Ship a motorcycle to or from Des Moines, Iowa
AA Motorcycle Shipping has served Des Moines and the greater Iowa region since 1983. We offer door-to-door motorcycle shipping nationwide, with a local terminal for convenient same-day drop-off. Whether you’re relocating, selling, or buying a bike online, we coordinate your shipment start to finish — with instant online quotes and no email required.
Our Des Moines, IA terminal
Drop off or pick up your motorcycle at our Des Moines freight terminal — no appointment needed, but please place your order first to receive your booking number before arriving. Same-day drop-off is available during terminal hours.
Des Moines, IA 50313
⚠ Place your order online first to receive your booking number before drop-off.
Des Moines motorcycle shipping costs
The table below shows representative rates for popular routes to and from Des Moines. Get an instant online quote for your exact route — prices vary by distance, timing, and method. All routes are via enclosed freight.
| To / From Des Moines, IA | Distance | Cost | Est. Transit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Las Vegas, NV to/from Des Moines, IA | 1,200 miles | $689 | 1 week |
| New York City, NY to/from Des Moines, IA | 1,100 miles | $689 | 1 week |
| San Francisco, CA to/from Des Moines, IA | 1,900 miles | $780 | 1 week |
| Houston, TX to/from Des Moines, IA | 1,000 miles | $650 discounted / $689 regular | 1 week |
| Phoenix, AZ to/from Des Moines, IA | 1,200 miles | $689 | 1 week |
| Philadelphia, PA to/from Des Moines, IA | 1,000 miles | $689 | 1 week |
| San Antonio, TX to/from Des Moines, IA | 1,100 miles | $689 | 1 week |
| Dallas, TX to/from Des Moines, IA | 650 miles | $625 / $645 | 5 days |
| San Jose, CA to/from Des Moines, IA | 1,900 miles | $780 | 1 week |
| Denver, CO to/from Des Moines, IA | 600 miles | $645 | 5 days |
Military discount available upon request via live chat. Prices shown are estimates — get your exact quote online.
Popular motorcycle shipping routes from Des Moines
Our Des Moines terminal ships motorcycles coast to coast. Below are some of the most frequently requested routes — all via enclosed freight with door-to-door and terminal options available.
Motorcycle shipping services from Des Moines
We offer three service types to fit your schedule, budget, and pickup location. All methods use enclosed freight — your bike is never loaded onto an open car hauler.
Door-to-Door
We pick up your motorcycle at your home, dealership, or any address in the Des Moines area and deliver directly to your destination. No terminal visit needed — the most convenient option for most riders.
Terminal-to-Door / Door-to-Terminal
Drop off your bike at our Des Moines terminal (6367 NE 14th St.) and have it delivered to your destination address — or arrange pickup at your location and collect the bike at a destination terminal. A flexible, often lower-cost option.
Terminal-to-Terminal
Drop off at Des Moines and pick up at a destination terminal — our most economical option. Best for riders with flexibility on pickup timing. We have 47 terminals nationwide to choose from.
Palletized vs. non-palletized motorcycle shipping
Both methods use enclosed freight trailers — your motorcycle is never transported on an open car hauler. The difference is how your bike is secured inside the trailer.
Non-Palletized (Standard)
Your motorcycle is loaded directly onto the trailer floor and secured with professional tie-down straps. This is our standard shipping method — safe, reliable, and used for the vast majority of shipments.
Palletized (Premium)
Your motorcycle is mounted on a wooden pallet before loading, providing additional stability and reducing contact with the trailer floor. Often chosen for long cross-country routes, rare or high-value bikes, or custom builds.
How motorcycle shipping from Des Moines works
Three straightforward steps from quote to delivery. We handle the logistics — you just hand over the keys.
Get an instant quote
Use our online quote form to get an instant price — no email required, no waiting. Enter your pickup and delivery addresses and choose your service type.
Place your order & receive a booking number
Book online to lock in your shipment. You’ll receive a booking number immediately — bring this to the Des Moines terminal if you’re dropping off in person.
Drop off or schedule pickup — then track your bike
Drop your motorcycle at 6367 NE 14th St. or schedule a door pickup. Once in transit, track your motorcycle anytime through your account.
Why Des Moines riders choose AA Motorcycle Shipping
AA Motorcycle Shipping has been in business since 1983 — long before online booking, real-time tracking, or instant quotes were standard practice. We’ve shipped motorcycles across every major route in the country, and our Des Moines terminal gives Iowa riders a local freight hub with same-day drop-off capability. Unlike auto transport lead-gen brokers that pass your information to the lowest bidder, we coordinate your shipment start to finish under our own management. You get one point of contact, one company, and one clear price.
Des Moines sits at the heart of the Midwest, making our terminal a critical hub for shipments moving between the coasts, the South, and the Great Plains. Whether you’re shipping a Harley-Davidson to Phoenix for the winter, sending a sport bike to a buyer in New York, or transporting a vintage find from Dallas, our terminal handles volume shipments along all of these corridors on a regular basis. That means consistent capacity and reliable transit times — not the unpredictability that comes with smaller or seasonal operators.
Every motorcycle we ship travels inside an enclosed freight trailer — never on an open car hauler. We offer both non-palletized (standard) and palletized (premium) shipping, and our quoting tool gives you an exact price online in seconds. There’s no phone call required, no emailing back and forth, and no waiting for a dispatcher to get back to you. If you have questions, our team is available by phone at 1-888-347-1391 or via live chat.
We also support Iowa’s military community. Active duty personnel and veterans can request a military discount through live chat or by phone when placing an order. If you’re PCSing, deploying, or returning home to Iowa, we’ll make sure your motorcycle arrives safely — and affordably.
What we ship from Des Moines
We ship nearly every type of powered two-wheeler via enclosed freight from our Des Moines terminal. If you’re unsure whether your motorcycle qualifies, call us at 1-888-347-1391.
- Cruisers & choppers
- Touring & baggers
- Sport bikes
- Dirt bikes & dual-sport
- Mopeds & scooters
- ATVs & UTVs
- Vintage & classic bikes
- Custom & show bikes
- Non-running motorcycles
Accepted payment methods
We accept all major payment methods. Payment is collected securely at the time of booking.
- Visa
- Mastercard
- American Express
- Discover
- PayPal
- Check / Money order
What our customers say
“My experience with AA Motorcycle Shipping was excellent. My Softail HD is spotless with no blemishes – it was picked up in Wisconsin and dropped off in California in the same condition. The staff and drivers were kind and professional. I would highly recommend them.”
Frequently asked questions — Des Moines motorcycle shipping
- How much does it cost to ship a motorcycle to or from Des Moines?
- Prices vary by route and distance. Shorter routes like Dallas or Denver start around $625–$645. Longer cross-country routes such as San Francisco or San Jose run around $780. Use our online quote tool for your exact route — no email required.
- How long does motorcycle shipping to or from Des Moines take?
- Most routes take approximately 5 days to 1 week depending on distance. Shorter regional routes like Denver or Dallas typically arrive in about 5 days. Coast-to-coast routes like San Francisco generally take about 1 week.
- Can I drop off my motorcycle the same day at the Des Moines terminal?
- Yes, same-day drop-off is available at 6367 NE 14th St., Des Moines, IA 50313. However, you must place your order online first and receive your booking number before arriving at the terminal.
- What’s the difference between palletized and non-palletized shipping?
- Non-palletized is our standard method — your motorcycle is secured directly to the enclosed trailer floor with professional straps. Palletized mounting adds a wooden pallet under the bike for extra stability, and is often preferred for high-value, vintage, or custom motorcycles on long routes.
- Is a military discount available?
- Yes. Active duty military and veterans can request a discount via live chat or by calling 1-888-347-1391 when placing their order. The discount is noted in the pricing table for applicable routes.
- Do I need to drain the gas tank before shipping?
- You don’t need to completely empty it, but the tank should be no more than one-quarter full for freight safety requirements. Remove loose accessories, disable alarms, and ensure the bike is in neutral before drop-off.
- Can you ship a motorcycle I purchased online?
- Absolutely. We handle online purchases regularly. Provide the seller’s pickup address and your delivery address when getting your quote, and we coordinate the full pickup and delivery — the seller doesn’t need to do anything other than be available for the pickup.
- Is door-to-door shipping available from Des Moines?
- Yes. Door-to-door pickup is available from most Des Moines and surrounding Iowa addresses. We dispatch a freight driver to your location — no terminal visit required on your end. Get an instant quote for your address to confirm availability and pricing.
Ready to ship your motorcycle from Des Moines, IA?
Get an instant quote online — no email required. In business since 1983. 47 terminals nationwide.
Get an instant quote →Or call us toll-free: 1-888-347-1391