Shipping a motorcycle works a lot like shipping a car — but with its own pricing quirks, since bikes are lighter, smaller, and often ship alongside other vehicles or in dedicated crates. Motorcycle shipping cost typically runs between $200 and $1,500, depending on distance, transport method, and the size of your bike.
Here’s how the pricing actually breaks down, and what affects your quote most.
Average Motorcycle Shipping Cost by Distance
| Shipping Distance | Open Transport | Enclosed Transport |
|---|---|---|
| Under 500 miles | $200 – $400 | $260 – $550 |
| 500 – 1,500 miles | $400 – $650 | $520 – $900 |
| 1,500 – 2,500 miles | $600 – $900 | $800 – $1,200 |
| 2,500+ miles (coast-to-coast) | $800 – $1,100 | $1,050 – $1,450 |
Like car shipping, the per-mile rate drops as distance increases — a short local move might cost $1.00 or more per mile, while a cross-country shipment often comes down closer to $0.40–$0.60 per mile. This happens because fixed costs, like loading and initial fuel, get spread across more total miles on longer trips. For the same pattern applied to cars, see our guide on how much it costs to ship a car.
What Affects Motorcycle Shipping Cost?
1. Distance
The single biggest factor, following the same distance-based pricing pattern as car shipping.
2. Transport Method
Motorcycles typically ship one of three ways:
- Open transport — the most affordable option, with the bike secured on an open trailer, often alongside cars. Costs roughly 30–50% less than enclosed transport.
- Crated transport — the motorcycle is secured inside a custom-fitted crate, adding protection from weather and handling damage. Costs more than open transport but is often less than fully enclosed shipping.
- Enclosed transport — the bike rides in a fully covered trailer, offering the most protection. This is the preferred option for high-value, vintage, or custom motorcycles.
3. Motorcycle Size and Weight
Heavier, larger bikes — full-size touring motorcycles or heavyweight cruisers like Harley-Davidsons — typically cost more to ship than smaller standard or sport bikes, since they take up more trailer space and require more effort to load and secure.
4. Pickup and Delivery Location
Shipping between major cities is generally cheaper than shipping to or from rural or hard-to-reach areas, since carriers run popular routes more frequently.
5. Season and Demand
Motorcycle shipping demand rises in spring and summer riding season, which can push prices higher. Shipping in the off-season (fall and winter, outside of routes to warm-weather destinations) often means better rates.
6. Number of Vehicles Shipped Together
If you’re shipping a motorcycle alongside a car, or multiple motorcycles at once, consolidating them into a single shipment is usually more cost-effective than booking each separately.
Open vs. Enclosed vs. Crated: Which Should You Choose?
| Factor | Open Transport | Crated Transport | Enclosed Transport |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost | Lowest | Mid-range | Highest |
| Weather protection | None | Full protection inside the crate | Full protection |
| Best for | Everyday motorcycles | Owners wanting protection without full enclosed pricing | Vintage, custom, or high-value bikes |
| Availability | Widely available | Moderate — fewer providers offer crating | Lower — fewer specialized carriers |
For most riders shipping a standard motorcycle, open transport is the practical choice — it’s affordable, widely available, and follows the same safe, proven process used to move the majority of vehicles nationwide. For a deeper comparison of open and enclosed transport as it applies to cars (the logic carries over to motorcycles), see our guide on open vs. enclosed auto transport.
How to Get an Accurate Motorcycle Shipping Quote
To get a firm quote rather than a rough estimate, you’ll typically need to provide:
- Pickup and delivery ZIP codes
- Motorcycle year, make, and model
- Whether the motorcycle is operable
- Preferred transport method (open, crated, or enclosed)
- Your target pickup date
Tips to Save Money on Motorcycle Shipping
- Book in advance. Last-minute shipments typically cost more due to limited carrier flexibility.
- Be flexible on pickup dates. A wider pickup window gives carriers more room to fit your motorcycle into an efficient route.
- Ship in the off-season when possible, since demand for motorcycle transport tends to spike during riding season.
- Choose open transport unless your bike’s value justifies the added cost of crated or enclosed shipping.
- Bundle with another shipment if you’re also shipping a car or additional motorcycles at the same time.
- Compare multiple quotes rather than booking the first one, since pricing can vary meaningfully between providers for the same route.
Preparing Your Motorcycle for Shipment
- Wash your motorcycle so any existing scratches or damage are easy to document.
- Take dated photos from multiple angles, including the odometer.
- Remove or secure loose accessories — saddlebags, mirrors, or aftermarket parts that could shift or detach during transport.
- Leave about a quarter tank of gas — enough to load and unload without adding unnecessary weight.
- Disable the alarm if your motorcycle has one, to avoid false alerts during transit.
- Check the battery and tire pressure, and note any existing mechanical issues for your carrier.
Real-World Motorcycle Shipping Cost Examples
To make these ranges more concrete, here’s what a few common motorcycle shipping routes might cost using open transport for a standard-size bike:
- Los Angeles to Phoenix (~370 miles): roughly $250–$400
- Chicago to Dallas (~925 miles): roughly $450–$650
- New York to Los Angeles (~2,800 miles): roughly $850–$1,150
Add 30–50% to any of these figures for enclosed transport, or a smaller premium for crated shipping.
Motorcycle Type and How It Affects Pricing
Not all motorcycles ship at the same rate, even over identical distances. A few general patterns:
- Standard and sport bikes — typically the most affordable to ship, given their smaller size and lighter weight
- Cruisers and touring motorcycles — larger and heavier, often costing somewhat more than standard bikes on the same route
- Heavyweight bikes (Harley-Davidson and similar) — can push per-mile rates toward the higher end of the range due to size, weight, and specialized tie-down requirements
- Vintage or custom bikes — often shipped enclosed or crated regardless of size, since owners typically prioritize protection over saving on the base rate
- Dirt bikes and scooters — generally the cheapest to ship, given their compact size and lighter weight compared to street motorcycles
Door-to-Door vs. Terminal-to-Terminal for Motorcycles
The same delivery method choice that applies to car shipping applies to motorcycles. Door-to-door service picks up and delivers at your specified addresses and is the more convenient option for most riders, while terminal-to-terminal shipping — dropping off and picking up at a designated facility — can save a modest amount if a terminal happens to be conveniently located on both ends. See our full breakdown in how door-to-door car shipping works for more on how this process works in practice.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to ship a motorcycle cross-country?
Cross-country motorcycle shipments (2,500+ miles) typically range from $800–$1,100 for open transport, or $1,050–$1,450 for enclosed transport.
Is it cheaper to ship a motorcycle than a car?
Generally, yes. Motorcycles are lighter and take up less trailer space than cars, which usually results in a lower overall shipping cost for the same distance.
Does shipping a motorcycle include insurance?
Reputable carriers include cargo insurance in their pricing, but coverage limits vary. Always confirm your motorcycle’s coverage amount before booking, especially for high-value or custom bikes.
Can I ship a non-running motorcycle?
Yes, most carriers can accommodate non-running motorcycles, though it may require specialized loading equipment and can add to the base cost. Let your carrier know in advance so they’re prepared.
Is crated shipping worth the extra cost over open transport?
It depends on your priorities. Crated shipping offers more protection than open transport at a lower cost than full enclosed shipping, making it a middle-ground option for riders who want extra protection without paying the highest tier of pricing.
Can I ship a motorcycle and a car together?
Yes, and it’s often more cost-effective than booking them separately, since it makes more efficient use of the carrier’s available space.
Does the season I ship in really change the price much?
It can. Motorcycle shipping demand rises noticeably during spring and summer riding season, which increases competition for available trailer space and can push prices higher. Shipping in fall or winter, outside of routes to warm-weather destinations, often means more competitive rates and faster carrier availability.
Get a Motorcycle Shipping Quote
Every motorcycle, route, and timeline is different — the best way to know your real cost is to get a personalized quote. NexGen Auto Transport offers motorcycle shipping nationwide with transparent pricing and no upfront fees.
Get a free quote from NexGen Auto Transport and see exactly what your motorcycle shipment will cost.
