California to Texas Motorcycle Shipping At a Glance
| Main Corridor | Interstates across the country, then I-10, I-20 or I-40 into Texas |
| Approximate Distance | ~1,360-1,740 miles |
| Estimated Transit Time | 3-6 days after pickup |
| Popular Pickup Cities | Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco, San Jose, Sacramento |
| Popular Delivery Cities | Dallas, Houston, San Antonio, Austin |
| Transport Options | Open and enclosed, door-to-door or terminal |
| Reverse Route | Texas to California |
| Phone Quotes | 1-800-590-6492, answered 24 hours a day |
California to Texas Motorcycle Shipping Rates by Bike Type
A standard cruiser or sport bike from Los Angeles to Dallas runs about $600 to $825 on an open carrier, and about $850 to $1,150 enclosed. San Diego comes in at about $575 to $800 open, and a San Francisco pickup runs about $650 to $900.
Houston is farther at about $600 to $850 open from Los Angeles, and San Antonio is closer at about $575 to $800. If your street is tight or your homeowner association has rules about large trucks, offer a shopping center lot nearby and the driver will be glad to hear it.
A loaded tourer usually costs $50 to $100 more to move, and a trike or sidecar costs $150 to $300 more. Tell the dispatcher about a dead bike, because the truck must bring a winch.
Event weeks push quotes up on busy lanes, and the Republic of Texas Biker Rally in Austin just after Memorial Day and the Lone Star Rally in Galveston in November both fill trailers. Hurricane season and long, hot summers matter on an open trailer. See our money-saving tips for more.
| Motorcycle Type | Open Transport (Est.) | Enclosed Transport (Est.) |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Cruiser (Sportster, Rebel, Scout) | $600 – $825 | $850 – $1,150 |
| Sport Bike (Ninja, GSX-R, YZF-R1) | $600 – $825 | $850 – $1,150 |
| Touring / Dresser (Street Glide, Gold Wing) | $650 – $925 | $900 – $1,300 |
| Vintage / Custom (classic Triumph, bobber, chopper) | $650 – $925 | $900 – $1,300 |
Average Cost & Time to Ship from California to Texas
The rows below show estimates for a standard bike on an open carrier. Your real quotes will move with the season and where each end sits.
| Route | Distance | Transit Time | Price Range | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles, CA to Dallas, TX | ~1,440 mi | 3-6 days | $600 - $825* | Get Quote |
| San Diego, CA to Dallas, TX | ~1,365 mi | 3-6 days | $575 - $800* | Get Quote |
| San Francisco, CA to Dallas, TX | ~1,740 mi | 4-8 days | $650 - $900* | Get Quote |
| Los Angeles, CA to Houston, TX | ~1,540 mi | 4-8 days | $600 - $850* | Get Quote |
| Los Angeles, CA to San Antonio, TX | ~1,360 mi | 3-6 days | $575 - $800* | 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.
I-10, I-20, I-40 and the Long Gaps
Three interstates bring a bike in from California. I-10 comes across the south through El Paso, San Antonio and Houston, I-20 runs about 636 miles from west of Pecos to the Louisiana line through Midland, Abilene, Fort Worth and Dallas, and I-40 crosses the Panhandle for only 177 miles, from the New Mexico line through Amarillo to the Oklahoma line.
I-35 is the road that splits. North of Hillsboro it divides into I-35E, which goes through Dallas, and I-35W, which goes through Fort Worth, and the two rejoin at Denton. If your pickup is in Fort Worth, tell the carrier, because the driver may be coming down the other branch. I-45 runs about 285 miles from Galveston to Dallas through Houston.
Houston has its own habits. The Katy Freeway, which is I-10 west of downtown, was widened and finished in October 2008 to as many as 26 lanes counting the frontage roads, and a driver heading for the western suburbs spends time on it.
Small-town Texas is where timing can stretch. A ranch address sixty miles off the interstate can add time, so tell each carrier exactly where the pavement ends. The driver also needs a person at the address to sign the inspection sheet. If you will be away, line up an adult to stand in for you.
How Quotes Work When You Ship a Motorcycle to Texas
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 Texas 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.
Summers are long and hot, and a bike on an open trailer sits in it, so owners with fresh paint sometimes decide enclosed is worth the extra cost. Open carriers are still the standard choice for most bikes. When the driver arrives, check the bike against the condition report before you sign. Those papers and your photos are what you use when it reaches Texas.
California to Texas Motorcycle Shipping Challenges & Tips
Texas weather and Texas distances are the two things to plan around.
Long Gaps in West Texas
West of San Antonio, I-10 runs a long way between towns. A pickup out there may wait for a driver who is already headed that direction.
Gulf Storms Near Houston
A hurricane on the Gulf coast can close roads and park trailers for days. Most storm activity falls between mid-August and mid-October.
Tight Houston Streets
Narrow streets and homeowner-association rules about big trucks can complicate a driveway pickup, so the handoff may happen in a shopping center lot.
Tip: Name the Right Fort Worth Branch
Interstate 35 splits north of Hillsboro, so a Fort Worth pickup is on a different branch than a Dallas one. Put the city on the request, and give the cross street or exit if you can.
Tip: Moving to Fort Hood, Fort Bliss or San Antonio?
Fort Hood is near Killeen, Fort Bliss is in El Paso, and Joint Base San Antonio and Naval Air Station Corpus Christi also move people on orders. Killeen is smaller than San Antonio, so mention the base name when you book, and ask each carrier about a military discount.
Tip: Prepare Your Motorcycle
Wash the bike, clear off clip-on gear, and keep roughly a quarter tank. Turn off the alarm and take dated photos of each angle. If you are heading to the Austin rally or Galveston in November, start asking for quotes three weeks out. Our guide to preparing a motorcycle for transport has the full checklist.
California to Texas Motorcycle Shipping Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to ship a motorcycle from California to Texas?
Most California to Texas shipments take 3-6 days once the bike is on the truck. Add a few days for pickup scheduling, and more in winter. Allow two to three weeks from booking to delivery.
How much does it cost to ship a motorcycle to Texas from California?
A standard cruiser or sport bike from Los Angeles to Dallas runs about $600 to $825 on an open carrier and about $850 to $1,150 enclosed. From San Francisco the open range is about $650 to $900. Real prices depend on your bike, dates and cities.
Is open or enclosed transport better for this route?
Open is the usual pick. Enclosed is worth pricing for fresh paint, a classic, or to keep Texas heat and hail off the bike. The extra cost is roughly $250 to $325.
Which Texas cities do carriers deliver to?
Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston, San Antonio and Austin are the biggest drop-off points. Ranch addresses and West Texas towns can add time, so tell the carrier where the pavement ends.
What happens if a hurricane hits the Gulf coast?
Roads can close and trucks can be held for days. Hurricane season runs June through November, so ask the carrier about its storm plan if your bike is waiting on the coast.
How should I prepare my motorcycle for shipping from California to Texas?
Clean the bike, remove loose accessories and run the tank down to a quarter or less. Dated photos from all sides help, and the dispatcher should hear about any leak or a non-runner.
Should I ride my motorcycle from California to Texas or ship it?
The trip is about 1,440 miles from Los Angeles to Dallas, about three long days for most riders. Add fuel, lodging and tires and a shipping quote comes out close.
Do I need to crate my motorcycle for this trip?
Most riders skip it. Open and enclosed trailers carry bikes to Texas every week without crates. Crating runs roughly $150 to $400 and makes sense for show-quality bikes. Ask when you request quotes.
Is door-to-door motorcycle delivery available from California to Texas?
In most cases, yes. In tight Houston streets or on a ranch road, the driver may ask you to meet at a shopping center or a highway lot.
Can I call for a quote at any hour?
Yes. Call 1-800-590-6492 whenever it suits you, or send the form and compare up to ten offers.
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
- Texas to California Motorcycle ShippingShipping the bike back the other way.
- California to Oklahoma Motorcycle Shipping
- California to Arizona Motorcycle Shipping
- California to New Mexico Motorcycle Shipping
- California to Louisiana Motorcycle Shipping
- California to Kansas 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.
- DriveTexasLive road conditions and closures in Texas.
- National Hurricane CenterTrack Gulf and Atlantic storms during hurricane season.
Call now, 24 hours a day, at 1-800-590-6492 or complete the quote form on this page to find California to Texas motorcycle shipping rates and when a truck will be in your area.