Motorcycle Shipping - Nationwide Door-to-Door Bike Transport
Whether it's a Harley touring rig, a Ducati Panigale, or a vintage Honda CB, we'll get it there without putting a scratch on it. National Auto Transport has shipped over 9,200 motorcycles since 2018 on dedicated bike trailers with wheel chocks, soft straps, and $250K insurance. Open or enclosed, cruiser or sportbike, we've got you covered.
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How We Ship Motorcycles Across the Country
Your bike rides on a purpose-built motorcycle trailer with individual wheel chocks and multiple tie-down points per bike. We don't wedge motorcycles into the leftover space on car haulers. Our carriers run dedicated moto routes between cities like Phoenix, Las Vegas, Atlanta, Austin, and Portland, picking up and delivering door-to-door.
At pickup, the driver walks your bike, photographs every angle (including under the tank and both sides of the fairings), and loads it into the chock. Straps go on the handlebars or frame with soft loops so nothing touches your paint or chrome. Most trailers hold 6-12 bikes depending on size.
The whole trip takes 5-14 days depending on distance. You get tracking updates and can call for a status check anytime. If your bike doesn't run, inoperable vehicle transport is available with winch loading for an extra $150-$300.
What Makes Our Motorcycle Shipping Different
We only work with carriers who run motorcycle-specific equipment. That means proper wheel chocks bolted to the trailer floor, soft-loop tie-downs (not ratchet straps with bare metal hooks), and ramp loading designed for two-wheelers. Your bike gets its own secure slot, not a corner of a car trailer with a bungee cord.
Every motorcycle gets inspected twice: once at pickup with photos, once at delivery. Any new marks, scratches, or scuffs get documented immediately and the claims process starts on the spot. Our carriers maintain $250,000 in cargo insurance, so even high-value customs and vintage bikes are covered.
We'll also be straight with you about pricing. Motorcycle rates fluctuate by season. Spring (March-May) costs 20-30% more because everyone's trying to get their bike ready for riding weather. Winter rates drop 15-20%. We quote the real number, not a lowball that jumps at delivery.
Motorcycle Shipping Rates and Cost Breakdown
Most motorcycle shipments cost $400-$1,100 on open trailers. Short runs under 500 miles fall in the $400-$600 range. Cross-country routes like Phoenix to New York typically land at $850-$1,100. Want enclosed? Add $200-$400 to those numbers for full weather and road debris protection.
Per-mile pricing breaks down to about $0.80-$1.20 for open and $1.05-$1.55 for enclosed. There's always a minimum charge (usually around $350) because the carrier has fixed costs regardless of distance. Expedited pickup within 1-3 days adds $150-$300 on top of whatever your base quote is.
Motorcycle rates are actually more predictable than car shipping because bikes take up less space and more fit on each trailer. Peak season runs April through June when everyone wants their bike delivered for summer. Winter (November-February) drops 15-20%, especially on southbound routes where auto transport in Phoenix keeps moving year-round.
How Long Does Motorcycle Shipping Take?
Plan on 5-14 days from pickup to delivery. Regional moves under 750 miles usually wrap up in 3-7 days. Cross-country runs take 7-14 days depending on the route and how many stops the carrier makes along the way. Pickup itself happens within 1-7 days of booking, sometimes sooner on busy corridors.
Here's what most people don't realize: motorcycle carriers don't run as often as car haulers. A route like LA to Phoenix might have daily departures in April, but only 2-3 per week in December. We set expectations based on actual carrier schedules, not optimistic guesses.
Weather can push things back, especially on northern routes in winter. A storm in the Rockies can add 2-3 days with no way around it. If you need your bike by a specific date, book 2-3 weeks out during riding season (March-September) when demand is highest and trailers fill up fast.
When Does It Make Sense to Ship a Motorcycle?
Long-distance relocations are the number one reason people call us. Moving from Kansas City to Portland? You could ride 1,800 miles through unpredictable weather, or you could have your bike waiting for you when you get there. Military families use us constantly for PCS moves, and snowbirds make up about 30% of our motorcycle volume shipping bikes between seasonal homes.
Vintage and custom bike owners are another big group. If you've got a restored '72 Sportster or a custom bagger worth $25,000+, putting highway miles on it just to move it across the country doesn't make sense. Enclosed transport keeps it pristine. Auction vehicle shipping works the same way when you buy a bike online or at an event and need it delivered to your garage.
Who shouldn't ship? If you're planning a riding trip anyway, just ride. Moves under 250 miles where the weather's good? Ride it. Shipping makes sense when the distance is long, the weather is bad, or the bike is too valuable to risk on the highway.
Insurance and Damage Prevention for Motorcycle Transport
Every motorcycle we ship is covered by $250,000 in cargo insurance. That covers everything from a handlebar scratch to a total loss during loading, transit, or unloading. Our carriers carry both commercial auto insurance and cargo-specific coverage. You'll get proof of insurance before your bike leaves the driveway.
The condition report is your protection. Photos of every side, the tank, both fenders, the exhaust, and the wheels get taken at pickup and compared at delivery. If something new shows up, we note it on the paperwork before you sign, and we file the claim within 48 hours. You don't have to chase insurance adjusters or wait months.
For the record, motorcycle shipping actually has lower damage rates than car transport. Bikes are lighter, easier to secure properly, and carriers handle them with more care. Our rate sits at 0.25% across 9,200+ shipments, and most issues are minor cosmetic marks that buff out. Still, the insurance is there if something goes wrong.
How Motorcycle Shipping Works
Get Your Quote
Call (602) 860-6894 or fill out the form above with your bike type, pickup/delivery locations, and dates. We'll send you a firm price the same day, usually within an hour.
Pick Your Transport
Choose between open or enclosed, and we handle the rest. We'll confirm your carrier, send you a pickup window, and sort out all the scheduling. No paperwork on your end.
Bike Gets Loaded
The driver shows up with a motorcycle-specific trailer, inspects and photographs your bike, rolls it up the ramp into a wheel chock, and straps it down with soft loops. You sign the condition report and you're done.
Inspect and Pay
At delivery, look your bike over, compare it to the pickup photos, and sign off once you're satisfied. Payment happens at delivery, not before. Cash, certified check, or money order.
Open vs. Enclosed Motorcycle Shipping
| Category | Open Trailer | Enclosed Trailer |
|---|---|---|
| Price Range | $400-$1,100 | $600-$1,500 |
| Weather Exposure | Rain, dust, road spray | Fully protected |
| Scheduling Speed | 1-5 days to dispatch | 3-10 days to dispatch |
| Best For | Street bikes, daily riders | Customs, vintage, high-value |
| Carrier Availability | Year-round, more frequent | Seasonal, fewer departures |
| Insurance | $250K coverage | $250K+ coverage |
Take off saddlebags, GPS mounts, phone holders, and anything that isn't permanently bolted on. Disable your alarm so it doesn't drain the battery or go off on the trailer at 3 AM. Keep the tank at 1/4 or less to cut weight and reduce fire risk. And wash the bike before pickup. A clean bike makes existing scratches visible in the inspection photos, which protects you if something new shows up at delivery.
Motorcycle Shipping FAQs
Straight answers about shipping your bike with National Auto Transport.