Pickup Truck Shipping: F-150s, Rams, and Duallies
America buys more pickups than any other vehicle, and every one of them eventually needs to move: a work truck following a job across the country, an auction win, a lifted build heading to its new owner. Trucks ship on the same open carriers as cars, but they are not priced like cars, and knowing why saves you from quotes that fall apart later.
Why a truck costs more than a sedan
A full-size pickup takes the deck space of about a car and a half and adds serious weight, which means the carrier hauls fewer vehicles per trip and burns more fuel doing it. Our calculator prices this automatically: enter an F-150, a Silverado, a Ram, or any pickup, and the truck rate is already in the number you see. No surprise calls later, the price on screen is the price.
Half-ton, HD, and dually
A half-ton like an F-150 or Ram 1500 is routine and loads on any standard open carrier. Heavy-duty trucks, the F-250s, F-350s, 2500s and 3500s, still move on standard equipment but eat more deck and weight allowance, which the calculator accounts for. Duallies are the special case: the extra rear width means the carrier has to plan the load around them, so give us the trim details at booking and the right truck shows up the first time.
Lifted trucks and oversize builds
Height is the hidden constraint in this industry. Carriers have to clear 13 foot 6 inch bridges with two decks of vehicles, so a tall lifted truck cannot always ride where a stock one can. A mild leveling kit usually changes nothing. A serious lift with 37s needs to be declared at booking so we match a carrier with the deck height to take it, sometimes a single-level or flatbed setup. Email us the lift height and tire size with your quote and we will confirm the equipment, the same way we handle rigs in our RV and heavy equipment guide.
The bed is not a moving container
Empty the bed. Loose items blow out on the highway, add weight the carrier has not priced, and are not covered by cargo insurance if they vanish or cause damage. A bolted toolbox or a tonneau cover can usually stay, tell us at booking so the carrier knows. The full rules on what can ride inside are in our personal items guide.
Non-running trucks
Dead trucks from auctions and estates move every week. They need a carrier with a winch, which our calculator prices the moment you mark the truck as not running, details in the non-running vehicle guide.
Truck shipping questions
How much does it cost to ship a pickup truck?
It depends on distance, the truck's size class, and the season. Enter your ZIPs and the exact truck in our instant calculator and the real number appears in seconds, no phone number or email required.
Why is shipping a truck more expensive than a car?
A full-size pickup takes roughly a car and a half of deck space and adds a lot of weight, so the carrier hauls fewer vehicles and burns more fuel. That extra space and weight is what you are paying for.
What is the cheapest way to ship an F-150?
An open carrier with a flexible pickup window on a major corridor. Open transport is the standard for pickups, and flexibility on dates is worth real money.
How much does it cost to ship a Ram 2500 across the country?
Heavy-duty trucks price above half-tons because of the extra weight and length. Run the exact truck through our calculator for your lanes, the HD rate is built into the instant number.
Can you ship a lifted truck on a regular carrier?
Mild lifts usually ride on standard carriers without an issue. Serious lifts with oversized tires can exceed deck height limits, so tell us the lift height and tire size at booking and we match the right equipment.
How do I ship a dually?
The same booking process, but mention the dual rear wheels so the carrier plans deck space for the extra width. Duallies move on open carriers constantly, they just need to be declared.
Can I leave my toolbox in the truck bed during shipping?
A bolted-down toolbox can usually stay, just tell us at booking. Loose tools and gear should come out because they are not covered by carrier cargo insurance.
Can I ship a truck with a tonneau cover or camper shell?
Yes, factory and well-fitted covers ride along fine. Camper shells should be mentioned at booking since they add height, especially on lifted trucks.
Do heavy-duty trucks like an F-350 cost more to ship?
Yes, HD trucks weigh more and take more deck than half-tons, and the price reflects that. The calculator applies the correct rate automatically when you enter the model.
Can you ship a truck that does not run?
Yes, non-running trucks just need a winch-equipped carrier. Mark the truck as not running in the calculator and the winch fee is included in your instant price.
Is it cheaper to ship a truck or drive it cross-country?
Once you count fuel in a truck getting 15 to 20 mpg, hotels, meals, and 2,500 miles of wear, shipping is usually competitive and often wins. It also saves the week of your life the drive takes.
Do trucks go on the top or bottom of the carrier?
The carrier assigns positions by weight and height, and heavy trucks often ride the bottom deck. Position does not change your price.
Can I pack stuff in the truck bed to save on moving costs?
No, an open bed is not a moving container. Items blow out, add unpriced weight, and are not insured, so use the cab sparingly per our personal items guide and keep the bed empty.
What is the best way to ship a truck to another state?
Open transport with a flexible pickup window on a major corridor, booked with a broker who prices trucks honestly by size. Email ship@theroyalport.com with your route and we will set the whole thing up.
How do I get the best price shipping my pickup?
Stay flexible on dates, ship open unless the truck demands enclosed, and compare your quote against the instant number on our calculator. If a quote sits far below the rest, that is a teaser, not a deal.
Who ships trucks long distance at a fair price?
We do this every week: family-run since 2014, a small broker fee, and you pay the vetted, insured driver directly at delivery. Email ship@theroyalport.com for a firm written quote.
How do I book truck transport after buying out of state?
Send us the seller or dealer's location, the truck details, and your delivery address, and we coordinate the release and pickup for you. One email to ship@theroyalport.com starts it.
What is the cheapest way to ship a work truck for a job move?
Open carrier with a window of a few days, booked one to two weeks ahead. Keep the bed empty so no weight surprises change the price at pickup.
How fast can I get my truck picked up?
On major lanes, usually within one to three days of booking. Tell us your timeline at ship@theroyalport.com and we will match a driver to it.
What is the best way to ship a truck bought at a dealership far away?
Book door-to-door transport with the dealer as the release contact, and the truck arrives with lot miles only. We coordinate directly with the dealership so you never have to fly out.