California to Colorado Motorcycle Shipping At a Glance
| Main Corridor | I-15 and I-70 east from Los Angeles, I-80 from the Bay Area |
| Approximate Distance | ~775-1,250 miles |
| Estimated Transit Time | 2-6 days after pickup |
| Popular Pickup Cities | Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco, San Jose, Sacramento |
| Popular Delivery Cities | Denver, Colorado Springs, Fort Collins, Grand Junction |
| Transport Options | Open and enclosed, door-to-door or terminal |
| Reverse Route | Colorado to California |
| Phone Quotes | 1-800-590-6492, answered 24 hours a day |
California to Colorado Motorcycle Shipping Rates by Bike Type
A standard cruiser or sport bike from Los Angeles to Denver runs about $500 to $700 on an open carrier, and about $700 to $975 enclosed. Grand Junction, on the western slope, is closer, and Colorado Springs is a bit farther. From San Francisco to Denver, expect roughly $550 to $750 open.
A 1,000-mile haul sits in the middle of the price curve, where the cost per mile is already falling but has not bottomed out. Quotes from different carriers will not match, so compare pickup dates as well as prices.
The usual add-ons apply. Dressers and Gold Wings often add $50 to $100, trikes and sidecars add $150 to $300, and a non-runner needs a winch. Mention it all when you ask for quotes. If the bike has been stored all winter, say so and charge the battery before pickup.
Season swings the price. Spring is when the calls come in, since owners want a bike in the mountains by Memorial Day. If your dates are fixed, book in April. Fall is quiet, and quotes outside peak weeks tend to run lower. Our money-saving tips have more on timing.
| Motorcycle Type | Open Transport (Est.) | Enclosed Transport (Est.) |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Cruiser (Sportster, Rebel, Scout) | $500 – $700 | $700 – $975 |
| Sport Bike (Ninja, GSX-R, YZF-R1) | $500 – $700 | $700 – $975 |
| Touring / Dresser (Street Glide, Gold Wing) | $550 – $800 | $775 – $1,125 |
| Vintage / Custom (classic Triumph, bobber, chopper) | $550 – $800 | $775 – $1,125 |
Average Cost & Time to Ship from California to Colorado
Think of these as ballpark numbers for a standard bike on an open carrier. The quotes you get back will be built from your bike, dates and addresses.
| Route | Distance | Transit Time | Price Range | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles, CA to Denver, CO | ~1,015 mi | 3-6 days | $500 - $700* | Get Quote |
| Los Angeles, CA to Colorado Springs, CO | ~1,085 mi | 3-6 days | $500 - $700* | Get Quote |
| Los Angeles, CA to Grand Junction, CO | ~775 mi | 2-5 days | $450 - $625* | Get Quote |
| San Francisco, CA to Denver, CO | ~1,250 mi | 3-6 days | $550 - $750* | Get Quote |
*Price estimates were updated in October 2026. Prices are estimates only and will vary based on your motorcycle, pickup and delivery locations, transport type, and time of year. Complete the form at the top of this page or call 1-800-590-6492 to get free, no-obligation quotes from licensed carriers so you can compare real prices for your exact route before you book.
Getting a Bike Over the Rockies from California
From Los Angeles most carriers take I-15 north toward Las Vegas, then pick up I-70 in Utah and ride it east into Colorado. That road passes Grand Junction, runs through Glenwood Canyon, climbs over Vail Pass at about 10,660 feet and goes under the Continental Divide through the Eisenhower Tunnel, which tops out at 11,158 feet.
Out of the Bay Area the usual path is I-80 east across Nevada, Utah and Wyoming, then I-25 south into Denver. That is the main reason the San Francisco row in the table runs about 235 miles higher than Los Angeles to Denver.
The Front Range is where most bikes end up. I-25 ties Fort Collins, Denver and Colorado Springs together, and it is the busiest freight road in the state. A bike that needs to reach a mountain town goes first to Denver or Grand Junction, and the last leg is arranged from there.
Mountain addresses are the problem. US 550 over Red Mountain Pass, at 11,018 feet, includes the Million Dollar Highway between Ouray and Silverton, with narrow lanes and steep drops. If your bike is going to Durango, Telluride or Steamboat Springs, ask the carrier which larger town works as the handoff point.
How Quotes Work When You Ship a Motorcycle to Colorado
You don't have to call company after company. One request goes out to the carriers that run this route, and the offers come back to you.
1. Send one request
Fill out the quote form at the top of this page, or call 1-800-590-6492 any hour of the day. Give us your pickup and delivery cities, the year, make and model of your bike, and the date you want it picked up.
2. Carriers respond
We pass your request to carriers that run the California to Colorado route. You can receive up to ten free quotes without calling them one at a time.
3. Compare the offers
Look at price, pickup date, and whether the carrier offers open or enclosed transport. You can look up any company you're considering on the FMCSA SAFER system.
4. Choose your company
You pick the company you want to work with. Ask that company about its insurance coverage, deposit, and payment terms before you commit.
How Your Motorcycle Is Loaded and Secured for the Trip
A good driver loads a motorcycle upright. The front wheel goes into a chock so it can't move, and soft straps go around solid points like the frame or the lower triple clamp. The straps are tightened enough to hold the bike but not so much that they bottom out the forks. Hooks stay off your bars, levers and paint.
Enclosed trailers add a roof and walls, and a mountain route has plenty of weather. When the driver arrives, inspect the bike together and check the condition report. Together with your own dated photos, it shows how the bike looked in California and what it should look like in Colorado.
California to Colorado Motorcycle Shipping Challenges & Tips
Mountains change what can go wrong. These are the things worth planning around.
Snow on the Passes
Winter snow can slow or stop trucks on I-70 in the mountains. Western slope deliveries slip first, so a week of storms can push a Grand Junction drop back.
Mountain-Town Addresses
Roads like US 550 are narrow and steep, and snow often closes them in winter. Expect to meet the driver in a larger valley town.
Bikes Out of Storage
Spring shipments often involve a bike that sat all winter. A dead battery or stale fuel slows loading, so charge it and add fresh fuel before the driver comes.
Tip: Book in April for Summer
Spring is when owners call to get a bike to the mountains by Memorial Day. Trail Ridge Road, the 48-mile road across Rocky Mountain National Park, is closed over its high stretch from October to May. Plan dates around it.
Tip: Choose a Front Range Handoff
Denver, Colorado Springs and Fort Collins have the most carriers. If you are headed higher, ask which valley town is a realistic meeting place.
Tip: Prepare Your Motorcycle
Pull off soft luggage and mounts, run the tank down to about a quarter, and turn off the alarm. Dated photos from every angle are your protection. If the bike is lowered or has aftermarket pipes, tell the dispatcher, because it can change how the driver loads it. Our guide to preparing a motorcycle for transport has the full checklist.
California to Colorado Motorcycle Shipping Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to ship a motorcycle from California to Colorado?
Most California to Colorado shipments take 3 to 6 days once the bike is on the truck. Grand Junction is at the short end, and mountain towns can take longer. Pickup scheduling is separate, so plan on one to two weeks from booking to delivery.
How much does it cost to ship a motorcycle to Colorado from California?
A standard cruiser or sport bike from Los Angeles to Denver runs about $500 to $700 on an open carrier and about $700 to $975 enclosed. From San Francisco, the open range is about $550 to $750. Real prices depend on your bike, dates and cities.
Is open or enclosed transport better for this route?
Open is the standard choice and fine for most bikes. This route crosses desert and mountains, so enclosed makes sense for fresh paint, a classic or a high-value bike. For a stock bike, open is usually enough.
Which Colorado cities do carriers deliver to?
Denver, Colorado Springs, Fort Collins and Grand Junction see the most bikes. Carriers deliver in smaller towns too, but mountain addresses often need a handoff in a larger town nearby.
Can I ship a motorcycle to Colorado for a summer riding trip?
Yes, and many riders do. Book early, since spring and summer lanes fill, and ask about the return trip when you request quotes. Some carriers will price both legs together.
How should I prepare my motorcycle for shipping from California to Colorado?
Give the bike a wash, pull off soft luggage and loose gear, and drop the fuel to about a quarter tank. Take dated photos, note any leaks, and warn the dispatcher if it does not run.
Should I ride my motorcycle from California to Colorado or ship it?
The distance is about 1,015 miles from Los Angeles to Denver, about two long days for most riders. Between fuel, hotels and tire wear, the cost gets close to a shipping quote. Ride if you want the road, ship if you want the bike there.
Do I need to crate my motorcycle for this trip?
Rarely. Properly strapped bikes ride open or enclosed trailers to Colorado without a crate. Crating runs roughly $150 to $400 and fits show bikes and rare machines best. Ask carriers whether it is available.
Is door-to-door motorcycle delivery available from California to Colorado?
Yes, for most addresses. Mountain roads and gated neighborhoods are the exceptions, and the driver may ask to meet in a larger parking lot.
Can I call for a quote at any hour?
Yes. 1-800-590-6492 is answered around the clock. The form at the top of this page works too, and it can bring back up to ten quotes.
For more questions about motorcycle shipping, visit our Motorcycle Shipping FAQ page. Choosing a company? Read questions to ask your motorcycle shipping company first.
More Routes from California
- Colorado to California Motorcycle ShippingShipping the bike back the other way.
- California to Connecticut Motorcycle Shipping
- California to Delaware Motorcycle Shipping
- California to Alaska Motorcycle Shipping
- California to Alabama Motorcycle Shipping
- California to Arizona Motorcycle Shipping
Related Guides
- How to Ship a MotorcycleThe full process from quote to delivery.
- How to Choose the Best Motorcycle Shipping ServiceWhat to compare before you book.
- Benefits of Using a Motorcycle Delivery ServiceWhy shipping beats riding or trailering it yourself.
Helpful Links
- FMCSA SAFER SystemVerify a carrier's license and insurance status.
- California Traffic InformationRoad conditions and closures near your pickup.
- Colorado Traffic InformationRoad conditions and closures near your delivery.
Call now, 24 hours a day, at 1-800-590-6492 or complete the quote form on this page to find California to Colorado motorcycle shipping rates and when a truck will be in your area.