ATV Shipping

ATV shipping moves quads, four-wheelers and side-by-sides by road — one unit or a trailer-load. It is what people use after an online purchase, a dealer or auction buy several states away, a seasonal move to a second property, or a machine heading to a specialist for work.

Genius Auto Trans is a licensed and bonded property broker — USDOT 3674601, MC 1274912, Broker Property, ACTIVE with the FMCSA. We do not own trailers. We source from a vetted network of more than 10,000 carriers.

Two decisions set the price

Crated or uncrated. An uncrated machine is strapped directly to the deck at its factory tie-down points — cheaper, faster to arrange, and entirely normal for a used quad or side-by-side. A crated machine is protected from handling and weather and is the usual choice for new units, long hauls and anything with fresh paint or plastics. Crating costs money and adds dimensions, so it is worth deciding deliberately rather than by default.

Alone or in a batch. A single ATV on its own is an awkward load — small, light and not worth a dedicated truck. It usually travels alongside other freight, which means waiting for a carrier heading your way with space. Two or more units on the same lane price considerably better per machine and are easier to schedule. If you are buying more than one, buy them together and ship them together.

How ATVs and UTVs travel

Open transport, strapped to a deck or in an enclosed section of a mixed load. The economical default for used machines.

Enclosed transport, for new units, high-value side-by-sides, custom builds and anything where weather and road debris matter. A UTV has a great deal of exposed plastic, and unlike a car almost none of it is protected.

Crated, on a pallet or in a purpose-built crate, which is how dealers and manufacturers usually move new stock.

On a trailer as a batch, for dealers, rental fleets and clubs moving several units at once.

Tell us the make, model, dimensions with any accessories fitted, weight, whether it runs and drives, and whether it has a roll cage, roof, winch, plough or light bar — accessories change the footprint more than people expect, and a plough left on the front is a common surprise on collection day.

What ATV shipping costs

No price table. What moves your quote:

• Crated or uncrated — the biggest single fork
• Size and weight — a full-size four-seat UTV is a different load from a youth quad
• Accessories fitted — roll cage height, plough, roof, light bars
• One unit or several — batches are materially cheaper per machine
• Open or enclosed
• Running condition — a machine that does not run needs winching or lifting
• Distance and corridor
• Access at both ends — a dealership loading dock is easier than a rural property at the end of a track
• Season — spring buying and autumn hunting season both concentrate demand

Cost detail: FAQ — Cost & Pricing.

Preparing your machine

• Clean it. Mud hides damage and falls off in transit. You cannot document condition through dirt.
• Photograph it thoroughly, dated, from every angle including plastics and undercarriage.
• Minimal fuel — enough to load and unload, no more.
• Disconnect the battery where the carrier asks.
• Remove or secure loose accessories — mirrors, aerials, soft doors, cargo boxes, anything that unclips.
• Fold or remove the windscreen where it is designed to.
• Take everything out of storage boxes. Federal regulation prohibits household goods in a shipped vehicle and cargo insurance does not cover them.
• Note existing leaks and defects honestly at quote stage.
• Confirm the tyres hold pressure, so the machine can be moved on and off without a fight.

More: FAQ — Vehicle Preparation

Who ships ATVs and UTVs

• Online and out-of-state buyers — the most common reason by far
• Sellers delivering to a buyer they will never meet
• Dealers and rental fleets moving stock, singly or in batches — see the car dealer discount
• Auction buyers, running or not
• Seasonal owners moving machines between a home and a cabin, ranch or hunting property
• Farms and ranches moving working utility vehicles
• Clubs and event riders heading to organised rides and races
• Service and custom shops taking machines in and out

Where we ship

The 48 contiguous states and Washington, DC. Alaska and Hawaii are not served, and we do not arrange international or overseas shipping.

Locations Hub · Routes Hub · Services Hub · Door-to-door collection

Also arranged: Motorcycle Transport · Jet Ski & PWC Shipping · Golf Cart Shipping · Heavy Equipment Transport

Insurance

We are a licensed and bonded broker, not the carrier. Every carrier we assign is required to hold active cargo insurance, and we will provide that carrier's certificate on request. More: FAQ — Carriers, Insurance & Safety.

Frequently asked questions

How do you ship an ATV? It is secured to a truck deck at its factory tie-down points, or crated on a pallet. Small machines usually travel alongside other freight rather than on a dedicated truck, so a flexible pickup window helps.

How much does it cost to ship an ATV? Mainly crated versus uncrated, size and weight with accessories fitted, whether it ships alone or with others, and the corridor. We quote the actual shipment rather than publishing a figure.

How much does it cost to ship a UTV? More than a quad, because a side-by-side is larger and heavier — a four-seat machine with a roll cage and roof takes real deck space. Give us the dimensions as it will travel.

Does my ATV need to be crated? Not usually for a used machine. Crating makes sense for new units, long hauls and anything with fresh paint or plastics you want protected from handling. It costs more and adds dimensions.

How do you transport a four wheeler that does not run? With a carrier that can winch or lift it on. It is a narrower pool and a different price, so tell us at quote stage whether it rolls and steers freely.

Can you ship several ATVs at once? Yes, and it is considerably cheaper per machine on the same lane. If you are buying more than one, ship them together.

Should I ship my side by side enclosed? Worth it for new, high-value or custom machines. A UTV has a lot of exposed plastic and almost none of it is protected, so weather and road debris reach far more of it than they would on a car.

Do I need to remove the plough or winch? Tell us it is fitted. A plough changes the footprint and the weight distribution, and it is a common surprise at collection. It can often stay on, but only if the carrier knew about it.

Can I leave gear in the storage boxes? No. Federal regulation prohibits household goods in a shipped vehicle and cargo insurance does not cover them.

Can you collect from a dealership or auction? Yes. Commercial sites are usually easier than rural properties because they are built for truck access. We need the site contact and any release requirements.

Do you ship ATVs internationally? No. Road transport within the 48 contiguous states and Washington, DC only.

How far in advance should I book ATV shipping? A week or two is comfortable on most lanes. Book earlier around spring buying season and the run-up to hunting season, when demand on rural corridors tightens.

More answers: Car Shipping FAQs · FAQ — Specialty Transport

Or call (800) 780-1113 — answered 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Related pages

• Car Shipping (core hub)
• Open Auto Transport