Route guide · TX → TN
Shipping a car from Texas to Tennessee
Shipping a running sedan from Dallas to Nashville-Davidson 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 #59 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
- 13.7K
- Companies at both ends
- 160
City to city
What it costs between Texas and Tennessee cities
Open-carrier prices for a running sedan between Dallas, Houston, San Antonio and Austin and Nashville-Davidson, Memphis, Knoxville and Chattanooga — 500 to 1,130 road miles apart.
| From | Nashville-Davidson | Memphis | Knoxville | Chattanooga |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dallas | $725–$1,125720 mi · 2–4 days | $625–$1,000500 mi · 1–3 days | $800–$1,200900 mi · 2–4 days | $775–$1,175800 mi · 2–4 days |
| Houston | $775–$1,175790 mi · 2–4 days | $650–$1,050570 mi · 2–3 days | $825–$1,225930 mi · 2–4 days | $775–$1,175820 mi · 2–4 days |
| San Antonio | $850–$1,250970 mi · 2–4 days | $750–$1,150750 mi · 2–4 days | $900–$1,3001,130 mi · 3–5 days | $850–$1,2501,020 mi · 3–5 days |
| Austin | $800–$1,200890 mi · 2–4 days | $700–$1,100660 mi · 2–3 days | $875–$1,2751,050 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
Dallas to Nashville-Davidson, 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 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 Tennessee is January–February and September–November.
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Cheapest: about $925 Peak: about $1,075
About this route
Why so many cars go from Texas to Tennessee
About 13,708 people moved from Texas to Tennessee in each of the last two years, according to the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (14,618 in 2023, 12,798 in 2024). That is 2.8% of everyone who left Texas for another state.
Traffic runs both ways — about 9,828 people a year move from Tennessee back to Texas — so carriers run this lane year-round and quotes tend to be steady.
How the price compares
At a typical $925, shipping from Texas to Tennessee costs more than sending a car to Missouri ($825) and Louisiana ($825) but less than to Colorado ($950) and Iowa ($950). That works out to about $1.28 a mile.
Distance and transit time
At about 720 road miles, Dallas to Nashville-Davidson takes 2–4 days by carrier; a driver may deliver the same day if your car is the last one loaded. The car heads east-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 Tennessee, 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 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
96 more companies in our directory ship to all 48 contiguous states. Browse all companies →
Related routes
Nearby alternatives
Moving close to Tennessee but not into it — or coming from somewhere near Texas? These guides cover the neighbouring lanes.
From Texas to states near Tennessee
To Tennessee from states near Texas
FAQ
Texas to Tennessee car shipping: questions
Numbers on this page come from our price model, Census moving data and Tennessee's DMV.
How much does it cost to ship a car from Texas to Tennessee?
For a running sedan on an open carrier, expect about $725–$1,125 from Dallas to Nashville-Davidson (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 Texas to Tennessee?
Transit is usually 2–4 days after pickup for the 720-mile trip from Dallas to Nashville-Davidson. 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 Tennessee?
January–February and 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 Tennessee after moving?
Tennessee requires new residents to register within 30 days of becoming a resident. Apply for title and registration through your local county clerk.
Is it cheaper to drive or ship my car from Texas to Tennessee?
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 Texas to Tennessee?
Our directory lists 145 companies based in Texas and 15 based in Tennessee, each checked against FMCSA records, plus 96 that ship nationwide.