The Best Motorcycle Shipping Company in Tennessee: What Riders Should Look For

What motorcycle shipping in Tennessee costs and how long it takes

Most shipments to or from Tennessee

$750 to $1,200

Coast to coast (for example Nashville to California)

About $1,300

Transit time

10 to 15 business days

Your price depends on distance, the size and type of bike, whether it runs, how easily a truck can reach each address and how flexible your dates are. These are typical figures, not a quote. Our motorcycle shipping prices page explains how quotes are built, and you can request a free quote for your shipment.

What the best motorcycle shipping company in Tennessee does

If your bike is meeting you for a week in the mountains, it has to arrive clean, undamaged and on time. Look for:

• A fully enclosed trailer. Rain, road grime and rock chips stay outside, and the bike is out of sight whenever the truck stops. Read about enclosed motorcycle transport.
• Soft tie-down straps. Soft loops wrap solid frame points, so no metal hooks touch paint or chrome, and the bike rides upright without strain on the bars, levers or fairings.
• Door-to-door service. The driver comes to your home, dealer, shop, storage unit or rental cabin, or to a nearby spot you agree on. See how it works.
• Insured carriers. Ask who provides coverage and how claims work, and make sure the bike is checked at pickup and again at delivery.
• A quote for your exact shipment, based on your bike, both addresses and your dates.
• Live agents who answer. A real person should pick up 7 days a week, 8am to 8pm ET. Ours are at (866) 216-7742.
• The ability to palletize non-running bikes and projects.

For the full checklist, read how to choose the best motorcycle transportation company.

Palletized shipping: an option most shippers do not offer

We can palletize a motorcycle. It is rolled onto a pallet, set in a wheel chock and held with soft tie-downs, then moved as one secured unit. The bike does not need to run, which suits a project bought in Memphis, a restoration headed to a builder in Knoxville, or a vintage or high-value motorcycle that should be handled as little as possible. Tell us about the bike when you request a quote and we will say whether it ships palletized or rolled into the trailer.

Shipping a motorcycle within, into and out of Tennessee

Into Tennessee, bikes arrive for mountain trips on the east side, with new residents in Nashville and Chattanooga, and with service members reporting to Clarksville. Many come from neighboring North Carolina, Georgia and Virginia.

Out of Tennessee, bikes go home after a vacation, to buyers across the country, and with families on new orders.

Within the state, a bike might go from Memphis to a cabin near Pigeon Forge, or from a dealer in Murfreesboro to a buyer in Knoxville. On a state this long, shipping saves a full day or more of riding each way. For the regions we serve, see our Tennessee motorcycle shipping page or the service areas map.

Why Tennessee riders ship instead of ride

• Mountain trips. Fly in, find the bike waiting, and spend your days on the Tail of the Dragon, the Cherohala Skyway and the roads around the Smokies.
• Military moves. Service members around Clarksville often ship a bike to the next duty station. Read our military PCS motorcycle shipping guide.
• The length of the state. Memphis to the Smokies is a full day of driving, so even an in-state move can make shipping worth it.
• Buying out of state. Skip the trip to the seller and the long ride home on an unfamiliar bike.
• Projects and restorations. Non-running bikes need to move without being ridden.
• Protecting a new or vintage bike. Fewer miles means a lower odometer and less wear before you ride it.

Tennessee tips: the Smokies, cabin drives and the long haul across

• Where we pick up and deliver. Nashville, Memphis, Knoxville, Chattanooga, Clarksville and Murfreesboro, plus the towns in between.
• Cabin rentals. Many cabins around Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge sit on steep, narrow drives. Tell us about the road, and we will agree on a spot the truck can reach if needed.
• Plan your trip backward. Pick the day you want to ride the Dragon or the Skyway and book with enough lead time for 10 to 15 business days of transit.
• East to west takes time. A trip between Memphis and East Tennessee is a long one, so give yourself some slack on dates.
• PCS timing. Book as soon as you have your report date, and tell us if you live on post so we can plan where to meet.
• Title and registration. If you bring a bike in from another state, check with the county clerk's office for the current title and registration steps.

How to get your bike ready for pickup

A little prep makes pickup quick and gives you a clear record of the bike. Our guide on how to prepare a motorcycle for shipping covers every step. In short:

• Wash the bike and take dated photos of every side.
• Leave about a quarter tank of fuel or less.
• Empty the saddlebags and remove loose accessories.
• Turn off the alarm and have the keys ready for the driver.
• Tell us about anything unusual, such as a lowered bike, a leak or a bike that does not run.

Why riders call Motorcycle Transporters

We are based in Richmond, Virginia and ship motorcycles to and from Tennessee and nationwide. Every bike travels door to door in a fully enclosed trailer, held with soft tie-down straps, with insured carriers.

A real person answers when you call. Live agents are available 7 days a week, 8am to 8pm ET, to plan around cabin drives, trip dates and report dates before you book, and to keep you updated while the bike is on the road. Coming from the east? See our guide to the best motorcycle shipping company in Virginia. When you are ready, request a free quote.