Moving costs depend on your project and location. Check with a local pro for your specific job.
Motorcycle shipping costs between $150 and $2,500, with an average of $500 depending on your distance and shipping method.
Your bike size and weight determine the final price, with heavier models costing more to transport across the country.
Account for prep work expenses, moving insurance, seasonal price increases, fuel surcharges, and potential weather delays when creating your budget.
Hiring a local moving company provides reliable help with motorcycle transport and saves you the cost of trailer rental and travel expenses.
Shipping a motorcycle costs $500 on average, depending on method and distance. Most spend between $200 and $2,000, depending on the shipping method you choose. You may pay as low as $150 or as much as $2,500. If you're a dedicated motorcyclist, your bike is likely one of your most important possessions. So if you're planning a move, the first thing to think about is how to get your motorcycle from one place to another. Luckily, you have a variety of options when it comes to shipping a motorcycle.
Aside from type of transportation, there are several other factors to consider when calculating the cost of shipping a motorcycle.
My architecture firm used White Glove to assist with delivery and logistics for a couple of furniture pieces that we imported from Portugal for a Manhattan project. They were responsive and diligent with the necessary steps for insurance, coordination and delivery to an Upper East Side apartment building. Where they really shined for us was when one of the pieces arrived with damage from shipment: for a very reasonable fee, White Glove performed a full restoration right away that made it impossible to tell the incident had ever happened.
In most cases, the bigger and heavier the bike, the higher the cost of shipping. Some moving companies base their shipping costs on weight, meaning heavier models, like Harley Davidsons, will cost more than less heavy models. A typical moving service insurance rate is $0.50 per pound.
Before the shipping company picks up your motorcycle, you’ll need to perform some prep work. You’ll need to finance the prep work tasks to ensure the bike is ready to roll when the moving team arrives. Prep work includes:
Clean your motorcycle thoroughly.
Remove all personal items.
Perform any repairs or fix mechanical issues before pickup.
Properly inspect your motorcycle for any prior damage.
Check and record the mileage.
Fill the gas tank to ¼ or ½ full.
Take pictures of your motorcycle before transport in case you need to dispute any damage with the shipping carrier or file an insurance claim.
When shipping your motorcycle, you’ll need to consider distance as a cost factor. Typically, after the first 500 miles, each additional 500 miles will add $100 to your transport cost. Here’s what you can expect to pay, depending on how many miles you need to transport your motorcycle:
| Shipping Distance | Average Cost Range |
|---|---|
| Up to 500 Miles | $200–$700 |
| 501–999 Miles | $700–$800 |
| 1,000+ Miles | $800–$2,000 |
If you want your motorcycle protected from the outdoor elements during transit, you’ll pay more for enclosed shipping. An enclosed carrier typically costs about $150 more than an open carrier, but it provides additional safety and peace of mind.
Do you plan to pay for a door-to-door shipping service or at a local transit terminal? The answer will impact your shipping costs. The most inexpensive option is to pick up and drop off your bike at a centrally located transit terminal, and door-to-door shipping will cost extra.
Like any delivery service, you can expect to pay additional fees for expedited shipping. That’s why it pays off to reserve your shipping date and method in advance to avoid extra costs.
Moving insurance is an additional expense, but it will ensure that you’ll get a reimbursement if your motorcycle is damaged or lost during transit. The cost of moving insurance varies by policy, but you can expect to pay more for full-value protection than released-value protection.
Depending on when you book your motorcycle transport, you may incur additional fees for the following:
Time of year: Prices usually increase during the spring and summer as demand for transport spikes.
Inclement weather: If you ship your bike during a winter storm, your shipment will likely get delayed, resulting in increased transportation costs.
Fuel surcharge: The shipping company may add a flat-rate fuel surcharge instead of accounting for variable fuel costs throughout the shipping route.
Shipping a motorcycle is different from the process of moving your car across the country. You have a few options for shipping your motorcycle, and each has a different cost range.
| Motorcycle Shipping Method | Cost |
|---|---|
| Truck | $500–$1,250 |
| Plane | $400–$800 |
| Train | $200 |
| Boat | $1,000–$2,000 |
To ship a motorcycle by truck, you will pay about $0.50 per mile for long-distance trips. You can expect to pay about $500 for a trip of 1,000 miles, and about $1,250 for a coast-to-coast trip.
Planes are more economical for shipping a motorcycle than a truck, and therefore slightly less expensive. As a result, you can fly a motorcycle across the country for $400 to $800.
Trains are the most inexpensive way to ship a motorcycle, and you may pay as low as $200 for this transportation method. Keep in mind that this option is best for transporting motorcycles between major cities.
The cost of shipping a motorcycle by boat depends on the pick-up and drop-off location. You'll probably pay between $1,000 to $2,000 for shipping via ship. This transportation method is usually the best option for shipping internationally.
While you technically can ship a motorcycle yourself, we recommend hiring a moving company near you. Not only do professional moving companies have the proper tools and equipment to move your motorcycle safely, but you’re also sure to find one that fits your timeline, budget, and needs.
In addition, you’ll likely find a motorcycle shipping company licensed through the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), which guarantees knowledgeable, safe, and experienced motorcycle transport. What’s better than peace of mind when transporting precious cargo?
You have the option to rent a trailer and tow the motorcycle yourself. However, there isn’t a significant price difference between DIY shipping and shipping services. Renting a trailer large enough to haul a motorcycle cross-country costs about $400 to $500 on average. Plus, DIY shipping requires travel costs, such as hotel stays, food, gas, and rental trailer fees.
There are a few things you can do to cut the cost of shipping a motorcycle if you’re on a tight budget.
Trains are the most economical way to ship a motorcycle out of all the options listed. Keep in mind that doing it this way can be somewhat challenging, as railway companies often provide space to commercial clients first, so you may have to call around for a train that has space.
If you're not taking the motorcycle far, renting a trailer for your motorcycle and driving it yourself may make more sense. You’ll only have to pay for the rental cost, plus gas and travel expenses.
Why not go on a road trip? You won't have to pay any shipping costs if you ride the motorcycle yourself to your destination. However, this option is only viable if you’re moving a short distance and not transporting your household belongings on your own.
You can save money by choosing open instead of enclosed shipping for your motorcycle. In an open carrier, the motorcycle is exposed to the outside elements during the trip. As a result, don't favor this option if you have a valuable motorcycle or are worried about damage.
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Showed up on time and cleaned carpets well, but didn?t move furniture.
Voda Cleaning & Restoration of ColumbusA reliable team for moves across state. My switch to a new place needed careful lifting through tight hallways. The movers checked the doorway first, then carried heavier pieces with slow, controlled movements. Their patience helped prevent damage, and I?d choose them again.
**Would rate a 0 if i could** NEVER USE THIS COMPANY!!!!! They shattered my tv console and dresser, lost a mirror, and never finished the move. The broken furniture cost me over $600 to replace. They left me with 6+ hours of personal labor moving my 1BR apartment, when I was quoted a FULL...
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Go and Stow Home OrganizingExcellent experience for me! They helped me a lot with my move. very reasonable price. Good communication with the office manager is excellent.
Goodview Moving and StorageI was concerned about my possessions safety throughout the move but Bridge View Van Lines took all necessary security measures to make sure everything arrived in mint shape I am really appreciative of their effort and commitment They made my long distance move seem simple
Bridgeview Van LinesThis moving company is the best in Columbus, Ohio! They rescued me when my movers didnâ t show up. Do not ever use Plane Movers! They never showed up for my move, claiming that I never signed the contract. They didnâ t call me to follow up, communication was awful. The people that work for...
All My Sons Moving & StorageOzie and Tyquese were great and worked fast. It was a good move
All My Sons Moving & StorageJust moved from PA to Columbus in a studio apartment and needed help with some heavy furnitures because I couldn't do it alone. I called Hyremovers and they did a great and timely job and also left my apartment walls intact. Great service!
I will forever recommend Moving Head Services. The guys that came out for us were incredibly professional, they finished faster than expected, and were very pleasant.
Moving Ahead Services, LLCFrom average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.
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