How much does shipping heavy equipment cost in Canada?
Based on heavy equipment loads delivered on Trusted Dispatch over the last 12 months, shippers paid an average of C$3.46 per kilometre (about US$4.02 per mile). Most moves totalled C$1,400-C$4,000 depending on distance, weight, and dimensions. Short hauls cost more per kilometre (about C$5.26/km under 500 km) than long ones (about C$3.00/km beyond 500 km). USD converted at 1 USD = 1.384 CAD, Aug 2026.
Typical heavy equipment shipping costs
| Move | Typical distance | Typical cost (CAD) | Typical cost (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local move | ~100 km / ~62 mi | C$500 – C$1,000 | US$360 – $720 |
| Provincial move | ~500 km / ~311 mi | C$1,400 – C$2,500 | US$1,000 – $1,800 |
| Long haul | ~1,000 km / ~621 mi | C$2,500 – C$4,000 | US$1,800 – $2,900 |
| Oversize / overweight | any | Above ranges, plus permits and escorts | |
| Haul type | CAD/km | CAD/mile | USD/km | USD/mile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| All loads (average) | C$3.46 | C$5.56 | US$2.50 | US$4.02 |
| Short move (under 500 km) | C$5.26 | C$8.47 | US$3.80 | US$6.12 |
| Longer haul (500+ km) | ~C$3.00 | ~C$4.84 | ~US$2.17 | ~US$3.50 |
Based on heavy equipment loads delivered on Trusted Dispatch, Sep 2025 – Aug 2026. USD converted at 1 USD = 1.384 CAD (Aug 2026). Minimum charges mean short local moves rarely price below about C$950. Trusted Dispatch’s average rate has been stable for four straight quarters, holding within about 6% of the yearly average – so the estimate you see today is a reliable guide to what you’ll actually pay.
Track how these rates move month to month on the Canadian Heavy Haul Rate Index.
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO SHIP HEAVY EQUIPMENT
Shipping Heavy Equipment
You just spent a lot of money on a machine, and now you have to pay to ship it. Or, maybe you just need to move equipment to a different job site.
Shipping equipment can be costly compared to other heavy equipment services. You want a shipping cost that is within your budget.
Fortunately, there are a number of ways of keeping your costs down without resorting to low-cost (sub-par service) haulers.
One of the first steps you need to take to decrease shipping costs is to know few crucial factors. Then you need to understand which of these elements are in your control and how they influence price.
The following factors are generally not in your control:
- Weight. The weight of the load will determine the size of the trailer and how many axles are on it. Heavier loads require more axles and larger floats, which then require larger trucks to haul them.
- Dimensions. The length, width and height of the machine will dictate the type of trailer, which will have an effect on rates.
- Distance. Mileage adds up. After delivering the load, the driver has to return back to their starting point and the shipper pays the hauler for those empty miles.
- Location. Different jurisdictions across the country have different regulations regarding axle and trailer types, which can push up price. The regulations mean haulers need to purchase trucks with the regulated axle configurations. Because this can cost more the increase gets passed onto the shipper. Also, the number of companies eligible to haul your load to or through locations with unique axle regulations will decrease. So this can lead to higher rates.
- Oversized. Oversized/Over Dimensional loads can require permits and an escort vehicle, which greatly increases the cost to transport heavy equipment.
- Regulations. Besides axle and oversized rules, some jurisdictions have other restrictions. Like no heavy hauling at night. This can negatively impact your schedule or the route selection.
Unfortunately, there aren’t an equal number of factors that have an effect on price that are within your control.
Knowledge is power
Get informed. If you know what services and equipment you need, as well as what is impacting your cost, you can make decisions to mitigate the impact of those factors. Thus only paying for services you need.
Professional truck drivers will serve as trusted advisors, but you have to know what kinds of questions to ask them. And, you should always have a second source of information to vet any advice. Also, dishonest haulers will take advantage of you. Being informed helps you avoid dishonest and sub-par haulers.
Schedule
If you need to ship something right away or on a certain day like a Combine needed for harvest, it can cost you more money. That’s because the pool of haulers that can accommodate those dates will be decreased.
If you can allow a flexible shipping timeline haulers can then coordinate delivery of your equipment with transport of another load. The driver will optimize the schedule (such as on the return trip of another delivery) and a part of those savings will be passed onto you, the shipper.
Hauling doesn’t have a busy season, like other industries, such as construction or agriculture. But there can be times (such as after a large auction) when the demand for heavy haulers is high. Once the market approaches total hauling capacity, the competition for services drives up prices. Being flexible with dates makes it easier to negotiate a better price.
Quotes
The price you pay will largely depend on which companies you approach for quotes and how many companies you approach. Getting more quotes increases your chances of getting competitive deals.
With this information, you can determine your shipping cost estimate.
The best way for shippers of heavy equipment to get a lot of quotes on their load is to post the load on a trustworthy load board.
Trusted Dispatch is the best load board in Canada for Heavy Equipment buyers, sellers and anyone that needs to ship equipment within Canada or the US. The company’s online system allows shippers to quickly and easily, get quotes, post their load and contact haulers.
Shipping Quote from Trusted Dispatch
With Trusted Dispatch, getting a quote is easy.
The drivers listed with Trusted Dispatch are professional truckers that meet Trusted Dispatch’s standards for customer service, industry knowledge, quality equipment, and safe operation.
QUOTE
Simply go to the platform’s Get a Quote page and enter the load’s pickup and drop off locations. Use the company’s machine specification tool (Spec tool) to autofill all the important load data (dimensions and weight) so you don’t waste time having to look up that information yourself.
Once you submit your load information, you will receive a quote immediately. That’s all done in 3 clicks of a button!
It is that easy to determine the cost to ship heavy equipment. You can learn more about Trusted Dispatch’s shipping process, here: https://trusteddispatch.com/shipping-process.
POST THE LOAD
If you’re happy with the quote, and verified the load details, you can post the load for free. A message goes out to the haulers on the platform informing them a new load is available.
DRIVER CONNECTED!
When a driver agrees to haul your load at the calculated rate, you are notified via e-mail, text and the app. You can review that driver’s profile along with their star rating, reviews, experience etc. And either accept or decline the driver.
Multiple Pieces of Equipment?
Shipping multiple items is easy as well. For multiple loads, just input the dimensions for the single item going on one load, then post duplicate loads when prompted.
When shipping multiple small items on a single load, input the total dimensions of all the items stacked in the desired orientation. You can still use the Spec tool to find the dimensions of each item, however you will need to calculate the total weight and dimensions and enter them.
Data drives down the cost of shipping heavy equipment
Plus, the company’s software gives shippers access to statistics and trends with current and historical information to drive better decisions with data.
With the information provided by the software, heavy equipment shippers can publish reports, to share insights with your team, replace inefficient and erroneous human reporting with automated, real-time insights and get alerts via text or email for potential immediate action.
This information will allow you to identify gaps in your shipping processes, drive down costs, increase speed and scalability and decrease costly mistakes caused by human error.
How Trusted Dispatch lowers your shipping cost
Trusted Dispatch is a marketplace, not a broker: you post your load at your price and vetted heavy haul carriers book it or make you an offer, so there is no broker markup in the middle. Carriers on the platform are paid the same day the load delivers – a policy most brokers do not match – which keeps quality carriers competing for your freight.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to ship an excavator in Canada?
Most excavator moves on Trusted Dispatch fall roughly between C$1,200 and C$4,500 (about US$870-US$3,250), depending on the machine’s size, weight, and the distance. Oversize excavators that need permits or pilot cars cost more.
How much does it cost to ship a tractor?
A typical tractor move of around 500 km runs roughly C$1,400-C$2,500 (about US$1,000-US$1,800). Longer hauls cost more in total but less per kilometre.
How much does it cost to ship a skid steer?
Skid steers are among the cheaper machines to ship because they fit standard trailers. Typical provincial moves run roughly C$800-C$2,000 (about US$580-US$1,450).
Is heavy equipment shipping priced per kilometre or flat rate?
Pricing is driven by distance, weight, and dimensions. Longer hauls average about C$3.00 per kilometre, while short trips often carry a minimum or day rate rather than a pure per-kilometre price.
What makes a load oversize, and how much does that add?
Loads over legal width, height, or weight limits need provincial permits (roughly C$50-C$300+ each) and sometimes pilot vehicles (roughly C$100-C$250 each). Requirements vary by province.
How can I lower my heavy equipment shipping cost?
Be flexible on dates, provide exact dimensions and weight up front, and use a marketplace that removes the broker markup so carriers compete for your load.
City rate guides
Shipping from a specific city? See real cleared prices by lane: Calgary, Edmonton, Grande Prairie, Lethbridge, or the full rates-by-city guide. Shipping a specific machine? See the skid steer shipping cost guide.
Last updated: August 21, 2026. Rates refreshed quarterly.
