How Our Motorcycle Shipping Quotes Work
We are not a carrier and we don't set prices. Think of us as the shortcut to the people who do. Your request goes to companies that move motorcycles, and each one decides whether it wants the job and what to charge.
1. Tell us about the trip
Enter where the bike is, where it's going, its year, make and model, and the first day it can be picked up. It takes about two minutes.
2. Quotes come to you
Carriers that cover your route reply with a price and a pickup window. Many riders hear back the same day, often within a few hours.
3. Line them up side by side
Compare price, pickup timing, open or enclosed equipment, and the deposit each company wants. The lowest number is not always the best deal.
4. Book on your terms
You deal directly with the company you pick. Nobody books anything for you, and there is nothing to pay if none of the offers suit you.
How Much Does Motorcycle Shipping Cost?
Distance sets the base price, and the per-mile rate drops as the trip gets longer. A 250-mile hop costs more per mile than a cross-country run because the carrier still has to load, strap down and unload the bike either way. These are typical open-trailer prices for a standard street bike.
| Trip Length | Example | Days on the Road | Open Carrier | Enclosed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| About 250 miles | A move within one region | 1-3 days | $325 - $450* | $450 - $625* |
| About 750 miles | Across two or three states | 2-5 days | $450 - $600* | $625 - $850* |
| About 1,500 miles | Half the country | 4-8 days | $600 - $850* | $850 - $1,200* |
| About 2,500 miles | Coast to coast | 7-10 days | $825 - $1,150* | $1,150 - $1,600* |
*Estimates for a standard motorcycle, updated November 2026. Real quotes depend on the bike, the exact pickup and delivery addresses, the equipment, and the time of year.
A few things push the price up. A heavy touring bike or a big cruiser often adds $50 to $100. A trike or a bike with a sidecar adds $150 to $300 because it takes more deck space. Crating, which some owners want for long or overseas moves, adds $150 to $400. Rural pickups far from an interstate and rally weeks also cost more.
What brings it down is flexibility. A pickup window of several days lets a carrier fit your bike onto a truck already headed your way. Spring northbound and fall southbound runs fill fast, so the off-peak direction can be noticeably less. Our motorcycle shipping rates page has more detail, and these money-saving tips cover the rest.
Open or Enclosed Motorcycle Transport
On an open trailer, the bike rides uncovered, locked into a wheel chock and strapped down beside the rest of the load. That's how most motorcycles move, and it's fine for a daily rider. Rain and road grit are the main downside, and a quick wash on arrival usually takes care of them.
An enclosed trailer keeps the bike out of the weather and away from anything a truck kicks up. It costs more and there are fewer of them, so pickup dates can be harder to match. Pay for it when the bike is a restored classic, a fresh custom build, a show bike, or anything you'd hate to see with a rock chip. It's also worth a look for winter moves through states that salt their roads.
Choosing the Right Motorcycle Shipping Company
Comparing several offers tells you what the route really costs. A quote far below the others is a warning sign, not a bargain, because some companies win the job low and raise the price once the bike is on the truck. Before you sign with anyone, check these five things.
- Operating authority.Look up the USDOT or MC number on the FMCSA SAFER system and make sure it's active.
- Insurance.Ask for a certificate of insurance and how much cargo coverage it carries.
- Deposit and payment.Know what's due at booking, what's due on delivery, and what forms of payment the driver accepts.
- Equipment.Ask how the bike will be secured. Wheel chocks and soft straps are the standard for motorcycles.
- Damage claims.Find out who you call and what paperwork you need if something goes wrong.
Our guides on questions to ask a motorcycle shipping company and choosing a motorcycle shipping service go deeper, and this piece explains why multiple quotes matter.
Getting Your Motorcycle Ready to Ship
Wash the bike so you can see its condition clearly, then take dated photos from every side. Leave about a quarter tank of fuel, check for leaks, and make sure the battery is charged. Take off saddlebags, GPS units, loose mirrors and anything else that could rattle free or go missing. Note the mileage.
At pickup, you and the driver walk around the bike and record any marks on the condition report. Keep your copy. You'll do the same walk at delivery before you sign. The full motorcycle prep checklist and our step-by-step guide on how to ship a motorcycle walk through the rest.
Shipping a Motorcycle to Hawaii or Alaska
Hawaii moves go by ocean freight. The bike is trucked or dropped at a West Coast port, sails to Honolulu or a neighbor island, and is picked up at the port on the other end. Expect a higher price and a longer wait than any mainland trip, plus rules on fuel level and battery that the shipping line will spell out. Our Hawaii motorcycle shipping page covers it in detail.
For Alaska motorcycle shipping, a bike can go by road through Canada on the Alaska Highway or by sea out of the Seattle area. Summer is the easy season. Winter moves take longer and fewer carriers run them.
Ship Your Motorcycle to a Rally
Plenty of riders would rather spend their vacation days riding at the rally than getting there. Ship the bike ahead, fly in, and ride it home or ship it back. Book at least three weeks ahead for the big events, because trailers headed that way fill early and prices climb as the date gets close.
- Daytona Bike WeekDaytona Beach, Florida, late February into early March.
- Myrtle Beach Bike WeekSouth Carolina's spring rally in May, with a smaller fall rally in late September.
- Laconia Motorcycle WeekLaconia, New Hampshire, in June.
- Sturgis Motorcycle RallyThe Black Hills of South Dakota, early to mid August.
- BiketoberfestDaytona Beach again, in October.
Motorcycle Shipping by State
Each state page covers the main highways, typical rates and transit times, and the seasons and events that affect shipping there.
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Popular Motorcycle Shipping Routes
Each route page has mileage, estimated cost and transit time for that trip.
Motorcycle Shipping by City
Motorcycle Shipping FAQs
How much does it cost to ship a motorcycle?
Most quotes for a standard bike on an open trailer fall between about $300 for a short regional move and about $1,225 for a coast to coast trip like Los Angeles to New York City. Enclosed transport usually runs 30% to 50% more. Your bike, your route and the season all move the number.
How long does motorcycle shipping take?
A move of a few hundred miles is often on the road for 1 to 3 days. Coast to coast usually takes 7 to 10 days. Add one to three days for the carrier to schedule the pickup.
Are you a motorcycle shipping company or a broker?
We are neither. Motorcycle Delivery Service passes your request to companies that move bikes, and they send you their own quotes. You choose the company and book directly with it.
Does it cost anything to get quotes?
No. Requesting quotes through the form or by phone is free, and you are under no obligation to book any of the offers you receive.
Should I choose open or enclosed transport?
Open transport suits most everyday bikes and costs less. Enclosed makes sense for a classic, a show bike, a high-value build, or a winter move on salted roads.
Can I ship a motorcycle that does not run?
Yes. Say so when you request quotes. Loading a non-running bike takes a winch or extra hands, and some carriers add a fee for it.
Can I ship a motorcycle to Hawaii or Alaska?
Yes. Hawaii moves go by ocean from a West Coast port, and Alaska moves can go by road through Canada or by sea from Washington. Both take longer and cost more than a mainland trip.
How do I check a company before I book?
Look the company up on the FMCSA SAFER system using its USDOT or MC number. Then ask for its insurance certificate, its deposit amount, and how it handles damage claims.
Have a question that isn't here? Our motorcycle shipping FAQ page has more answers, and the resource center has guides for every step.
Fraud Warning for Buyers and Sellers
Scammers selling motorcycles online sometimes use our name and tell buyers to send payment through us. We never hold, transfer or receive money for a motorcycle sale, for anyone. If someone asks you to pay us on behalf of a seller, it is a scam. You can report it to the Federal Trade Commission.
Moving a car or truck too? Our partner site Southwest Auto Transport gets you up to ten free quotes on vehicle shipping.
Call now, 24 hours a day, at 1-800-590-6492 or fill out the quote form to compare motorcycle shipping prices for your route.