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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.

Prices updated · Estimates, not quotes · Calculate for your car →

Open carrier, sedan
$1,225
Road miles
1,470
Days in transit
3–6
People moving a year
85.6K
Companies at both ends
208

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
Estimate, not a quote

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.

VehicleOpen carrierEnclosed
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.

  1. Jan
  2. Feb
  3. Mar
  4. Apr
  5. May
  6. Jun
  7. Jul
  8. Aug
  9. Sep
  10. Oct
  11. Nov
  12. 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 shipping companies for California to Texas

Companies headquartered at either end of the route usually run this lane often. Filter by services, company type and safety record — every listing is matched to its FMCSA record.

  • Pickup end California 88 companies · 67 carriers · 24 brokers · 1,921 trucks · 12 yrs avg.
  • Delivery end Texas 120 companies · 91 carriers · 33 brokers · 1,141 trucks · 10 yrs avg.

208 companies for this route

Landing Pad LLC

FMCSA verified

San Jose, CA · Broker · 6 yrs in business · USDOT 3486358

San Jose auto transport broker operating as CarHauler247, with instant online quotes and booking.

  • Open car transport
  • Enclosed car transport
  • Door-to-door delivery
  • +6 more
Get a quote View company

Nationwide United

FMCSA verified

Los Angeles, CA · Broker · 13 yrs in business · USDOT 2423753

At Nationwide United Auto Transport our goal is simple, provide fast, safe and reliable vehicle transport.

  • Open car transport
  • Enclosed car transport
  • Door-to-door delivery
  • +4 more
Get a quote View company

Tempus Logix Auto Transport

FMCSA verified

Los Angeles, CA · Broker · 8 yrs in business · USDOT 3117533

Tempus Logix has a vast network of mandatory insured and bonded carriers with whom we continually work.

  • Open car transport
  • Enclosed car transport
  • Door-to-door delivery
  • +6 more
Get a quote View company

US Canada Auto Transport

FMCSA verified

San Diego, CA · Broker · 15 yrs in business · USDOT 2244295

Cross-border car shipping between the USA and Canada with customs handling, in business since 1985.

  • International car shipping
  • Snowbird car shipping
  • Open car transport
  • +2 more
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Hansen & Adkins Auto Transport Inc

FMCSA verified

Los Alamitos, CA · Carrier · 965 trucks · 32 yrs in business · USDOT 568253

Large Los Alamitos, CA auto carrier with 30+ years of experience, moving new and remarketed vehicles coast to coast.

  • Satisfactory safety rating
  • Open car transport
  • Dealer transport
  • Auction transport
  • +2 more
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Deluxe Auto Carriers

FMCSA verified

Jurupa Valley, CA · Carrier & broker · 172 trucks · 21 yrs in business · USDOT 1326050

Southern California car carrier in the Proficient Auto Logistics group, moving finished vehicles to dealerships.

  • Open car transport
  • Dealer transport
  • Cross-country shipping
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DBN Auto Transport

FMCSA verified

Anaheim, CA · Carrier · 75 trucks · 9 yrs in business · USDOT 2979175

Woman-owned Anaheim car carrier established in 2012, with soft-tie trailers and camera/GPS on every truck.

  • Open car transport
  • Door-to-door delivery
  • Dealer transport
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Quality Car Shippers LLC

FMCSA verified

Murrieta, CA · Carrier · 38 trucks · 14 yrs in business · USDOT 2350131

Family-owned Murrieta, CA car carrier serving dealers, rental companies, auctions and OEMs across the lower 48.

  • Open car transport
  • Dealer transport
  • Auction transport
  • +1 more
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Auto Line Express Inc

FMCSA verified

Gardena, CA · Carrier · 37 trucks · 13 yrs in business · USDOT 2437733

Gardena, CA car carrier moving thousands of finished vehicles a year across the U.S. and Canada since 2013.

  • Open car transport
  • Expedited shipping
  • Dealer transport
  • +3 more
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Intercity Lines, Inc

FMCSA verified

San Francisco, CA · Carrier · 24 trucks · 46 yrs in business · USDOT 223672

  • Satisfactory safety rating
  • Open car transport
  • Enclosed car transport
  • Door-to-door delivery
  • +9 more
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A Plus Auto Shippers LLC

FMCSA verified

Palm Desert, CA · Carrier · 7 trucks · 31 yrs in business · USDOT 616815

Licensed and bonded auto carrier from the Phoenix and Palm Desert area shipping cars and trucks nationwide.

  • Satisfactory safety rating
  • Open car transport
  • Enclosed car transport
  • Cross-country shipping
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All Star Auto Transport

FMCSA verified

Chino, CA · Carrier · 5 trucks · 23 yrs in business · USDOT 1162498

Chino, California auto carrier moving vehicles in California and Texas since 2005.

  • Open car transport
  • State-to-state shipping
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CA Auto Express Inc

FMCSA verified

Santa Ana, CA · Carrier · 3 trucks · 10 yrs in business · USDOT 2896862

Southern California motor carrier shipping vehicles on its own trucks, coast to coast and within California.

  • Open car transport
  • Dealer transport
  • Auction transport
  • +2 more
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Golden Key Express

FMCSA verified

Fresno, CA · Carrier · 1 truck · 25 yrs in business · USDOT 966726

  • Open car transport
  • Enclosed car transport
  • Door-to-door delivery
  • +7 more
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Lucky Star Auto Transport

FMCSA verified

San Jose, CA · Carrier · 1 truck · 14 yrs in business · USDOT 2353323

Family-owned San Jose car carrier offering open, door-to-door auto transport nationwide since 2012.

  • Open car transport
  • Door-to-door delivery
  • Cross-country shipping
  • +1 more
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ABC Car Shipping

FMCSA verified

Los Angeles, CA · Broker · 5 yrs in business · USDOT 3730551

At ABC Car Shipping, our objective is to make safe vehicle shipments across the U.S. affordable to everyone, regardless of their location or shipping distances

  • Open car transport
  • Enclosed car transport
  • Door-to-door delivery
  • +16 more
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American Auto Line

FMCSA verified

Fortuna, CA · Broker · 2 yrs in business · USDOT 4230662

California auto transport broker with 15+ years of experience, pairing customers with vetted carriers.

  • Open car transport
  • Door-to-door delivery
  • Cross-country shipping
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Corsia Logistics

FMCSA verified

Los Angeles, CA · Broker · 13 yrs in business · USDOT 2405616

  • Open car transport
  • Enclosed car transport
  • Door-to-door delivery
  • +8 more
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Course Correct LLC

FMCSA verified

San Jose, CA · Broker · 3 yrs in business · USDOT 4169571

Licensed and bonded San Jose car shipping broker arranging door-to-door vehicle transport nationwide.

  • Open car transport
  • Door-to-door delivery
  • Cross-country shipping
  • +1 more
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Ship Auto

FMCSA verified

Los Angeles, CA · Broker · 5 yrs in business · USDOT 3607939

Los Angeles auto transport broker shipping single cars, dealer inventory and auction vehicles nationwide.

  • Open car transport
  • Dealer transport
  • Auction transport
  • +2 more
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TFI Trans

FMCSA verified

Los Angeles, CA · Carrier & broker · 13 yrs in business · USDOT 2430736

Los Angeles auto transport broker since 2013 arranging nationwide car shipping for consumers, dealers, fleets and EV makers.

  • Open car transport
  • Enclosed car transport
  • Dealer transport
  • +2 more
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Usal

FMCSA verified

Houston, TX · Carrier & broker · 382 trucks · 37 yrs in business · USDOT 357779

Houston-based auto transport group: a national brokerage (USAL Solutions) and a regional interstate carrier (US AutoLogistics).

  • Satisfactory safety rating
  • Open car transport
  • Dealer transport
  • Cross-country shipping
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Car Transport Inc

FMCSA verified

Burleson, TX · Carrier & broker · 309 trucks · 42 yrs in business · USDOT 248283

Commercial auto hauler from Burleson, Texas with locations across the U.S., in business since 1983.

  • Satisfactory safety rating
  • Open car transport
  • Dealer transport
  • Cross-country shipping
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Jack Key Auto Transport

FMCSA verified

Dallas, TX · Carrier · 15 trucks · 40 yrs in business · USDOT 275346

Dallas interstate car carrier serving manufacturers, dealers, lease operations, auctions, rental companies and individuals.

  • Satisfactory safety rating
  • Open car transport
  • Dealer transport
  • Auction transport
  • +1 more
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Tom’s Auto Transport

FMCSA verified

Dallas, TX · Carrier · 10 trucks · 22 yrs in business · USDOT 1230303

Dallas car carrier moving used vehicles across the U.S., including IAA and Copart auction transport.

  • Open car transport
  • Auction transport
  • Cross-country shipping
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Elite Auto Logistics Inc

FMCSA verified

Houston, TX · Carrier · 5 trucks · 13 yrs in business · USDOT 2396598

Family-run Houston car carrier incorporated in 2013, shipping vehicles state to state and cross-country.

  • Open car transport
  • Cross-country shipping
  • State-to-state shipping
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Showtime Trucking LLC

FMCSA verified

Irving, TX · Carrier · 2 trucks · 17 yrs in business · USDOT 1927548

Family-owned Dallas–Fort Worth auto transport company moving vehicles for individuals, dealers and manufacturers.

  • Open car transport
  • Dealer transport
  • Cross-country shipping
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Auto Shippers USA

FMCSA verified

Garland, TX · Carrier & broker · 1 truck · 13 yrs in business · USDOT 2372781

Garland, Texas auto transport company shipping vehicles nationwide for individuals, dealers and government personnel.

  • Open car transport
  • Enclosed car transport
  • Dealer transport
  • +2 more
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LK Auto Transport

FMCSA verified

Cypress, TX · Carrier · 1 truck · USDOT 4528474

Houston-area carrier running a 7-car open hauler for dealers, auctions and private parties between Texas and Illinois.

  • Open car transport
  • Dealer transport
  • Auction transport
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Motorcar Carriers

FMCSA verified

San Antonio, TX · Carrier · 1 truck · 9 yrs in business · USDOT 2974842

San Antonio enclosed-only carrier for luxury, exotic, classic and collector cars, with white-glove service.

  • Enclosed car transport
  • Luxury car transport
  • Classic car transport
  • +2 more
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Solomon Auto Motion

FMCSA verified

Fort Worth, TX · Carrier · 1 truck · 1 yrs in business · USDOT 4469060

Fort Worth vehicle transport carrier serving individuals, dealerships and businesses across the United States.

  • Open car transport
  • Dealer transport
  • Cross-country shipping
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Texas Autohaul

FMCSA verified

Converse, TX · Carrier · 1 truck · 6 yrs in business · USDOT 3405139

San Antonio-area car hauler running dedicated and contract routes for manufacturers and brokers in all 48 states.

  • Open car transport
  • Dealer transport
  • Cross-country shipping
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Axis Auto Logistics LLC

FMCSA verified

Riesel, TX · Broker · 1 yrs in business · USDOT 4429228

Central Texas vehicle broker matching shipments with a network of 200+ vetted, insured carriers.

  • Open car transport
  • Cross-country shipping
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Bigfella Auto Express

FMCSA verified

Houston, TX · Broker · 3 yrs in business · USDOT 4133743

  • Open car transport
  • Enclosed car transport
  • Door-to-door delivery
  • +5 more
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Fast Track Auto Shipping

FMCSA verified

Dalhart, TX · Broker · 1 yrs in business · USDOT 4433181

Texas auto transport broker shipping cars across state lines for individuals, dealers and snowbirds, no deposit.

  • Open car transport
  • Enclosed car transport
  • Dealer transport
  • +2 more
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Online Auto Shipper

FMCSA verified

Denton, TX · Broker · 1 yrs in business · USDOT 4443362

Denton, Texas auto transport broker with vetted carriers, live tracking on most shipments and no deposits.

  • Open car transport
  • Enclosed car transport
  • Inoperable vehicle transport
  • +2 more
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Top Auto Logistics

FMCSA verified

Houston, TX · Broker · 10 yrs in business · USDOT 2889554

  • International car shipping
  • Open car transport
  • Enclosed car transport
  • +12 more
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TRANSPORT PREMIER SERVICES LLC

FMCSA verified

Houston, TX · Broker · 13 yrs in business · USDOT 2381463

Veteran Owned/Dependable Transport Services Across America

  • International car shipping
  • Open car transport
  • Enclosed car transport
  • +15 more
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Xpromo Auto Transport

FMCSA verified

Houston, TX · Broker · 2 yrs in business · USDOT 4181834

  • Open car transport
  • Enclosed car transport
  • Door-to-door delivery
  • +8 more
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Jamm Carriers

FMCSA verified

Brownsville, TX · Carrier · 2 trucks · 17 yrs in business · USDOT 1927455

  • Satisfactory safety rating
View company
Pickup end All car shipping companies in California 88 companies · with cities and a comparison table Delivery end All car shipping companies in Texas 120 companies · with cities and a comparison table

Related routes

Nearby alternatives

Moving close to Texas but not into it — or coming from somewhere near California? These guides cover the neighbouring lanes.

The other way Texas to California 1,470 mi · 3–6 days · prices, timing and companies for the return trip $1,000–$1,450

From California to states near Texas

To Texas from states near California

See all 250 route guides

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 88 companies based in California and 120 based in Texas, each checked against FMCSA records, plus 196 that ship nationwide.

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