Texas to Minnesota Motorcycle Shipping

Texas to Minnesota Motorcycle Shipping Rates by Bike Type

A standard cruiser or sport bike from Dallas to Minneapolis costs about $475 to $675 on an open carrier, or about $675 to $950 enclosed. From Houston, the open range is near $525 to $750. Duluth, from Dallas, comes to about $500 to $700.

Most of the price comes from the miles. One interstate, I-35, links Dallas with the Twin Cities almost without a turn, so freight lanes along it are steady. Smaller towns off the highway take more planning and sometimes a meeting point.

A big touring bike such as a Gold Wing often carries a $50 to $100 surcharge. Odd-shaped rigs like trikes and sidecars add around $150 to $300. A non-running motorcycle can still go, but the dispatcher has to know in advance.

Minnesota has a short riding season, so spring and fall are the busiest months for shipping, and quotes in those months move quickly. Winter deliveries are possible but slower, so give yourself extra days. Ways to spend less are collected in our money-saving tips.

The Twin Cities, the Lakes and the North Shore

Most Minnesota deliveries come together in the Twin Cities. I-35 splits into I-35W and I-35E just south of the metro, and I-94, I-494 and I-694 wrap the cities. I-94 runs northwest to Fargo, and I-90 crosses the southern edge of the state.

A truck from Texas almost always arrives on I-35. For Minneapolis and St. Paul, the driver comes off the interstate and finds a lot in a suburb such as Burnsville, Maple Grove or Woodbury, where trailers fit easily.

Duluth sits at the end of I-35 on the shore of Lake Superior, and its streets climb steeply from the harbor. Long trailers have trouble on those hills, so a lot near the interstate or in Hermantown often works better.

In the north, Highway 61 runs up the North Shore, and a rural driveway may be gravel or snowed in for months. For lake cabins and farm roads, plan to meet the driver at a store or a wide pull-off on a main road.

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 walls and a roof, which suits a trip that begins in Texas heat and ends where spring brings rain and cold. Owners of custom paint and classic machines often pick enclosed for that protection. Check each line of the pickup report against the bike, and speak up about anything that is missing. Hold on to the report and photos until the bike is parked safely in Minnesota.