Route guide · TX → WA
Shipping a car from Texas to Washington
Shipping a running sedan from Dallas to Seattle costs about $1,150–$1,650 on an open carrier and $1,725–$2,475 in an enclosed trailer, with 4–7 days in transit. It ranks #54 among the 250 busiest car-shipping lanes, based on Census moving data.
- Open carrier, sedan
- $1,400
- Road miles
- 1,980
- Days in transit
- 4–7
- People moving a year
- 15.0K
- Companies at both ends
- 181
City to city
What it costs between Texas and Washington cities
Open-carrier prices for a running sedan between Dallas, Houston, San Antonio and Austin and Seattle, Spokane, Vancouver and Yakima — 1,760 to 2,230 road miles apart.
| From | Seattle | Spokane | Vancouver | Yakima |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dallas | $1,150–$1,6501,980 mi · 4–7 days | $1,075–$1,5501,760 mi · 4–7 days | $1,125–$1,6251,930 mi · 4–7 days | $1,125–$1,6001,860 mi · 4–7 days |
| Houston | $1,225–$1,7502,230 mi · 5–8 days | $1,150–$1,6502,010 mi · 5–8 days | $1,200–$1,7252,160 mi · 5–8 days | $1,175–$1,7002,100 mi · 5–8 days |
| San Antonio | $1,175–$1,7002,100 mi · 5–8 days | $1,125–$1,6001,900 mi · 4–7 days | $1,150–$1,6752,030 mi · 5–8 days | $1,150–$1,6501,970 mi · 4–7 days |
| Austin | $1,175–$1,7002,090 mi · 5–8 days | $1,125–$1,6001,880 mi · 4–7 days | $1,150–$1,6502,010 mi · 5–8 days | $1,150–$1,6251,960 mi · 4–7 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 Seattle, 1,980 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 | $1,150–$1,650 | $1,725–$2,475 |
| Midsize SUV or crossover | $1,275–$1,850 | $1,925–$2,750 |
| Large SUV (Tahoe, Expedition) | $1,425–$2,050 | $2,150–$3,075 |
| Pickup truck | $1,500–$2,125 | $2,225–$3,200 |
| Motorcycle | $675–$975 | $1,025–$1,475 |
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 Washington is September–November.
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Cheapest: about $1,400 Peak: about $1,600
About this route
Why so many cars go from Texas to Washington
About 14,995 people moved from Texas to Washington in each of the last two years, according to the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (13,788 in 2023, 16,202 in 2024). That is 3.1% of everyone who left Texas for another state.
Traffic runs both ways — about 18,180 people a year move from Washington back to Texas — so carriers run this lane year-round and quotes tend to be steady.
How the price compares
At a typical $1,400, shipping from Texas to Washington is among the most expensive routes out of Texas; Oregon ($1,375) and Massachusetts ($1,350) cost less. That works out to about 71¢ a mile — long hauls cost less per mile because loading and paperwork are spread over more distance.
Distance and transit time
Count on 4–7 days on the truck for the 1,980 road miles from Dallas to Seattle — federal rules cap drivers at 11 hours a day behind the wheel, and a full carrier makes several stops on the way. The car heads northwest and crosses 2 time zones — from Central to Pacific time — so confirm whether the delivery window you are given is in local time.
On the road
- The route crosses mountain passes in the West; from November to March, snow and chain laws can hold trucks for a day or two.
- Winter storms in Washington 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 Washington, 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 Washington
36 companies based in Washington: 36 carriers, 0 brokers, 237 trucks in total, 9 years in business on average.
- Diesel Auto Express Vancouver · 97 trucks · since 2009 · USDOT 1885300
- DC Trucking Enumclaw · 30 trucks · since 2017 · USDOT 3001374
- U Save Auto Transport LLC Moxee · 8 trucks · since 2007 · USDOT 1625792
- DC Auto Carrier LLC Bonney Lake · 7 trucks · since 2022 · USDOT 3871099
- Advanced Auto Transport LLC Kelso · 6 trucks · since 2016 · USDOT 2943372
96 more companies in our directory ship to all 48 contiguous states. Browse all companies →
Related routes
Nearby alternatives
Moving close to Washington but not into it — or coming from somewhere near Texas? These guides cover the neighbouring lanes.
From Texas to states near Washington
To Washington from states near Texas
FAQ
Texas to Washington car shipping: questions
Numbers on this page come from our price model, Census moving data and Washington's DMV.
How much does it cost to ship a car from Texas to Washington?
For a running sedan on an open carrier, expect about $1,150–$1,650 from Dallas to Seattle (1,980 road miles). Between other big cities in the two states prices range from $1,075–$1,750. An SUV costs about $1,275–$1,850, a pickup $1,500–$2,125, and an enclosed trailer $1,725–$2,475 for a sedan.
How long does it take to ship a car from Texas to Washington?
Transit is usually 4–7 days after pickup for the 1,980-mile trip from Dallas to Seattle. 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 Washington?
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 Washington after moving?
Washington requires new residents to register within 30 days of becoming a resident. You need a Washington driver license before you can register the car.
Is it cheaper to drive or ship my car from Texas to Washington?
Driving 1,980 miles takes about 4 days: roughly $250 in gas and 3 nights of hotels and meals (about $420). Shipping a sedan costs about $1,150–$1,650. Add wear on the car and 4 days off work, and the two come out close.
Which car shipping companies go from Texas to Washington?
Our directory lists 145 companies based in Texas and 36 based in Washington, each checked against FMCSA records, plus 96 that ship nationwide.