The application of surface rocking-pipe-assisted drilling (SRPAD) technology is largely dependent on the ability driller to transfer an appropriate amount of weight to the bit. However, the impact of surface torque oscillations on the longitudinal drag and frictional torque is not thoroughly understood. For this purpose, in this study, a novel experimental apparatus was developed to study the load transfer characteristics along a drillstring during SRPAD. In the experiment, the forces and torques at both ends of the simulated drillstring were recorded, and the mechanical responses at various positions on the drillstring are monitored using a strain-measuring method. The experimental results suggest that properly rocking the drillstring back and forth can help operators regain most of the friction-reducing performance of conventional rotating drillstrings. Furtherore, we found that, if the pipe-rocking parameters, including the rocking velocity, rocking angle, surface hookload, and holding time, are properly controlled, the load transfer efficiency can be effectively improved. In particular, the rocking angle and surface hookload should be increased to reduce the stick-slip effect and buckling distortion. The experimental results provide important guidance for improving the performance of SRPAD system, though the flowing of drilling fluid and the influence of bent-housing motors are not taken into consideration.