Route guide · TX → MI
Shipping a car from Texas to Michigan
Shipping a running sedan from Dallas to Detroit 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 #100 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
- 9.1K
- Companies at both ends
- 178
City to city
What it costs between Texas and Michigan cities
Open-carrier prices for a running sedan between Dallas, Houston, San Antonio and Austin and Detroit, Grand Rapids, Lansing and Flint — 1,090 to 1,470 road miles apart.
| From | Detroit | Grand Rapids | Lansing | Flint |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dallas | $925–$1,3251,180 mi · 3–5 days | $875–$1,2751,090 mi · 3–5 days | $900–$1,3001,130 mi · 3–5 days | $925–$1,3251,180 mi · 3–5 days |
| Houston | $975–$1,3751,300 mi · 3–5 days | $950–$1,3501,250 mi · 3–5 days | $950–$1,3501,270 mi · 3–5 days | $975–$1,3751,320 mi · 3–5 days |
| San Antonio | $1,000–$1,4251,460 mi · 3–6 days | $975–$1,4001,380 mi · 3–6 days | $1,000–$1,4251,420 mi · 3–6 days | $1,000–$1,4501,470 mi · 3–6 days |
| Austin | $975–$1,4001,370 mi · 3–6 days | $975–$1,3751,300 mi · 3–5 days | $975–$1,3751,330 mi · 3–6 days | $975–$1,4001,380 mi · 3–6 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
Dallas to Detroit, 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 March–May (snowbird season, when retirees ship cars back north for the summer), running about 15% above the quietest months. The cheapest time to ship from Texas to Michigan is September–November.
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Cheapest: about $1,125 Peak: about $1,300
About this route
Why so many cars go from Texas to Michigan
About 9,114 people moved from Texas to Michigan in each of the last two years, according to the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (10,011 in 2023, 8,217 in 2024). That is 1.9% of everyone who left Texas for another state.
Traffic runs both ways — about 8,999 people a year move from Michigan back to Texas — so carriers run this lane year-round and quotes tend to be steady.
How the price compares
At a typical $1,125, shipping from Texas to Michigan costs more than sending a car to South Carolina ($1,100) and North Carolina ($1,075) but less than to Nevada ($1,150) and Florida ($1,175). That works out to about 95¢ a mile.
Distance and transit time
Dallas to Detroit is about 1,180 road miles, or 3–5 days on a car carrier. Most of the wait is before pickup, while the driver fills the trailer. The car heads northeast and crosses one time zone — from Central to Eastern 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 carriers at both ends of the route
The largest carriers headquartered in Texas and Michigan, by trucks on file with the FMCSA. A company based at either end usually runs this lane often.
Pickup 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
Delivery end Michigan
33 companies based in Michigan: 29 carriers, 3 brokers, 88 trucks in total, 8 years in business on average.
- A Line Transportation Westland · 9 trucks · since 2016 · USDOT 2919373
- Auto Moto Transport LLC Warren · 8 trucks · since 2020 · USDOT 3380547
- Stimson Transport LLC Davison · 8 trucks · since 2017 · USDOT 3035222
- Detroit Auto Carriers West Bloomfield · 4 trucks · since 2014 · USDOT 2528377
- JMS Transport LLC New Boston · 4 trucks · since 2015 · USDOT 2780708
96 more companies in our directory ship to all 48 contiguous states. Browse all companies →
Related routes
Nearby alternatives
Moving close to Michigan but not into it — or coming from somewhere near Texas? These guides cover the neighbouring lanes.
FAQ
Texas to Michigan car shipping: questions
Numbers on this page come from our price model, Census moving data and Michigan's DMV.
How much does it cost to ship a car from Texas to Michigan?
For a running sedan on an open carrier, expect about $925–$1,325 from Dallas to Detroit (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 Texas to Michigan?
Transit is usually 3–5 days after pickup for the 1,180-mile trip from Dallas to Detroit. 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 Texas to Michigan?
September–November is the cheapest window on this lane. Prices are highest in March–May, up to about 15% more. In any month, giving the carrier a wide pickup window lowers the quote.
How soon do I have to register my car in Michigan after moving?
Michigan requires new residents to register right away — there is no grace period. Michigan has no grace period: title and register right away with proof of Michigan no-fault insurance.
Is it cheaper to drive or ship my car from Texas to Michigan?
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 Texas to Michigan?
Our directory lists 145 companies based in Texas and 33 based in Michigan, each checked against FMCSA records, plus 96 that ship nationwide.