RV and Camper Trailer Shipping
RVs and camper trailers don't ship like a standard car. Depending on whether yours is motorized or towable, there are genuinely different methods available, and picking the right one makes a real difference in cost.
Three Ways an RV Can Ship
Drive-away
For motorized RVs (Class A, B, or C), a professional driver drives the RV itself to its destination. It's generally the lowest cost per mile, roughly $1.00 to $1.50, and works best for short and medium distances.
Tow-away
A commercial truck hitches and tows your travel trailer, fifth wheel, or bumper-pull camper, generally roughly $1.50 to $2.50 per mile. It's usually the most cost-effective option for towables, though the trailer's own tires and brakes take the wear of the trip.
Flatbed
The RV is loaded entirely onto a flatbed, lowboy, or specialized trailer, generally roughly $2.00 to $4.00 or more per mile. It's the most protective method, and the right one for luxury, oversized, high-value, or inoperable units.
Across all three, RV shipping generally runs $1.00 to $3.50 per mile depending on distance, size, weight, and season, and most trips take between 5 and 14 days depending on mileage and route complexity.
What It Costs by Distance
Per-mile cost falls as distance rises. For a camper trailer, a realistic picture looks like this:
- Short (100 to 300 miles): roughly $2.50 to $4.00 per mile, about $400 to $900 total.
- Medium (300 to 1,000 miles): roughly $2.00 to $3.00 per mile, about $800 to $1,500 total.
- Long or cross-country (1,000+ miles): roughly $1.05 to $2.00 per mile, about $1,500 to $4,000 or more total.
What Else Affects the Price
- Size and weight. Smaller pop-up campers and light travel trailers cost less to move. Heavy fifth-wheels need specialized hitch equipment and larger trucks, which drives the cost up.
- Condition. If a trailer has bad tires, faulty brakes, or a broken axle, it needs a winch or a rollback flatbed, which typically adds roughly $150 to $500.
- Season. Rates swell by roughly 15 to 20% during peak moving and camping season, May through September. Booking outside that window, or well ahead of it, helps.
- Route. The same principles as any vehicle shipment apply: well-traveled routes between major areas cost less than trips to remote locations.
Preparing Your RV for Shipment
- Remove personal items, loose valuables, and fragile decor from the interior. An RV's interior isn't built to ride out transit the way a car's is.
- Retract awnings, slide-outs, and antennas, and close all roof vents.
- Shut off propane tanks and disconnect the house and chassis batteries.
- For drive-away, keep the fuel tank at a quarter full or less and make sure the RV is road-ready, with fluids topped off and registration and insurance current.
- Check tire pressure, fluid leaks, and brakes before pickup, and document the RV's condition inside and out, the same Bill of Lading principle that applies to any shipment.
Shipping Internationally
RV shipping overseas is less common than domestic moves, but it follows similar fundamentals to international car shipping: RoRo or container ocean freight, plus destination country customs and documentation. If you're relocating an RV or camper internationally, including to the Gulf, reach out directly so we can walk through what applies to your specific unit and destination. See our international and Gulf shipping guide
Who It's Best For
This applies to anyone relocating an RV or camper trailer without driving it themselves: a seasonal move, a dealer repositioning inventory, or someone who bought a unit in a different state than where they live. If your motorized RV runs well and you're comfortable with a professional driving it, drive-away is usually your most cost-effective option. If it's a towable unit or has mechanical issues, tow-away or flatbed will apply instead.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the cheapest way to ship an RV?
For a motorized RV in good running condition, drive-away is generally the most cost-effective option, since it avoids the added cost of towing equipment. Towable RVs don't have this option and are usually most economical by tow-away.
How much does it cost to ship a camper trailer?
Generally $1.50 to $4.00 per mile, with totals ranging from roughly $400 to $4,000 or more depending on distance, size, and method. Per-mile cost drops on longer routes.
Can I ship a non-running RV or trailer?
Yes, by winch or rollback flatbed, typically adding roughly $150 to $500. You'll need to disclose the exact condition so the right equipment is arranged.
How long does RV shipping take?
Typically 5 to 14 days depending on the total mileage and route.
Is it more expensive to ship in summer?
Yes. Rates generally rise roughly 15 to 20% during peak camping and moving season, May through September.
Shipping an RV or camper?
Get a quote and we'll help determine the right method, drive-away, tow-away, or flatbed, for your specific unit.