How Much Does It Cost To Ship A Tractor Trailer?

If you drive a tractor trailer or you work for a larger shipping company, you may find that you have to move one or more of your vehicles either a short distance or across the country. How much will you pay for this service? Find out now in this guide from A-1 Auto Transport.

How Much Will I Pay To Ship A Tractor Trailer?

The cost of shifting a tractor trailer is typically charged per mile, but the rate can vary quite a bit. There’s no way to provide you with an accurate estimate without knowing more details about the truck. For example, its size and dimensions, whether or not it’s running, your chosen pickup/delivery locations, total shipment distance, and the weight of the truck can all influence the cost of relocating.

Let’s take a deeper look at these costs now, and factors that will help you determine how much it may cost to ship your tractor trailer.

• Truck size and dimensions – The length, height, and width of the farm tractor trailer will influence the cost of shifting. The bigger the tractor trailer, the more it will cost to move, in most cases. You’ll need to supply your carrier with the dimensions of your truck and its make, model, and year before getting a quote.
• Operability of the truck – Shipping non-running vehicles will require additional equipment, so it will usually cost more money to ship a truck that’s not running or that has broken down. Such equipment might be ramps, straps, and chains. While ramps are used to drive the trailer onto the truck, straps, and chains are used to hold it in place for firmness during the transportation process.
• Distance of shipment – The cost for relocating locally is more expensive, per mile traveled, compared to moving a tractor trailer long distance. However, you’ll still pay more overall for a long-distance shipment, since the vehicle must cover a lot more distance.
• Required shifting time – A rush job will always cost you a lot more money. Lots of heavy equipment carriers don’t ship tractor trailers that often, so you may have to pay extra fees if you need to relocate your tractor trailer quickly. However, if you can plan ahead and have a more flexible time frame for tractor relocating you can save a lot of money.
• Pickup and delivery locations – There will need to be enough space at the pickup and delivery site to pick up the truck and drop it off, and the conditions at the site must be adequate for the loading and unloading of your tractor trailer.

Why Would I Shift a Tractor Trailer?

There are a few reasons you may want to relocate a tractor trailer, rather than just drive it to its destination. Most commonly, this is because the tractor trailer has broken down, you’ve bought a new tractor trailer that’s not located near you, or you’re selling it to another person or company.

Of these situations, a broken-down tractor trailer is the most common reason for shifting a tractor trailer. If there are serious mechanical issues with the engine, brakes, or other critical systems of a tractor trailer, you may not be able to have it repaired on the side of the highway – and doing so isn’t usually safe, either.

Usually, a large tow truck can be used to get your tractor trailer to a safe location, but it can’t be used to haul your truck a long distance. For that, you’ll need to ship your tractor trailer using a flatbed. Lowboys and other heavy haulers can also be used to ship such heavy farm equipment.

When buying or selling a tractor trailer, it also may make sense to have the tractor trailer shifting, as you otherwise would have to drive the semi trailer and also pay for a plane ticket to get the pickup/dropoff area.

If you’re selling a tractor trailer to someone across the country, these expenses – along with the high fuel costs of driving a tractor trailer and insurance coverage– can really add up quickly, making shipping the tractor trailer a cheaper option.

Can I Have A Cargo Trailer Shipped At The Same Time As My Tractor Trailer?

No. Most companies will only ship the tractor trailer itself – the front cab that contains the engine and driving compartment. It’s not possible to safely haul or two a tractor trailer and a cargo trailer at the same time for more than a short distance.

However, if you are in a situation where you need to have your tractor trailer shipped and also need to ship its attached trailer, plow, or other attachments – such as if it breaks down during operation or on the side of the road – you’re not totally out of options.

It may be possible to have a trucking company come to the location of your semi cargo trailer with a new tractor trailer and driver. Then, they can simply hitch up the tractor trailer to the semi cargo trailer, and drive away to move your goods to their intended destination.

• Tractor trailer shipping costs $2,500–$6,500 domestically, with per-mile rates of $2.00–$5.00 varying by dimensions, weight, axle count, and oversize permit requirements.
• Flatbed transport on hauls over 50 miles is standard; step-deck trailers are required for taller loads and add cost due to height permits and specialized routing.
• Oversize tractor trailers exceeding legal width or height limits require state-issued permits and escort vehicles; carriers must hold DOT-compliant insurance covering the full declared cargo value.

Should I Have My Tractor Trailer Towed Or Put On A Flatbed?

You should only have your tractor trailer towed without the use of a flatbed for short trips, because towing will put more stress on the drivetrain and mechanical elements of the vehicle. For long shipments (over 50 miles), always choose to load the truck onto a flatbed.

In some cases, a tractor trailer can be towed without the use of a flatbed, lowboy, or similar trailer. The tractor trailer is simply lifted and then attached to the fifth-wheel coupling, with the rear tires or front tires maintaining contact with the road. Then, the tractor trailer is put in neutral, and the truck can be hauled. This is ideal for short trips, since it’s fast and easy to tow a tractor trailer in this manner.
The prime disadvantage is that heat will build up within the drivetrain, even when the tractor trailer is in neutral. Long-distance towing of a tractor trailer could damage these mechanical components – which is not ideal if you’re buying or selling a tractor trailer, or if you are shifting the vehicle because it’s already been damaged and needs repairs.

In contrast, a flatbed trailer like a step-deck or lowboy trailer is perfectly capable of accommodating most large tractor trailers. The truck can be towed or driven onto the trailer, and then loaded up for a long-distance shipment.

The benefit of this is that there will be absolutely no wear on the mechanical components of the tractor trailer, since it will be stationary and the wheels will not be contacting the surface of the road.

Relevant Statistics

• On average, it costs approximately $2,500 to move a tractor trailer within the continental United States.
• The cost of relocating a tractor trailer internationally ranges from $15,000 to $20,000, depending on the destination.
• Approximately 85% of the total shipping cost for a tractor trailer is attributed to fuel expenses.
• Insurance fees for shipping a tractor trailer typically range from 1% to 3% of the cargo value.
• Expedited hauling services for a tractor trailer can increase the cost by up to 30% compared to standard delivery times.

General Facts

• The cost of shipping a tractor trailer depends on various factors such as distance, weight, size, and destination.
• Relocating a tractor trailer can range from a few hundred dollars to several thousand dollars.
• Longer distances and international shipments tend to be more expensive than shorter domestic ones.
• Additional services like expedited shifting or specialized handling may incur extra costs.
• Requesting quotes from different companies can help you get an idea of the average cost for your specific shipment.

Need A Quote To Move a Tractor Trailer? Contact A-1 Auto Transport Today!

At A-1 Auto Transport, we work with a huge network of heavy equipment transport companies throughout the United States. Our team of vetted, professional companies are here to help you with your next shipping job on budget.

So if you need help relocating your tractor trailer or other parts, don’t wait. Contact us online or give us a call, and get an estimate for the cost of shifting your tractor trailer right away.