Need to ship a bike but getting frustrated by vague cost estimates?
As a fulfillment company that’s shipped hundreds of thousands of bikes, we know exactly what goes into bike shipping costs.
We also know the pitfalls and added costs that aren’t in the quotes.
We’ll give you exact shipping rates across carriers, bike types, and distances—plus show you how to save money without cutting corners.
TL;DR:
Quick cost breakdown for most bikes
The cheapest way to ship a bike is through specialized bike shipping services like BikeFlights or ShipBikes, which typically cost between $60-120 for ground shipping (5 to 9-day delivery on longer distances).
Going directly through major carriers costs significantly more–expect to pay $130-230 for UPS Ground and $135-280 for USPS Ground Advantage.
The fastest way to ship a bike is via next-day delivery but be prepared to pay premium rates: BikeFlights Next Day costs $320-400, and UPS or FedEx Next Day services can range from $750 to over $1,000 (on longer distances).
NOTE: Special circumstances will affect these base rates:
– Shipping an e-bike adds $30-50 in hazmat fees for the battery.
– Oversized bikes may cost 20-40% more.
– During peak seasons like holidays, expect rates to increase by 10-30%
– For international shipping, costs start around $200 but can exceed $2,000 depending on the destination.
Note that special circumstances will affect these base rates:
- Shipping an e-bike adds $30-50 in hazmat fees for the battery.
- Oversized bikes may cost 20-40% more..
- During peak seasons like holidays, expect rates to increase by 10-30%
- For international shipping, costs start around $200 but can exceed $2,000 depending on the destination.
Beyond shipping fees, you’ll need to consider other potential costs:
- Professional disassembly and packing at a bike shop typically costs $50-75.
- A proper bike shipping box costs $100-200, and additional packing and padding materials can add another $50-150.
- Most carriers include basic insurance coverage up to $100, but you may want additional coverage based on your bike’s declared value—for example, $40+ for $3,000 of coverage through BikeFlights.
PRO TIP: You can check in the bike on your flight as oversized luggage. It might cost less than most shipping methods, especially over longer distances. If you do this, make transport and storage arrangements at your destination. A soft bike bag is the most convenient but increases the damage risks.
NOTE: *We used a reference bike for these calculations–one that can be packed into a 54 x 8 x 28-inch box. That typically includes your average road, mountain, or hybrid bike in the M to 2XL size range. The smaller bikes in the range might fit smaller common box sizes, like 43 x 11 x 32, which would lower the cost.
Want to see the exact costs for your situation?
Check the detailed rate comparison tables below.
Carrier Shipping Costs
Below are detailed cost comparisons between carriers and companies across different distances, service levels, and shipping speeds.
It’s split into three sections:
- Master cost comparison sheet – with all the cheapest and fastest services in one place (for three reference distances).
- Cheapest options per carrier and distance.
- Fastest options.
Section 1: Master speed and cost comparison sheet
| Shipping Method | NYC → Atlantic City (130 miles) |
NYC → Chicago (800 miles) |
NYC → Los Angeles (2450 miles) |
|---|---|---|---|
| UPS Ground | $131.54 (3 days) | $168.74 (3 days) | $226.65 (7 days) |
| UPS Next Day Air | $338.51 (1 day) | $753.56 (1 day) | $898.43 (1 day) |
| FedEx Express Saver | $217.24 (3 days) | $418.33 (2 days) | $713.92 (3 days) |
| FedEx First Overnight® | $396.20 (1 day) | $926.05 (1 day) | $1060.24 (1 day) |
| BikeFlight (via UPS Ground) | $56.97 (1 day) | $77.71 (6 days) | $100.89 (9 days) |
| BikeFlight (via UPS Next Day Air) | $117.45 (1 day) | $270.95 (1 day) | $320.45 (2 days) |
| ShipBikes | $76.20 (1 day) | $97.22 (3 days) | $117.71 (7 days) |
NOTE: The fees listed are for reference only–they are not quotes. We’re not associated with any of the bike-shipping companies. We’ve included BikeFlight and ShipBikes because of their popularity with the riders.
For precise shipping rates, use the companies’ calculators:
NOTE: These reference calculations are for a medium-to-large bike–one that can be packed into a 54 x 8 x 28 inches (partially disassembled), weighs 30 lbs (packaged), and is valued at $3000.
Section 2: Cost comparison at base rates (cheapest shipping)
| Shipping Method | Cost to Ship ~130 miles |
Cost to Ship ~800 miles |
Cost to Ship ~2450 miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| UPS Ground | $131.54 | $168.74 | $226.65 |
| FedEx Express Saver | $217.24 | $418.33 | $713.92 |
| USPS Ground Advantage | $134.65 | $203.05 | $278.85 |
| BikeFlight (via UPS Ground) | $56.97 | $77.71 | $100.89 |
| ShipBikes | $82.06 | $104.20 | $126.60 |
Section 2: Cost comparison with expedited services (fastest shipping)
| Shipping Method | Cost to Ship ~130 miles |
Cost to Ship ~800 miles |
Cost to Ship ~2450 miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| UPS Next Day Air® | $338.51 | $753.56 | $898.43 |
| FedEx First Overnight® | $396.20 | $926.05 | $1,060.24 |
| BikeFlight (via UPS Next Day Air®) | $117.45 | $270.95 | $320.45 |
NOTE: USPS and ShipBikes are not in the table for expedited services because their calculators don’t show expedited options for the assumed dimensions. With USPS, the dimensions exceed the size limit.
Typical scenarios with major carriers–cheapest and fastest
The cheapest options are typically ground shipping.
The enhanced options are usually expedited air shipping.
That’s the tip of the cost iceberg.
It’s missing a key part of the equation–the shipping speed.
Bike Shipping Cost Essentials
The total cost of shipping your bike will come down to a few crucial factors.
The key factors:
- Where you’re shipping from and to–the distance and zones.
- Size of the bike–the box you’re packing it in, to be more precise.
- Type of bike–if it includes batteries, there will be hazmat surcharges.
- How you’re shipping it–service level and speed (standard or expedited).
- When you’re shipping it–peak seasons will add cost.
- Whether you know how to disassemble it for shipping.
- Whether the recipient knows how to assemble it.
- Whether you have the packing supplies or need to buy them.
- The declared value.
- Coverage–by the carrier or third party.
- Whether you’re shipping domestically or internationally.
NOTE: The total cost of getting a bike from A to B goes beyond shipping. It includes additional fees like packing supplies, assembly/disassembly, insurance, etc.
Related read: What is standard shipping?
Shipping costs by bike type
If you’re interested in a specific type of bike, check out one of the following sections
- Cost to ship a road bike
- Cost to ship a mountain bike
- Cost to ship an e-bike
- Cost to ship a kids’ bike
Key factors affecting carrier costs
The key shipping-cost factors are:
- Size of the packaged bike–whether you’re charged for the actual or dimensional weight (more on that in a second).
- Shipping distances–zones (read about what shipping zones are here).
- Type of bike (especially for e-bikes).
- Shipping service/method–standard or expedited, ground or air.
- Choice of carrier or shipping company.
- Time of year.
- Service level — handling, expediting, or protection.
- Customs duties and other charges if shipping internationally.
Related read: Difference between a carrier and a shipper
Actual vs. dimensional weight when shipping bikes
Dimensional weight is a way for carriers to charge for shipping based on the dimensions of the package rather than the actual weight.
It’s typically used for bulky items–big but not heavy.
A light road bike made of aluminum and carbon fiber is right up that alley. It’s big but doesn’t weigh much, so you’ll likely be charged based on the dimensions.
Note: In the carrier calculators, you might see it referred to as “billable weight.” To read more about it and do the math for your bike, use our dimensional weight calculator here.
Pricing examples for different bike types
There’s nothing more useful to get a sense of the cost than real-life examples.
We’ll look at the cost math for a few common bike types:
Road bike
Mountain bike
E-bike
Kids’ bike
Pinpoint the section that matches your bike and the shipping distance that applies.
That should give you a good sense of the cost — with different carriers and transport modes.
Cost of shipping a road bike
To compare the costs of road bike shipping, we’ll make a few assumptions –about the distance, the bike, and the packaging.
The 6 assumptions:
- You’re shipping the bike from New York to Chicago (around 800 miles).
- The bike will be partially disassembled.
- It can packed into a box measuring 54 x 8 x 28 inches.
- It weighs 19 pounds (just the bike).
- The weight of the box and padding is 6 pounds, which brings the total packaged weight to 25 pounds.
- It’s a mid-range road bike, and you value it at $2000.
Table and graph comparison for shipping a road bike
| Cost of shipping a road bike from New York to Chicago | ||
|---|---|---|
| Carrier or Company | Cheapest by Carrier | Fastest by Carrier |
| UPS | $155 | $737 |
| FedEx | $423 | $931 |
| USPS Ground Advantage | $204 | $204 |
| BikeFlight | $78 | $271 |
| ShipBikes (one option available) | $105 | $105 |
NOTE: USPS’s and ShipBikes’ calculators only offer one option (USPS lists Ground Advantage). For these two companies, the cheapest and fastest shipping is the same. For simplicity, all costs are rounded up to the closest number.
A caveat–what the graphs don’t show
The most significant difference between the shipping services is speed.
With enhanced options, your bike can be in Chicago by 9.30 AM the next day.
With the cheaper services, it will arrive in 2-3 days.
On longer distances, like New York to LA, that delay can go up to 9 days.
In other words, the trade-off for shipping at the lowest cost is time.
Additional cost-calculation–for more complete reference:
- The cheapest option for this distance (NY to Chicago) is BikeFlights via UPS Ground, so we did some extra calculations for closer ZIP codes. Shipping the same road bike from New York to New Jersey can cost under $60.
- The costliest option for this distance is FedEx First Overnight®, so we did the math for coast-to-coast shipping. Sending the same road bike from New York to Los Angeles might cost over $1,060.
NOTE: The cost of shipping a road bike starts at under $50 and can exceed $1,000, depending on the distance, size, carrier, protection, and transport service.
Related read: How to calculate shipping costs
Cost of shipping a mountain bike
Mountain bikes are heavier than road bikes–due to rugged frames and thick tires.
They’re also typically more compact (for the same person) to allow for more movement and precise steering on rough trails.
Below is a real-life scenario of shipping a mountain bike.
The 5 assumptions:
- You’re shipping the mountain bike from New York to Chicago. We’re choosing the same distance (as for the road bike) to allow for comparisons.
- The bike weighs 23 pounds.
- Partially disassembled, it fits into a box that measures 54 x 8 x 28 inches (same as the road bike above).
- The box and padding weigh 6 pounds–the total shipping weight is 29 pounds.
- The bike’s value is $1,800.
Table and graph comparison
Commentary and takeaways
- For the same box size, the cost of shipping a mountain bike from New York to Chicago is similar to that of a road bike (despite the minor differences in weight and assumed value).
- UPS is the only carrier for which the extra 4 pounds of weight translates to higher cost (about $10-50, depending on transport service).
- BikeFlights is still the cheapest option.
Cost of shipping an e-bike
E-bikes are significantly heavier than road or mountain bikes–because of the motor and batteries.
With batteries installed, they’re considered battery-powered vehicles, and hazmat surcharges might apply.
Note: In this guide, we’ll calculate the costs without the surcharges. For reference, the current hazmat surcharge for a UPS-ground package is $33–you can see more details and options here.
Shipping cost of an e-bike–a real-life example
The 5 assumptions:
- The e-bike is shipped from New York to Chicago.
- It weighs 50 pounds.
- It’s shipped partially disassembled (with battery installed) and fits in a box that measures 54 x 10 x 28.
- The box and padding weigh 8 pounds–the total shipping weight is 58.
- The e-bike is valued at $1,500.
E-bike shipping cost – table and graph comparison
| Cost of shipping an e-bike from New York to Chicago | |
|---|---|
| Carrier or Company | Cost |
| UPS Ground | $185 |
| FedEx Express Saver® | $548 |
| USPS Ground Advantage® | $204 |
| BikeFlight (via UPS Ground) | $95 |
| ShipBikes | too heavy to ship–max weight is 50 lbs |
NOTE: There’s only one option per carrier because hazmat packages like e-bikes are shipped via ground services.
Cost of shipping a kids’ bike
Kids’ bikes are smaller but not much lighter than an adult road bike.
That’s because of the difference in materials.
Adult bikes are typically made of light and durable materials like aluminum.
Kids’ bikes are usually made of steel alloys.
Real-life cost comparison
The 5 assumptions:
- The starting point is New York–the bike is being shipped to Chicago.
- The kids’ bike weighs 19 pounds.
- It fits in a box that measures 43 x 8 x 24 inches.
- The padding and box weigh 5 pounds (total shipping weight is 24).
- The value is $150.
The cost – table and graph
| Cost of shipping a kids’ bike from New York to Chicago | ||
|---|---|---|
| Carrier or Company | Cheapest by Carrier | Fastest by Carrier |
| UPS | $122 | $566 |
| FedEx | $315 | $695 |
| USPS | $119 | $423 |
| BikeFlight | $73 | $215 |
| ShipBikes | $92 | $92 |
NOTE: USPS offers priority shipping at this box size, which wasn’t the case for other bike types (because of sizing limits).
ALERT: None of these calculations are quotes. They’re for reference purposes only.
Cost of shipping a bike internationally
Shipping a bike internationally costs $200-2000+.
To break that down, we’ll consider three distances, both with a US starting point:
- Shorter international shipping–Detroit to Winnipeg, Canada (~852 miles)
- Medium-distance overseas shipping–New York to Madrid, Spain (~3589 miles)
- Longer-distance overseas shipping–LA to London, UK (~5440 miles)
Assumed details: The packaged bike is 54 x 8 x 28 inches, weighing 30 pounds. It’s valued at $3,000.
Below is the shipping-cost math.
Shorter distance
| Cost of shipping a bike internationally – Detroit, US to Winnipeg, CA (~754 miles) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Carrier or Company | Cheapest by Carrier | Costliest by Carrier |
| UPS | $250 | $934 |
| FedEx | $206 | $1,027 |
| BikeFlight | $249 | $330 |
Mid overseas distance
| Cost of shipping a bike internationally – New York to Madrid (~3589 miles) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Carrier or Company | Cheapest by Carrier | Costliest by Carrier |
| UPS | $1,500 | $1,891 |
| FedEx | $1,496 | $2,169 |
| BikeFlight | $514 | $514 |
Longer overseas distance
| Cost of shipping a bike internationally – LA to London (~5440 miles) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Carrier or Company | Cheapest by Carrier | Costliest by Carrier |
| UPS | $1,205 | $1,657 |
| FedEx | $1,247 | $1,948 |
| BikeFlight | $455 | $455 |
NOTE: We’ve often seen highly discounted last-minute rates for international shipping (sometimes over 60%), especially with FedEx. We did not include these in the cost calculations because they’re unpredictable and change daily. We’ve only included taxes and other fees when they were included in the calculators.
Related reads: How to ship internationally | Guide to international eCommerce
Additional Costs
The total number of dollars that you’ll pay goes beyond shipping–it also includes (potential) additional fees:
- Box, container, or bag.
- Shipping supplies (packing and padding).
- Coverage – carriers’ or third-party.
- Assembly/disassembly fees.
Bike-shipping box, bag or container
Choosing the right box is crucial because it’s a cost factor and THE main line of defense in transit.
Where to get the bike box
Depending on how much you’re willing to spend, you can source the box from:
- Your local bike shop. Ask them if they have it on hand or, if you have the time, to leave one aside from their next shipment.
- From Amazon. They carry shipping boxes, soft bike bags, and hard-shell containers – you can see Amazon’s selection here.
- From a dedicated bike-shipping company. You can see the BikeFlights boxes here and the ShipBike selection here.
Pro tip: A good cardboard bike-shipping box will set you back $100-200, but do not skimp on it–it’s absolutely crucial. If sourcing, packing, and shipping the box seem overwhelming, you can always opt for a pack-and-ship service for sports equipment, like UPS’.
Packing & padding materials
Below is a reference list of required packing/padding materials and tools
It’s comprehensive, so you can fully understand the options. You won’t need everything on it.
| Tools | Packing supplies | Padding supplies |
|---|---|---|
|
• Box cutter • Kraft knife • Measuring tape and ruler • Scissors |
• Scotch tape • Adhesive tape (no less than 2 inches wide) • Packing tape and paper • Plastic wrap (cling film) |
• Shipping foam – tubing, sheets, and boards • Air pillows • Paper fill • Bubble wrap |
Bottom line: Depending on what you have on hand, you might need to invest an additional $50-150 for packing and padding materials. If within your budget, invest in foam tubing for the frame. Avoid used supplies and get a fresh batch for the job–go with reliable suppliers like FedEx.
Declared value, coverage, and insurance
When shipping a bike, you’ll be asked to declare it’s value.
The declared value is the shipper’s maximum liability for damage or loss of your bike.
Three things to remember:
- It’s not insurance because it’s subject to limitations.
- Most carriers have a free $100 coverage.
- Declaring a higher value will add to the shipping costs because it increases the carrier’s liability.
Shippers and carriers often separate the two.
For example, with BikeFlights, you can declare a certain market value and choose the coverage separately. They call the coverage levels “premium protection,” and it also adds to the cost.
For reference, a “premium protection” for $3,000 coverage and a required delivery signature will add $40+ to your shipping cost.
Still, it is NOT insurance.
PRO TIP: Instead of trying to understand all the fine print of the carrier coverage, get third-party insurance when shipping an expensive bike. It adds cost, but it’s broader and much more flexible. You get to choose what’s covered–theft, hidden damage, and even mishandling.
Related read: What is shipping insurance
Assembly/disassembly fees
Most bikes will need to be partially disassembled to meet the sizing limits for parcel shipping.
It also lowers the cost.
Minor disassembly (like removing the front wheel and handlebars) can shave off significant fees.
| Size limits for shipping a bike as a parcel | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Measurement | UPS | FedEx | USPS |
| Length and girth combined (inches) | 165 | 165 (130 for Express) | 108 (130 for Retail Ground, still charged as oversized) |
| Length (inches) | 108 | 108 | * |
| Weight | 150 | 150 | 70 |
Cost-Saving Strategies
Not all cost-saving strategies are a good idea.
There are absolutely DON’Ts–like shipping in a sub-par box or not using enough padding.
There are DO’s that will save you money–we’ll go over these below.
Plan the shipping in advance
Planning in advance will allow you to choose a shipping service with longer transit times.
This one can make the most difference out of all the cost-saving strategies.
Pro tip: Avoid the holidays and Black Friday. It’s peak shipping season, and shipping costs more.
Disassembling the bike to reduce shipping size
Most bike-shipping calls for some level of disassembly to meet size limits–removing the front wheel, the pedals, and the seat (at least).
You can take it up a level and remove both wheels if you’re handy.
With both wheels off, you can pack into a shorter bike box and reduce the dimensional weight.
Note: (Dis)assembling the back wheel is trickier because of the chainrings and cogs (cassette).
Your or your local bike shop
Bike shops typically charge $50-75 for the (dis)assembly service.
So, you might end up spending the money you saved by making the package smaller.
Consider disassembling the bike yourself.
The video below shows the partial disassembly and packing process in detail.
Bulk shipping discounts
If you’re shipping in bulk, ask bout getting a discounted rate directly from the carrier.
You can also send your bike through specialized bike-shipping companies (like Bikeflights or ShipBikes) that already have bulk shipping arrangements.
Pro tip: You can also save on packaging by buying it in bulk. This only makes sense if you’re shipping bikes repeatedly.
Multi-carrier comparison tools
There are online comparison tools that allow you to compare the carrier cost and find the best deal–like EasyShip or Shippo.
Related read: 7 Ways To Reduce Shipping Costs | Shipping Large Packages Affordably
Ship bikes with a trusted partner
If you’re shipping bikes in bulk, partnering up with a 3PL service provider can be life-changing.
For that to happen, you’ll need to choose the right partner.
Red Stag is an award-winning provider of 3PL services. We’ve shipped hundreds of thousands of bikes.
We have the experience, the knowledge, and a robust infrastructure to take the job on.
Most importantly, we have the right people and a high standard.
If that sounds good, reach out today and let’s start a conversation.
