Ship a motorcycle to or from Iowa
AA Motorcycle Shipping has moved bikes out of Iowa to every corner of the country since 1983. With terminals in Cedar Rapids and Des Moines — and door-to-door pickup anywhere in the state — we coordinate your shipment start to finish inside an enclosed trailer. No lead-gen forms. No waiting on email. Your quote is online right now.
Motorcycle shipping terminals in Iowa
Drop your bike at one of our two Iowa terminals to reduce your shipping cost. Terminal-to-door, door-to-terminal, and terminal-to-terminal options are all available. Prefer us to come to you? Door-to-door pick-up is available anywhere in Iowa.
Cedar Rapids, IA 52404
No dedicated city page yet — address available above.
Des Moines, IA 50313 View location
Need to find a terminal in another state? View all 47 terminals nationwide →
Iowa motorcycle shipping prices
Sample routes and rates from Iowa City. Distance and destination affect your final price. Get your exact quote online in seconds — no email, no phone call required.
| To / From | Distance | Cost | Est. Transit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Iowa City, IA ↔ Miami, FL | 1,273 miles | $734 | 1 week |
| Iowa City, IA ↔ New York, NY | 878 miles | $689 | 5 days |
| Iowa City, IA ↔ Chicago, IL | 221 miles | $525 | 2–3 days |
| Iowa City, IA ↔ Las Vegas, NV | 1,450 miles | $735 | 1 week |
| Iowa City, IA ↔ San Diego, CA | 1,629 miles | $780 | 1 week |
| Iowa City, IA ↔ Newark, NJ | 890 miles | $689 | 1 week |
| Iowa City, IA ↔ Dallas, TX | 823 miles | $689 | 5 days |
| Iowa City, IA ↔ Seattle, WA | 1,840 miles | $735 | 1 week |
| Iowa City, IA ↔ San Jose, CA | 1,898 miles | $780 | 1 week |
| Iowa City, IA ↔ Norfolk, VA | 910 miles | $689 | 1 week |
* Prices shown are starting rates. Actual cost depends on bike size, route, and timing. Military, Veteran & 1st Responder discount available — submit a quote then call 1-888-347-1391.
Popular Iowa motorcycle shipping routes
We move bikes along these corridors every week. If your route isn’t listed, get a quote — we ship everywhere.
Iowa motorcycle shipping service options
Choose the pick-up and delivery combination that works for your schedule and budget.
Door-to-Door
We pick up your motorcycle directly from your home, garage, storage unit, or dealer anywhere in Iowa and deliver it to any address in the country. No terminal visit required.
Terminal Combinations
Drop your bike at our Cedar Rapids or Des Moines terminal, or have it delivered to the destination terminal nearest you. Mix and match to lower your cost while keeping delivery close to home.
Terminal-to-Terminal
Drop off at an Iowa terminal and pick up at a terminal near your destination. The most economical option when terminals on both ends work for your schedule.
Non-palletized vs. palletized — which is right for your bike?
Non-Palletized (Standard)
Your motorcycle is loaded directly into an enclosed freight trailer and secured with professional-grade straps and wheel chocks. This is our standard method — the same technique used by most freight carriers for motorcycle transport. It keeps costs lower while protecting your bike inside a closed trailer. Motorcycles are never placed on open car haulers.
Palletized (Premium)
Your motorcycle is secured to a custom wooden pallet before loading. The pallet acts as a rigid base that prevents any movement during transit and makes handling easier at each transfer point. Palletized shipping adds an extra layer of protection and is the preferred method for rare, custom, or high-value motorcycles.
How Iowa motorcycle shipping works
Get your instant quote
Enter your pick-up and delivery locations on our quote page. Prices appear immediately — no email, no waiting, no salesperson. Book online or call 1-888-347-1391.
We coordinate pick-up
A coordinator contacts you to confirm the pick-up date and prep instructions — typically a quarter tank of fuel, battery disconnected or tender-ready, and a key available for loading. We handle the carrier dispatch.
Track and receive delivery
Monitor your shipment at any time on our tracking page. We notify you when delivery is scheduled and confirm on arrival.
Why Iowa riders trust AA Motorcycle Shipping
Iowa is geographically central to everything — which is exactly why it can be tricky to ship a motorcycle in or out of the state without the right carrier network. AA Motorcycle Shipping has operated since 1983, which means we have established freight relationships and routing experience across the Midwest and into every region of the country. Our terminals in Cedar Rapids and Des Moines give Iowa riders two convenient drop-off and pick-up points, with door-to-door coverage everywhere else in the state.
We are not a carrier — we do not own trucks — and we are not a lead-gen broker that sells your information to the highest bidder. We coordinate your shipment start to finish through Central Dispatch, the same platform used by the freight and auto transport industry. That means one point of contact, one contract, and one team responsible for your motorcycle from pick-up to delivery.
Every shipment moves inside an enclosed trailer. Motorcycles are never placed on open car haulers. Whether you choose non-palletized or palletized shipping, your bike is strapped securely and protected from weather and road debris for the entire journey. This matters whether you are moving a daily rider from Des Moines to Dallas or shipping a restored vintage bike from Cedar Rapids to the East Coast.
With 4.7 stars across 3,083 verified reviews and over four decades in business, our record speaks for itself. Iowa riders can get an exact quote in seconds, place an order online, and track their shipment through delivery — all without a single phone call if you prefer it that way.
Types of motorcycles we ship from Iowa
If it has two (or three) wheels and rolls, we have shipped it. Common bikes we move include:
- Harley-Davidson touring, cruiser, and Softail models
- Sport bikes — Kawasaki, Yamaha, Honda, Suzuki
- Adventure and dual-sport motorcycles
- Cruisers and choppers
- Vintage and classic motorcycles
- Trikes and three-wheeled motorcycles
- Motocross and off-road bikes
- Electric motorcycles
- Mopeds and scooters
- Motorcycles purchased online (eBay, Cycle Trader, dealer)
Payment methods accepted
- All major credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover)
- Debit cards
- PayPal
- Zelle
- Cash on delivery (select terminal locations)
What customers say about shipping with AA
“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.”
Iowa motorcycle shipping — frequently asked questions
- How much does it cost to ship a motorcycle to or from Iowa?
- Iowa motorcycle shipping costs depend on distance and your specific origin and destination. Sample rates from Iowa City include Chicago for $525 (2–3 days), Dallas for $689 (5 days), Miami for $734 (1 week), and San Diego for $780 (1 week). Get your exact quote online instantly — no email required.
- How long does it take to ship a motorcycle from Iowa?
- Short regional routes like Iowa City to Chicago take 2–3 days. Mid-range routes to Dallas or New York are typically 5 days. Cross-country deliveries to California, Florida, or the Pacific Northwest take approximately 1 week. Your coordinator will provide a more precise window when you place your order.
- What is the difference between palletized and non-palletized shipping?
- Non-palletized is the standard method — your motorcycle is strapped directly inside an enclosed trailer using professional wheel chocks and straps. Palletized adds a wooden pallet beneath the bike for additional stability and protection during loading and unloading. Both use enclosed trailers. Motorcycles are never placed on open car haulers.
- Does AA Motorcycle Shipping have terminals in Iowa?
- Yes. We have two Iowa terminals: Cedar Rapids at 370 50th Ave Dr SW, Cedar Rapids, IA 52404, and Des Moines at 6367 NE 14th St., Des Moines, IA 50313. Using a terminal instead of door-to-door pick-up can reduce your total shipping cost.
- Do you offer a military discount for Iowa motorcycle shipping?
- Yes. We offer a military discount for active duty, veterans, and retired military. Request it when placing your order online or call us at 1-888-347-1391.
- Does my gas tank need to be empty before shipping?
- No — you do not need to drain the tank. We recommend keeping the fuel level at or below one-quarter tank for safety. Your coordinator will walk you through all preparation steps when you place your order.
- Can I ship a motorcycle I purchased online from Iowa?
- Absolutely. We regularly ship bikes purchased on eBay, Cycle Trader, Craigslist, and from dealers. We can coordinate pick-up directly from the seller’s address in Iowa and deliver to your door anywhere in the country.
- Is door-to-door motorcycle shipping available throughout Iowa?
- Yes. Door-to-door service is available statewide — including rural Iowa. We pick up from your home, garage, storage unit, or dealership and deliver to any address in the country. You do not need to bring your motorcycle to a terminal.
Ready to ship your motorcycle from Iowa?
Get your exact quote online in seconds — no email, no waiting, no pressure.
Get my instant quotePrefer to talk? Call us toll-free at 1-888-347-1391