Massachusetts (MA) Pilot Car & Escort Vehicle Requirements

Escort requirements, travel restrictions, and signage rules for oversize/overweight loads in Massachusetts.

Legal Dimensions — Massachusetts

Max Width
8'6"
Max Height
13'6"
Max Length
53'0"
Gross Weight
80,000 lbs
Front Overhang
3'0"
Rear Overhang
4'0"

Interstate Escort Requirements

Width

Min WidthMax Width EscortsPositionNotes
8'7" 12'0" 0 Permit required, no escort
12'1" 13'6" 1 Front
13'7" 14'11" 2 Front + Rear
15'0" 20'0" 2 Police Front + Rear 2 escorts + state police

Height

Min HeightMax Height EscortsPositionNotes
13'7" 13'8" 0 High pole required
Height pole required
13'9" 13'11" 1 Front Route/height survey + 1 front escort
Height pole required
14'0" 14'11" 2 Front + Rear Varies by route
Height pole required
15'0" 20'0" 2 Police Front + Rear 2 front escorts + state police
Height pole required

Length

Min LengthMax Length EscortsPositionNotes
53'1" 80'0" 0 Permit required
80'1" 95'0" 1 Rear
95'1" 115'0" 2 Front + Rear
115'1" 134'0" 2 Police Front + Rear 2 escorts + State Police
134'1" 200'0" 2 Police Front + Rear State Police + 2 escorts

Non-Interstate / State Road Escort Requirements

Width

Min WidthMax Width EscortsPositionNotes
8'7" 12'0" 0 Permit required. Mass Turnpike: over 12' wide = police escort. Boston: over legal = 1 + city police.
12'1" 13'6" 1 Front Cape Cod over 12' = 1 + State Police
13'7" 14'11" 2 Front + Rear
15'0" 20'0" 2 Police Front + Rear 2 + state police

Height

Min HeightMax Height EscortsPositionNotes
13'7" 13'8" 0 High pole required
Height pole required
13'9" 13'11" 1 Front Route/height survey + 1 front
Height pole required
14'0" 14'11" 2 Front + Rear Varies by route
Height pole required
15'0" 20'0" 2 Police Front + Rear 2 front + state police
Height pole required

Length

Min LengthMax Length EscortsPositionNotes
53'1" 80'0" 0 Mass Turnpike: over 100' = police escort
80'1" 95'0" 1 Rear
95'1" 115'0" 2 Front + Rear
115'1" 134'0" 2 Police Front + Rear State Police
134'1" 200'0" 2 Police Front + Rear State Police + 2 escorts

Weight

Min WeightMax Weight EscortsPositionNotes
130,001 lbs 999,999 lbs 1 Police Rear Mass Turnpike: over 130,000 lbs = police escort

Travel Restrictions

Standard Hours
Sunrise to sunset, Monday through Friday (excluding 7-9 AM and 3:30-7 PM)
Night Travel
Not permitted for oversize loads
Weekend Travel
Saturday until noon only. No Sunday travel.
Holiday Restrictions
No travel on major holidays
Urban Restrictions
7-9 AM and 3:30-7 PM restricted. Boston: over legal = 1 + city police.

Signage & Flag Requirements

Oversize Load Sign
Required on oversize loads
Flags
Standard flags at extremities
Disclaimer: These regulations are for informational purposes only. Always verify with the Massachusetts Department of Transportation before moving any oversize/overweight load. Regulations change frequently.

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