Route guide · TX → PA
Shipping a car from Texas to Pennsylvania
Shipping a running sedan from Dallas to Philadelphia costs about $1,025–$1,450 on an open carrier and $1,525–$2,200 in an enclosed trailer, with 4–6 days in transit. It ranks #96 among the 250 busiest car-shipping lanes, based on Census moving data.
- Open carrier, sedan
- $1,250
- Road miles
- 1,530
- Days in transit
- 4–6
- People moving a year
- 9.5K
- Companies at both ends
- 283
City to city
What it costs between Texas and Pennsylvania cities
Open-carrier prices for a running sedan between Dallas, Houston, San Antonio and Austin and Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Allentown and Erie — 1,260 to 1,780 road miles apart.
| From | Philadelphia | Pittsburgh | Allentown | Erie |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dallas | $1,025–$1,4501,530 mi · 4–6 days | $950–$1,3501,260 mi · 3–5 days | $1,025–$1,4501,520 mi · 4–6 days | $975–$1,3751,320 mi · 3–5 days |
| Houston | $1,050–$1,4751,580 mi · 4–6 days | $975–$1,3751,340 mi · 3–6 days | $1,050–$1,4751,590 mi · 4–6 days | $1,000–$1,4251,420 mi · 3–6 days |
| San Antonio | $1,100–$1,5501,780 mi · 4–7 days | $1,025–$1,4501,520 mi · 4–6 days | $1,100–$1,5501,780 mi · 4–7 days | $1,050–$1,4751,590 mi · 4–6 days |
| Austin | $1,075–$1,5251,700 mi · 4–7 days | $1,000–$1,4251,440 mi · 3–6 days | $1,075–$1,5251,690 mi · 4–7 days | $1,025–$1,4501,500 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 Philadelphia, 1,530 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 | $1,025–$1,450 | $1,525–$2,200 |
| Midsize SUV or crossover | $1,150–$1,625 | $1,725–$2,450 |
| Large SUV (Tahoe, Expedition) | $1,275–$1,825 | $1,925–$2,750 |
| Pickup truck | $1,325–$1,900 | $2,000–$2,850 |
| Motorcycle | $625–$875 | $925–$1,325 |
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 Pennsylvania is January–February and September–November.
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Cheapest: about $1,250 Peak: about $1,425
About this route
Why so many cars go from Texas to Pennsylvania
About 9,465 people moved from Texas to Pennsylvania in each of the last two years, according to the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (11,680 in 2023, 7,249 in 2024). That is 2% of everyone who left Texas for another state.
Traffic runs both ways — about 10,708 people a year move from Pennsylvania back to Texas — so carriers run this lane year-round and quotes tend to be steady.
How the price compares
At a typical $1,250, shipping from Texas to Pennsylvania costs more than sending a car to California ($1,225) and Virginia ($1,200) but less than to New York ($1,275) and Massachusetts ($1,350). That works out to about 82¢ a mile — long hauls cost less per mile because loading and paperwork are spread over more distance.
Distance and transit time
Expect about 1,530 road miles from Dallas to Philadelphia — 4–6 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 east-northeast and crosses one time zone — from Central to Eastern time — so confirm whether the delivery window you are given is in local time.
Companies
Car carriers at both ends of the route
The largest carriers headquartered in Texas and Pennsylvania, 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 Pennsylvania
138 companies based in Pennsylvania: 128 carriers, 9 brokers, 899 trucks in total, 9 years in business on average.
- Brothers Auto Transport LLC Wind Gap · 92 trucks · since 1995 · USDOT 621208
- Adcock Transport Manheim · 85 trucks · since 1993 · USDOT 540755
- Rafael Auto Transport LLC Oakdale · 77 trucks · since 2021 · USDOT 3677616
- McGann & Chester Towing and Heavy Duty Pittsburgh · 61 trucks · since 1986 · USDOT 279905
- Fine Line Transportation LLC Lititz · 54 trucks · since 2011 · USDOT 2136888
96 more companies in our directory ship to all 48 contiguous states. Browse all companies →
Related routes
Nearby alternatives
Moving close to Pennsylvania but not into it — or coming from somewhere near Texas? These guides cover the neighbouring lanes.
From Texas to states near Pennsylvania
To Pennsylvania from states near Texas
FAQ
Texas to Pennsylvania car shipping: questions
Numbers on this page come from our price model, Census moving data and Pennsylvania's DMV.
How much does it cost to ship a car from Texas to Pennsylvania?
For a running sedan on an open carrier, expect about $1,025–$1,450 from Dallas to Philadelphia (1,530 road miles). Between other big cities in the two states prices range from $950–$1,550. An SUV costs about $1,150–$1,625, a pickup $1,325–$1,900, and an enclosed trailer $1,525–$2,200 for a sedan.
How long does it take to ship a car from Texas to Pennsylvania?
Transit is usually 4–6 days after pickup for the 1,530-mile trip from Dallas to Philadelphia. 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 Texas to Pennsylvania?
January–February and September–November is the cheapest window on this lane. Prices are highest in March–May, up to about 15% 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 Pennsylvania after moving?
Pennsylvania requires new residents to register within 20 days of becoming a resident. Apply with form MV-1 through a notary or tag agent, then pass a Pennsylvania safety inspection within 10 days.
Is it cheaper to drive or ship my car from Texas to Pennsylvania?
Driving 1,530 miles takes about 4 days: roughly $200 in gas and 3 nights of hotels and meals (about $420). Shipping a sedan costs about $1,025–$1,450. Add wear on the car and 4 days off work, and the two come out close.
Which car shipping companies go from Texas to Pennsylvania?
Our directory lists 145 companies based in Texas and 138 based in Pennsylvania, each checked against FMCSA records, plus 96 that ship nationwide.