Powersports Shipping for ATVs, UTVs, Side-by-Sides, and Bikes
Machines move door to door across all 48 contiguous states: quads, side-by-sides, motorcycles, scooters, golf carts, and low-speed vehicles all ride the same carrier network Car Haul Direct uses for cars.
- Pickup typically within 1-3 days of booking from metro origins
- $2M cargo insurance on every machine, open deck or enclosed trailer
- Door-to-door loading from a driveway, shop, dealer lot, or storage yard
Powersports shipping moves your machines door to door across all 48 contiguous states: quads, side-by-sides, motorcycles, scooters, golf carts, and low-speed vehicles all ride the same carrier network Car Haul Direct uses for cars. Pickup typically happens within 1-3 days of booking, and every load carries $2M cargo insurance.
Reviewed by Mike Fergusson, EVP Operations, Car Haul Direct
Why ship powersports with Car Haul Direct
One category, one coordinator, and the same network that moves cars.
FMCSA-Licensed Broker
Car Haul Direct arranges every move as a licensed auto transport broker, USDOT 4321158, through carriers whose authority and insurance are checked before dispatch.
$2M Cargo Insurance
Your machine is covered by $2M cargo insurance from the moment it is loaded until it comes off the deck.
48-State Coverage
CHD moves powersports equipment anywhere in the 48 contiguous states, with Hawaii and Alaska handled through its dedicated service.
Door-to-Door Loading
Carriers load at the address you name, whether that is a home driveway, a repair shop, or a dealer lot.
Fast Pickup Windows
Metro pickups typically land within 1-3 days of booking, and outlying areas add 1-2 days.
Non-Running Units Accepted
A quad or bike that will not start still ships, typically for $100-$200 more than a running unit.
One Category, One Coordinator
The figures that govern a CHD powersports move.
1-3
Day Pickup Window
Typical metro pickup after booking; outlying areas add 1-2 days.
$2M
Cargo Insurance Coverage
On every machine from the moment it is loaded until it comes off the deck.
48
Contiguous States Covered
Anywhere in the lower 48, with Hawaii and Alaska handled through the dedicated service.
$100-$200
Typical Non-Running Add
What a machine that will not start typically adds over a running unit.
Powersports shipping questions, answered
Cost, multi-machine orders, and whether anything needs crating.
How much does powersports shipping cost?
Price follows distance, the machine size and weight, how many units you send, whether it runs, and whether you choose open or enclosed. A side-by-side takes more deck space than a quad, so it prices higher on the same lane. Enclosed typically runs 40 to 60 percent above open. The instant quote calculator prices your exact move.
Can several machines ship on one order?
Often yes, and it is common practice when the units fit the deck space the assigned carrier has. Two quads, a quad and a bike, or a machine riding alongside a car are all routine requests. Availability depends on the carrier working your lane, so list every unit when you book.
Do powersports machines need to be crated?
Not usually. Most machines ship uncrated and strapped down on the deck, though some carriers crate or palletize smaller units, and practice varies by carrier and trailer type. Give your coordinator the make, model, and dimensions at booking so the right equipment gets dispatched.
Who ships powersports machines?
Trail and Hunting Owners
You bought a machine for a camp or trail property 2 states away and would rather move it once than trailer it twice.
Seasonal Riders
Bikes and quads head south for the winter and back in spring, on the same door-to-door service that moves cars.
Online Buyers
You won a machine on a listing site or an online auction and need it picked up from a seller you have never met.
Resort and Ranch Operators
Rental, resort, and property fleets move machines between locations as the season shifts.
Racers and Event Riders
Machines travel to a race weekend or a show and come home after, on dates you set rather than dates you drive.
Services that fit a powersports move
Six ways the CHD service set maps onto machines of every size.
Open Transport
The standard and most economical way to move a machine, on the same open decks that carry cars. Most quads, bikes, and side-by-sides ride open without an issue.
Enclosed Transport
A covered trailer keeps road spray, grit, and weather off the machine. Enclosed typically runs 40 to 60 percent above open on the same lane.
Door-to-Door Transport
Pickup and delivery happen at the addresses you choose, as close as the truck can safely get. Driveways, shops, dealer lots, and storage yards all work.
Expedited Transport
When a race date, a closing, or a seller deadline sets the clock, expedited service tightens the standard 1-3 day pickup window.
Non-Running Machine Transport
A unit that will not start, roll, or steer needs winch or forklift help at loading, and that typically adds $100-$200. Say so at booking, because the carrier has to arrive with the right equipment.
Cargo Insurance Coverage
Every load carries $2M cargo insurance, and the Bill of Lading records the machine condition at both ends. Photograph the unit before pickup so your record matches the driver record.
How powersports shipping works: 5 steps
Five steps from quote to the machine back on the ground.
1. Get an Instant Quote
Enter the pickup and delivery ZIP codes and the machine you are moving; the calculator prices the lane in seconds.
2. List Every Unit and Detail
Give the make, model, dimensions, and running condition for each machine, plus any lift kit, rack, or oversized tires.
3. Prep the Machine
Run the fuel down, remove loose accessories and soft bags, secure or remove the windshield, and photograph the unit from every angle.
4. Pickup and Loading
Metro pickup typically happens within 1-3 days of booking. The driver documents condition on the Bill of Lading before the machine is strapped down.
5. Delivery and Inspection
Meet the carrier at your address, compare the machine against the pickup record, then sign.
Powersports shipping FAQ
Cost, multi-unit loads, crating, non-runners, and open against enclosed.
Cost tracks distance, deck space, weight, running condition, and the season. A compact quad prices below a full-size side-by-side on the same route because it takes less room on the trailer. Enclosed typically adds 40 to 60 percent over open. Ask about available discounts when you book, and run the calculator for your exact lane.
Usually yes, space permitting. Carriers regularly load two quads, a quad with a bike, or a machine next to a car, but it depends on the deck space the assigned carrier has on your lane. List every unit with its dimensions when you book so dispatch matches you to a trailer that fits.
No. Crating and palletizing happen on some loads, usually for smaller or lighter units, and the choice belongs to the carrier and the trailer. Most machines ship uncrated, strapped at the frame or at designated tie-down points. Practice varies, so confirm handling with your coordinator rather than assuming one method.
Yes. Tell CHD at booking whether the machine rolls, steers, and brakes, because that decides whether a winch is enough or a forklift is needed. Non-running units typically add $100-$200 to the price. A machine that will not roll is the hardest case and needs the most notice.
Open works for most machines and costs the least. Enclosed makes sense for a show bike, a fresh restoration, a custom build, or anything where road grime and weather exposure would cost you more than the upgrade. Enclosed typically runs 40 to 60 percent above open on the same lane.
Usually, because it is wider, longer, and heavier, and deck space is what you are paying for. The gap depends on the specific models and the lane, so there is no fixed difference to publish. Enter both machines in the calculator and compare the two prices directly.
Often, when the carrier has room. A bike or quad riding alongside a car on one order is common practice rather than a promise, and it depends on the trailer assigned to your lane. Book both on the same order and dispatch will look for a carrier that can take the pair. Metro pickup still typically lands within 1-3 days of booking.
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Get Your Powersports Shipping Quote
Run your pickup and delivery ZIP codes through the instant quote calculator on this page to price every machine you are moving.