Cost guide

Skid Steer Shipping Cost: Hotshot vs Flatbed (2026)

Shipping a skid steer typically costs $700 to $1,200 under 350 miles, $3.15 to $4.20 per mile from 350 to 800 miles, and $2.55 to $3.85 per mile beyond that. Hotshot moves run a 10 to 25 percent premium over flatbed and dispatch faster. No permits or escorts are needed on any legal skid steer.

As of July 2026. These ranges come from real heavy-haul loads brokered by AIG Enterprises, licensed freight broker MC 931605.

How we price this

Our rate engine prices from live market signals on the corridor, adjusted for equipment and dimensions. Every price you see below matches what the Rate Desk will offer today, and every quote is confirmed by a dispatcher on the record.

The specs that make this easy

Standard skid steers and compact track loaders run 6,000 to 10,000 pounds, 6 to 7 feet wide, and 6 to 7 feet tall. That is well inside every federal limit (8 feet 6 inches wide, 13 feet 6 inches tall, 80,000 pounds combined). No permits, no escorts, no route restrictions. The truck can move day or night and take the shortest legal route.

Hotshot vs flatbed: the tradeoff

Both trailer types are legitimate ways to move a skid steer. The choice comes down to speed and price.

Factor	Hotshot (owner-operator)	Flatbed (company driver)
Typical dispatch time	Same day to next morning	1 to 3 days
Cost premium	10 to 25% above flatbed	Baseline
Best for	Time-critical, single-unit moves	Cost-sensitive, planned moves
Trailer	Gooseneck 30 to 40 ft	48 or 53 ft deck

AIG offer ranges by distance

Same curve the Rate Desk quotes from. Skid steer, one unit, either trailer.

Distance	Flatbed offer	Hotshot offer
Short (under 350 mi)	$700 to $1,200	$800 to $1,450
Regional (350 to 800 mi)	$3.15 to $4.20 / mi	$3.60 to $4.85 / mi
Long (800 to 1,500 mi)	$2.75 to $3.85 / mi	$3.15 to $4.35 / mi
Cross-country (1,500 mi+)	$2.55 to $3.55 / mi	$2.95 to $4.05 / mi

Why the instant quote works

Most heavy-haul quotes need a human to weigh in because permits, trailer type, and routing all move the number. Skid steers cut all three variables out. The rate calculator returns a firm offer on skid steers before the page finishes rendering, and the dispatcher confirms the truck on that number. No renegotiation at pickup.

Price your skid steer move. Two zip codes and a weight is all the calculator needs.

Frequently asked

How much does it cost to ship a skid steer?

AIG offer ranges are $700 to $1,200 for hauls under 350 miles, $3.15 to $4.20 per mile from 350 to 800 miles, and $2.75 to $3.85 per mile beyond 800 miles. Skid steers ride legal on almost every trailer, so there is no permit adder.

Hotshot or flatbed for a skid steer?

Hotshots run faster (owner-operator with a gooseneck can leave same-day) and cost a small premium. Flatbeds run cheaper because the driver can consolidate with other freight. Both are safe if the carrier is vetted.

Do attachments ride with the skid steer?

Yes. Bucket, forks, and up to two ground-strapped attachments come along on the same trailer at no extra charge. Auger and grapple attachments over 3,000 pounds each need to be listed at booking.

Can I ship two skid steers on one trailer?

Usually yes. Two compact units fit on a 48-foot flatbed with weight to spare. Priced roughly 60 to 75 percent of two separate loads.

Why is the skid steer quote instant on the calculator?

Because there are no permit variables and no trailer decision. The engine only needs origin, destination, weight, and pickup window. That is why the Rate Desk returns skid steers before you finish typing.