Route guide · CA → TX
Shipping a car from California to Texas
Shipping a running sedan from Los Angeles to Dallas costs about $1,000–$1,450 on an open carrier and $1,525–$2,150 in an enclosed trailer, with 3–6 days in transit. It is the busiest long-distance moving lane in the country, based on Census data.
- Open carrier, sedan
- $1,225
- Road miles
- 1,470
- Days in transit
- 3–6
- People moving a year
- 85.6K
- Companies at both ends
- 267
City to city
What it costs between California and Texas cities
Open-carrier prices for a running sedan between Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego and San Jose and Dallas, Houston, San Antonio and Austin — 1,330 to 1,970 road miles apart.
| From | Dallas | Houston | San Antonio | Austin |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles | $1,000–$1,4501,470 mi · 3–6 days | $1,050–$1,5001,630 mi · 4–6 days | $1,000–$1,4251,430 mi · 3–6 days | $1,000–$1,4251,450 mi · 3–6 days |
| San Francisco | $1,100–$1,5751,790 mi · 4–7 days | $1,150–$1,6501,970 mi · 4–7 days | $1,100–$1,5751,790 mi · 4–7 days | $1,100–$1,5751,810 mi · 4–7 days |
| San Diego | $975–$1,4001,390 mi · 3–6 days | $1,025–$1,4501,530 mi · 4–6 days | $975–$1,3751,330 mi · 3–6 days | $975–$1,4001,360 mi · 3–6 days |
| San Jose | $1,075–$1,5251,710 mi · 4–7 days | $1,125–$1,6001,890 mi · 4–7 days | $1,075–$1,5251,700 mi · 4–7 days | $1,075–$1,5501,720 mi · 4–7 days |
A pickup or delivery far from these metros usually adds $75–$150. Quotes move with fuel prices and truck space, so treat these as a yardstick. Price your own addresses →
By vehicle
Price by vehicle type
Los Angeles to Dallas, 1,470 miles. Bigger and heavier vehicles take more room and weight on the trailer, so they cost more.
| Vehicle | Open carrier | Enclosed |
|---|---|---|
| Sedan or small car | $1,000–$1,450 | $1,525–$2,150 |
| Midsize SUV or crossover | $1,125–$1,600 | $1,700–$2,425 |
| Large SUV (Tahoe, Expedition) | $1,250–$1,800 | $1,900–$2,700 |
| Pickup truck | $1,300–$1,875 | $1,975–$2,800 |
| Motorcycle | $600–$875 | $900–$1,300 |
By month
Best time to ship
Prices on this lane peak in June–August (the summer moving peak), running about 8% above the quietest months. The cheapest time to ship from California to Texas is January–May and September–November.
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Cheapest: about $1,225 Peak: about $1,325
About this route
Why so many cars go from California to Texas
About 85,566 people moved from California to Texas in each of the last two years, according to the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (93,970 in 2023, 77,161 in 2024). That is 12.7% of everyone who left California for another state — no state draws more people from California.
Far fewer people make the reverse move — about 42,090 a year from Texas to California. Carriers bound for Texas rarely run empty, which keeps pickups quick but prices firm.
How the price compares
At a typical $1,225, shipping from California to Texas costs more than sending a car to Oklahoma ($1,200) and Kansas ($1,200) but less than to Missouri ($1,275) and Minnesota ($1,325). That works out to about 83¢ a mile.
Distance and transit time
Los Angeles to Dallas is about 1,470 road miles, or 3–6 days on a car carrier. Most of the wait is before pickup, while the driver fills the trailer. The car heads east and crosses 2 time zones — from Pacific to Central time — so confirm whether the delivery window you are given is in local time.
On the road
- Trucks usually take the southern route across the desert Southwest, which stays open all winter — one reason this lane runs on schedule year-round.
Companies
Car carriers at both ends of the route
The largest carriers headquartered in California and Texas, by trucks on file with the FMCSA. A company based at either end usually runs this lane often.
Pickup end California
122 companies based in California: 91 carriers, 18 brokers, 1,809 trucks in total, 11 years in business on average.
- Hansen & Adkins Auto Transport Inc Los Alamitos · 965 trucks · since 1994 · USDOT 568253
- Professional Auto Transport Inc Jurupa Valley · 257 trucks · since 2003 · USDOT 1130314
- Central Valley Auto Transport Inc Strathmore · 76 trucks · since 2001 · USDOT 978079
- DBN Auto Transport Anaheim · 75 trucks · since 2017 · USDOT 2979175
- Safe Auto Transport Inc N Highlands · 44 trucks · since 2013 · USDOT 2411467
Delivery end Texas
145 companies based in Texas: 102 carriers, 24 brokers, 1,183 trucks in total, 9 years in business on average.
- Usal Houston · 382 trucks · since 1989 · USDOT 357779
- Car Transport Inc Burleson · 309 trucks · since 1984 · USDOT 248283
- Transcar Express LLC Brownsville · 89 trucks · since 2010 · USDOT 2066413
- Texas Auto Carriers San Antonio · 31 trucks · since 1984 · USDOT 521201
- Transporting Cars Champion Inc Arlington · 26 trucks · since 2012 · USDOT 2287307
96 more companies in our directory ship to all 48 contiguous states. Browse all companies →
Related routes
Nearby alternatives
Moving close to Texas but not into it — or coming from somewhere near California? These guides cover the neighbouring lanes.
From California to states near Texas
To Texas from states near California
FAQ
California to Texas car shipping: questions
Numbers on this page come from our price model, Census moving data and Texas's DMV.
How much does it cost to ship a car from California to Texas?
For a running sedan on an open carrier, expect about $1,000–$1,450 from Los Angeles to Dallas (1,470 road miles). Between other big cities in the two states prices range from $975–$1,650. An SUV costs about $1,125–$1,600, a pickup $1,300–$1,875, and an enclosed trailer $1,525–$2,150 for a sedan.
How long does it take to ship a car from California to Texas?
Transit is usually 3–6 days after pickup for the 1,470-mile trip from Los Angeles to Dallas. Before that, allow 1–5 days for a carrier to be assigned — or pay roughly 30% extra to have it collected within 48 hours.
When is the cheapest time to ship a car from California to Texas?
January–May and September–November is the cheapest window on this lane. Prices are highest in June–August, up to about 8% more. In any month, giving the carrier a wide pickup window lowers the quote.
How soon do I have to register my car in Texas after moving?
Texas requires new residents to register within 30 days of becoming a resident. Get Texas insurance first. Cars in 17 emissions counties — including Harris (Houston), Dallas, Tarrant (Fort Worth) and Travis (Austin) — need an emissions test; then register at the county tax assessor-collector.
Is it cheaper to drive or ship my car from California to Texas?
Driving 1,470 miles takes about 3 days: roughly $190 in gas and 2 nights of hotels and meals (about $280). Shipping a sedan costs about $1,000–$1,450. Add wear on the car and 3 days off work, and the two come out close.
Which car shipping companies go from California to Texas?
Our directory lists 122 companies based in California and 145 based in Texas, each checked against FMCSA records, plus 96 that ship nationwide.