How Much Does It Cost to Ship an Excavator?
Excavators are one of the most common machines we move, and the cost swings widely with operating weight. A mini excavator on a hotshot trailer is a fraction of what a 50-ton machine on an RGN with permits will run. Here is how the pricing actually breaks down.
Typical cost ranges
Excavator transport is usually priced per mile, with a minimum for short hauls. Larger, heavier, or oversize machines cost more per mile because they need specialized trailers, permits, and sometimes escorts.
| Machine / haul | Typical range |
|---|---|
Mini excavator (under 10,000 lbs) Often fits a flatbed, step deck, or hotshot. | $1.75 – $3.00 / mile |
Midi / standard (10k – 45k lbs) Step deck or RGN depending on height. | $2.25 – $4.00 / mile |
Large excavator (45k+ lbs) RGN / lowboy, frequently oversize with permits. | $3.50 – $7.00+ / mile |
Short haul minimum (under 200 mi) Minimums apply even on short local moves. | $500 – $1,500 flat |
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.
What drives excavator shipping cost
Operating weight and size class are the biggest factors — they decide the trailer. Once a machine crosses roughly 46,000 lbs of combined weight or exceeds legal height/width, it becomes an oversize load, which adds permit fees, route restrictions, and sometimes pilot cars.
Distance matters, but not linearly: long hauls are cheaper per mile than short ones because the fixed cost of dispatching a truck is spread across more miles. Backhaul availability, fuel, season, and how quickly you need the machine picked up all move the final number.
Do you need to remove the boom?
For many standard and large excavators, the boom or arm has to be lowered or partially removed to stay under the 13'6" legal height limit on a step deck. On an RGN the deck sits lower, which often keeps the machine legal without disassembly. Telling your dispatcher the exact model up front avoids a surprise oversize permit at pickup.
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 ship an excavator across the country?
A coast-to-coast move (roughly 2,500+ miles) typically lands anywhere from about $4,500 for a mini up to $15,000+ for a large oversize excavator, depending on weight, trailer, and permits. Get an exact quote before you commit.
What trailer is used to haul an excavator?
Mini excavators ride on flatbeds, step decks, or hotshots. Standard and large excavators usually need an RGN (removable gooseneck) or lowboy so the machine loads low enough to stay legal on height.
Is shipping an excavator an oversize load?
Often, yes — once the machine plus trailer exceeds legal weight, width, or height, it requires state oversize permits and possibly escorts. A specialist dispatcher handles the permitting so you do not have to.