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How Much Does It Cost to Ship a Motorcycle?
By Kat Tretina MONEY RESEARCH COLLECTIVE
Motorcycles are increasingly popular. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, there were only 4.3 million registered motorcycles in the U.S. in 2002. But by 2021, that number had doubled, reaching approximately 8.6 million.
If you own a motorcycle and are moving to another state, driving it yourself may not be feasible, so you’ll need to ship it instead. But how much does it cost to ship a motorcycle? We found that motorcycle shipping costs range between $550 and $1,250, with actual costs based on the type of bike you own, the distance to your new location, the time of year and the type of transport you choose.
Read on for a detailed breakdown of motorcycle shipping costs and how to calculate them, or check out our article on the best car shipping companies for more in-depth reviews.
Table of contents
- What is the average cost to ship a motorcycle?
- Average cost to ship a motorcycle in the U.S.
- Cost of motorcycle shipping companies comparison
- How to calculate the cost of shipping a motorcycle
- What factors affect the cost of shipping a motorcycle
- Requirements to ship a motorcycle
- How to ship a motorcycle
- Motorcycle shipping FAQs
- Summary of our guide to motorcycle shipping costs
What is the average cost to ship a motorcycle?
When shipping a motorcycle, your cost depends on several factors, including the distance and the type of transport you choose.
The most cost-effective method is with an open carrier, where the bike is loaded onto a trailer. While this is the cheapest method, it exposes the bike to harsh weather and road debris. Therefore, some motorcycle owners will pay extra for an enclosed trailer that offers more protection.
We found that the average cost was about $0.56 per mile for an open carrier for moves of 1,000 miles. By contrast, an enclosed carrier — a popular choice for vintage or high-end motorcycles — costs significantly more. On average, we found that moving 1,000 miles via enclosed carriers costs $0.91 per mile.
| Type of Transport | Distance | Average Total Cost | Average Cost Per Mile |
| Open | 1,000 Miles | $561 | $0.56 |
| Enclosed | 1,000 Miles | $905 | $0.91 |
Other shipment methods
Depending on the length of your move, you may need to utilize other shipping methods:
- Plane: According to HomeAdvisor, you should expect to pay between $400 and $800 if you are transporting your motorcycle to another country via plane.
- Ship: Transporting a motorcycle via a ship isn’t a common method of transport because of the cost. Typically, owners only do it when other options aren’t available. On average, transporting a motorcycle via ship will cost $1,500.
- Trains: Not all trains will allow you to transport a motorcycle, but some, such as Amtrak’s Auto Train, do. The Auto Train is $200 for motorcycles and cars, plus the cost of your ticket. Coach tickets start at $89, so you and your bike could travel for under $300.
Average cost to ship a motorcycle in the U.S.
According to J.D. Power, the average cost to ship a motorcycle 1,000 miles via open carrier is between $400 and $600. However, we found that many companies only offered enclosed carriers as a shipping method, so the average cost of a 1,000-mile move was $819.50.
On average, a move of approximately 2,700 miles costs $1,022.75. Longer-distance moves have a lower per-mile cost, but the overall cost is higher.
| Orlando, FL to Philadelphia, PA | Kansas City, KS to Philadelphia, PA | Denver, CO to Philadelphia, PA | Los Angeles, CA to Philadelphia, PA | |
| Distance | ~1,000 miles | ~1,100 miles | ~1,700 Miles | ~2,728 Miles |
| Average Total Cost | $819.50 | $858.00 | $913.75 | $1,022.75 |
| Average Cost Per Mile | $0.82 | $0.78 | $0.54 | $0.38 |
Cost of motorcycle shipping companies comparison
To find out the typical costs associated with shipping a motorcycle, we requested quotes from five major motorcycle transport companies: 1AA Motorcycle Shipping, Federal Motorcycle Transport, Montway Auto Transport, Motorcycle Shippers and U-Ship. The quotes were for four different routes, ranging from 1,000 miles to over 2,700 miles.
| Orlando, FL to Philadelphia, PA | Kansas City, KS to Philadelphia, PA | Denver, CO to Philadelphia, PA | Los Angeles, CA to Philadelphia, PA | |
| Distance | ~1,000 miles | ~1,100 miles | ~1,700 Miles | ~2,728 Miles |
| 1AA Motorcycle Shipping | $909 (Enclosed) | $909 (Enclosed) | $975 (Enclosed) | $1,170 (Enclosed) |
| Federal Motorcycle | $958 (Enclosed) | $958 (Enclosed) | $1,115 (Enclosed) | $1,255 (Enclosed) |
| Montway Auto Transport | Quote not available | Quote not available | Quote not available | Quote not available |
| Motorcycle Shippers | $850 (Enclosed) | $850 (Enclosed) | $850 (Enclosed) | $850 (Enclosed) |
| U-Ship | $561 (Open) | $715 (Open) | $715 (Open) | $816 (Open) |
As you can see, U-Ship was the only company that offered quotes for open carriers. As a result, it was consistently the cheapest option.
1AA Motorcycle Shipping
1AA Motorcycle Shipping specializes in motorcycle transport. It will ship motorcycles throughout the U.S. and Canada. It only offers shipping via enclosed carriers, and you can track your shipment online.
Federal Motorcycle Transport
Like 1AA Motorcycle Shipping. Federal Motorcycle Transport only offers enclosed shipping for motorcycles. It ships bikes throughout the U.S. and offers discounts to members of certain motorcycle clubs.
Montway Auto Transport
Montway Auto Transport will ship most types of vehicles, including cars and motorcycles. The company will ship your motorcycle anywhere in the U.S., and send you regular tracking updates via phone or email.
You can’t get online quotes for motorcycle shipping from Montway, but its pricing for common routes typically ranges between $580 and $800. To get a quote and arrange transport for your motorcycle, you must call Montway and schedule a pickup date with a company representative.
Motorcycle Shippers
Motorcycle Shippers is based in California, and it’s been in operation since 1994. While other companies will only ship within the contiguous 48 states, Motorcycle Shippers will also ship to and from Alaska, Hawaii and Puerto Rico.
It offers both economy and classic shipment methods, but both options utilize enclosed carriers.
U-Ship
Rather than being a shipping company, U-Ship is a marketplace that connects individuals with carriers. You post the item and location of your move, and carriers submit bids to transport your motorcycle. You can pick the quote and carrier that best fits your budget.
U-Ship was the only company that offered quotes for open shipping, and it was consistently the cheapest option.
How to calculate the cost of shipping a motorcycle
The quotes we received yielded an average cost for a 1,000-mile move of $0.56 per mile via an open carrier and $0.91 per mile via an enclosed carrier.
To estimate your cost, multiply the distance of your move by the per-mile cost. For example, moving from Atlanta, GA to Houston, TX, you’ll need to transport the bike approximately 800 miles.
If you multiply that distance by the per-mile cost, you’ll see that your cost for an open carrier would be about $448, and your cost via an enclosed carrier would be $728.
What factors affect the cost of shipping a motorcycle?
Several factors affect your total cost when shipping a motorcycle, including:
- Type of transport: The selected method of transport will be the largest determinant of your final cost. As you can see from our quotes, enclosed transport was almost always more expensive than open transport.
- Type of motorcycle: The size and weight of your motorcycle will affect how much you pay to ship it. Heavier and larger bikes will cost more to transport than smaller ones.
- Distance: Obviously, the further you ship your motorcycle, the more it will cost. Long-distance moves will be more expensive than shorter local moves.
- Service: Some carriers may offer different service levels, like door-to-door or terminal-to-terminal transport. With door-to-door transport, your motorcycle is picked up and dropped off at your residence. With terminal-to-terminal service, you must meet the carrier at a designated terminal. In general, door-to-door service will be more expensive than terminal transport.
- Season: The time of year can also affect your final cost. Shipping rates are typically higher in the summer when demand is highest.
Requirements to ship a motorcycle
What you’ll need to do before shipping your motorcycle depends on the type of move you need:
Within the U.S.
If you’re shipping your motorcycle to another state or across the country, drain your bike of fluids. In general, companies recommend keeping just a ¼ tank of gas in the vehicle. The carrier will provide you with documentation that shows the drop-off location, and you can add insurance coverage if you choose.
Overseas
Shipping a bike overseas via plane or ship is a much more involved process than shipping within the U.S. Every country has its own import regulations, so carefully review the destination’s requirements before shipping your motorcycle.
For example, some countries have strict cleanliness standards for imported vehicles. In Australia, twigs, soil, leaves or insects are viewed as biosecurity risks. If your motorcycle shows evidence of such materials, you may have to pay hefty fumigation fees.
For most countries, the bike will also have to pass customs inspections, and you may need a Carnet de Passages en Douane (CPD), a customs document necessary to import motor vehicles in several countries. The cost for a CPD can be hundreds of dollars, so check to see if your destination requires it.
By train
If you are shipping a motorcycle via train, review the train’s size and weight restrictions. With Amtrak, the following restrictions apply:
- Maximum length: 102”
- Maximum height: 72”
- Maximum width: 51”
- Ground clearance: 5”+
- Tire maximum: 7” wide, 2.5” deep
How to ship a motorcycle
- Review destination requirements: If you’re shipping to another state, there may be registration and insurance requirements you have to meet before you can drive your motorcycle. Every country has its own restrictions and requirements for imported vehicles. Make sure you know what’s required before shipping your motorcycle.
- Decide on a shipment method: Next, consider your shipping options. Enclosed carriers provide more protection, but they are significantly more expensive than open carriers.
- Request quotes: Rates vary by season and carrier, so shop around and request quotes from multiple motorcycle shipping companies.
- Prepare the bike for shipment: Before the carrier arrives, clean your motorcycle and remove any personal items. The carrier will likely request you to drain fluids from the bike, keeping the gas tank and engine oil low.
- Take photos: Be sure to take plenty of pictures of your motorcycle before loading it onto the carrier. These will serve as documentation in case there is any damage when your bike arrives at your new home.
Motorcycle shipping cost FAQs
Summary of our guide to motorcycle shipping costs
Overall, shipping a motorcycle can be an involved process, but it could be less expensive than you think. On average, we found that shipping a motorcycle costs between $550 and $1,250, with open carriers being the least expensive shipping method.
By following the steps we outlined above and doing your research, you should be able to get your bike from Point A to Point B without any trouble. Remember that rates will vary depending on the season, so it’s best to shop around and request quotes from multiple carriers.
Read our article on the best car shipping companies for additional recommendations. And if you’re moving across state lines, or shipping internationally, read up on motorcycle insurance requirements in your new location. The best motorcycle insurance companies can help you select the right level of coverage for your needs.
