Route guide · WA → TX
Shipping a car from Washington to Texas
Shipping a running sedan from Seattle to Dallas 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 #38 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
- 18.2K
- Companies at both ends
- 181
City to city
What it costs between Washington and Texas cities
Open-carrier prices for a running sedan between Seattle, Spokane, Vancouver and Yakima and Dallas, Houston, San Antonio and Austin — 1,760 to 2,230 road miles apart.
| From | Dallas | Houston | San Antonio | Austin |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seattle | $1,150–$1,6501,980 mi · 4–7 days | $1,225–$1,7502,230 mi · 5–8 days | $1,175–$1,7002,100 mi · 5–8 days | $1,175–$1,7002,090 mi · 5–8 days |
| Spokane | $1,075–$1,5501,760 mi · 4–7 days | $1,150–$1,6502,010 mi · 5–8 days | $1,125–$1,6001,900 mi · 4–7 days | $1,125–$1,6001,880 mi · 4–7 days |
| Vancouver | $1,125–$1,6251,930 mi · 4–7 days | $1,200–$1,7252,160 mi · 5–8 days | $1,150–$1,6752,030 mi · 5–8 days | $1,150–$1,6502,010 mi · 5–8 days |
| Yakima | $1,125–$1,6001,860 mi · 4–7 days | $1,175–$1,7002,100 mi · 5–8 days | $1,150–$1,6501,970 mi · 4–7 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
Seattle to Dallas, 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 December (snowbird season, when retirees ship cars south for the winter, the holidays and winter weather up north), running about 25% above the quietest months. The cheapest time to ship from Washington to Texas is March–May and September.
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Cheapest: about $1,400 Peak: about $1,750
About this route
Why so many cars go from Washington to Texas
About 18,180 people moved from Washington to Texas in each of the last two years, according to the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (20,423 in 2023, 15,937 in 2024). That is 8.7% of everyone who left Washington for another state, making Texas its #3 destination.
Traffic runs both ways — about 14,995 people a year move from Texas back to Washington — so carriers run this lane year-round and quotes tend to be steady.
How the price compares
At a typical $1,400, shipping from Washington to Texas costs more than sending a car to Minnesota ($1,275) and Arizona ($1,175) but less than to Georgia ($1,625) and New York ($1,725). 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 Seattle to Dallas — 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 east-southeast and crosses 2 time zones — from Pacific to Central 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 Washington and Texas, by trucks on file with the FMCSA. A company based at either end usually runs this lane often.
Pickup 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
Delivery 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
96 more companies in our directory ship to all 48 contiguous states. Browse all companies →
Related routes
Nearby alternatives
Moving close to Texas but not into it — or coming from somewhere near Washington? These guides cover the neighbouring lanes.
From Washington to states near Texas
To Texas from states near Washington
FAQ
Washington to Texas car shipping: questions
Numbers on this page come from our price model, Census moving data and Texas's DMV.
How much does it cost to ship a car from Washington to Texas?
For a running sedan on an open carrier, expect about $1,150–$1,650 from Seattle to Dallas (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 Washington to Texas?
Transit is usually 4–7 days after pickup for the 1,980-mile trip from Seattle to Dallas. 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 Washington to Texas?
March–May and September is the cheapest window on this lane. Prices are highest in December, up to about 25% more. If you must ship in peak months, book three to four weeks ahead.
How soon do I have to register my car in Texas after moving?
Texas requires new residents to register within 30 days of becoming a resident. Get Texas insurance first. Cars in 17 emissions counties — including Harris (Houston), Dallas, Tarrant (Fort Worth) and Travis (Austin) — need an emissions test; then register at the county tax assessor-collector.
Is it cheaper to drive or ship my car from Washington to Texas?
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 Washington to Texas?
Our directory lists 36 companies based in Washington and 145 based in Texas, each checked against FMCSA records, plus 96 that ship nationwide.