California to Texas Car Shipping (2026 Cost Guide)
Quick answer: The cost to ship a car 1,407 miles from California to Texas typically falls between $1,084 and $1,506. The process usually takes three–eight days, depending on variables like the type of transport and seasonal demand. For a personalized estimate, visit our car shipping cost calculator.
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Shipping a car the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our Texas to California car shipping guide.
Our track record
Each year, 400,000+ people trust our car shipping recommendations. Here are a few reasons why:
- Founded in 2015
- 2,500+ car shipping companies analyzed
- $50,000 in moving & auto transport grants delivered
- Up-to-date pricing info & industry data
- Fact-checked for accuracy
The best California to Texas car shipping companies
Backed by over 400 hours of industry research, we identified the best car shipping companies for shipping your car from California to Texas:
- Best for real-time tracking: Nexus Auto Transport
- Best for accurate pricing: Sherpa Auto Transport
- Best for budget-conscious: Navi Auto Transport
- Best for exact pickup dates: SGT Auto Transport
- Best insurance coverage: Ship A Car Direct
- GPS tracking
- Instant online quotes
- Economy option
- Ships nationwide
- Easy online scheduling
- Price Lock Promise
- Pay by credit card
- Free car wash at delivery
- No upfront deposit
- Door-to-door service
- Price matching
- One-day pickup
- New customer discount
- White-glove service
- No hidden fees
- Free online quotes
- Door-to-door service in 48 states
- Exact pickup dates
- Ships to & from HI
- Damage-free guarantee
- $500 damage or loss coverage
- No deposit
- Rental car assistance
- Inoperable car shipping
Top local car shippers in California
If you prefer to go with a local company, here are the top car shippers in California that can relocate your vehicle to Texas:
- Jp Logistics & Motorsports: 3.94 out of 5 stars
- Auto Express Inc.: 3.88 out of 5 stars
- King Of The Road Transport Inc: 3.86 out of 5 stars
- A To Z Auto Shipping: 3.86 out of 5 stars
- McCollister's Transportation Group,Inc.: 3.78 out of 5 stars
Jp Logistics & Motorsports
11582 Sheldon St, Sun Valley, CA 91352 US
jplogistics.net
3.94 / 5.0
Customers consistently praise JP Logistics for their excellent communication and reliable service. While there are no significant complaints, some note that pricing is slightly higher, which is justified by the quality of service received.
Services Offered
- Door-to-door service
- Enclosed transport
- Interstate shipping
- International shipping
- Shipment tracking
- Storage solutions
- Classic cars
- Trailers
- Electric vehicles
Additional Information
- Pay by credit card
- DOT #: 1975227
Alternative Business Names
- JP Logistics
Auto Express Inc.
501 W Broadway Ste. 800, San Diego, CA 92101 US
autoexpressinc-car-shipping-san-diego.com
3.88 / 5.0
Services Offered
- Door-to-door service
- Open transport
- Enclosed transport
- International shipping
- Insured shipping
- Shipment tracking
- Storage solutions
- Classic cars
- RVs
- ATVs
- Trailers
- Motorcycles
- Heavy equipment
- Boats
- Electric vehicles
- Inoperable cars
Additional Information
- Pay by credit card
- DOT #: 3428899
King Of The Road Transport Inc
7316 Lindley Ave, Reseda, CA 91335 US
kingoftheroadtransport.com
3.86 / 5.0
Services Offered
- Open transport
- Enclosed transport
- Interstate shipping
- International shipping
- Insured shipping
- Shipment tracking
- Expedited delivery
- Multi-car transport
- Detailed inspection reports
- Classic cars
- RVs
- ATVs
- Trailers
- Motorcycles
- Heavy equipment
- Electric vehicles
- Inoperable cars
Discounts
- Military
- Senior
- Student
- Teacher
Additional Information
- Pay by credit card
- DOT #: DOT#2248724
A To Z Auto Shipping
30101 Agoura Court, Suite 109, Agoura Hills, CA 91301 US
atozauto.com
3.86 / 5.0
Services Offered
- Open transport
- Enclosed transport
- Interstate shipping
- Insured shipping
- Multi-car transport
- Classic cars
- RVs
- ATVs
- Motorcycles
- Electric vehicles
- Inoperable cars
Discounts
- Military
Additional Information
- Pay by credit card
- DOT #: 675504
Alternative Business Names
- A to Z auto Shipping, Inc.
McCollister's Transportation Group,Inc.
45125 Industrial Dr, Fremont, CA 94538 US
mccollisters.com
3.78 / 5.0
Services Offered
- Open transport
- Enclosed transport
- Interstate shipping
- International shipping
- Insured shipping
- Shipment tracking
- Expedited delivery
- Storage solutions
- Classic cars
- Trailers
- Heavy equipment
Additional Information
- Pay by credit card
- DOT #: 289344
Alternative Business Names
- McCollister's Transportation Group, Inc
- McCollister's Transportation
How we chose the best car shipping companies
We analyzed 2,400 car shipping companies nationally and evaluated and rated them based on key factors using our unique system of methodology.
Here’s what we considered:
- Standard services: We looked at the types and variety of services each company provides. This includes whether they offer open transport, enclosed transport, or both. We also rated companies based on whether they have door-to-door shipping or just terminal pickup and delivery and the kinds of vehicles they ship. Companies that move RVs, motorcycles, and other specialty vehicles scored higher than those that just ship cars.
- Add-on services: We gave additional points to companies that provide special optional services like expedited shipping, guaranteed pickup times, car washes, and rental car reimbursement.
- Customer satisfaction: We analyzed consumer reviews on multiple major platforms, such as Yelp, Google, and Trustpilot to see whether a car shipping company delivers services promptly with good communication and within the estimated cost. We also evaluated each company’s standing within the car shipping industry as a whole by confirming U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) licensure and checked their membership in — and reputation with — trade associations.
- Availability: We awarded points to each company based on their service areas. Companies that are available in Alaska and Hawaii, in addition to the continental U.S., scored higher than those that just service the Lower 48 or fewer states.
- Scheduling and payment: We reviewed the ease with which customers can schedule services and estimate their costs through accurate quotes, price matching, flat-rate pricing, and other perks. Car shippers that give binding quotes or a price-lock promise got more positive rankings than those that are not as transparent with pricing.
Alternative ways to ship your car from California to Texas
Ship it with your movers
When moving from California to Texas, it can be helpful to hire a moving company that includes car shipping services. A number of long-distance moving companies work directly with reliable car shippers to arrange transport.
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4.75 / 5
Licensed
 Insured
Price
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Drive it yourself
While it’s simple, this isn’t always the best option, and it’ll put about 1,407 extra miles on your car to travel from California to Texas. To help decide, here are the pros and cons of driving vs. shipping.
Hire a driver
Hiring a driver to take your car from California to Texas is an alternative you might want to consider. However, it typically comes with a high price tag, and you’ll need to rely on the driver to care for your car.
Ship by train
This approach offers an affordable and safe way to transport your vehicle. In fact, shipping a car by train is considered the cheapest car shipping method.
California to Texas auto transport costs and transit times
The tables below highlight the average shipping costs and estimated timelines for transporting a car between popular cities in California and Texas. The trip typically spans 1,407 miles and takes about three–eight days.
Cost to ship a car from Los Angeles, CA to Texas
| From California to Texas | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles, CA to Houston, TX | $1,065 – $1,631 | 1,547 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| Los Angeles, CA to San Antonio, TX | $969 – $1,507 | 1,351 miles | 3 – 8 days |
| Los Angeles, CA to Dallas, TX | $1,022 – $1,506 | 1,435 miles | 3 – 8 days |
| Los Angeles, CA to Austin, TX | $930 – $1,478 | 1,376 miles | 3 – 8 days |
| Los Angeles, CA to Fort Worth, TX | $1,074 – $1,567 | 1,404 miles | 3 – 8 days |
Cost to ship a car from San Diego, CA to Texas
| From California to Texas | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Diego, CA to Houston, TX | $1,032 – $1,491 | 1,469 miles | 3 – 8 days |
| San Diego, CA to San Antonio, TX | $913 – $1,454 | 1,274 miles | 3 – 8 days |
| San Diego, CA to Dallas, TX | $959 – $1,522 | 1,358 miles | 3 – 8 days |
| San Diego, CA to Austin, TX | $913 – $1,369 | 1,299 miles | 3 – 8 days |
| San Diego, CA to Fort Worth, TX | $1,027 – $1,448 | 1,326 miles | 3 – 8 days |
Cost to ship a car from San Jose, CA to Texas
| From California to Texas | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Jose, CA to Houston, TX | $1,255 – $1,824 | 1,886 miles | 3 – 11 days |
| San Jose, CA to San Antonio, TX | $1,142 – $1,643 | 1,690 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| San Jose, CA to Dallas, TX | $1,096 – $1,610 | 1,689 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| San Jose, CA to Austin, TX | $1,241 – $1,801 | 1,715 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| San Jose, CA to Fort Worth, TX | $1,199 – $1,660 | 1,662 miles | 3 – 9 days |
Cost to ship a car from Bakersfield, CA to Texas
| From California to Texas | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bakersfield, CA to Houston, TX | $1,199 – $1,693 | 1,657 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| Bakersfield, CA to San Antonio, TX | $1,064 – $1,567 | 1,462 miles | 3 – 8 days |
| Bakersfield, CA to Dallas, TX | $1,022 – $1,552 | 1,449 miles | 3 – 8 days |
| Bakersfield, CA to Austin, TX | $1,043 – $1,506 | 1,488 miles | 3 – 8 days |
| Bakersfield, CA to Fort Worth, TX | $1,095 – $1,567 | 1,422 miles | 3 – 8 days |
Cost to ship a car from San Francisco, CA to Texas
| From California to Texas | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco, CA to Houston, TX | $1,224 – $1,783 | 1,928 miles | 3 – 11 days |
| San Francisco, CA to San Antonio, TX | $1,205 – $1,801 | 1,733 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| San Francisco, CA to Dallas, TX | $1,170 – $1,801 | 1,731 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| San Francisco, CA to Austin, TX | $1,182 – $1,801 | 1,757 miles | 3 – 11 days |
| San Francisco, CA to Fort Worth, TX | $1,134 – $1,698 | 1,704 miles | 3 – 9 days |
Shipping an SUV or truck from California to Texas
Transporting bigger vehicles like SUVs, trucks, and vans is usually more expensive than shipping a sedan due to increased weight and space requirements.
For this route from California to Texas, the cost for a larger vehicle is generally about $1,355–$1,883.
Factors that affect car shipping costs from California to Texas
When transporting your vehicle from the Golden State to the Lone Star State, these factors will influence your final price:
- Type of transport: Options like open, enclosed, or top-loaded transport cater to different needs. Open carriers are cost-effective, while enclosed transport provides added protection for luxury or classic cars. If you’re not sure, check out our guide comparing open vs. enclosed car shipping.
- Vehicle size and type: Shipping rates rise with vehicle size and weight. Generally, larger cars cost more to ship to Texas than smaller ones.
- Distance and route: The trip from California to Texas covers roughly 1,407 miles. Longer routes raise fuel and labor expenses, which increase the overall cost.
- Time of the year: Seasonal demand drives prices up. Moves from California in summer or over the holidays are often more expensive.
- Fuel prices: Rising or falling gas prices directly influence car shipping costs between California and Texas.
- Delivery expectations: Flexible delivery dates may lower your rate. The standard shipping time is three–eight days, but you can pay for expedited service.
Texas vehicle regulations you need to know
Moving to Texas means taking care of certain tasks to get your car registered and ready for the road. Here’s a summary of the key steps involved.
- Car insurance requirements: Every driver in Texas is mandated to have liability insurance known as 30/60/25 coverage. However, this minimum requirement may fall short in adequately covering the aftermath of a moderately severe accident. The basic policy offers $30,000 for individual injury coverage, up to $60,000 for injury coverage per accident, and provides up to $25,000 for property damage.
- Vehicle inspection: In Texas, vehicles undergo annual safety inspections covering brakes, lights, steering, tires, etc. Some qualify for a two-year cycle.
- Driver’s license: New residents are required to obtain a Texas driver license from the Texas Department of Public Safety within 90 days of moving to the state.
- Additional taxes: New residents must pay a $90 new resident tax instead of a use tax for a vehicle they bring into Texas. This applies if the vehicle was previously registered in the new resident's name in another state or foreign country.
Learn more with our car shipping checklist.
Transporting your vehicle from California
More than 39.0 million people call California home. Nicknamed the Golden State. California has a great Mediterranean climate throughout most of the state. In the Southeast, you may experience colder winters and hotter summers. The northern part of California experiences more rain than the rest of the state. Before your move be sure to check for rain or very hot days.
Transporting your vehicle to Texas
About 30.5 million people are living in the Lone Star State. Although winters are mild, hurricane season during the summer months may affect your move.
FAQ
Does someone have to be present when you ship a car for pickup in California and delivery in Texas?
Most companies will require that an adult of at least 18 years of age be present when picking up your car in California and when dropping it off in Texas.
Do you need car insurance when shipping your car from California to Texas?
If you’re not driving the vehicle from California to Texas, you aren't required to have typical car insurance. Your car hauler should have adequate insurance if an accident happened on the drive to Texas, which you should verify before loading your car in California.
If you’re driving your car at all in either state, you should understand the 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.
Every driver in Texas is mandated to have liability insurance known as 30/60/25 coverage. However, this minimum requirement may fall short in adequately covering the aftermath of a moderately severe accident. The basic policy offers $30,000 for individual injury coverage, up to $60,000 for injury coverage per accident, and provides up to $25,000 for property damage.
How long does it take to ship a car from California to Texas?
Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from California to Texas is about 1,407 miles, and that’s as fast as about 3 days. However, most car transport companies will take three to eight days to travel from California to Texas.
Will I be required to have a vehicle inspection in either state?
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.
In Texas, vehicles undergo annual safety inspections covering brakes, lights, steering, tires, etc. Some qualify for a two-year cycle.
If I have a driver’s license in California, will I need one in Texas?
New residents are required to obtain a Texas driver license from the Texas Department of Public Safety within 90 days of moving to the state.
If I bought a car in California, will I be required to pay sales tax in Texas after shipping it there?
It’s important to understand any tax implications if you’re having a car shipped from California to Texas after purchasing it.
New residents must pay a $90 new resident tax instead of a use tax for a vehicle they bring into Texas. This applies if the vehicle was previously registered in the new resident's name in another state or foreign country.
We recommend that you always check for updated tax information in both California and Texas to avoid any hidden costs.
What is the cheapest way to ship a car from California to Texas?
The cheapest way to ship a car from California to Texas is to ship it on a train or choose an open trailer transport method, avoid expedited shipping, and be flexible with your pickup dates.
How much does it cost to ship a car from California to Texas?
Shipping a car from California to Texas costs $1,084 to $1,506.
