Shipper Zone

How Much Does it Cost to Ship a Motor Grader?

June 15, 2022

John Deere Motor Grader

By VeriTread Editor | Last updated: December 18, 2025

Quick answer: Motor grader shipping costs depend mainly on your grader’s dimensions/weight, the trailer type required, total distance, and whether you need loading assistance or disassembly. For the fastest next step, gather your specs and request carrier quotes.

What affects the cost to ship a motor grader?

Finding the right company to ship a Motor Grader can be an intimidating responsibility, especially if you do not have a relationship with a trusted carrier who will handle your machine with care and will not overcharge you. Many factors affect the cost of transporting a Motor Grader. The four main factors to ship a Motor Grader are:

Dimensions and weight of your Motor Grader (with attachments)
Trailer type utilized in transport
Distance the Motor Grader needs to move
Loading assistance and disassembly (if required)

Pricing can vary greatly depending on these factors, which is why it’s important to work with an established transport provider and share accurate specs. If you’re comparing options, you can also read about what a motor grader is and the common transport considerations involved.

Where can I get motor grader shipping quotes?

VeriTread can provide a quick estimate to ship a Motor Grader by using our exclusive heavy equipment freight estimator. To receive an actual transport provider quote, you can post your Motor Grader to our freight marketing place free of charge and receive vetted carrier quotes from the largest network of vetted equipment transport providers in North America.

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SHIPPING MOTOR GRADER QUICK LINKS

Get A Quote | Shipping Freight Cost | Saving Money | Prep Checklist | FAQs

Accurate Motor Grader Dimensions Lead to Accurate Freight Prices

Freightliner Motor Grader

The most important factor in the cost to ship a Motor Grader is providing accurate dimensions. Most carriers try to keep freight at or below typical legal load dimensions (including the trailer):

Length = 48 to 53 feet
Width = 8 feet 6 inches
Height = 13 feet 6 inches
Weight = 80,000 lbs

These dimensions also include the trailer. This is why it is critical for the transport provider to know the length, width, height, and weight of the machine with all attachments. If your grader exceeds legal load dimensions, the shipment may require additional permits, escorts, and/or route restrictions.

Providing pictures of the Motor Grader to your transport provider is also helpful to assure that nothing critical is missed that could affect the quote.

What trailer size is needed to ship a motor grader?

John Deere Motor Grader

Trailers are a significant factor in keeping your Motor Grader inside of legal load dimensions. Most heavy equipment is transported on three trailer types: flatbeds, step decks, or lowboys – RGN’s. The larger the trailer, the more expensive per mile hauled, which is an additional cost to consider.

If you need a transporter specifically experienced with graders, see: Motor Grader Transport. For a broader overview of equipment shipping options, visit: Heavy Equipment Transport.

How long does it take to load your motor grader?

Always keep in mind that heavy equipment can take extra time to get loaded up and moved. There are far fewer carriers that can move these heavy machines than, say, an automobile hauler. If your machine can’t move under its own power or requires disassembly, expect to pay additional fees for the added time the carrier has to spend getting your machine ready to transport. You can often reduce avoidable costs by providing disassembly and loading assistance (loading dock, forklift, cranes, etc.), so make sure you communicate this to your transport provider.

Distance, location, and timing: how they change pricing

motor grader freight

Everyone wants to be on time. Delays are costly to everyone involved in the freight process. With this in mind, communicate expectations to your transportation provider before you assign them a shipment, including:

Where your freight will start
Where your freight will end up
When you would like to have it picked up
When you would like to have it delivered
Your level of timing flexibility

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If you have a tight delivery window for a large machine, traveling 400+ miles, picking up in a major metro area and delivering in another congested metro area, expect to pay a premium rate. More flexibility with pickup and delivery dates can help carriers price more competitively based on fleet location and routing. Congested metro areas are difficult and time consuming for large trucks to navigate and can often be impacted by road hazards and rush hours.

Should your shipment be over the dimensions of a legal load, special permits and travel routes will have to be factored in. This can become more complex and costly if you cross state lines due to different regulations per state.

Motor grader shipping prep checklist

Confirm the exact specs: length/width/height/weight and attachments installed.
Share clear photos (front, side, rear, closeups of attachments).
Note operability: can it drive/roll? Any mechanical issues affecting loading?
Plan loading/unloading: ramps, dock, forklift/crane availability, and site access for a long trailer.
Document site constraints: gate width, soft ground, overhead obstructions, and delivery-hour limits.
Communicate timing flexibility to help carriers route efficiently.

FAQs about motor grader shipping

How much does it cost to ship a motor grader?

Costs vary based on the grader’s dimensions/weight, trailer type, shipping distance, and whether loading assistance or disassembly is needed. Accurate specs and photos help carriers quote correctly.

Where can I get motor grader shipping quotes?

You can start with VeriTread’s freight estimator for an estimate, then post your shipment to receive carrier quotes through
GET A FREIGHT QUOTE.

What information do carriers need to quote a motor grader shipment?

Provide the motor grader’s length, width, height, weight, attachment details, operability, pickup/delivery locations, timing preferences, and clear photos.

What trailer is typically used to ship a motor grader?

Common options include flatbed, step deck,
or lowboy/RGN, depending on height/clearance and overall dimensions.

When does motor grader shipping become oversize?

If the loaded dimensions exceed typical legal limits (including the trailer), carriers may need permits, escorts, and restricted routing—often increasing complexity and price.

How can I reduce motor grader shipping delays and extra fees?

Have the grader prepped and accessible, confirm measurements, provide loading assistance when possible, and share flexible pickup/delivery windows so routing is easier for the carrier.

Do you need help or have more questions about shipping your motor grader?

VeriTread is your go to solution for hauling a Motor Grader. We can have your Motor Grader delivered to any destination in North America in a safe and timely manner. We are experts in connecting you with a transport provider that can handle paperwork, select the right trailer and driver, and chart an efficient route.

VeriTread moves thousands of Motor Graders every year and can quickly generate a reliable estimate on the go. Our extensive specs and dimensions database of 60,000+ items ensures you spend less time researching and more time putting your equipment to work. The VeriTread Shipper quote process is a simple way to receive competitive quotes from vetted transport providers: