Shipping an RV is difficult because the transport method changes the price, preparation, and risk. Completed shipments displayed by uShip on July 31, 2026 ranged from about $400 for a short travel-trailer move to about $3,700 from Indiana to California, with other examples near $800, $1,200, $1,600, and $2,500. A large motorhome, non-running RV, or oversize flatbed load can cost more.
This guide helps you choose drive-away, tow-away, or flatbed service; measure the RV as it will travel; build a complete written price; and hand the unit to a verified carrier in road-ready condition. Start with the exact year, make, model, running condition, and travel dimensions—not simply “Class A” or “30-foot trailer.”
Choose the transport method
Drive-away and tow-away use the RV’s own drivetrain or running gear. Flatbed transport carries the RV on another trailer, reducing road wear on the RV but increasing loaded dimensions and often requiring loading equipment or permits.
Measure the RV as it will travel
Provide year, make, model, vehicle identification number, running condition, and verified weight. Measure overall length, widest point, and highest fixed point with slides retracted. Include mirrors, awnings, air conditioners, antennas, ladders, bike racks, spare tires, and any other accessory that remains installed.
For flatbed service, the carrier must calculate height from the road to the highest point after the RV is loaded. That combined height—not the RV brochure height—determines bridge clearance, permits, and route options. Share photos from all sides, the roofline, tires, hitch or tow points, pickup access, and delivery access.
What makes the quote rise or fall?
- Distance and direction: driver time, fuel, tolls, return loads, and available carriers change by lane.
- Traffic and city rules: congestion, restricted truck routes, loading hours, permits, and difficult parking add time.
- Size and weight: larger equipment may require a heavier truck, specialist trailer, permits, or escorts.
- Condition: a non-running motorhome or trailer with unsafe tires and brakes needs carrying or repair.
- Pickup and delivery: narrow campgrounds, soft ground, low branches, gated storage, and no-turnaround sites can require a nearby meeting point.
- Timing: a flexible pickup window usually gives the dispatcher more options than a guaranteed narrow appointment.
Ask for a written price or price range that states fuel, tolls, permits, escort vehicles, loading, unloading, storage, waiting time, and insurance. A low initial number is only useful when it describes the complete job.
Prepare a drive-away motorhome
Schedule a mechanical inspection and correct safety problems before pickup. Confirm registration, inspection, tires, fluids, battery, brakes, lights, wipers, mirrors, and fuel level. Empty waste tanks and reduce fresh water and loose cargo as directed by the carrier. Secure cabinets, doors, slide-outs, awnings, antennas, and movable furniture.
Agree on who pays for fuel, tolls, repairs, lodging, and unexpected delays. Record starting mileage and fuel, provide operating instructions, and remove personal documents, valuables, medications, and prohibited items.
Prepare a tow-away trailer or fifth wheel
Have the tires, wheel bearings, brakes, breakaway system, lights, hitch, safety chains, suspension, and frame checked. Confirm the actual loaded weight and hitch requirements. The transporter’s truck must be properly rated for both the trailer and the route.
Close and lock slide-outs and awnings, lower antennas, secure doors and contents, and remove loose exterior accessories. If the trailer is not roadworthy, say so when requesting quotes; carrying it on a suitable trailer may be the safe answer.
Verify the company before handing over the keys
Search the exact legal business name and U.S. DOT number in the FMCSA Licensing and Insurance system. Confirm whether you are hiring the carrier that will move the RV or a broker arranging another carrier. Ask for the carrier’s insurance certificate and written explanation of deductibles, exclusions, personal-property limits, and damage reporting.
Read recent reviews for the exact company on more than one independent platform. Look for consistent comments about communication, pickup windows, condition reports, and claim handling—not only an average star score.
Inspect at both ends
- Wash the RV enough to make existing marks visible.
- Take dated photos and video of every side, roofline, glass, tires, interior, mileage, and fuel.
- Review the carrier’s condition report before signing.
- At delivery, inspect in good light before moving or using the RV.
- Write any new damage on the delivery record and keep copies of all photos and documents.
Questions for comparable quotes
- Which method will you use, and will another carrier perform the move?
- What vehicle and equipment will carry or tow this RV?
- Are all permits, escorts, fuel, tolls, and delivery charges included?
- What pickup window and delivery window are written into the agreement?
- What happens if the RV breaks down during drive-away or tow-away service?
- What insurance applies, and what personal property is excluded?
For the company check, use Moveline’s questions to ask a moving company and its vehicle-shipping coverage and claims guide. Confirm who is the broker, who is the carrier, whose USDOT and MC numbers appear in federal records, and whose coverage applies to this RV.
