Are you wondering how much to ship a car to Texas? People ask this a lot when moving to Houston for work or Austin for fun. Costs usually run $500 to $2,000, depending on where it’s coming from. This guide helps first-timers to figure out interstate car shipping cost and save with SFL Worldwide.
Texas keeps attracting new residents. Jobs are a big reason. No state income tax helps too. That’s why getting clear vehicle shipping quotes upfront matters. It keeps costs from catching you off guard. Also, choices like open vs enclosed car shipping can change the price a lot.
Average Cost to Ship a Car to Texas By Distance State
Shipping a car to Texas costs about $0.40 to $1.50 per mile on average. Closer spots cost less per mile than far away ones since trucks fill up more easily.
It depends on starting state and Texas spots like Dallas or San Antonio. Fuel and routes play in too.
- Short distance under 500 miles: $400-$800 from Oklahoma or Louisiana neighbors.
- Medium 500-1,500 miles: $700-$1,400 from Midwest like Kansas or Chicago.
- Long over 1,500 miles: $1,200-$2,500 from East or West coasts.
How much is Transport from California to Texas?
For California to Texas car transport, sedans on an open carrier usually land around $1,200–$1,800. SUVs add $200 extra and enclosed hits $2,000 plus for protection.
LA to Dallas is usually about a week with door-to-door vehicle shipping. Houston and Austin are often similar on the same routes. Summer pricing can jump around 20%.
Factors That Affect Car Shipping Costs
Many factors change how much to ship a car to Texas. Distance-based shipping cost is the biggest, but your car type and timing matter just as much. Here’s what drives prices up or down every time.
Distance Location
Farther trips mean a higher total cost even if per mile drops a bit. Rural Texas spots like small towns add $100-$300 for hard pickup or drop offs. NY to Texas beats CA routes because more trucks head that way already.
Vehicle Type Size
Big SUVs or trucks cost extra over sedans since they take more space. Fancy cars need enclosed transport which ups it 30-50% for safety. Low sports cars or old classics always go enclosed to avoid road damage.
Shipping Method Open vs Enclosed
Open trailers run cheaper at around $0.50 per mile exposed to weather. Enclosed protects better but hits $1.00 or more per mile. Daily drivers do fine on open most days.
Timing Seasonality
Summer moving months jack prices 20-30% from demand. Winter off-season drops them, since trucks sit empty. Try to book a month early no matter what.
Insurance Additional Services
Basic insurance comes free with most but full runs $100-$300 for extras. Door-to-door vehicle shipping adds $50-$150 convenience. Car transport insurance covers scratches, breakdowns and theft peace of mind.
Cheapest Ways to Ship a Car to Texas
Open transport cuts 40% off enclosed for normal cars like sedans or trucks. Going off-peak saves even more on top of that.
Try these tips to keep long-distance car shipping as low as possible.
- Pick open transport unless it’s a luxury ride that needs protection.
- Ship in winter off-peak months when trucks have empty spots.
- Get quotes from lots of auto transport companies to find deals.
- Ship multiple cars together for bulk discounts per vehicle.
- Skip extras like expedited unless you really need speed.
What is the cheapest way to ship a car across the US?
Open truck in low season stays under $1 per mile easily. Compare quotes from SFL Worldwide first for your Texas route.
Shipping Options Truck, Train, or Drive Yourself
Truck works best for door-to-door vehicle shipping most times. Train saves cash but takes more work. Drive yourself if it’s close. Each fits different needs, so pick smart transport for your shipping needs.
Truck Transport
Open or enclosed trailers go pretty much anywhere door-to-door. To Texas it’s $600-$2,000 depending on miles. Pickup times are flexible and tracking stays easy.
Train Transport
Runs 30-50% cheaper than trucks but terminal to terminal only. Dallas has Amtrak spots but smaller Texas towns don’t. You will need to drive locally from there yourself.
Driving Yourself
This works good for short under 500 miles with gas hitting $200 tops. Long trips pile on hotels and tire wear past $500 quick.
Is it cheaper to drive or ship a car?
Ship wins past 800 miles—no car wear or your time lost. Drive solo for quick short trips, though.
How to Estimate Your Car Shipping Cost
Online calculators give vehicle shipping quotes quickly. Put in your info and get prices fast.
How to estimate car shipping cost?
- Put the starting city and Texas city like Dallas or Houston.
- Say car type – sedan or SUV or old car.
- Pick an open or closed trailer and dates.
- Add insurance or fast ship or big car.
Cost is miles times rate plus extras like fuel or rural fees. SFL Worldwide calculator can help
you. It takes just 2 minutes to estimate your shipping costs.
Shipping Timeframes to Texas
The time to get your car to Texas is 1-14 days depending on the distance. Bad weather or holidays make it longer sometimes.
- Short-Distance Shipping: 1-3 days from close places like New Mexico or Oklahoma. Trucks go quick on short runs.
- Medium-Distance Shipping: 3-7 days from Colorado or around Chicago. Pretty normal for middle trips.
- Long-Distance Shipping: 7-14 days from Florida or California. Cross-country takes the longest.
Use tracking apps to check your car’s location anytime. Snowstorms or Christmas week slow trucks a lot. Plan extra days for winter trips.
Conclusion
How much to ship a car to Texas usually ends up $500-$2,500 if you pick options smart. Just go with open transport in off-peak times and shop around for quotes. That way you save the most without stress.
SFL Worldwide’S professional auto movers handle door-to-door shipping with up to 70% off from big auto transport companies. They make it simple from pickup to drop in Texas spots like Dallas or Houston.
Check their moving company in Texas page for full moving help too. Grab a free quote today; it’s quick and no hassle at all.
Get a free quote today and make your TV shipping from the USA to India effortless!
FAQs
How much does it cost to transfer a car to Texas?
It costs $500 to $2,500 total depending on distance and options. California to Texas car transport runs $1,200-$1,800 on open carrier for most sedans.
How to estimate car shipping cost?
Use free online calculators from transport sites. Enter your starting city, Texas drop spot, car type and dates then add extras like insurance or rush service.
Is it cheaper to drive or ship a car?
Shipping saves money past 800 miles. You avoid car wear, gas costs and lost work time while someone else handles the drive.
Do I have to pay taxes on my car when I move to Texas?
No tax usually applies on move-ins from other states. Texas charges 6.25% sales tax only on cars bought new there.
What is the cheapest way to ship a car across the US?
Open truck in winter keeps it under $1 per mile. Compare a few quotes first to lock in the best rate.
Is it cheaper to ship a car by train or truck?
Train costs 30% less than a truck but requires terminal pickup. Trucks offers door-to-door service which makes it easier overall.
How much is transport from California to Texas?
Transport from California to Texas costs $1,200-$1,800 for sedans on open carrier.
How much to ship a car 3,000 miles?
Expect $1,800-$3,000 on open carrier for 3,000 miles. Enclosed transport adds about $1,000 more for protection.

SFL Worldwide is a top global logistics company delivering services in transportation, relocation, and freight forwarding. Since 2005, The company has handled domestic and international shipments. SFL helps its customers navigate through the complicated shipping regulations and documentation by providing professional advice. The company uses its network of 200+ partners to provide effective solutions to individuals and businesses. Its knowledge and experience give customers the assurance of safe, quick, and reliable global delivery, along with tracking available 24/7. Its ability to handle over 100,000 successful relocations worldwide is testimony to its reliability.


