Top 10 Motorcycle Shipping Companies in 2026 (With Prices and Ratings)

Best for Cross-Country Motorcycle Shipping

The pick for long hauls is Federal Motorcycle Transport. A 2,000-mile trip means hours of vibration and more than one loading stop, and Federal's answer is a pallet. Your bike gets strapped to a wooden skid at pickup and rides on that same skid, on air-ride trailers, until delivery. It does change trucks on the way, so the skid is what protects it.

The trade-off is time. Plan on 8 to 14 business days in transit.

Close competitors that also shine in this category include Haul Bikes, known for their dedicated motorcycle routes, and Nexus Auto Transport, which offers the speed necessary for cross-country moves. Choosing the best motorcycle transport company for this task means prioritizing a carrier that won't unload and reload your bike at various terminals, a practice Federal avoids to maintain safety.

Best for Classic and Vintage Motorcycles

For high-value, classic, or vintage rides, Motorcycle Shippers is the undisputed winner. Classic bikes often have delicate fairings and older suspension systems that can't handle the stress of standard tie-down methods. 

Motorcycle Shippers utilizes a specialized "VIP" enclosed service featuring soft-tie straps and air-ride suspension specifically tuned for motorcycles. Their insurance coverage is also significantly higher than that of standard motorcycle transport companies, which is vital for rare collectors. 

Competitors like Haul Bikes and J&S Transport also perform exceptionally well here because they offer enclosed trailers that protect vintage paint from road debris and weather. For a true showroom-to-showroom experience, this is the best motorcycle shipping company for the job.

AmeriFreight Motorcycle Shipping & Prices

AmeriFreight is the name most riders search when they compare motorcycle shipping companies. It's a broker based in Tyrone, Georgia, and it has been booking vehicle shipments since 2004.

As a broker, AmeriFreight books your bike with an FMCSA-licensed carrier from its network. You don't pay anything until a carrier is assigned and you've accepted the offer, including the pickup window and the total cost.

What AmeriFreight Ships

Pretty much anything with 2 or 3 wheels. Its motorcycle shipping page lists sport bikes, cruisers, touring bikes, adventure bikes, dirt bikes, electric bikes, vintage and custom builds, trikes, and scooters.

Open and enclosed trailers are both available. AmeriFreight recommends enclosed for vintage, custom and show bikes. Trikes ship on open carriers in most cases, and you'll need to confirm dimensions before booking.

Door-to-door is standard where a truck can reach you. One agent handles your order from quote to delivery.

The page also covers the trips riders actually make:

• Snowbird runs south in October and November, and back north in April and May
• Rally shipping to Sturgis, Daytona Bike Week, Laconia and the Republic of Texas rally
• PCS moves for military riders
• A bike you bought from a seller in another state
• Dealer and multi-bike shipments

Where AmeriFreight Ships

The 48 contiguous states. That part is clear.

Hawaii and Alaska are less clear. AmeriFreight's motorcycle FAQ says it ships door to door "even in Alaska and Hawaii." Its Transportvibe profile lists coverage as the 48 states with Alaska and Hawaii excluded. For Hawaii, AmeriFreight trucks the vehicle to a California port and an ocean carrier handles the sea leg.

So if your bike is headed off the mainland, ask who runs each leg before you book.

AmeriFreight FMCSA Status

I checked the FMCSA SAFER Company Snapshot on 24 October 2026. AmeriFreight Inc shows as an active broker, authorized as a Broker of Property, under USDOT 2238770 and MC-597401.

That license is AmeriFreight's. The truck that shows up runs under its own. Once your bike is dispatched, ask for the carrier's name and USDOT number, then run that through SAFER too.

The BBB rates AmeriFreight an A. It has been BBB accredited since June 6, 2008, and the BBB lists 40 complaints in its reporting window.

AmeriFreight Reviews

AmeriFreight averages 4.8 stars across 11,754 reviews on 4 platforms, per its Transportvibe profile:

Its TrustScore is 86, which puts it in the Highly Trusted band. Our Best Auto Transport Companies ranking also names it the pick for motorcycles.

Now look under the score. Communication and vehicle condition both sit at 90%. Pricing accuracy sits at 72%. The complaints follow the same line: pricing and issue resolution. The bike usually arrives fine. The price is the part that moves.

AmeriFreight Motorcycle Shipping Price

AmeriFreight lists $300 to $1,200 for most open-trailer motorcycle shipments, and up to $1,600 for enclosed runs over 2,000 miles. These route estimates come from its 2026 motorcycle page:

Look at the last row. Enclosed from New York to Los Angeles is $1,945, above AmeriFreight's own $1,600 ceiling. Coast-to-coast enclosed can break the published bands, so budget for it.

The bigger catch showed up in a Forbes Home test. On a Brooklyn to Charlotte route, AmeriFreight's online quote was $649 open and $1,103 enclosed. The phone quote was $1,500 open and $2,500 enclosed. Same bike. Same route. That fits the 72% pricing accuracy score. Get your number online first, and if an agent comes back higher, ask for the reason in writing.

Discounts are published with exact amounts:

Early Bird is the only one that stacks with another discount. And no discount can push the deposit below AmeriFreight's minimum. So treat it as gas money for the drive to pickup.

A few payment terms to know before you sign, all listed on its Transportvibe profile:

• Your card is charged once you accept a carrier offer
• The balance goes to the carrier in cash or cashier's check
• Paying the full amount by card adds an 8.75% fee
• If delivery runs 15 or more days late, its terms promise a $20 credit per day, for up to 7 days

AmeriFreight Pros

• Nothing to pay until a carrier is matched and you accept
• Open and enclosed trailers for every common bike type, trikes included
• Published discount list with real dollar amounts
• Optional AFTA gap plan on top of the carrier's cargo coverage
• Large, recent review base with a 4.8 average

AmeriFreight Cons

• You're trusting AmeriFreight to pick the carrier, so check that carrier yourself
• Pricing accuracy is its weakest score, and phone quotes ran far higher than online quotes in Forbes' test
• The AFTA plan isn't insurance, and you have 48 hours after delivery to report damage under it
• Mixed messages on Alaska and Hawaii coverage
• Paying the full amount by card costs 8.75% extra

AmeriFreight fits a standard street bike or cruiser on a common lane, for a rider who's flexible on dates and willing to hold an agent to the online quote. Shipping a rare classic and want a motorcycle-only hauler from start to finish? Look at Motorcycle Shippers or Haul Bikes above.

See the full TrustScore breakdown on the AmeriFreight Inc profile, or read our AmeriFreight Auto Transport Review for everything beyond bikes.

• Specialty: Broker with published motorcycle discounts
• Price Range: $300 to $1,200 (open), up to $1,600+ (enclosed)
• BBB Rating: A

Federal Motorcycle Transport: Detailed Overview

Federal is the odd one on this list. It's the motorcycle arm of Federal Companies, a moving and storage business from East Peoria, Illinois. The BBB lists Federal Companies as started in 1913, and Federal says it has been shipping bikes for more than 30 years.

It's also the official motorcycle mover for AMA and H.O.G. members, per its own site. Members of both clubs get a discount. Federal doesn't publish the amount.

How Federal Ships Your Bike

A semi truck with a lift gate picks up your bike. No loading dock needed, unless it's oversized, a trike or has a sidecar.

Inside the trailer, the bike gets strapped to a 4×8 or 4×9 wooden pallet built for motorcycles. The trailers ride on air suspension to soften vibration.

Your bike will change trucks and drivers along the way, per Federal's FAQ. The pallet is what stays the same. Once your bike is strapped down, it rides on that skid until delivery.

A few size limits to check first:

• Longer than 108 inches or wider than 48 inches? You'll need your own skid, and it may have to go dock to dock.
• Less than 6 inches of ground clearance? Call before booking.

Residential pickup works if a tractor-trailer can get to your street. If it can't, Federal has 48 warehouse locations where you can drop off or pick up, and it says that can save you time and money. Miss the driver and you pay a $50 attempt fee.

Federal Timeline and Coverage

This is the slow lane. Federal's FAQ says pickup usually happens within a couple of days to a week. Transit runs about 8 to 10 business days after pickup, and some routes take 12 to 14.

Federal ships across the lower 48. Its FAQ says it moves over 2,000 motorcycles a year with a damage rate of about 2%, and an average claim of about $500, mostly cosmetic. Those are Federal's own numbers. I couldn't find an outside source to confirm them.

The coverage needs a careful read. Federal's "Transit Coverage" isn't insurance and isn't meant to pay full replacement value. You can buy more coverage through Federal, or check whether your own insurer covers third-party transport.

Payment is due before delivery, by card or certified funds.

Federal FMCSA Status

This one takes an extra step. Federal's site doesn't show a USDOT number for its motorcycle service. The footer lists Illinois Commerce Commission numbers and an Allied Van Lines USDOT, which is for household moves.

The bikes ride with CRST. Federal calls itself a "CRST reseller," and its FAQ names CRST Specialized Transportation in its damage claim terms. On SAFER, CRST Specialized Transportation Inc shows as an active carrier and broker under USDOT 1278850 and MC-497943, with a Satisfactory safety rating. Its vehicle out-of-service rate over the last 24 months is 20.5%, a little under the 22.26% national average.

Before you pay, ask Federal which USDOT number goes on your bill of lading, then look that number up.

The BBB rates Federal Companies A+. It has been accredited since May 1, 2012, and the BBB lists "Federal Motorcycle Transport" as one of its names.

Federal Pros

• Your bike stays on one pallet from pickup to delivery
• Lift gate loading and air-ride trailers
• AMA and H-D member discounts
• 48 warehouse drop-off points if your street can't fit a semi
• Online tracking
• BBB A+ on a business that dates back to 1913

Federal Cons

• 8 to 14 business days of transit, slower than most companies here
• Your bike changes trucks and drivers along the way
• No published prices, so you need a quote for every route
• Transit Coverage isn't insurance
• The carrier's USDOT number isn't shown on Federal's site
• Lower 48 only
• No Transportvibe profile yet, so there's no TrustScore to compare

Federal fits a rider who wants a palletized, lift-gate move and doesn't mind waiting 2 weeks for it. Club members get the most out of it.

Best for Budget Motorcycle Transport

If price is your primary concern, AmeriFreight is the top choice for the budget-conscious rider. They excel at leveraging a massive network to find the lowest possible rates without sacrificing basic safety standards. 

Unlike premium carriers, AmeriFreight offers various discount tiers for military members and students, making them the best motorcycle shipping company for those on a tight schedule and even tighter wallet. 

Close runners-up for value include uShip, which allows you to name your price and let carriers bid on your job, and Sherpa Auto Transport, which provides a fixed-price guarantee so you aren't hit with hidden fuel surcharges later. These are the best motorcycle transport companies when you need a reliable haul without the "white-glove" price tag.

What Affects Motorcycle Shipping Cost

You get a quote. You move the pickup date by a week. The number changes.

That's normal. A motorcycle shipping quote is a stack of small choices, and each one moves the price. These are the ones that matter most.

Distance and Route

Distance sets the base. Longer trips cost more in total, but less per mile. AmeriFreight puts it simply: a coast-to-coast shipment doesn't cost 4 times a regional one.

The route matters too. Busy lanes like California to Florida, Texas to New York and Chicago to Florida have plenty of carriers, according to AmeriFreight. Quieter routes have fewer trucks, which can slow pickup and push the rate up.

Open or Enclosed Trailer

Open is the cheaper option and the most available. Enclosed protects your bike from weather and road debris, and AmeriFreight estimates it at 30% to 50% more than open.

For a daily rider, open usually does the job. For a vintage, custom or show bike, enclosed is the safer call. Compare open-air motorcycle shipping and enclosed motorcycle shipping side by side before you pick.

Moving a car in the same relocation? The same choice applies. See open car shipping and enclosed vehicle shipping.

Bike Size and Weight

A touring bike or a big cruiser takes more room and adds weight. So does a trike. AmeriFreight notes this shows up as a higher estimate.

Size can also change how your bike ships. With Federal, anything longer than 108 inches or wider than 48 inches needs its own skid and may have to go dock to dock. Low bikes with under 6 inches of ground clearance need a call first.

Season

Spring and summer are the busy months for bikes. October and November get crowded on southbound snowbird routes to Florida and Arizona, and April through May brings the return trip north.

AmeriFreight says slower months "typically see softer market rates," but it doesn't guarantee it. Rally weeks for Sturgis and Daytona are worth booking early, since those shipments run on a deadline.

Pickup and Delivery Location

Door-to-door is the most convenient, but the truck has to reach you. Federal ships on semis, so a residential street needs to fit a tractor-trailer.

If it can't, a warehouse or a local motorcycle shop can work as your handoff point. Federal says its warehouse locations can save you time and money. And be there when the driver arrives. Federal charges a $50 attempt fee if you're not.

How Flexible You Are on Dates

A wider pickup window gives the broker more trucks to choose from. AmeriFreight suggests 5 to 7 business days. Need a fixed date or a fast pickup? Expedited service costs extra.

Extra Coverage

Both Federal and AmeriFreight sell coverage on top of the carrier's policy. Neither publishes a flat price for it, so ask for the number in writing and decide if your bike's value justifies it.

Putting It Together

The cheapest motorcycle shipping usually comes from stacking the low-cost choices: an open trailer, a flexible pickup window, a busy route, an off-peak month and a terminal or warehouse handoff. You won't always get all 5. Even 2 or 3 move the number.

Want a starting figure for your route? Try the car shipping cost calculator. It's built for cars, so use it to see how distance and season move your price, then compare that with the motorcycle ranges in this guide.

Crating vs Palletizing vs Strap-And-Roll: Which Method To Choose

When comparing the best motorcycle shipping companies, the hardware they use is everything. Federal Motorcycle Transport and Motorcycle Shippers often use specialized pallets or "skids" that keep the bike off the trailer floor, which is the safest method for long-term storage during transit. 

Conversely, Haul Bikes uses a "Strap-And-Roll" system where the bike stays on its wheels. This is preferred by many because it uses the bike's own suspension to absorb road bumps, rather than a rigid pallet that transfers every vibration directly to the frame.

In terms of pricing, palletizing is often mid-range, while full crating is a premium service mostly used by best motorcycle transport companies for international shipping overseas. For a standard domestic move, "Strap-And-Roll" in an enclosed trailer offers the best balance of safety and speed. uShip carriers vary wildly in their methods, so you must confirm if they have a lift gate; otherwise, your bike might be pushed up a steep, dangerous ramp. If you have a heavy touring bike, the palletized method used by Federal is often more stable.

How to Check Motorcycle Transport Companies Before You Book

Federal and AmeriFreight show the problem in one comparison. One ships your bike under another company's carrier authority. The other is a broker that hires a carrier for you. Both are legit. But the company on your quote and the company on the truck aren't always the same.

These checks take about 10 minutes.

1. Find out if it's a broker or a carrier

Search the company on FMCSA SAFER and read the Entity Type line. AmeriFreight shows "BROKER." CRST Specialized Transportation shows "CARRIER/BROKER." A broker simply means you have a second company to check.

2. Confirm the authority is active

On the same page, look for "ACTIVE" and "AUTHORIZED FOR." Then check that the legal name matches the name on the website. A mismatch is the first thing to ask about.

3. Get the carrier's USDOT number

If you booked through a broker, ask for the carrier's name and USDOT once your bike is dispatched. Look it up the same way. If a company won't give you a number, that's your answer.

4. Read the coverage terms word for word

Federal says its Transit Coverage "is not INSURANCE." AmeriFreight says the same about its AFTA plan. Both are useful. Neither replaces the carrier's cargo insurance or your own policy. Ask what's covered, the limit, and how many hours you have to report damage.

5. Look at review patterns, beyond the stars

A 4.8 average can hide a weak spot. AmeriFreight's reviews are strong on communication and bike condition, and weaker on pricing accuracy. If price changes worry you most, that one number tells you where to push.

6. Compare TrustScores where you can

Our Best Auto Transport Companies page ranks companies by TrustScore alone, with no paid placement. Each company in this guide also links to its Transportvibe profile where one exists.

One limit. Federal Motorcycle Transport, Haul Bikes, Motorcycle Shippers and J&S Transport don't have Transportvibe profiles yet. For those 4, steps 1 to 5 are all you've got. Do them anyway.

Motorcycle Shipping Cost in 2026

You ask 3 companies to ship the same bike. One says $450. One says $900. The third says "call us."

Distance and trailer type decide most of that gap. This is what a typical motorcycle shipping cost looks like this year, split into 3 trip lengths.

Insider Logistics Guide

Before you hand over your keys, it's natural to have a few technical questions about the process. These insights cover the niche details that often determine the safety and final price of your shipment.