of Maryland.

Legal Loads.

Length: 65’ (48’ trailers) (53’ allowed on Interstate only with 41’ to the kingpin max), and not more than 4′ set back from the front of the trailer to the kingpin
Overhang: 3’ front and 6’ rear maximum.
Weight: GVW 80,000
Tandem: 34,000
Width: 8’ on non-designated highways – 8’6” on designated highways.
Height: 13’ 6”

Routine trucking permits.

Length: 120’
Weight: Less than 120,000 (non-Interstate) to 150,000 (Interstate), single – 27,000 lbs., tandem – 52,000 lbs., tridem – 63,000 lbs.
Width: 16’
Height: 14’ 6” – high pole required. (any height over 13′ 6″ cannot be permitted on a flatbed). Over 14′-6″ now requires a route survey.
Notes: Loads exceeding any of these weight/dimensions are classified as super loads. Over 120,000 pounds gross on any non-Interstate route is a superload.

When you are required to have pilot cars.

Length: Over 120’
Weight: Over 110,000 lbs.
Width: Over 13’ requires 1 pilot car in front. Over 14’ requires 1 pilot car in front and 1 pilot car in the rear.
Height: Over 16’.

Travel times and restrictions.

Times that you are not allowed to travel within the state of Maryland with oversize or heavy haul loads:

Daylight hours are defined as one-half hour after sunrise and one-half hours before sunset. You may not travel on Sunday. Saturday travel is permitted in till noon. Maryland state DOT has different curfews that have to be followed in areas with high traffic densities. Typically these hours are from 9 AM in till 3:30 PM. No travel is usually allowed between these hours. The state of Maryland has many toll bridges and tunnels that may charge additional fees. You should contact the Maryland Transportation Authority (US-50:410–537–6601, I95: 410–537–1150, FC Key Bridge: 410–537–7600). Traveling on any of these toll roads bridges or tunnels. Always be sure to check your physical permit for curfew times. Especially if you are in excess of 45 gross tons 100 feet in length or over 12 feet wide. If you are over 14 feet by you will not be permitted to travel between the hours of 9 AM and 3:30 PM on any highway. Travel is not permitted on any of the following holidays: New Year’s Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day. The Maryland state DOT permit office for oversize and heavy haul loads is closed on the above-mentioned holidays as well as Martin Luther King Day, Columbus Day, election day and is also close on the day after Thanksgiving but travel is not restricted on these days.

No movements across any toll facilities are permitted from noon Friday until 9:00 am Monday including I-95 from Baltimore to the Delaware state line. Over 12′ wide or over 92,000 pounds can only travel 9:00 am to 3:30 pm (and Saturday until Noon) when on the Capital Beltway I-495/I-95 and Baltimore Beltway I-695. If 14′ wide or more, travel is only permitted from 9:00 am to 3:30 pm (and Saturday until Noon on any roads/highways).

Maryland DOT contact information.

Information and links for oversize and heavy haul shippers:

Maryland State Highway Administration
Office of Traffic Safety, Oversize, and heavy haul division
Hauling Permits Unit
7491 Connelley Dr.
Hanover, MD  21076

E-mail: mdmotorcarrier@sha.state.md.us or haulingpermits@sha.state.md.us
Phone: 410-582-5727, 800-846-6435 or 800-543-4564
Fax: 410-787-2863 or toll free fax: 800-945-3416

Hours: Monday thru Friday 7:30 am to 4:30 pm (closed noon to 1 o’clock).
NOTES: Single trip permits are valid for 5 days. Also, Maryland has a pretty good manual you can view here.
Baltimore City: Baltimore permits routes into or out of Dundalk Marine Terminal are included with the Maryland state permit provided the dimensions are under 120,000 pounds, 12′ wide, 14′-6″ high, and 85′ long. Loads with other Baltimore destinations or origins, or loads exceeding these dimensions have to be ordered separately from Baltimore City, which is usually slow. Count on a 24-hour wait.