Route guide · TX → MO
Shipping a car from Texas to Missouri
Shipping a running sedan from Dallas to Kansas City costs about $650–$1,025 on an open carrier and $975–$1,525 in an enclosed trailer, with 2–3 days in transit. It ranks #136 among the 250 busiest car-shipping lanes, based on Census moving data.
- Open carrier, sedan
- $850
- Road miles
- 540
- Days in transit
- 2–3
- People moving a year
- 11.0K
- Companies at both ends
- 175
City to city
What it costs between Texas and Missouri cities
Open-carrier prices for a running sedan between Dallas, Houston, San Antonio and Austin and Kansas City, St. Louis, Springfield and Columbia — 430 to 930 road miles apart.
| From | Kansas City | St. Louis | Springfield | Columbia |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dallas | $650–$1,025540 mi · 2–3 days | $700–$1,075640 mi · 2–3 days | $600–$950430 mi · 1–3 days | $675–$1,050580 mi · 2–3 days |
| Houston | $750–$1,150760 mi · 2–4 days | $775–$1,175800 mi · 2–4 days | $675–$1,075620 mi · 2–3 days | $750–$1,150770 mi · 2–4 days |
| San Antonio | $775–$1,175830 mi · 2–4 days | $825–$1,225930 mi · 2–4 days | $725–$1,125720 mi · 2–4 days | $800–$1,200880 mi · 2–4 days |
| Austin | $750–$1,150750 mi · 2–4 days | $800–$1,200850 mi · 2–4 days | $700–$1,075640 mi · 2–3 days | $775–$1,175790 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
Dallas to Kansas City, 540 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 | $650–$1,025 | $975–$1,525 |
| Midsize SUV or crossover | $725–$1,150 | $1,075–$1,725 |
| Large SUV (Tahoe, Expedition) | $800–$1,275 | $1,200–$1,925 |
| Pickup truck | $850–$1,325 | $1,250–$2,000 |
| Motorcycle | $375–$625 | $575–$925 |
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 Missouri is January–February and September–November.
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Cheapest: about $825 Peak: about $950
About this route
Why so many cars go from Texas to Missouri
About 11,023 people moved from Texas to Missouri in each of the last two years, according to the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (9,322 in 2023, 12,723 in 2024). That is 2.3% of everyone who left Texas for another state.
Traffic runs both ways — about 13,008 people a year move from Missouri back to Texas — so carriers run this lane year-round and quotes tend to be steady.
How the price compares
At a typical $825, shipping from Texas to Missouri costs more than sending a car to Mississippi ($775) and Arkansas ($725) but less than to Tennessee ($925) and Alabama ($925). That works out to about $1.53 a mile — short runs cost more per mile because the fixed cost of loading and unloading weighs more.
Distance and transit time
The 540-mile run from Dallas to Kansas City takes 2–3 days on a carrier — short enough that driving yourself is a real option. The car heads north-northeast and stays on Central time the whole way.
Companies
Car carriers at both ends of the route
The largest carriers headquartered in Texas and Missouri, 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 Missouri
30 companies based in Missouri: 30 carriers, 0 brokers, 456 trucks in total, 14 years in business on average.
- Redbird Carriers and Fastrack Auto Transport Saint Louis · 265 trucks · since 1984 · USDOT 251582
- CNS Transportation LLC Warrensburg · 49 trucks · since 2025 · USDOT 4371608
- Smith Auto Transport Strafford · 34 trucks · since 2013 · USDOT 2368130
- Passport Transport Lebanon · 23 trucks · since 2010 · USDOT 2043860
- Reliable Transport LLC Springfield · 8 trucks · since 2011 · USDOT 2205331
96 more companies in our directory ship to all 48 contiguous states. Browse all companies →
Related routes
Nearby alternatives
Moving close to Missouri but not into it — or coming from somewhere near Texas? These guides cover the neighbouring lanes.
FAQ
Texas to Missouri car shipping: questions
Numbers on this page come from our price model, Census moving data and Missouri's DMV.
How much does it cost to ship a car from Texas to Missouri?
For a running sedan on an open carrier, expect about $650–$1,025 from Dallas to Kansas City (540 road miles). Between other big cities in the two states prices range from $600–$1,225. An SUV costs about $725–$1,150, a pickup $850–$1,325, and an enclosed trailer $975–$1,525 for a sedan.
How long does it take to ship a car from Texas to Missouri?
Transit is usually 2–3 days after pickup for the 540-mile trip from Dallas to Kansas City. 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 Texas to Missouri?
January–February and September–November is the cheapest window on this lane. Prices are highest in March–May, up to about 15% more. If you must ship in peak months, book three to four weeks ahead.
How soon do I have to register my car in Missouri after moving?
Missouri requires new residents to register within 30 days of becoming a resident. Title and register at any Missouri license office or by mail.
Is it cheaper to drive or ship my car from Texas to Missouri?
Driving 540 miles takes about 2 days: roughly $70 in gas and 1 night of hotels and meals (about $140). Shipping a sedan costs about $650–$1,025. Over this distance driving usually costs less, if you can spare the day.
Which car shipping companies go from Texas to Missouri?
Our directory lists 145 companies based in Texas and 30 based in Missouri, each checked against FMCSA records, plus 96 that ship nationwide.