- Montway Auto Transport is our pick for the best motorcycle shipping company.
- Most motorcycle transporters use enclosed trailer shipping, but open trailer transport can be cheaper.
- For complete peace of mind, get instant quotes from multiple providers and vet your transporter.
Shipping your motorcycle is a good way to keep your bike safe during a long-distance move. To help you find reputable transporters that fit your needs, we at the MarketWatch Guides team will provide details on the best motorcycle shipping companies. We’ll take a close look at providers that ranked well in our industry-wide review before outlining what to expect when shipping your motorcycle.
The listings that appear are from companies from which this website may receive compensation, which may impact how, where and in what order products appear. Not all companies, products or offers were reviewed in connection with this listing.
Learn more about our methodology and editorial guidelines.
Best Motorcycle Shipping Companies
Our team spent over 200 hours researching auto transport providers, taking into account their reputations, costs, services and customer experience. The table below shows our overall ratings for the shipping industry’s best motorcycle transport companies:
The listings that appear are from companies from which this website may receive compensation, which may impact how, where and in what order products appear. Not all companies, products or offers were reviewed in connection with this listing.
Motorcycle Shippers: Our Top 5
Our team named Montway Auto Transport, Mercury Auto Transport, AmeriFreight, SGT Auto Transport and Nexus Auto Transport as the best motorcycle shipping companies.
Below, we’ll take a closer look at each of these providers:
The listings that appear are from companies from which this website may receive compensation, which may impact how, where and in what order products appear. Not all companies, products or offers were reviewed in connection with this listing.
#1 Montway Auto Transport
Best Customer Experience
#2 Mercury Auto Transport
Best Affordable Shipments
#3 AmeriFreight
Best for Cross-Country Shipments
#4 SGT Auto Transport
Price-Matching Guarantee
#5 Nexus Auto Transport
Good Service Variety
Motorcycle Shipping Cost
Motorcycle shipping rates are usually less than those for shipping a car, truck or SUV, but they’ll vary depending on your chosen provider and the distance of the shipment. See the table below for some general cost estimates provided by Montway Auto Transport, one of our top-rated companies:
| Shipping Route | Door-to-Door Service Costs | Distribution Center Costs |
|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles to New York | $859 | $799 |
| New York to Chicago | $679 | $579 |
| Chicago to Miami | $779 | $629 |
| Miami to Dallas | $779 | $629 |
| Dallas to Boston | $859 | $655 |
| Boston to Seattle | $959 | $705 |
| Seattle to Los Angeles | $779 | $629 |
What Affects the Cost of Motorcycle Shipping?
Just as with auto shipping, your motorcycle shipment costs will depend not only on your chosen broker or mover, but also on factors such as the make and model of your motorcycle, shipping distance, extra insurance coverage and market demand. Different Yamaha or Harley-Davidson models will likely receive varying prices for motorcycle shipping. The best course of action is to get free quotes from multiple providers to find one that specializes in your needs for a reasonable price.
How To Ship A Motorcycle
If you’re ready to ship your motorcycle but don’t know where to start, consider the steps below to get a general idea of what to expect.
- Choose a transport method
- Choose a pickup and drop off method
- Get quotes from multiple motorcycle shippers
- Prepare your motorcycle and drop it off
- Pick your bike up
Below, we’ll dive deeper into each step of the process.
1. Choose a Transport Method
You’ll start off by choosing the motorcycle transport option you’re most comfortable with. While many of the best motorcycle shipping companies only offer enclosed transport to better protect bikes, a few provide open trailer transport if you’re concerned about shipping costs. However, remember transit with an open trailer could lead to damage from road debris or other hazards.
2. Choose a Pickup and Drop Off Method
You can have your vehicle shipped door-to-door or between distribution centers, also called shipping terminals. If you ship a motorcycle this way, you’ll drop your bike off at an industry distribution center in a city and then pick it up at another one near your destination. Shipping between distribution centers is cheaper than door-to-door transport, but there are a limited number throughout the country. Keep in mind distribution centers might not be available on your route.
3. Get Quotes From Motorcycle Shippers
Once you’ve decided on the transport type, gather free quotes from various reputable motorcycle shippers. Once you’ve got plenty of quotes to look over, you’ll be better equipped to choose the best provider for your motorcycle and budget.
Do research on each provider you get motorcycle shipping quotes from to make sure they offer legitimate services. We recommend looking up motor carrier (MC) numbers assigned to reputable haulers by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) as well as reading customer reviews on sites such as the BBB and Trustpilot.
4. Prepare Your Motorcycle and Drop It Off
Once you’ve chosen a hauling company and booked your transport, you’ll need to prepare your motorcycle for its journey. Some steps you can take to ensure your bike is ready to go include:
- Removing all personal items such as helmets, GPS units and video cameras
- Locking your steering column
- Cleaning your motorcycle
- Charging the battery
- Leaving one-fourth of a tank of gas
When it’s time to drop your motorcycle off, take photos of its condition before transport. This will come in handy in the event that you need to make a damage claim report. You’ll then meet your carrier, sign the bill of lading (a document that follows the condition of your motorcycle from pick up to drop off) and your motorcycle will be loaded onto the shipping trailer.
5. Pick Your Bike Up
Many transporters offer GPS tracking so you know where your motorcycle is during transit. Either way, your carrier will contact you before delivery with a pickup time window. Keep in mind that unexpected delays due to heavy traffic, severe weather and road obstacles can affect your delivery time frame, so patience is key during the process.
Once you’ve met your carrier at the predetermined location, reinspect your motorcycle and sign the bill of lading once again to confirm that it arrived without issue.
The listings that appear are from companies from which this website may receive compensation, which may impact how, where and in what order products appear. Not all companies, products or offers were reviewed in connection with this listing.
Best Motorcycle Shippers: The Bottom Line
While we chose Montway Auto Transport as the best motorcycle shipping company, you’ll also receive excellent shipping services from Mercury Auto Transport, AmeriFreight, SGT Auto Transport and Nexus Auto Shipping. We recommend getting shipping quotes online from each of these providers to compare motorcycle transport services, prices and customer service.
Best Motorcycle Shipping: FAQ
Below are some frequently asked questions about the best motorcycle shipping companies.
Based on our research, we’ve chosen Montway Auto Transport, Mercury Auto Transport, AmeriFreight, SGT Auto Transport and Nexus Auto Transport as the best motorcycle shipping companies in the country.
Like moving a car, shipping a motorcycle is cheapest if you opt for open trailer transport. However, many carriers don’t offer this method, providing enclosed shipping services instead. You’ll need to check with the provider you’re interested in to see if it offers open-air motorcycle shipping.
You can ship a motorcycle with gas in it, but it’s recommended that no more than one-fourth of a tank of gas be left inside it during the shipment.
Our research found motorcycle shipping costs can range from $550 to $1,000 depending on the length of the route, your bike make and model as well as the provider you choose to ship with.
Shipping your motorcycle to another state can cost hundreds of dollars, but it might be worth it if you don’t want to drive it to your destination.
Our Methodology
Because consumers rely on us to provide objective and accurate information, we created a comprehensive rating system to formulate our rankings of the best car shipping companies. We collected data on dozens of auto transport providers to grade the companies on a wide range of ranking factors. The end result was an overall rating for each provider, with the companies that scored the most points topping the list.
Here are the factors our ratings take into account:
- Cost (33% of total score): Auto shipping companies with affordable rates, locked-in pricing and discount opportunities score highest in this category.
- Customer Experience (25% of total score): This score is based on customer satisfaction ratings and the availability of extras like GPS tracking. We also consider the responsiveness, friendliness and helpfulness of each transporter’s customer service team based on our own shopper analysis.
- Reputation (22% of total score): Our research team considers availability, ratings from industry experts and years in business when giving this score.
- Shipping Methods (10% of total score): Companies that offer a variety of choices for car transport and added benefits are more likely to meet consumer needs.
- Logistics (10% of total score): A smooth shipment is all about the details, which is why we look at how long it takes providers to pick up and ship vehicles, whether they include additional insurance coverage and more.
Our credentials:
- 200+ hours researched
- 20+ companies reviewed
- 2,000+ consumers surveyed
*Data accurate at time of publication.
