The transportation of the 2026 Triumph T120 from Brea, CA to Cave Creek, AZ, as well as its return to Brea, has been done lately. Both legs of this route were 381 miles each, making the total distance 762 miles. This move cost us $750.00, which amounts to $0.98 per mile.
As the bike was operational at pickup time, it was loaded onto the trailer by itself twice. The loading was quite easy each time because of that. All motorcycles we ship are moved in enclosed trailers, and this one was not an exception.
The route
The journey from Brea to Cave Creek that spans 381 miles travels east from Orange County and dips into the Sonoran Desert. Most motorists will use CA-91 in Brea and travel southwards to get onto I-215, which merges with I-10 at Beaumont.
For the rest of the journey, the route is mostly on I-10. This route will pass through Indio and traverse the low desert via Blythe. The route will then enter Arizona crossing the Colorado River. I-10 takes travelers through Phoenix where they switch to I-17 and exit on AZ-74. The Carefree Highway takes travelers further east on to Cave Creek Road. Finally, Cave Creek Road travels north to Cave Creek Town.
The return journey covered the same route in the opposite direction going west back into California. There is nothing much in the roads between directions, therefore, both journeys followed the same path.
A round trip is really two shipments
Booking both trips at once is what made sure this delivery would cost $0.98 per mile. A one-way move of 381 miles of an enclosed motorcycle is more expensive to do.
The rationale behind this is fairly straightforward. A carrier driving all the way to Cave Creek will need to come back to California anyway. So give him the return load together with the outbound one and he won’t make a deadhead trip to Phoenix searching for cargo. That works out cheaper for you in terms of rate.
And the scheduling question is sorted out too. We already knew the return date while the truck was still in Brea, so we used the same route twice.
What $0.98 per mile looks like on a short haul
Under a dollar per mile is cheap for enclosed transportation services at such distances. Typically, short-distance travel increases the price per mile due to the fixed costs of picking up and loading, which are equally applicable if the distance is either 381 miles or 1,800. The same applies to the securement and delivery costs.
The reason that causes the price reduction is the fact that we are talking about both trips as one. In total, there is just one set of costs for the coordination of transportation; also, the vehicle will be loaded during both trips.
Enclosed transportation generally costs more than open transportation. Enclosed trailers can carry less cargo and require additional costs. Thus, it was the round trip pricing that made it possible to get enclosed motorcycle transportation at $0.98 per mile.
Enclosed transport
The Triumph T120 is a classic, and it looks the part. You have the chromed headlight housing and the polished dual exhaust system. The wheels are wire-spoked and the engine cases are visible as well. All body parts have been painted with the details done by hand. Nothing is behind metal panels, thus making rain and road debris fall right on the bike’s deck.
That’s why the motorcycle comes enclosed with us. The sides of the trailer take the beating from the elements.
However, securing is different from securing a car. In this case, the T120 was secured using a wheel chock that keeps the front wheel in an upright position. The bike was strapped on the handlebars and the lower triple clamp using soft straps, while ratchet straps lowered the suspension under pressure to make sure that the bike remains grounded. Nothing was tied on the frame of the bike or its painted sections.
Because the bike was running, the driver was able to ride the bike up the ramp using both hands on the handlebars. This is the typical procedure for a running motorcycle.
Transport summary
- Origin: Brea, CA 92821
- Destination: Cave Creek, AZ 85331
- Service type: Round trip
- Distance per leg: 381 miles
- Service cost: $750.00
- Vehicle: 2026 Triumph T120
- Condition: Operable
- Trailer type: Enclosed
- Route: Brea, CA → CA-91 east → I-215 south → I-10 east through Indio and Blythe → I-17 north at Phoenix → AZ-74 east → Cave Creek Road north → Cave Creek, AZ
