California to Texas Car Shipping: Cost, Transit Time, and Routes
Open and enclosed car shipping from anywhere in California to anywhere in Texas. Number 1 Auto Transport matches you with vetted carriers already running I-10 and I-40, then locks your quote so the price at delivery is the price you booked.
- 50,000+ Vehicles Shipped
- 3 to 6 Day Transit
- A+ BBB Rating
Instant Transport Quote
Enter your pickup and delivery points. Takes about a minute.
Or talk to a real person: 855.422.4141
-
Price Lock Guarantee Your quote is final. Guaranteed.
-
Live Agents Standing By Real people from booking to delivery.
-
Fully Vetted Carriers FMCSA and DOT compliant.
-
Fully Bonded & Insured Bumper to bumper protection.
Read what customers say on our auto transport reviews page.
California to Texas Car Shipping Done Right
California to Texas is the biggest relocation lane in the country right now, and one of the highest-volume routes we book. Carriers run it every day in both directions.
We coordinate pickups from Los Angeles apartment blocks, San Diego driveways, Bay Area hills, and Central Valley farm roads, then deliver to Houston, Dallas, Austin, San Antonio, Fort Worth, and the rest of the state. Every carrier is checked for FMCSA authority, active insurance, and safety history before your vehicle is assigned. You can verify any carrier yourself through the FMCSA SAFER system.
We are a licensed broker, not a carrier. MC-796224 and USDOT 2336907. We do not own trucks or employ drivers. We vet, book, and manage the carriers who do, and we stay on the shipment until it is delivered.
For everything else moving to or from either state, see our California auto transport and Texas auto transport pages. Moving a whole office? Our corporate relocation car shipping page covers employee moves billed to the company.
How Shipping a Car from California to Texas Works
Five steps from quote to delivery. One agent stays with you the whole way. For the longer version, read how car shipping works or our guide to shipping a car across the country.
Quote
Get a locked CA to TX rate online or by phone in minutes.
Match
We assign a vetted carrier already running the lane east.
Pickup
Pickup happens at your address or a nearby loading point, usually within 1 to 3 days.
Transit
Your agent shares updates while the truck crosses the Southwest.
Delivery
Inspect the vehicle in Texas, sign the bill of lading, and you are done.
California to Texas Car Shipping Cost
Shipping a car from California to Texas costs $900 to $1,400 on an open carrier for a standard sedan. Enclosed transport runs 40 to 60 percent more, or $1,250 to $2,250. Most vehicles cover the 1,200 to 1,800 miles in 3 to 6 days.
Your exact rate depends on where in California you are, where in Texas the car is going, what you drive, and when you ship.
The range above comes from real bookings on this lane. Rates shift with fuel, season, and carrier supply, so treat it as a working range rather than a fixed price list. For national averages on other routes, see our car shipping cost guide.
California to Texas Route Pricing
Common city pairs booked on this lane, with road distance, transit window, and cost for a running standard sedan.
| Route | Distance | Transit | Open cost | Enclosed cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles, CA to Houston, TX | 1,550 mi | 4 to 5 days | $1,000 to $1,300 | $1,400 to $2,075 |
| Los Angeles, CA to Dallas, TX | 1,435 mi | 4 to 5 days | $1,000 to $1,300 | $1,400 to $2,075 |
| Los Angeles, CA to Austin, TX | 1,380 mi | 3 to 5 days | $900 to $1,150 | $1,250 to $1,850 |
| San Diego, CA to Dallas, TX | 1,380 mi | 3 to 5 days | $900 to $1,150 | $1,250 to $1,850 |
| San Diego, CA to El Paso, TX | 725 mi | 2 to 3 days | $900 to $1,150 | $1,250 to $1,850 |
| San Francisco, CA to Dallas, TX | 1,730 mi | 5 to 6 days | $1,100 to $1,400 | $1,550 to $2,250 |
| San Jose, CA to San Antonio, TX | 1,700 mi | 5 to 6 days | $1,100 to $1,400 | $1,550 to $2,250 |
| Sacramento, CA to Austin, TX | 1,780 mi | 5 to 6 days | $1,100 to $1,400 | $1,550 to $2,250 |
Pair prices are the lane's $900 to $1,400 range split by distance band, and enclosed figures apply the 40 to 60 percent premium that holds on this lane, rounded to the nearest $25. Short runs like San Diego to El Paso price near the floor because the pickup, inspection, and loading cost the same on any trip.
Pricing by Distance, If Your City Is Not Listed
Both states are enormous. Find the band your trip falls into and you have a working number before you ever pick up the phone.
| Distance | Typical lane | Transit | Open cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 1,400 miles | San Diego or Los Angeles to El Paso, Austin, or San Antonio | 2 to 5 days | $900 to $1,150 |
| 1,400 to 1,600 miles | Los Angeles or the Inland Empire to Dallas, Fort Worth, or Houston | 4 to 5 days | $1,000 to $1,300 |
| Over 1,600 miles | The Bay Area, Sacramento, or the Central Valley to any Texas metro | 5 to 6 days | $1,100 to $1,400 |
What Changes the Price on This Lane
- Trailer type. Open is the standard. Enclosed adds 40 to 60 percent and is worth it on classics, exotics, and anything above roughly $75,000.
- Vehicle size. A full-size pickup or a three-row SUV takes more deck space than a sedan and prices higher. Texas-bound trucks are a big share of this lane.
- Pickup access. Los Angeles apartment blocks and San Francisco hills need a meetpoint more often than a Sacramento or Bakersfield driveway. That can shift the rate.
- Season. May through August is PCS and summer relocation season. October through December pulls carriers onto snowbird routes. Both tighten supply.
- Running condition. A non-running vehicle needs a winch and a carrier equipped for it. Expect an add-on.
- Flexibility. A pickup window of a few days almost always beats a single fixed date on price.
Want the real number for your car? A locked quote takes about a minute.
How Long Does It Take to Ship a Car from California to Texas?
Most cars go from booking to delivery in 4 to 9 days. Pickup happens 1 to 3 days after you book. The drive itself takes 3 to 6 days across 1,200 to 1,800 miles.
San Diego to El Paso is the short end at about 725 miles and two days on the road. The Bay Area to Houston is the long end at close to 1,900 miles and six days.
Your Timeline, Step by Step
| Stage | How long | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| Booking to dispatch | Same day to 24 hours | We post the lane and assign a vetted carrier running it. |
| Dispatch to pickup | 1 to 3 days | The driver calls to set a window and collects the vehicle. |
| Transit | 3 to 6 days | The truck runs east across the desert with scheduled stops. |
| Delivery | Day 4 to 9 overall | You inspect the car, sign the bill of lading, and take the keys. |
Booking 2 to 3 weeks ahead gets you the widest choice of pickup dates and the steadiest pricing.
The Route Your Car Actually Takes
Southern California runs I-10 the whole way: Palm Springs, Phoenix, Tucson, Las Cruces, and El Paso, then I-10 on to San Antonio and Houston or I-20 across to Dallas and Fort Worth. San Diego pickups start on I-8 and join I-10 near Casa Grande. Austin deliveries turn north on I-35 at San Antonio.
Northern California has two choices. Bay Area and Sacramento cars either drop down I-5 to Los Angeles and take I-10, or run I-40 from Barstow through Flagstaff, Albuquerque, and Amarillo, then US-287 into Dallas and Fort Worth or I-35 south to Austin. I-10 is the busiest freight corridor between the two states, which is why open carrier supply on this lane stays deep in both directions. Thinking about a longer haul? See our coast to coast auto transport page.
Should You Drive or Ship Your Car from California to Texas?
Driving it yourself looks free until you add it up. Here is what a one-way trip across the Southwest actually costs before a single mile of wear.
The Hidden Cost of Driving It Yourself
| Expense | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Fuel | $180 to $250 |
| Hotels, 2 nights | $200 to $400 |
| Meals | $100 to $150 |
| Total out of pocket | $480 to $800 |
That total covers 20 to 24 hours of driving over two or three days. It leaves out the 1,400 or more miles you add to the odometer, the rock chips I-10 is known for, the wear on tires and brakes, three days of your time, and the risk of a breakdown between Tucson and Las Cruces in July.
Driving vs. Shipping, Side by Side
| Factor | Driving yourself | Shipping your car |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Fuel, two hotel nights, meals, and maintenance, spread across the trip | One quote, locked at booking |
| Vehicle wear | Adds 1,400 or more miles | Adds zero miles to the odometer |
| Time | Three days behind the wheel | Fly to Texas in three hours |
| Risk | Desert heat, fatigue, tire blowouts, weather | Covered by the carrier's cargo insurance |
| Effort | Route planning, hotels, and a long haul | Picked up and delivered for you |
Driving makes sense if the road trip is the point. If you are relocating for work, closing on a house in Austin or Frisco, or moving a second vehicle, shipping usually costs about the same once the hotel receipts land, and it gives you three days back.
Open vs Enclosed Transport on the California to Texas Lane
Around nine out of ten cars on this route ship open. Enclosed is the right call when the vehicle is worth protecting from desert sun, sand, and road debris for 1,400 miles.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Factor | Open transport | Enclosed transport |
|---|---|---|
| Cost, CA to TX | $900 to $1,400 | $1,250 to $2,250 |
| Trailer | Multi-car hauler, 8 to 10 vehicles | Fully covered trailer, 2 to 7 vehicles |
| Weather exposure | Open to sun, sand, and road spray | None |
| Carrier supply | Heavy. Trucks run I-10 daily | Lighter. Book further ahead |
| Best for | Daily drivers, SUVs, trucks, leases | Classics, exotics, low-clearance, high value |
When Each Option Makes Sense
-
Open Transport
The standard choice and the one most people book. Your car rides on the same style of trailer dealerships use to move new inventory. Carrier supply on the I-10 corridor is heavy, so pickup windows are short and pricing stays competitive.
-
Enclosed Transport
A fully covered trailer with a liftgate or low-angle ramps. Nothing touches the paint across 1,400 miles of desert. Worth the premium on classics, exotics, show cars, and anything you would not park outside in a Texas hailstorm.
Not sure which one fits? Tell us the year, make, and model and we will say so straight.
Pickup Cities in California, Delivery Cities in Texas
We coordinate pickup in every county in California and delivery in every county in Texas. The carrier loads and unloads at your address wherever it can clear height and width restrictions, and at a nearby meetpoint where it cannot.
California Pickup Locations
- Los Angeles
- San Diego
- San Francisco
- San Jose
- Sacramento
- Oakland
- Fresno
- Long Beach
- Irvine
- Anaheim
- Riverside
- San Bernardino
- Bakersfield
- Santa Clarita
- Stockton
- Modesto
- Chula Vista
- Fremont
- Palm Springs
- Santa Rosa
Los Angeles apartment blocks and San Francisco hills often meet the truck at a nearby lot with room to load. A 75-foot car hauler cannot turn onto most narrow residential streets. Your agent sorts the meetpoint before pickup day so nothing is a surprise.
Texas Delivery Locations
- El Paso
- Arlington
- Plano
- Corpus Christi
- Frisco
- McKinney
- Round Rock
- Lubbock
- Amarillo
- Irving
- Midland
- Killeen
- College Station
- Waco
- The Woodlands
Rural and West Texas addresses are covered too. Remote drops can add half a day to the dispatch window.
Types of Vehicles We Ship from California to Texas
Every category below moves on this lane. Some need a specific trailer or a carrier with the right equipment, which is part of what we sort out before you book. See the full range on our car shipping services page.
Cars, SUVs, and Trucks
Sedans, crossovers, full-size SUVs, and pickups. The bulk of what runs this route. Open transport handles all of it.
Classic and Antique Cars
Enclosed, soft straps, and drivers who have moved collector cars before. Worth the premium across 1,400 miles of desert.
Exotic and Luxury Cars
Low-clearance loading, liftgate trailers, and higher cargo limits for six-figure vehicles headed to Dallas and Houston.
Motorcycles
Crated or strapped on a dedicated rack. Often shares a trailer with cars heading the same direction.
Boats and Personal Watercraft
Trailered boats run to the Gulf Coast and the Texas lakes regularly. Beam width decides whether permits are needed.
Heavy Equipment
Lowboy and RGN trailers for machinery that will not fit a standard deck. Permits and escorts handled up front.
Auction and Dealer Vehicles
Pickups from California auction yards to Texas dealer lots, with the paperwork the auction house expects.
Corporate Relocation
Employee moves from California offices to Austin, Dallas, and Houston ones. Billed to the company, coordinated around the start date.
Military POV Shipping
PCS moves between California and Texas installations, timed to your orders. Details in the next section.
Military and PCS Auto Transport, California to Texas
Travis to Lackland. Fort Irwin to Fort Bliss. Naval Base San Diego to Corpus Christi. These are the two states with the most active-duty service members in the country, and this lane connects them every season.
Number 1 Auto Transport works around your orders, not the other way around. Pickup at your address is standard where the truck fits. If your report date shifts, the pickup shifts with it, and there is no penalty for a date change tied to PCS paperwork. Full details on our military auto transport page.
California Installations We Pick Up From
Camp Pendleton
Oceanside, CA. Largest Marine Corps base on the West Coast.
Naval Base San Diego
San Diego, CA. Home port of the Pacific Fleet.
Naval Base Coronado
Coronado, CA. North Island naval complex.
MCAS Miramar
San Diego, CA. Marine Corps air station.
Travis AFB
Fairfield, CA. Air Mobility Command hub.
Vandenberg SFB
Lompoc, CA. Space Force launch base.
Edwards AFB
Kern County, CA. Flight test center in the high desert.
Twentynine Palms MCAGCC
Twentynine Palms, CA. Marine Corps combat center.
Texas Installations We Deliver To
Fort Cavazos
Killeen, TX. One of the largest posts in the country.
Fort Bliss
El Paso, TX. The shortest leg on this lane from San Diego.
Joint Base San Antonio
San Antonio, TX. Lackland, Randolph, and Fort Sam Houston.
NAS JRB Fort Worth
Fort Worth, TX. Navy, Marine, and Air Force reserve units.
Dyess AFB
Abilene, TX. Air Force base in West Central Texas.
Sheppard AFB
Wichita Falls, TX. Training base near the Oklahoma line.
Goodfellow AFB
San Angelo, TX. Intelligence and firefighter training.
NAS Corpus Christi
Corpus Christi, TX. Naval Air Station on the Gulf.
Timing Your Shipment Around PCS Orders
Most service members get a 30 to 60 day window between orders and report date. On the California to Texas lane, plan on 1 to 3 days from booking to pickup and another 3 to 6 on the road. Booking two to three weeks out gives you room if the report date moves.
The pairings run by branch. Airmen from Travis, Vandenberg, and Edwards head to Lackland, Randolph, Sheppard, and Goodfellow. Sailors from San Diego head to Corpus Christi and Fort Worth. Soldiers from Fort Irwin head to Bliss and Cavazos. PCS season runs May through August and trucks fill fast in those months. Earlier is cheaper and gives you more pickup dates to choose from.
Military Discount and Who Qualifies
Active duty, reservists, National Guard, and veterans all qualify for a military rate. Mention your status on the quote form or when you call. Bring your CAC, military ID, or DD-214 at pickup. Spouses moving on PCS orders qualify at the same rate.
Moving to Texas from California: What to Do After Your Car Arrives
Almost everyone shipping this lane is relocating. Once the car is in your driveway, Texas puts you on a clock, and the good news is that most of it costs less than what you left behind. Here is what actually applies.
New Texas residents have 30 days to register the vehicle with their county tax assessor-collector. Active duty military get 60 days.
The New Resident Tax Is $90, Not a Percentage
Texas charges a flat $90 new resident tax on a vehicle you already owned and had registered in your name in another state. That replaces the 6.25 percent motor vehicle sales tax. You pay it to your county tax assessor-collector when you title and register. Miss the 30-day window and the calculation changes to a use tax based on the purchase price or the standard presumptive value, which usually costs more.
No Safety Inspection, No Smog Check Outside the Metros
Texas ended the annual safety inspection for non-commercial vehicles on January 1, 2025. In its place there is an Inspection Program Replacement Fee, $7.50 a year for most vehicles and $16.75 for a new vehicle covering two years. There is no statewide smog check either. Emissions testing applies only in the Houston, Dallas Fort Worth, Austin, and El Paso area counties, and Bexar County, which covers San Antonio, joins in 2026. Electric vehicles are exempt.
For a car coming out of California, that is a real change. No biennial smog certificate, no smog abatement fee, and registration fees that are not tied to the value of the car.
Insurance and License
Texas requires liability coverage of at least $30,000 per injured person, $60,000 per accident, and $25,000 for property damage. Your California policy will need to be switched to a Texas policy at a Texas address before you register. You also need to transfer your driver license, so check the current window with Texas DPS when you register.
Bring proof of Texas insurance, the California title, and proof of your Texas address to the county tax office. Doing all of it in one trip saves a second one. Check current fees with the Texas DMV before you go.
Best Time of Year to Ship a Car from California to Texas
This lane has one peak everyone knows about, one most people forget, and a summer heat window that changes how carriers handle the car. Knowing which you are in is worth a couple hundred dollars.
| Window | Demand | What drives it | Book ahead |
|---|---|---|---|
| May to August | Peak | PCS season and summer relocation. Rates run 10 to 20 percent above base and trucks fill fast | 3 to 4 weeks |
| September | Quiet | Second cheapest window of the year | 1 to 2 weeks |
| October to December | Busy | Snowbird traffic pulls carriers onto Arizona and Florida routes, and holiday weeks slow the interstates | 2 to 3 weeks |
| January to February | Quiet | The cheapest window. Rare ice in West Texas can add a day | 1 to 2 weeks |
| March to April | Building | Spring moves start and snowbirds head home through the same corridor | 2 weeks |
If your dates are flexible, January through February and September are the two windows where this lane prices best. Shipping in the fall alongside the snowbird rush? Our snowbird car transport page explains why the same carriers serve both.
Weather on This Route
Desert heat on I-10
Triple digits from Palm Springs to El Paso all summer. Carriers pre-cool sensitive vehicles and check tire pressure on the lane.
Wildfire and smoke season
August through October fires can close stretches of I-5 and I-15 for hours at a time. Carriers reroute around active closures.
West Texas ice
Ice events close I-10 and I-20 for short stretches in January and February. It is rare but it happens.
What Happens If a Storm Hits
Monitor
We track storms and fire closures several days out and flag any shipment in the path.
Communicate
Your agent calls 24 to 48 hours before an affected pickup or delivery window.
Hold, reroute, or refund
No penalty for weather-driven changes. We delay, reroute, or refund based on your call.
Shipping a Car from Texas Back to California
The lane runs both ways and the rates land in a similar range. Trucks heading west out of Texas want backhaul freight, which keeps supply steady.
Dallas, Houston, and San Antonio are the easiest origins because all three sit on I-10, I-20, or I-35. El Paso is the shortest run to Southern California. Coming into California means a smog certificate and a 20-day registration clock instead of a county tax office, which is its own set of steps.
That direction has its own page with its own pricing, city pairs, and California registration rules. Start with Texas to California car shipping.
Other lanes we run often out of these two states: New York to Texas, California to Tennessee, and San Diego to Portland. The full list is on our popular routes page.
California to Texas Car Shipping FAQ
The questions we get most on this lane. For everything else, see our auto transport FAQ.
How much does it cost to ship a car from California to Texas?
Open transport runs $900 to $1,400 for a standard sedan. Enclosed runs 40 to 60 percent more, or $1,250 to $2,250. San Diego and Los Angeles to Austin or El Paso sit at the low end. The Bay Area and Sacramento to Houston or Dallas sit at the top because the trip is over 1,700 miles.
How long does it take to ship a car from California to Texas?
Pickup happens 1 to 3 days after booking. Transit takes 3 to 6 days across 1,200 to 1,800 miles. Most customers see delivery 4 to 9 days from the booking date. San Diego to El Paso runs two days on the road, the Bay Area to Houston closer to six.
How do I ship my car from California to Texas?
Get a quote, book it, and we assign a vetted carrier already running the lane. The driver calls to set a pickup window, collects the car, and delivers it in Texas. You inspect at both ends and sign the bill of lading.
How do I get a quote for shipping my car from CA to TX?
Use the quote form on this page or call 855.422.4141. You need the year, make, and model, the pickup and delivery ZIP codes, whether the car runs, and your preferred dates. Quotes come back in minutes.
Is my vehicle insured during transport?
Yes. Every carrier we assign carries active cargo insurance, and we verify it before dispatch. Coverage applies from pickup through delivery. Ask your agent for the certificate and we will send it.
How do I pay for California to Texas car shipping?
We accept major credit cards, ACH, wire transfer, certified check, bank check, and Zelle, Venmo, Cash App, and PayPal. Most customers place a deposit at booking and pay the balance at delivery.
Can I pack personal items in the car?
You can leave up to 100 pounds in the trunk or back seat, kept below the window line. Personal items are not covered by the carrier's cargo insurance. Leave valuables, electronics, and documents out.
How far in advance should I book CA to TX transport?
Two to three weeks gets you the widest choice of pickup dates and steadier pricing. We can often dispatch faster than that. May through August fills up first, and October through December runs close behind.
Where exactly will my car be picked up and delivered?
Pickup and delivery happen at your address wherever the truck fits. Narrow streets, low branches, tight turns, and local rules sometimes make that impossible. In those cases the driver meets you at a nearby lot with room to load.
Is Number 1 Auto Transport a broker or a carrier?
We are a licensed broker, not a carrier. MC-796224, USDOT 2336907. We do not own trucks or employ drivers. We vet, book, and manage the carriers who do, and we stay on the shipment until it is delivered.
What is the Price Lock Guarantee?
The quote you book is the price you pay at delivery. No fuel surcharges, no surprise add-ons, and no rate hikes once a carrier is assigned.
What is the cheapest way to ship a car from California to Texas?
Open transport, a flexible pickup window of a few days, and booking in January, February, or September. Meeting the truck at an accessible lot instead of a tight city street helps too.
Which route does the truck take from California to Texas?
Southern California runs I-10 through Phoenix, Tucson, and El Paso, then I-10 to San Antonio and Houston or I-20 to Dallas. Northern California either drops down I-5 to join I-10 or runs I-40 through Flagstaff, Albuquerque, and Amarillo into North Texas.
Does Texas require a vehicle inspection when I move there?
Not a safety inspection. Texas ended it on January 1, 2025 and replaced it with a $7.50 yearly fee. Emissions testing still applies in the Houston, Dallas Fort Worth, Austin, and El Paso area counties, with Bexar County joining in 2026.
How much is the Texas new resident tax?
A flat $90 on a vehicle you already owned and had registered in your name in California. It replaces the 6.25 percent sales tax. You pay it at the county tax office within 30 days of starting to use the car in Texas.
Do you pick up in the Bay Area and Sacramento, or only Southern California?
Everywhere in the state. Bay Area, Sacramento, and Central Valley pickups run I-40 or drop down I-5 to I-10, and they land in the top pricing band because the trip runs over 1,700 miles. Pickup windows are the same 1 to 3 days.
Can you ship a non-running car from California to Texas?
Yes. It needs a carrier with a winch and the right equipment, so tell us at quote time. Expect an add-on to the standard rate. The vehicle does need to roll, steer, and brake.
Do you also ship cars from Texas to California?
Yes. Carriers run both directions and rates land in a similar range. That direction has its own page with its own pricing and California registration rules, linked above.
Get Your California to Texas Car Shipping Quote
A locked rate takes about a minute. No deposit to see the number, and the price you book is the price you pay at delivery. Read what customers say on our auto transport reviews page.
Number 1 Auto Transport
Phone: 855.422.4141
Hours: Monday to Friday 8am to 8pm ET, Saturday 9am to 5pm ET
MC-796224 | USDOT 2336907
Number 1 Auto Transport is a licensed and bonded auto transport broker, not a motor carrier. We arrange transportation with vetted, FMCSA-authorized carriers who hold active cargo insurance. Pricing shown reflects recent activity on this route and is not a binding quote. Your locked rate is confirmed at booking.