How Much Does It Cost to Ship a Truck? Pickup, Semi, and Hawaii Pricing
Pickup truck shipping typically costs $475–$2,000; semi trucks run $1,000–$4,500+. See open vs enclosed pricing, Hawaii ocean shipping, and what affects your quote.
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Shipping a standard pickup truck typically costs $475 to $2,000 depending on distance, while shipping a semi truck runs $1,000 to $4,500 or more given its size and any permit requirements. The type of truck you're shipping changes the pricing, the equipment used, and sometimes even which companies can handle the job. Here's how it breaks down by truck type, plus what changes if your destination is Hawaii.
Quick facts: truck shipping cost
| Truck type | Typical open / standard cost |
|---|---|
| Pickup truck (short regional) | $475 – $800 |
| Pickup truck (cross-country) | $1,200 – $2,000 |
| Semi / heavy commercial (short) | $1,000 – $2,000 |
| Semi / heavy commercial (cross-country) | $3,500+ |
| Oversize permit surcharge | Add $500 – $2,000 |
| Best starting point | Truck shipping |
Ready for a number based on your exact truck and route? Get a free truck shipping quote.
Pickup Truck Shipping Cost
| Distance | Open Transport | Enclosed Transport |
|---|---|---|
| Short regional (under 500 miles) | $475 to $800 | $850 to $1,300 |
| Medium (500 to 1,500 miles) | $700 to $1,300 | $1,300 to $2,000 |
| Cross-country (over 1,500 miles) | $1,200 to $2,000 | $2,100 to $3,000 |
A pickup truck ships in much the same way as a car. It rides on a standard multi-car carrier alongside other vehicles. The main difference in cost comes down to size. A full-size truck like an F-150, Silverado, or Ram 1500 takes up meaningfully more deck space than a sedan, and that extra footprint is the main reason pickup shipping costs more than shipping a comparable car on the same route. Our truck and oversized vehicle shipping service covers standard pickups through larger and modified trucks.
Semi Truck and Heavy Commercial Truck Shipping Cost
| Distance | Typical Cost |
|---|---|
| Short regional (under 500 miles) | $1,000 to $2,000 |
| Cross-country | $3,500 or more |
| Oversize permit surcharge (where required) | Add $500 to $2,000 |
Semi trucks and other heavy commercial vehicles are a different category entirely from personal truck shipping. They generally require flatbed, lowboy, or step deck trailers rather than a standard car carrier, and DOT securement rules govern exactly how the load gets strapped down for transit. If the truck's dimensions exceed standard limits, which is common for many commercial trucks, state-specific oversize permits are required and add directly to the cost. Most semi truck shipments complete in 2 to 7 days, though oversized loads requiring permits and escort vehicles can take longer.
If you're moving multiple commercial trucks or a mixed fleet rather than a single unit, our guide on commercial vehicle transport covers how fleet and multi-vehicle pricing works differently from a single shipment.
What Affects Your Truck Shipping Quote
- Size and weight. This is the single biggest factor for any truck, standard pickup or semi. More deck space and more weight both increase cost.
- Modifications. A lift kit, oversized tires, or added racks and toolboxes can change a truck's height and width enough to affect which trailer type it needs.
- Distance. Longer routes cost more in total but typically cost less per mile than short regional trips, the same pattern seen across all vehicle shipping.
- Open vs. enclosed. Enclosed transport adds meaningful cost but protects against weather and road debris, worth it for a newer or higher-value truck.
- Running condition. A non-running truck needs a winch to load, which adds a fee and requires the right equipment.
- Permits and escort requirements. Relevant mainly for semi trucks and other oversized commercial vehicles, this is one of the largest cost swings in this category and depends entirely on the specific dimensions and route.
Open vs. Enclosed Transport for Trucks
Open transport is the standard, cost-effective choice for the large majority of pickup truck shipments. The truck rides exposed to weather on a multi-car carrier, the same setup used for standard car shipping.
Enclosed transport protects against weather and road debris for the full length of the trip. It's worth the added cost for a newer, modified, or higher-value truck where paint and trim condition on arrival matters more. For a standard work truck, open transport remains the practical choice for most people.
How Much Does It Cost to Ship a Truck to Hawaii?
Shipping a truck to Hawaii works differently from a mainland route, since it involves ocean shipping rather than a truck-hauled carrier. Only two carriers make this crossing, Matson and Pasha Hawaii, and pricing generally runs higher than an equivalent mainland shipment given the added size of most trucks compared to a sedan.
Because a full-size pickup takes up more deck space on a roll-on, roll-off vessel than a standard car, expect pricing toward the higher end of what a comparable SUV would cost on the same route, and confirm your truck's height clearance against the carrier's deck requirements before booking, since oversized trucks sometimes need to book onto a different deck level or, in some cases, container shipping instead of standard RoRo. Our full guide on shipping a car from San Diego to Hawaii covers how the ocean carrier process, timeline, and port options work in detail, and the same mechanics apply to trucks.
How to Prepare Your Truck for Shipping
- Remove truck bed accessories and loose cargo. Tool boxes, ramps, and anything not permanently mounted should come out or be secured separately.
- Document existing condition with photos, including the bed, undercarriage, and any modifications, before the truck is picked up.
- Confirm height and width if your truck has a lift kit, oversized tires, or a bed cap, since this affects trailer compatibility.
- Leave a quarter tank of gas, enough for loading and short distances without adding unnecessary weight.
- Disclose modifications when booking. A lifted truck, oversized tires, or added racks should be mentioned upfront so the right equipment is arranged, rather than discovered on pickup day.
Ready to get a quote for your truck? Get a free quote or talk to a Top1 advisor about your truck's size, route, and timeline.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How much does it cost to ship a truck?
- A standard pickup truck typically costs $475 to $2,000 depending on distance, with enclosed transport running higher. Semi trucks and heavy commercial vehicles cost more, generally $1,000 to $4,500 or more, due to their size and specialized trailer needs.
- How much does it cost to ship a semi truck?
- Semi truck shipping generally runs $1,000 to $2,000 for short regional distances and $3,500 or more for cross-country routes, with oversize permits adding $500 to $2,000 when required.
- How much does it cost to ship a truck to Hawaii?
- Ocean shipping to Hawaii for a truck generally costs more than an equivalent mainland route, since trucks take up more deck space than a sedan on the ferry-style vessels used for the crossing. Confirm your truck's dimensions against the carrier's requirements before booking.
- Is open or enclosed transport better for shipping a truck?
- Open transport is the standard, more affordable choice and works well for most pickup trucks. Enclosed transport costs more but protects against weather and road debris, which is worth it for a newer, modified, or higher-value truck.
- Does a lifted truck cost more to ship?
- Often yes. A lift kit or oversized tires can increase a truck's height and width enough to require different equipment or affect how it's loaded, which can add to the cost.
- Can I ship a truck that doesn't run?
- Yes, most carriers can transport a non-running truck using a winch, but disclose this when booking since it typically adds a fee and requires the right equipment.