Shipping a car to Texas costs $700–$1,400 from the Midwest, $900–$1,600 from California, and $1,100–$1,900 from the Northeast on open transport. Outbound runs $650–$1,350 to the Midwest, $850–$1,550 to California, and $750–$1,200 on the high-volume Texas–Florida lane. Transit takes 3–7 days from the Midwest, 4–6 days from Florida, and 7–10 days from the Northeast. Carriers run Texas lanes constantly, so pickup windows are short — usually 2–5 days from your requested date.
How Much Does It Cost to Ship a Car to or From Texas?
Texas pricing follows the usual variables, plus a few state-specific ones:
- Distance within Texas. The state is 800 miles across. A pickup in El Paso and delivery in Beaumont is effectively a cross-state haul on its own — factor that into your total.
- Open vs. enclosed. Open is standard and runs 30–40% cheaper. Enclosed earns its premium for luxury, classic, or modified vehicles.
- Season. Winter brings snowbird inbound demand from the upper Midwest; spring reverses it. February through April is the highest-volume period on most Texas lanes.
- Vehicle size and condition. Full-size trucks, SUVs, and non-running vehicles all add to the base rate.
- Fuel and tolls. Texas has extensive toll roads, especially around DFW and Austin. Carriers factor these into quotes on city-delivery routes.
| Route | Open Transport | Transit Time |
|---|---|---|
| Texas – Florida | $750–$1,200 | 4–6 days |
| Texas – Midwest (Chicago) | $650–$1,400 | 3–7 days |
| Texas – California | $850–$1,600 | 5–8 days |
| Texas – Northeast (New York) | $1,000–$1,900 | 7–10 days |
If a competing quote lands far below these ranges, that’s not a bargain — it’s usually a teaser number that gets “adjusted” once your car is on someone’s schedule. Our car shipping scams guide explains how the lowball play works and how to check any broker before you pay.
How Long Does It Take to Ship a Car to or From Texas?
Inbound: 3–7 days from the Midwest, 4–6 days from Florida, 5–9 days from the Pacific Northwest, and 7–10 days from the Northeast. Texas has abundant carrier capacity on inbound lanes, especially to DFW, Houston, and San Antonio, so open-transport pickup typically happens within 2–5 days of your requested date. Enclosed transport adds 2–4 days to pickup windows.
Outbound moves benefit from the same carrier density. Dallas, Houston, and San Antonio sit on some of the most active corridors in the country. One seasonal note: February through April sees elevated outbound demand as snowbirds return north — book 10–14 days ahead if your move falls in that window.
Texas Car Shipping Logistics: Big State, Big Volume
Four major metros anchor the market. Houston generates constant energy-sector demand. Dallas–Fort Worth’s corporate headquarters density makes it one of the top five transport metros in the country — if you’re moving employees, our corporate vehicle relocation page covers fleet and relocation programs. Austin has been one of the fastest-growing destinations in the country on the strength of its tech migration, and San Antonio runs heavy military volume. El Paso, Corpus Christi, Lubbock, Amarillo, the Rio Grande Valley, and Midland–Odessa round out coverage — though a Panhandle or Permian Basin pickup may need an extra day or a location flex, since carriers route through population centers.
Military volume is enormous. Fort Cavazos, Joint Base San Antonio, Fort Bliss in El Paso, and NAS Corpus Christi generate PCS moves in and out of the state every season, peaking June through August. Book early in that window and see our military car shipping page for how PCS transport and military rates work.
Texas is a snowbird destination in its own right. Retirees from Illinois, Michigan, and the upper Midwest drive vehicles south in October and bring them back in April, creating a predictable surge on the I-35 and I-10 corridors twice a year.
Weather cuts both ways. Gulf Coast shipments through Houston, Corpus Christi, and Beaumont can face carrier disruptions during hurricane season, June through November — watch the forecast if your move falls in that window. And summer heat regularly tops 100°F; if you’re shipping a classic or a vehicle with known cooling or electrical issues, choose enclosed and tell your coordinator up front.
Popular Texas Auto Transport Routes
Two Texas corridors have their own full route guides:
- Texas to California car shipping — one of the busiest lanes in the country, driven by tech and entertainment industry moves, 5–8 days on open transport. The reverse direction carries heavy volume too, as California households keep relocating east — which means trucks run full in both directions and pricing stays sharp.
- Texas to Florida car shipping — the Gulf Coast regional run at 4–6 days, carrying retirees, snowbirds, and military PCS moves year-round.
For the other big corridors: the California hub covers the West Coast end of the state’s busiest lane, the Illinois hub covers the heavy Chicago–Dallas/Houston corridor, and the New York hub covers the corporate relocation lane to the Northeast, where enclosed transport is a popular long-haul choice.
Open or Enclosed Transport for Texas?
Open transport is fine for standard vehicles and is how most Texas shipments move — it runs 30–40% cheaper. Enclosed auto transport is worth the premium for luxury, classic, or modified vehicles: Texas summer heat and road debris are real considerations on long open-trailer hauls. For collector cars specifically, our classic car shipping guide covers preparation and insurance details.
Why Ship With Allied Auto Transport
We’re an FMCSA-licensed and bonded auto transport broker. Every carrier in our network is vetted for active operating authority and current cargo insurance. The quote we give you is firm; we don’t reprice after booking, and we don’t quote a teaser number to win the job. You get one direct contact from booking to delivery. And we know these lanes: which metros load fastest, how the I-35 snowbird surge moves, and what a Permian Basin pickup takes that a Dallas pickup doesn’t.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to ship a car to Texas from California?
Most California-to-Texas shipments complete in 5–8 days. Los Angeles to Dallas or Houston typically lands at the lower end of that range because those carrier lanes run so frequently.
What does it cost to ship a car from Texas to Florida?
Expect $750–$1,200 on open transport. It’s a high-volume lane, which keeps pricing competitive compared to thinner routes.
Do you ship to military bases in Texas?
Yes. We handle PCS moves to and from Joint Base San Antonio, Fort Cavazos, Fort Bliss, and NAS Corpus Christi. Ask about military rates when you request a quote.
Can I ship a truck or oversized vehicle in Texas?
Yes. Full-size pickups, dually trucks, and lifted vehicles are common on Texas lanes. Pricing adjusts for height and weight, so get a custom quote if your vehicle is modified or oversized.
Is open or enclosed transport better for Texas summers?
Open transport is fine for standard vehicles. For classic cars, luxury vehicles, or anything with paint or mechanical sensitivities, enclosed is worth the cost — summer heat and road debris add up on long open-trailer hauls.
Get Your Quote
Tell us your route and vehicle and we’ll give you a firm price in about 60 seconds — the number you book is the number you pay.
Or call us at (800) 997-4181.
