Route guide · TX → WI
Shipping a car from Texas to Wisconsin
Shipping a running sedan from Dallas to Milwaukee costs about $850–$1,250 on an open carrier and $1,275–$1,875 in an enclosed trailer, with 3–5 days in transit. It ranks #195 among the 250 busiest car-shipping lanes, based on Census moving data.
- Open carrier, sedan
- $1,050
- Road miles
- 1,010
- Days in transit
- 3–5
- People moving a year
- 5.2K
- Companies at both ends
- 160
City to city
What it costs between Texas and Wisconsin cities
Open-carrier prices for a running sedan between Dallas, Houston, San Antonio and Austin and Milwaukee, Madison, Green Bay and Eau Claire — 960 to 1,400 road miles apart.
| From | Milwaukee | Madison | Green Bay | Eau Claire |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dallas | $850–$1,2501,010 mi · 3–5 days | $825–$1,225960 mi · 2–4 days | $900–$1,3001,110 mi · 3–5 days | $875–$1,2751,040 mi · 3–5 days |
| Houston | $925–$1,3251,190 mi · 3–5 days | $900–$1,3001,150 mi · 3–5 days | $950–$1,3751,290 mi · 3–5 days | $950–$1,3501,250 mi · 3–5 days |
| San Antonio | $975–$1,3751,310 mi · 3–5 days | $950–$1,3501,260 mi · 3–5 days | $1,000–$1,4001,400 mi · 3–6 days | $975–$1,3751,330 mi · 3–6 days |
| Austin | $950–$1,3501,220 mi · 3–5 days | $925–$1,3251,170 mi · 3–5 days | $975–$1,3751,320 mi · 3–5 days | $950–$1,3501,250 mi · 3–5 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 Milwaukee, 1,010 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 | $850–$1,250 | $1,275–$1,875 |
| Midsize SUV or crossover | $950–$1,400 | $1,425–$2,100 |
| Large SUV (Tahoe, Expedition) | $1,075–$1,575 | $1,600–$2,350 |
| Pickup truck | $1,100–$1,625 | $1,675–$2,450 |
| Motorcycle | $500–$750 | $775–$1,125 |
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 Wisconsin is September–November.
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Cheapest: about $1,050 Peak: about $1,200
About this route
Why so many cars go from Texas to Wisconsin
About 5,151 people moved from Texas to Wisconsin in each of the last two years, according to the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (2,782 in 2023, 7,520 in 2024). That is 1.1% of everyone who left Texas for another state.
This is the lighter direction: about 7,258 people a year move Wisconsin to Texas. Carriers that bring cars into Texas need loads back toward Wisconsin, so it's worth asking for a backhaul price on this leg.
How the price compares
At a typical $1,050, shipping from Texas to Wisconsin costs more than sending a car to Illinois ($1,025) and Indiana ($1,000) but less than to North Carolina ($1,075) and Arizona ($1,075). That works out to about $1.04 a mile.
Distance and transit time
Dallas to Milwaukee is about 1,010 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 north-northeast and stays on Central time the whole way.
On the road
- Winter storms in Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin, 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 Wisconsin
15 companies based in Wisconsin: 15 carriers, 4 brokers, 536 trucks in total, 18 years in business on average.
- Auto Truck Transport USA LLC Pleasant Priaire · 420 trucks · since 1988 · USDOT 317106
- Unimark Truck Transport LLC Pleasant Prairie · 66 trucks · since 2002 · USDOT 1065561
- Riverview Auto Transport Partners LLC Manitowoc · 8 trucks · since 1994 · USDOT 568605
- Unimark Transportation Services Inc Pleasant Priaire · 8 trucks · since 2004 · USDOT 1208224
- Roadside Auto & Truck Transport Inc Pleasant Prairie · 7 trucks · since 1996 · USDOT 664041
96 more companies in our directory ship to all 48 contiguous states. Browse all companies →
Related routes
Nearby alternatives
Moving close to Wisconsin but not into it — or coming from somewhere near Texas? These guides cover the neighbouring lanes.
From Texas to states near Wisconsin
To Wisconsin from states near Texas
FAQ
Texas to Wisconsin car shipping: questions
Numbers on this page come from our price model, Census moving data and Wisconsin's DMV.
How much does it cost to ship a car from Texas to Wisconsin?
For a running sedan on an open carrier, expect about $850–$1,250 from Dallas to Milwaukee (1,010 road miles). Between other big cities in the two states prices range from $825–$1,400. An SUV costs about $950–$1,400, a pickup $1,100–$1,625, and an enclosed trailer $1,275–$1,875 for a sedan.
How long does it take to ship a car from Texas to Wisconsin?
Transit is usually 3–5 days after pickup for the 1,010-mile trip from Dallas to Milwaukee. 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 Wisconsin?
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 Wisconsin after moving?
Wisconsin requires new residents to register right away — there is no grace period. Apply for a Wisconsin title and plates as soon as you become a resident — online if you have your out-of-state title.
Is it cheaper to drive or ship my car from Texas to Wisconsin?
Driving 1,010 miles takes about 3 days: roughly $130 in gas and 2 nights of hotels and meals (about $280). Shipping a sedan costs about $850–$1,250. Add wear on the car and 3 days off work, and the two come out close.
Which car shipping companies go from Texas to Wisconsin?
Our directory lists 145 companies based in Texas and 15 based in Wisconsin, each checked against FMCSA records, plus 96 that ship nationwide.