Shipping a car to Austin from California, out of Houston, or across West Texas on I-10. Texas is one of the biggest car shipping markets in the country. See what Texas routes cost, how long they take, and which carriers Texas shippers rate highest.
Updated Reviewed by Transportvibe Editorial Team
Shipping a standard sedan to or from Texas costs $400–$1,425 on open transport in 2026, depending on distance. In-state moves run $350–$875, regional moves to neighboring states $425–$800, and coast-to-coast routes $1,125–$1,425. Enclosed transport adds roughly 40–60%.
Typical open-carrier prices for a standard sedan on the most-quoted Texas routes. SUVs and pickups usually add $100–$250.
| Route | Distance | Open transport | Enclosed transport | Transit time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dallas–Fort Worth, TX to Seattle, WA | 2,020 mi | $1,125–$1,425 | $1,625–$2,275 | 4–7 days |
| Houston, TX to Little Rock, AR | 470 mi | $500–$650 | $725–$1,050 | 1–3 days |
| San Antonio, TX to New Orleans, LA | 610 mi | $575–$750 | $825–$1,200 | 1–3 days |
| Boston, MA to Dallas–Fort Worth, TX | 1,860 mi | $1,075–$1,375 | $1,550–$2,200 | 4–7 days |
| Dallas–Fort Worth, TX to New York, NY | 1,640 mi | $1,000–$1,275 | $1,450–$2,050 | 3–6 days |
| Albuquerque, NM to Houston, TX | 900 mi | $725–$925 | $1,050–$1,475 | 2–4 days |
| Los Angeles, CA to San Antonio, TX | 1,440 mi | $925–$1,200 | $1,350–$1,925 | 3–5 days |
| Austin, TX to Dallas–Fort Worth, TX | 220 mi | $400–$500 | $575–$800 | 1–3 days |
Texas is one of the top destinations for people moving from California, the Northeast and the Midwest. Inbound lanes into Dallas, Austin, Houston and San Antonio stay busy year-round.
Texas is so large that in-state moves can cost as much as interstate shipments elsewhere. El Paso to Houston is over 700 miles.
From June through November, storms and flooding can close roads around Houston, Corpus Christi and the Gulf Coast.
Summer temperatures stress batteries and tires. Have the car checked before shipping in July or August.
Texas is huge, but most carrier traffic runs on the Texas Triangle of I-35, I-45 and I-10 between Dallas, Houston, Austin and San Antonio. West Texas is a long haul on I-10 and I-20.
Schematic, not to scale. Tap a city to jump to it.
Dallas–Fort Worth is one of the busiest car carrier hubs in the country, with interstates in every direction. Corporate relocations and inbound moves from California keep demand high, but pickups are fast and prices competitive.
Houston is Texas's largest city and a major port. Carriers are plentiful, but sprawl and traffic make meeting points important. Hurricane season and flooding can delay shipments.
San Antonio is where I-35 meets I-10, and Joint Base San Antonio makes it one of the largest military markets in the country. PCS moves are constant.
Austin has drawn huge numbers of new residents and tech workers. I-35 through the city is often congested, so carriers prefer meeting points near the highway outside downtown.
El Paso is at the far western tip of Texas, closer to Phoenix than to Houston. Fort Bliss brings heavy military traffic, and carriers between California and the East pass through on I-10.
Amarillo is in the Panhandle on I-40, one of the busiest cross-country routes. Carriers between Oklahoma City and Albuquerque pass through daily.
Ranked by TrustScore, using FMCSA records and reviews from people who shipped to or from Texas. Companies cannot pay to change their rank.
Compare FMCSA-checked brokers and carriers side by side by TrustScore, verified Texas reviews, insurance and complaint history.
TrustScore weighs reputation, on-time performance, pricing accuracy, customer experience and FMCSA compliance. Companies cannot pay to change their score; sponsored placements are always labeled. How TrustScore works.
Most Texas shipments go on open carriers. Choose enclosed when the car's value, finish or clearance makes road exposure a real risk.
| Open carrier | Enclosed carrier | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical Texas price | $400–$1,425 | $575–$2,275 |
| Truck availability | High on I-35, I-45, I-10, I-20 and I-40. Fastest scheduling in the larger metros. | Lower. Often routed through the nearest major hub, so allow extra days. |
| Protection | Exposed to weather, road grime and debris | Fully covered. Shields paint from sun, storms and road debris. |
| Best for | Daily drivers, leases, used cars, most relocations | Classics, exotics, show cars, low-clearance and new luxury vehicles |
| Insurance limit (typical) | $100,000–$250,000 cargo coverage | $250,000–$1,000,000 cargo coverage |
Typical demand for Texas routes by month. Higher demand means higher prices and longer waits for a truck.
Summer is peak season for relocations and PCS moves, overlapping with hurricane season on the coast. Fall and winter bring snowbirds to the Rio Grande Valley. Spring is often a good time to ship.
Enter your pickup and delivery ZIPs. Compare companies by TrustScore, Texas reviews and price, not price alone.
Check the company's USDOT or MC number and insurance. Get the pickup window, price and deposit terms in writing.
Remove personal items and toll tags, leave about a quarter tank, and photograph every side in daylight.
Walk around the car with the driver and note any damage on the Bill of Lading before you sign it.
What to do after your car arrives. Requirements can change, so confirm with the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TxDMV) and your county tax office.
Shipping a sedan to Texas costs $400–$1,425 on an open carrier in 2026. Shorter moves within the state run about $350–$875, while cross-country routes cost $1,125–$1,425. SUVs, pickups, non-running cars and enclosed transport cost more.
Most Texas shipments are delivered in 1–4 days within the state, 2–5 days to neighboring states, and 4–7 days coast to coast. Add one to five days for the carrier to schedule pickup, more for rural addresses far from an interstate.
The cheapest option is an open carrier with flexible pickup dates, booked two to three weeks ahead. Meeting the driver near I-35, I-45, I-10, I-20 and I-40 instead of at a remote address usually lowers the price and shortens the wait.
Someone aged 18 or older needs to be present at both ends to hand over or receive the keys, inspect the car with the driver and sign the Bill of Lading. It doesn't have to be you, but it should be someone you trust to note damage before signing.
Texas ended annual safety inspections for most passenger vehicles in 2025, but emissions testing still applies in several metro counties, including the Dallas–Fort Worth, Houston, Austin and El Paso areas. Check with TxDMV and DPS before registering.
On many routes, shipping out of Texas is cheaper because more cars are moving in. Carriers leaving Texas often have open space.
Look up the company's USDOT or MC number on FMCSA and confirm its operating authority is active and insurance is on file. Then check its TrustScore and reviews from people who shipped to or from Texas. Be cautious of quotes far below market and of companies asking for a large deposit before a carrier is assigned.
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