$1,369 Car Shippers from Texas to California (2024 Guide)

Quick Answer: The average cost to ship a car the 1407 miles from Texas to California ranges from $1,369 to $2,037 and takes 3-8 days.

Shipping a car the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our California to Texas car shipping guide.

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The average cost to ship a car from Texas to California

Because the distance between Texas to California is about 1407 miles, it’ll take from 3 to 8 days to complete your car shipment.

Cost to ship a car from Houston, TX to California

  • Houston to Los Angeles: $1,413 to $1,980
  • Houston to San Diego: $1,251 to $2,037
  • Houston to San Jose: $1,538 to $2,189
  • Houston to San Francisco: $1,498 to $2,441
  • Houston to Fresno: $1,447 to $2,273

Cost to ship a car from San Antonio, TX to California

  • San Antonio to Los Angeles: $1,297 to $1,828
  • San Antonio to San Diego: $1,129 to $1,693
  • San Antonio to San Jose: $1,384 to $2,116
  • San Antonio to San Francisco: $1,522 to $2,100
  • San Antonio to Fresno: $1,330 to $1,881

Cost to ship a car from Dallas, TX to California

  • Dallas to Los Angeles: $1,356 to $1,998
  • Dallas to San Diego: $1,235 to $1,922
  • Dallas to San Jose: $1,384 to $2,158
  • Dallas to San Francisco: $1,537 to $2,100
  • Dallas to Fresno: $1,427 to $1,900

Cost to ship a car from Austin, TX to California

  • Austin to Los Angeles: $1,186 to $1,866
  • Austin to San Diego: $1,198 to $1,791
  • Austin to San Jose: $1,462 to $2,165
  • Austin to San Francisco: $1,507 to $2,230
  • Austin to Fresno: $1,455 to $2,019

Cost to ship a car from Fort Worth, TX to California

  • Fort Worth to Los Angeles: $1,330 to $1,940
  • Fort Worth to San Diego: $1,260 to $1,828
  • Fort Worth to San Jose: $1,456 to $2,054
  • Fort Worth to San Francisco: $1,417 to $2,273
  • Fort Worth to Fresno: $1,372 to $1,920

Shipping an SUV or Truck from Texas to California

Since vehicles such as SUV, trucks, and vans are larger and heavier, it’s a bit more expensive to ship them than a sedan. How much more?

If you’re shipping a larger vehicle from Texas to California you should expect to pay between $1,711 and $2,546.

Factors that affect the price of shipping a car from Texas to California

  • Open Carrier or Enclosed Trailer – Most new cars from ports and factories are moved on open auto carriers, while race cars, vintage collector’s cars, and high-dollar luxury cars get enclosed transport. If you’re not sure, check out our guide comparing open vs enclosed car shipping.
  • Time of the year – Due to demand, prices to ship your car from Texas to California tend to be a little higher in the summer.
  • Size, Weight, and Type of Vehicle – The larger and heavier your vehicle, the more shipping your car to California will cost.
  • Delivery Expectations – Because it’ll make their job easier, your auto shipper may give you a pricing discount if you’re flexible on delivery dates. That being said, getting your car from Texas to California should take between 3 and 8 days.
  • Pick up and Drop-Off Options – Instead of door-to-door service, consider taking your vehicle to the nearest company terminal in Texas and having it delivered to the one closest to your new home in California. It’s more work for you, but it could save you a bundle.

Resources for Shipping a Car from Texas to California

The following resources can help with you shipping your car from Texas to California:

Stick around for more details on costs, tips, and Texas car shippers you should use.

The best car shipping from Texas to California

A good car shipping company should cover the basics. These are the things to look out for in a quality transport company:

  • Insurance: Make sure the insurance covers both the company and the hauler the company contracts with to ship the car.
  • Experience: Look for a company that has multiple years of experience and a good track record.
  • Shipping options: Good car shipping companies will offer open and closed transport, expedited delivery, shipment tracking, and more.
  • Added Perks: Damage coverage, no initial deposits, rental car assistance, free car wash, and guaranteed pricing are some additional options great car shippers offer.
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.9 / 5
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • Transparent pricing
  • Fully insured
Check prices (864) 492-1221

% of users select this mover

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.75 / 5
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • No deposit
  • Quick pickup
Check prices (888) 259-6046

% of users select this mover

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • Price lock promise
  • Free car wash
Check prices (833) 775-1461

% of users select this mover

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.35 / 5
Licensedcheckmark
Insuredcheckmark
Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • Rental car option
  • Ship inoperable
Check prices (866) 563-0804

% of users select this mover

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.55 / 5
Licensedcheckmark
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Price dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign dollar sign
  • Established in 2007
  • No upfront payment
Check prices (224) 206-5633

% of users select this mover

How car shipping from Texas to California works

  • After you’ve received your quote, book your vehicle transport from Texas to California.
  • Once booked, you’ll schedule your vehicle to be picked up in Texas where it will be loaded onto the carrier.
  • Your vehicle will be safely unloaded from the carrier in California on your delivery date.

What else should you know about shipping a car from Texas to California?

  • Car Insurance requirements: The minimum car insurance requirement in California is $15,000 for individual injury, $30,000 per accident, and $5,000 for property damage in the case of an accident involving another driver.
  • Vehicle Inspection: California requires an annual safety inspection to ensure that all vehicles used on public roads are in good condition and safe to operate. The inspection can be carried out at any California Department of Transportation approved service station.
  • Driver’s License: If you move to California and become a resident, you are required to obtain a California driver's license within 10 days.
  • Additional Taxes: You are required to pay taxes on a car purchased in another state if you used it for less than 12 months outside of California before bringing it into the state.

Alternative ways to ship your car from Texas to California

Learn more with our car shipping checklist

Shipping Your Car from Texas to California FAQs

Does someone have to be present when picking up my car in Texas and when dropping off my car in California?

Most companies will require someone that is at least 18-years-old to be present when picking up your car in Texas and when dropping it off in California.

Do you need car insurance when shipping your car from Texas to California?

If you’re not driving the vehicle from Texas to California, it’s not required to have typical car insurance. Your car hauler should have adequate insurance if an accident happened on the drive to California, which you should verify before loading your car in Texas.

How long does it take to ship a car from Texas to California?

Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. With the trip from Texas to California being about 1407 miles, that’s as fast as about 3 days. But most car transporting companies will take 3-8 days to go from Texas to California.