How Much Does It Cost to Ship a Skid Steer?
Skid steers are compact, legal-weight, and easy to load — which makes them one of the most affordable pieces of heavy equipment to ship. They rarely need permits and often ride alongside other machines on a flatbed.
Typical cost ranges
Because skid steers fit within legal dimensions, they are priced like standard flatbed freight. The main cost drivers are distance and whether the machine ships on a dedicated trailer or shares deck space.
| Machine / haul | Typical range |
|---|---|
Local / short haul (under 200 mi) | $400 – $900 flat |
Regional (200 – 800 mi) | $1.50 – $2.75 / mile |
Long haul (800+ mi) | $1.25 – $2.25 / mile |
With attachments (bucket, forks, etc.) Loose attachments must be secured or crated. | +$50 – $200 |
These are typical market ranges — not a quote. Real pricing depends on the exact machine, route, season, and how fast it needs to move. The fastest way to a firm number is a two-minute call or quote request.
Why skid steers ship cheap
A typical skid steer weighs 5,000–10,000 lbs and sits well within legal height and width. That means no oversize permits, no escorts, and a standard flatbed or step deck can carry it — often with room for a second machine, which lowers the per-unit cost.
Shipping attachments with the machine
Buckets, augers, grapples, and forks can ride with the skid steer but must be secured separately. Let your dispatcher know what is coming so the load is planned and legal — loose attachments left in the bucket are a common cause of delays at scale checks.
Ready for an exact number?
Skip the guesswork and the load-board bidding wars. Tell us the machine and the route, and one specialist prices it direct — permits and all.
(208) 495-2260Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to transport a skid steer?
Short local moves often run $400–$900 flat, while longer hauls are priced around $1.25–$2.75 per mile. Sharing a trailer with another machine can lower the cost further.
Do you need a permit to haul a skid steer?
Almost never — a standard skid steer is within legal weight and dimensions, so it ships as ordinary flatbed freight without oversize permits.