Route guide · TN → TX
Shipping a car from Tennessee to Texas
Shipping a running sedan from Nashville-Davidson to Dallas costs about $725–$1,125 on an open carrier and $1,100–$1,700 in an enclosed trailer, with 2–4 days in transit. It ranks #90 among the 250 busiest car-shipping lanes, based on Census moving data.
- Open carrier, sedan
- $925
- Road miles
- 720
- Days in transit
- 2–4
- People moving a year
- 9.8K
- Companies at both ends
- 160
City to city
What it costs between Tennessee and Texas cities
Open-carrier prices for a running sedan between Nashville-Davidson, Memphis, Knoxville and Chattanooga and Dallas, Houston, San Antonio and Austin — 500 to 1,130 road miles apart.
| From | Dallas | Houston | San Antonio | Austin |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nashville-Davidson | $725–$1,125720 mi · 2–4 days | $775–$1,175790 mi · 2–4 days | $850–$1,250970 mi · 2–4 days | $800–$1,200890 mi · 2–4 days |
| Memphis | $625–$1,000500 mi · 1–3 days | $650–$1,050570 mi · 2–3 days | $750–$1,150750 mi · 2–4 days | $700–$1,100660 mi · 2–3 days |
| Knoxville | $800–$1,200900 mi · 2–4 days | $825–$1,225930 mi · 2–4 days | $900–$1,3001,130 mi · 3–5 days | $875–$1,2751,050 mi · 3–5 days |
| Chattanooga | $775–$1,175800 mi · 2–4 days | $775–$1,175820 mi · 2–4 days | $850–$1,2501,020 mi · 3–5 days | $825–$1,225940 mi · 2–4 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
Nashville-Davidson to Dallas, 720 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 | $725–$1,125 | $1,100–$1,700 |
| Midsize SUV or crossover | $825–$1,275 | $1,225–$1,900 |
| Large SUV (Tahoe, Expedition) | $925–$1,425 | $1,375–$2,125 |
| Pickup truck | $950–$1,475 | $1,425–$2,200 |
| Motorcycle | $450–$675 | $650–$1,025 |
By month
Best time to ship
Prices on this lane peak in December (snowbird season, when retirees ship cars south for the winter and the holidays), running about 20% above the quietest months. The cheapest time to ship from Tennessee to Texas is February–May and September.
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Cheapest: about $925 Peak: about $1,125
About this route
Why so many cars go from Tennessee to Texas
About 9,828 people moved from Tennessee to Texas in each of the last two years, according to the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (12,068 in 2023, 7,588 in 2024). That is 5.8% of everyone who left Tennessee for another state.
This is the lighter direction: about 13,708 people a year move Texas to Tennessee. Carriers that bring cars into Tennessee need loads back toward Texas, so it's worth asking for a backhaul price on this leg.
How the price compares
At a typical $925, shipping from Tennessee to Texas is one of the cheaper long moves out of Tennessee — Florida ($1,025) and Colorado ($1,125) cost more. That works out to about $1.28 a mile.
Distance and transit time
The 720-mile run from Nashville-Davidson to Dallas takes 2–4 days on a carrier — short enough that driving yourself is a real option. The car heads west-southwest and stays on Central time the whole way.
Companies
Car carriers at both ends of the route
The largest carriers headquartered in Tennessee and Texas, by trucks on file with the FMCSA. A company based at either end usually runs this lane often.
Pickup end Tennessee
15 companies based in Tennessee: 15 carriers, 1 brokers, 190 trucks in total, 12 years in business on average.
- American Transportation Company Knoxville · 91 trucks · since 2000 · USDOT 868890
- Heartbeat Auto Transport Inc La Vergne · 52 trucks · since 2014 · USDOT 2465955
- GT Transportation LLC Winchester · 8 trucks · since 2014 · USDOT 2515264
- Turon Express LLC Sevierville · 7 trucks · since 2018 · USDOT 3124588
- Class Custom Carriers LLC Linden · 4 trucks · since 2002 · USDOT 1038733
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 Tennessee? These guides cover the neighbouring lanes.
From Tennessee to states near Texas
To Texas from states near Tennessee
FAQ
Tennessee 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 Tennessee to Texas?
For a running sedan on an open carrier, expect about $725–$1,125 from Nashville-Davidson to Dallas (720 road miles). Between other big cities in the two states prices range from $625–$1,300. An SUV costs about $825–$1,275, a pickup $950–$1,475, and an enclosed trailer $1,100–$1,700 for a sedan.
How long does it take to ship a car from Tennessee to Texas?
Transit is usually 2–4 days after pickup for the 720-mile trip from Nashville-Davidson to Dallas. The wait for pickup is separate: typically 1–5 days, or 1–2 days if you pay about 30% more for expedited service.
When is the cheapest time to ship a car from Tennessee to Texas?
February–May and September is the cheapest window on this lane. Prices are highest in December, up to about 20% more. If you must ship in peak months, book three to four weeks ahead.
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 Tennessee to Texas?
Driving 720 miles takes about 2 days: roughly $90 in gas and 1 night of hotels and meals (about $140). Shipping a sedan costs about $725–$1,125. Over this distance driving usually costs less, if you can spare the day.
Which car shipping companies go from Tennessee to Texas?
Our directory lists 15 companies based in Tennessee and 145 based in Texas, each checked against FMCSA records, plus 96 that ship nationwide.