Founded in 1984, locally owned and operated Texas Auto Carriers provides transport, towing, and hauling services for consumer and commercial clients. Our…
Route guide · MI → TX
Car shipping from Michigan to Texas
Car transport from Michigan to Texas runs 1,180 road miles between the biggest metros. Shipping a running sedan from Detroit to Dallas costs about $925–$1,325 on an open carrier and $1,375–$1,975 in an enclosed trailer, with 3–5 days in transit. It ranks #103 among the 250 busiest car-shipping lanes, based on Census moving data.
- Open carrier, sedan
- $1,125
- Road miles
- 1,180
- Days in transit
- 3–5
- People moving a year
- 9.0K
- Companies at both ends
- 149
City to city
Cost to ship a car from Michigan to Texas, city to city
Open-carrier prices for a running sedan between Detroit, Grand Rapids, Lansing and Flint and Dallas, Houston, San Antonio and Austin — 1,090 to 1,470 road miles apart.
| From | Dallas | Houston | San Antonio | Austin |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Detroit | $925–$1,3251,180 mi · 3–5 days | $975–$1,3751,300 mi · 3–5 days | $1,000–$1,4251,460 mi · 3–6 days | $975–$1,4001,370 mi · 3–6 days |
| Grand Rapids | $875–$1,2751,090 mi · 3–5 days | $950–$1,3501,250 mi · 3–5 days | $975–$1,4001,380 mi · 3–6 days | $975–$1,3751,300 mi · 3–5 days |
| Lansing | $900–$1,3001,130 mi · 3–5 days | $950–$1,3501,270 mi · 3–5 days | $1,000–$1,4251,420 mi · 3–6 days | $975–$1,3751,330 mi · 3–6 days |
| Flint | $925–$1,3251,180 mi · 3–5 days | $975–$1,3751,320 mi · 3–5 days | $1,000–$1,4501,470 mi · 3–6 days | $975–$1,4001,380 mi · 3–6 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
Detroit to Dallas, 1,180 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 | $925–$1,325 | $1,375–$1,975 |
| Midsize SUV or crossover | $1,025–$1,475 | $1,550–$2,225 |
| Large SUV (Tahoe, Expedition) | $1,150–$1,650 | $1,725–$2,475 |
| Pickup truck | $1,200–$1,725 | $1,800–$2,575 |
| Motorcycle | $550–$800 | $825–$1,200 |
By month
Best time to ship
Prices on this lane peak in December (snowbird season, when retirees ship cars south for the winter, the holidays and winter weather up north), running about 25% above the quietest months. The cheapest time to ship from Michigan to Texas is March–May and September.
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Cheapest: about $1,125 Peak: about $1,400
About this route
Why so many cars go from Michigan to Texas
About 8,999 people moved from Michigan to Texas in each of the last two years, according to the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (10,855 in 2023, 7,143 in 2024). That is 6.2% of everyone who left Michigan for another state, making Texas its #4 destination.
Traffic runs both ways — about 9,114 people a year move from Texas back to Michigan — so carriers run this lane year-round and quotes tend to be steady.
How the price compares
At a typical $1,125, shipping from Michigan to Texas is one of the cheaper long moves out of Michigan — Florida ($1,200) and Arizona ($1,400) cost more. That works out to about 95¢ a mile.
Distance and transit time
Expect about 1,180 road miles from Detroit to Dallas — 3–5 days on the truck after pickup. Carriers usually load several cars before heading out, so the pickup window matters as much as transit time. The car heads southwest and crosses one time zone — from Eastern to Central time — so confirm whether the delivery window you are given is in local time.
On the road
- Winter storms in Michigan can slow pickups and deliveries in December through February — leave slack in your schedule.
Companies
Car transport companies from Michigan 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 Michigan 31 companies · 27 carriers · 4 brokers · 367 trucks · 8 yrs avg.
- Delivery end Texas 118 companies · 89 carriers · 33 brokers · 1,247 trucks · 10 yrs avg.
At Thrifty Auto Shipping, we understand the importance of finding a reliable auto transport company that will handle your vehicle with the utmost care. Our…
Established in 2011, Acme Car Shipping has grown into a trusted partner in vehicle transportation. As the best car shipping company for moving and relocation…
AG Car Shipping stands out by demanding full cargo insurance coverage from every active carrier, eliminating hidden broker fees, and providing 24/7 dedicated…
Dedicated to providing quality and hassle-free experiences to all its clients, Autoplex has been surpassing the expectations of many. Started as a small…
Why choose Bold Auto Transport comes down to one thing most car shipping companies cannot offer: a licensed, federally authorized broker that coordinates your…
Compass Transport offers auto shipping services at reasonable pricing while never sacrificing your needs as a customer. While you may find companies that…
At Crestline Auto Transport, we’ve been moving vehicles across the country for decades. Whether you need to ship a car across the state or from coast to…
FAST AUTOSHIP LLC, based in Austin, Texas, is dedicated to providing exceptional auto shipping services throughout the entire country. While we have a single…
Founded in 2021 by two brothers with extensive experience in leading auto transport companies, Flix Auto Transport was built on a shared passion for…
Freedom Auto Transport is the leader in auto transport and car shipping. The reason we can say this is we have the most conscientious, courteous, and…
From barn finds to pick of the lot, we’re here to deliver your prized possession. We back our first class automotive transport with expert logistics for a…
At NEST Auto Transport, we are dedicated to providing reliable, efficient, and hassle-free vehicle shipping services across the nation. With years of industry…
New World Auto Transport is a family owned and operated business, which values excellence. With over 50 years of experience in all aspects of the automotive…
At NexGen Auto Transport, our mission is to provide unparalleled auto transport solutions that consistently exceed customer expectations. We aim to deliver…
North Texas Auto Transport, USDOT 3519417, is your trusted partner for seamless door-to-door auto transport across the 48 contiguous United States. We set the…
We understand your vehicle is important, and we are committed to arranging its transport with professionalism and care. We provide trusted coordination…
Ship a Car Direct, the industry leader in stress-free and reliable car shipping services. Established in 2008 as 'Honesty First Auto Transport,' we…
Ship That Car is a US-based auto transport company built on a simple idea — treat every shipment like it's our own car on that truck. Real dispatchers…
At Star Auto Shipping, we are dedicated to making vehicle transport simple, secure, and stress-free. With years of experience in the auto transport industry…
U
Usal
FMCSA verifiedHouston-based auto transport group: a national brokerage (USAL Solutions) and a regional interstate carrier (US AutoLogistics).
CT
Car Transport Inc
FMCSA verifiedCommercial auto hauler from Burleson, Texas with locations across the U.S., in business since 1983.
RC
Reliable Carriers
FMCSA verifiedJK
Jack Key Auto Transport
FMCSA verifiedDallas interstate car carrier serving manufacturers, dealers, lease operations, auctions, rental companies and individuals.
TA
Tom’s Auto Transport Inc
FMCSA verifiedEA
Elite Auto Logistics Inc
FMCSA verifiedFamily-run Houston car carrier incorporated in 2013, shipping vehicles state to state and cross-country.
ST
Showtime Trucking LLC
FMCSA verifiedFamily-owned Dallas–Fort Worth auto transport company moving vehicles for individuals, dealers and manufacturers.
AS
Auto Shippers USA
FMCSA verifiedGarland, Texas auto transport company shipping vehicles nationwide for individuals, dealers and government personnel.
DA
Dreamville Auto Transport
FMCSA verifiedMichigan auto transport company taking calls 24/7 and shipping vehicles nationwide since 2017.
LA
LK Auto Transport
FMCSA verifiedHouston-area carrier running a 7-car open hauler for dealers, auctions and private parties between Texas and Illinois.
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Try fewer filters, or include companies from other states that serve this route.
Related routes
Nearby alternatives
Moving close to Texas but not into it — or coming from somewhere near Michigan? These guides cover the neighbouring lanes.
From Michigan to states near Texas
To Texas from states near Michigan
FAQ
Michigan 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 Michigan to Texas?
For a running sedan on an open carrier, expect about $925–$1,325 from Detroit to Dallas (1,180 road miles). Between other big cities in the two states prices range from $875–$1,450. An SUV costs about $1,025–$1,475, a pickup $1,200–$1,725, and an enclosed trailer $1,375–$1,975 for a sedan.
How long does it take to ship a car from Michigan to Texas?
Transit is usually 3–5 days after pickup for the 1,180-mile trip from Detroit to Dallas. Getting the car picked up takes another 1–5 days on a standard booking; expedited pickup within 1–2 days costs about 30% more.
When is the cheapest time to ship a car from Michigan to Texas?
March–May and September is the cheapest window on this lane. Prices are highest in December, up to about 25% more. Whatever the month, a flexible pickup date booked 2–3 weeks out gets the best price.
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 Michigan to Texas?
Driving 1,180 miles takes about 3 days: roughly $150 in gas and 2 nights of hotels and meals (about $280). Shipping a sedan costs about $925–$1,325. Add wear on the car and 3 days off work, and the two come out close.
Which car shipping companies go from Michigan to Texas?
Our directory lists 31 companies based in Michigan and 118 based in Texas, each checked against FMCSA records, plus 190 that ship nationwide.