Truck dispatch in Maryland
Maryland puts the Port of Baltimore on the I-95 corridor between Washington and Philadelphia, with Hagerstown warehouses on I-81 and I-70 out west. Baltimore's tunnels and the loss of the Key Bridge change truck routes, and we plan around them.
First load free · then a % of each load · no contractAt a glance
- Baltimore led U.S. ports in roll-on/roll-off farm and construction equipment in 2025
- The port handled 728,225 autos and light trucks in 2025, second in the U.S.
- Hazmat loads are banned from the I-95 and I-895 harbor tunnels
- No Maryland highway may be posted above 70 mph
Where the freight is in Maryland
Main corridors
The interstates most of our Maryland loads run on: I-95, I-695, I-895, I-70, I-81, I-83, I-97, US-50, US-13.
I-95 runs from Washington through Baltimore to Delaware and Philadelphia, and I-695 circles Baltimore. I-70 heads west from Baltimore through Frederick to Hagerstown, where it crosses I-81. US-50 crosses the Chesapeake Bay Bridge to the Eastern Shore, and US-13 runs down the Delmarva Peninsula.
Freight and seasons
Port cargo, consumer goods, food and poultry lead Maryland freight. Baltimore moves containers, autos, farm and construction equipment and forest products year-round, and Hagerstown and the I-95 corridor keep dry vans busy. Eastern Shore poultry plants ship refrigerated loads all year. Summer beach traffic slows US-50 and the Bay Bridge.
Maryland rules to know
Every interstate carrier needs a USDOT number, MC authority, UCR and, for most semis, IRP plates and an IFTA license. On top of that:
Harbor tunnel hazmat ban
Vehicles carrying bulk gasoline, flammable liquids, explosives, radioactive materials, other hazardous materials, or propane over 10 lb per container (or more than 10 containers) may not use the Fort McHenry Tunnel (I-95) or the Baltimore Harbor Tunnel (I-895). Source
Key Bridge detour
The Francis Scott Key Bridge (I-695) collapsed in March 2024, and that part of I-695 is closed. Hazmat loads that can't use the tunnels must take the western side of I-695 around Baltimore. Source
Harbor Tunnel size limits
The Baltimore Harbor Tunnel Thruway (I-895) bans tandem trailers and vehicles over 13 ft 6 in tall or 96 in (8 ft) wide. Trucks over 5 tons must stay in the right lane on the approaches and in the tunnel. Source
Speed limit
No Maryland highway may be posted above 70 mph, and roads other than interstates and expressways top out at 55 mph. The law sets no separate truck limit. Source
Intrastate USDOT number
Maryland requires a USDOT number even for carriers that only run inside the state. Source
Cities we cover in Maryland
How we dispatch here
- For hazmat loads in or around Baltimore, we route on the western side of I-695, not the tunnels.
- Standard 102-inch trailers can't use the I-895 Harbor Tunnel, so we route them through the Fort McHenry Tunnel on I-95 or around on I-695.
- Hagerstown loads pair well with I-81 freight to Pennsylvania and Virginia.
- Reefers: Eastern Shore poultry plants ship year-round, and we confirm temperature and appointments before booking.
Pricing
a percentage of the load's gross, quoted for your truck and lanes, charged only on loads we book. No contract and your first load is free. See full pricing.
This page is general information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with FMCSA, the IRS or your state before you file.
Questions carriers ask
Can hazmat trucks use the Baltimore tunnels?
No. Hazmat loads such as bulk gasoline, flammable liquids and explosives are banned from the I-95 and I-895 tunnels. Use the western side of I-695.
Can I take a 53-foot trailer through the Harbor Tunnel?
Not if it's wider than 96 inches. The I-895 Harbor Tunnel bans vehicles over 8 feet wide and tandem trailers, so most semis use I-95 or I-695.
Is the Port of Baltimore busy for trucks?
Yes. In 2025 it handled about 50 million tons of cargo and led U.S. ports in roll-on/roll-off farm and construction equipment.