Patrick MacFarland ·
Updated June 8, 2026
To ship a golf cart, you can either transport it yourself using a pickup truck or trailer, or hire a professional shipping company. Professional golf cart shipping costs between $250 and $900 for most domestic routes, depending on distance, carrier type (open or enclosed), and time of year. CitizenShipper, a shipping marketplace with verified transporters, lets you post your golf cart shipment for free and receive competing quotes from background-checked drivers.
How Much Does It Cost to Ship a Golf Cart?
The cost to ship a golf cart typically ranges from $250–$900 for shorter-distance moves and $500–$1,200+ for cross-country transportation, depending on the route, transport method, and the size of the vehicle. On a per-mile basis, most golf cart shipments fall between approximately $0.50 and $1.50 per mile, although actual pricing varies based on market conditions and driver availability.
As a general rule, longer shipments cost more overall, but the cost per mile often decreases as distance increases.
| Distance | Typical Cost Range |
|---|---|
| Under 100 miles | $250–$400 |
| 100–500 miles | $300–$700 |
| 500–1,000 miles | $500–$900 |
| 1,000+ miles | $700–$1,200+ |
Several factors influence golf cart shipping costs:
Distance
Distance is usually the largest pricing factor. Local deliveries may cost only a few hundred dollars, while coast-to-coast shipments can exceed $1,000 depending on the route.
Open vs. Enclosed Transport
Most golf carts are transported on open trailers, which is the most affordable option. Enclosed transport provides additional protection from weather and road debris but typically costs more.
Time of Year
Seasonal demand can affect pricing. Golf cart transportation often increases during spring and summer, particularly in retirement communities, resort areas, and golf destinations.
Pickup and Delivery Accessibility
Locations that are easy for carriers to access generally cost less. Rural properties, gated communities, or locations requiring significant route deviations may increase the price.
Golf Cart Size and Modifications
Lifted golf carts, oversized tires, custom roofs, rear seating kits, and other modifications may require additional trailer space or specialized equipment, which can increase shipping costs.
One advantage of using CitizenShipper is that listings are completely free to post. Once your shipment is listed, drivers compete for your business by submitting quotes, allowing you to compare pricing, reviews, and transporter experience before booking. This competitive marketplace model often helps owners find better rates than traditional transport brokers.
Golf Cart Dimensions and Weight by Brand
Before arranging transport, it’s important to know your golf cart’s dimensions and weight. These measurements help transporters determine whether the cart can fit in a pickup truck bed, enclosed trailer, flatbed trailer, or specialized vehicle carrier.
Most standard golf carts measure approximately 4 feet wide × 8 feet long × 5.5 feet tall, although lifted models and carts with aftermarket accessories may be significantly larger.
Weight varies depending on whether the cart is gas-powered or electric. Electric carts are generally heavier because of their battery packs. Most golf carts weigh between 500 and 1,100 pounds, with larger six-passenger models often weighing even more.
Common Golf Cart Dimensions and Weight
| Brand | Typical Length | Typical Width | Typical Height | Approximate Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Club Car | 92–108 in. | 48 in. | 69–72 in. | 900–1,100 lbs |
| E-Z-GO | 93–110 in. | 47–49 in. | 67–72 in. | 700–1,000 lbs |
| Yamaha | 94–111 in. | 47–49 in. | 68–72 in. | 650–1,050 lbs |
Actual dimensions vary by model, seating capacity, lift kits, cargo beds, and accessories.
Knowing your golf cart’s exact dimensions helps ensure accurate shipping quotes and allows transporters to select the appropriate trailer, tie-down equipment, and loading method. If your cart has oversized tires, a roof extension, rear seat kit, or custom modifications, be sure to include those details when requesting transport quotes.
Ready to see what your golf cart shipment will cost? List your golf cart on CitizenShipper for free — no obligation, no payment until you choose a driver. Verified transporters will send you quotes, typically within 24 hours.
How to Prepare Your Golf Cart for Shipping
Preparing your golf cart properly before pickup helps ensure a smooth transportation process and reduces the risk of delays or damage.
Disconnect the Battery
For electric golf carts, disconnect the battery before transport if recommended by the manufacturer or transporter. This helps prevent accidental power drain and reduces the risk of electrical issues during transit.
Secure or Remove Accessories
Loose accessories should be secured or removed whenever possible. Common items include:
- Fold-down windshields
- Mirrors
- Canopy tops
- Storage compartments
- Golf bag holders
- Custom accessories
Removing detachable items can help prevent damage from road vibration or weather exposure.
Check Tire Pressure
Properly inflated tires make loading and unloading easier and help prevent shifting during transport. Inspect tires before pickup and address any significant air loss.
Document Existing Condition
Take clear, time-stamped photos of the golf cart from multiple angles before transport. Photograph any existing scratches, dents, or cosmetic damage. These images provide valuable documentation in the unlikely event of a damage claim.
Reduce Fuel Level
If your golf cart is gas-powered, most transporters recommend leaving no more than a quarter tank of fuel. This reduces weight and aligns with common transportation safety practices.
Provide Keys to the Transporter
Ensure the transporter has access to the ignition key so the golf cart can be loaded, unloaded, and repositioned if necessary during transit.
A few minutes of preparation before pickup can help make the shipping process safer, faster, and more efficient for both you and your transporter.
DIY Shipping Options
If you don’t have to move your cart too far or you are up for a road trip, you might consider organizing a DIY transport.
Use a Pickup Truck
It is quite possible to transport your golf cart with a pickup truck. No matter if it’s your own, a borrowed, or rented truck, you can load a cart on the truck within half an hour with the right technique and equipment. Besides the truck and the golf cart, you need aluminum ramps and nylon straps. Install the ramp to the back of the truck, so it’s as wide as the space between the tires – just keep in mind that the size of the truck determines the width of the ramps you need. Start the golf cart and drive it over the ramps onto the back of the truck. If it’s a standard truck, closing the doors may be difficult or not possible, so you may need to tie them in place. If you have access to an extended bed truck, use it. Use the nylon straps to keep the cart secure. Wrap them around the golf carts secure loading points and fix them at both sides and the front of the truck. Make 100% sure that the construction of the straps is stable and secure. It’s essential to buy high-quality material when investing in aluminum ramps and nylon straps, or you can easily damage your vehicle. Once everything is secured, you can start your journey. Take it slow and steady.
Use a Trailer
You can go with a similar strategy by using a trailer, which is big enough for the golf cart. Instead of using a ramp, you may have a trailer that has a ramp that folds out, or again use aluminum ramps and tie with straps or a similar safe material. Keep in mind, that driving with a trailer can be challenging for inexperienced drivers and that parking can be an issue.
Ship your golf cart with confidence. Post your shipment on CitizenShipper, compare quotes from background-checked drivers, and only pay when you book. It takes less than 2 minutes.
List Your Golf Cart Shipment →
How to Transport a Golf Cart Without a Trailer
If you don’t own a trailer, there are still several ways to transport a golf cart safely.
Use a pickup truck:
Some smaller golf carts can fit in a full-size pickup truck bed, particularly for short-distance moves. Before loading, verify the truck’s payload capacity and bed dimensions. Most standard golf carts measure about 8 feet long and weigh between 500 and 1,100 pounds, so ramps and proper tie-downs are essential. If the cart extends beyond the tailgate, be sure to follow local transportation laws regarding overhanging loads.
Hire a flatbed tow truck:
For local moves, a flatbed tow truck can be a convenient solution. The driver will load, secure, and transport the golf cart without requiring you to purchase or rent a trailer. This option is often cost-effective for short-distance relocations, dealership transfers, or service appointments.
Use a professional shipping marketplace:
For regional or cross-country transportation, hiring a professional transporter is usually the easiest option. Platforms like CitizenShipper allow you to list your shipment for free and receive quotes from transporters already traveling along similar routes. This can be more affordable than renting a trailer, especially for one-way moves. Transporters can often handle lifted carts, custom builds, utility carts, and multi-cart shipments while providing door-to-door service and secure loading equipment.
Work With a Moving Company
If navigating a cart up a ramp or driving with a trailer is not for you, then you might consider working with professional movers. This is the most secure option because these people know their job and therefore know how to keep your golf cart safe and in good shape. However, there are a few things to consider!
Open or Enclosed Carrier?
The most common and affordable option is shipping your golf cart in an open carrier. While this is the cheapest option and enough for an average golf cart, your vehicle is exposed to external elements, like wind, rain, and cold. You shouldn’t worry too much, because most open carrier shippings are safe. Suppose you have a premium or vintage cart or extraordinary weather circumstances during your shipping days. In that case, you should consider paying a higher price for closed carrier transport.
Finding the Right Shipping Company
After you decided to work with a moving company, you might struggle to decide which company is the right one.
Get Quotes!
Let’s first have a look at how to find a reasonable price. The best way to find an affordable moving company is to contact any of them and ask them for quotes, so you get a sense of how much golf cart shipping costs. Even if you already have your eyes on the moving company of your dreams, it can be useful to collect alternative offers to bargain the price down. Attention: The cost of shipping will vary depending on the time of the year. If you can, avoid shipping your golf cart when the demand is high!
Make Sure They Offer Door-to-Door Service
While door-to-door should be standard, some companies have pick-up and drop-off points. Ask the shipping companies that you consider working with about their shipping options. While usually door-to-door is the handiest and best solution, terminal-based providers with fixed shipping routes are often less pricey. If you’re on a tight budget and have alternative possibilities to pick up and drop off the golf cart at the terminal, it might make sense to consider this kind of mixture between DIY and moving companies.
Make Sure They are Licensed, Insured, and Experienced
Before you decide on a company, ask the shippers directly about which licenses and which insurance they have to transport golf carts. Check the Internet for reviews, because they will reveal the experiences other customers had with the shipping services of the moving company. If you discover bad ratings, look at how the company solved the issue. It will give you a sense of the quality of customer service.
Consider Working With a Marketplace-Based Provider
A company like CitizenShipper has a significant advantage in that it combines many things at once. The competition of the marketplace structure inherently keeps the price down. You can post your shipping, and the platform connects to professional drivers, which will contact you with offers. With your post, you can precisely describe everything about your golf cart as well as how when, and where you want it transported. You can discuss the transport details directly with the drivers themselves. On each of the drivers’ profiles, you can see reviews by past customers, which guarantee you the work quality of each driver.
We wish you good luck with your cart shipping and a good game of golf!
Frequently Asked Questions
Golf cart shipping typically costs between $250 and $900 for shorter-distance moves and $500 to $1,200+ for cross-country transportation. Pricing depends on factors such as distance, transport type (open or enclosed), seasonal demand, and the size or modifications of the golf cart. Most shipments average $0.50 to $1.50 per mile. The cheapest option is usually transporting the golf cart yourself using a pickup truck or trailer if you already have access to the necessary equipment. For longer distances, using a shipping marketplace like CitizenShipper can help lower costs because multiple transporters compete for your shipment, allowing you to compare quotes and choose the best price. Some golf carts can fit in a full-size pickup truck, particularly those with long-bed configurations. However, many golf carts are approximately 8 feet long and may extend beyond the tailgate. Always verify your truck's payload capacity, bed dimensions, and local regulations regarding oversized loads before attempting transport. For electric golf carts, many transporters recommend disconnecting the battery before shipment to prevent accidental power drain or electrical issues during transit. It is also a good idea to secure loose accessories, check tire pressure, and document the cart's condition with photos before pickup. For most standard golf carts, open transport is safe and cost-effective. However, enclosed transport may be worth the additional expense if you own a high-value custom cart, vintage golf cart, or heavily modified model that requires extra protection from weather, road debris, and other external elements during transit. Before pickup, remove or secure loose accessories, disconnect the battery if applicable, leave no more than a quarter tank of fuel in gas-powered carts, check tire pressure, take photos of the cart's condition, and provide the ignition keys to the transporter. Proper preparation helps ensure a smoother and safer shipping experience.How much does it cost to ship a golf cart?
What is the cheapest way to transport a golf cart?
Can a golf cart fit in a pickup truck?
Do I need to disconnect the battery before shipping a golf cart?
Is enclosed transport worth it for a golf cart?
How do I prepare my golf cart for shipping?
Patrick MacFarland has been a teacher, a candidate for public office, and a local tour guide. But now he dedicates his time writing full-time, currently at CitizenShipper and VeraContent.
