Need to move a skid steer to a job site in McKinney, a tractor to a ranch near Waco, or a mini excavator to Houston? In 2026, equipment transport in Texas usually costs $1.50 to $3.00 per mile on a hot shot rig, $2.00 to $3.00 per mile on a semi flatbed, and $3.00 to $5.00 or more per mile on a lowboy for heavy machines. Short local moves are usually a flat minimum, often $400 to $600.
This guide breaks down equipment hauling rates by trailer type and machine, the extras that raise a quote, the Texas permit rules, and how to get an accurate price fast. Moving equipment from Dallas–Fort Worth? Call (214) 217-6302 or request a free quote.
Equipment Transport Cost by Trailer Type (2026)
The trailer your machine needs sets most of the price. Here are typical 2026 rates:
Trailer | Typical rate | Best for |
|---|---|---|
Hot shot (1-ton truck + 40 ft gooseneck) | $1.50–$3.00 per mile; $3.50+ for urgent runs | Skid steers, compact track loaders, mini excavators, utility tractors |
Step deck | About $2.00–$2.50 per mile | Taller machines that would be over 14 ft on a flatbed |
Semi flatbed (48–53 ft) | $2.00–$3.00 per mile for loads under 48,000 lbs | Several machines at once, attachments, long loads |
Lowboy or RGN | $3.00–$5.00 per mile; $4.00–$8.00+ with permits | Mid-size and large excavators, dozers, heavy machines |
Sources: Bear Down Logistics for hot shot, step deck and lowboy rates, and Heavy Duty Yard for flatbed rates. For a market benchmark, the national average flatbed spot rate was $3.64 per mile including fuel in mid-October 2026, according to DAT.
Per-mile rates drop as distance grows, because loading time and the trip to pickup are spread over more miles. On runs under about 100–200 miles, many haulers charge a flat minimum instead.
How Much It Costs to Haul Common Equipment
Here's what common machines weigh and what a move typically costs. Estimates come from Heavy Duty Yard's 2026 guide, where local means under 200 miles:
Equipment | Example weight | Usual trailer | Local | 500–1,000 miles |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Skid steer or compact track loader | 2,892 lbs (Bobcat S70) to 10,515 lbs (Bobcat T770) | Hot shot or flatbed | $600–$1,200 | $1,500–$3,000 |
Mini excavator (under 10 tons) | Varies by model | Hot shot, flatbed or step deck | $800–$1,500 | $2,000–$3,500 |
Mid-size excavator (20–35 tons) | About 50,700 lbs (Cat 320C) | RGN | $1,500–$2,500 | $3,500–$6,000 |
Dozer (D3–D6 class) | Varies by model | RGN or lowboy | $1,200–$2,200 | $3,000–$5,500 |
Machine weights come from Bobcat and RitchieSpecs. Always give the hauler the weight with attachments, buckets and fuel, not just the base spec.
Skid Steer Transport Cost
Skid steers are among the most common machines moved by hot shot, and most fit easily on a 40 ft gooseneck. Bear Down Logistics gives these 2026 examples:
Short local move: a minimum haul charge, often $400–$600.
About 400 miles, Bobcat S650 (about 8,300 lbs): $800–$1,200 by hot shot, or $1,400–$1,800 by lowboy.
About 1,200 miles, Cat 299D3 XE (about 11,700 lbs): $2,400–$3,000 by heavy-duty hot shot, or $3,600–$4,500 by lowboy.
For a single compact machine, a hot shot is usually the cheaper option. It's a smaller truck, it gets on the road faster, and it fits into tight job sites better than a semi. Loading a machine that doesn't run adds about $100–$500.
Tractor Hauling Cost per Mile
Tractor moves typically cost about $2 to $5 per loaded mile. Shorter runs fall near $3–$5 a mile and longer hauls near $2–$4, according to A1 Auto Transport, which puts most moves under 500 miles at $700–$2,500.
Weight and height decide the trailer. A John Deere 5075E utility tractor ships at about 5,555 lbs with a ROPS frame and 6,812 lbs with a cab and four-wheel drive, according to TractorData. That's an easy hot shot load. Large row-crop tractors are heavier and taller, and a cab on top of a flatbed deck can push the load past Texas's 14 ft height limit, which means a step deck or lowboy instead.
What Adds to an Equipment Hauling Quote
Minimum charges on short runs, often $400–$600.
Non-running equipment that has to be winched or lifted, about $100–$500.
Tarping to protect the machine, about $100–$200.
Oversize permits. A Texas single-trip permit is $60 at legal weight, and more for overweight loads.
Escorts for very wide or tall loads. In Texas, escorts start at over 14 ft wide or over 17 ft high.
Wait time at pickup or delivery, and extra stops.
Rush service when a machine has to move today.
Texas Rules for Hauling Equipment
A load needs a TxDMV oversize permit when it's wider than 8 ft 6 in, taller than 14 ft from the road, or heavier than 80,000 lbs. Wide buckets, blades, tracks and cabs are the usual culprits. Our guide to oversize load permits in Texas covers fees, escorts and travel hours.
Federal cargo securement rules (49 CFR 393.130) cover heavy equipment. Machines of 10,000 lbs or more need at least four tiedowns, with buckets, blades and other attachments lowered and secured. If you're towing it yourself, our gooseneck vs bumper pull guide explains which trailer and license you need.
How to Get an Accurate Equipment Transport Quote
Send these details and you'll get a firm price instead of a guess:
Make and model, plus the weight with attachments
Length, width and height, including the cab, bucket and any racks
Whether it runs and drives, or needs to be winched or lifted
How it loads: drive-on, forklift or crane
Pickup and delivery addresses, plus any gate, soft ground or tight-access notes
Your pickup date and delivery deadline
A couple of photos of the machine
Equipment Hauling From Dallas With Mr. Whiz Logistics
Mr. Whiz Logistics hauls equipment from Garland, TX, across Dallas–Fort Worth, all of Texas and all 50 states:
40 ft flatbed hot shot: a 102-inch deck for skid steers, compact excavators, forklifts, light towers, generators and tractors. It loads from the side, rear or top by forklift or crane, and the driver secures it with chains and straps.
Semi-truck flatbed: full truckloads up to 80,000 lbs gross for construction equipment, machinery and steel.
Flatbed trailer rentals if you'd rather tow it yourself.
Dispatch runs 24/7, and same-day pickup is often possible for DFW loads. Every run is priced upfront with no hidden surcharges, and cargo coverage is included on every hot shot haul. Quote replies usually go out within the hour. Call (214) 217-6302 or get a free quote.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to transport equipment per mile?
In 2026, hot shot equipment hauling runs about $1.50–$3.00 per mile, semi flatbeds about $2.00–$3.00, and lowboys about $3.00–$5.00 or more. Short local moves are usually a flat minimum of about $400–$600.
How much does it cost to haul a skid steer?
A local skid steer move usually costs about $400–$1,200. A 400-mile hot shot run costs about $800–$1,200, and longer hauls cost about $1.00–$3.00 per mile depending on distance and machine size.
How much does it cost to haul a tractor?
Tractor transport typically costs about $2–$5 per loaded mile, and most moves under 500 miles run about $700–$2,500. Large or tall tractors that need a step deck or lowboy cost more.
What is the cheapest way to move a skid steer or mini excavator?
A hot shot is usually cheapest for a single compact machine. It carries one skid steer, compact track loader or mini excavator without the cost of a full semi and lowboy.
Do I need a permit to haul equipment in Texas?
Only if the loaded rig is wider than 8 ft 6 in, taller than 14 ft or heavier than 80,000 lbs. Then you need a TxDMV oversize or overweight permit, which starts at $60 for a single trip.
Should I use a hot shot or a lowboy?
Use a hot shot for compact machines like skid steers, track loaders, mini excavators and utility tractors. Use a lowboy or RGN for mid-size and large excavators, dozers, and anything too tall or heavy for a flatbed.
How far in advance should I book equipment transport?
A few days ahead gets the best price, especially for long hauls or loads that need permits. For DFW loads, same-day pickup is often possible with 24/7 dispatch.
