Michigan to Texas Car Shipping (2025 Cost Guide)
Quick answer: Shipping a car 1,378 miles from Michigan to Texas usually costs between $1,046 and $1,549. Transit time is about three–eight days, depending on the type of transport you choose and the season. For a more specific estimate, try our car shipping cost calculator.
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Shipping a car the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our Texas to Michigan 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 Michigan to Texas car shipping companies
After logging over 400 hours of research in the car shipping industry, we found that these are the best car shipping companies to help transport your vehicle from Michigan to Texas:
- Best for real-time tracking: Nexus Auto Transport
- Best for accurate pricing: Sherpa Auto Transport
- Best for safety & reliability: Montway Auto Transport
- Best for budget-conscious: Navi Auto Transport
- Best for overall value: SGT Auto Transport
- 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
- Competitive pricing & $0 upfront
- GPS tracking
- Multiple insurance options
- Guaranteed pickup dates available
- Door-to-door service
- No hidden fees
- Free online quotes
- Door-to-door service in 48 states
- Exact pickup dates
- Ships to & from HI
Top local car shippers in Michigan
Prefer a hometown provider? Check out the best car shippers in Michigan ready to move your vehicle to Texas:
- Detroit Auto Shipping Group: 3.8 out of 5 stars
- First Choice Of Elkhart Inc: 3.8 out of 5 stars
- Jack Cooper Transport: 3.72 out of 5 stars
- Jack Cooper Transport Co Inc: 3.66 out of 5 stars
- Great Lakes Logistics Llc: 3.64 out of 5 stars
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 Michigan to Texas
Ship it with your movers
If you’re relocating from Michigan to Texas, consider choosing a moving company that also offers car shipping. Many long-distance movers partner with trusted auto transport providers to coordinate the process.
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Drive it yourself
Driving is simple but not always practical, and it adds about 1,378 miles to your car on the trip from Michigan to Texas. If you’re weighing the options, check out the pros and cons of driving versus shipping.
Hire a driver
You can also hire someone to drive the car from Michigan to Texas for you. This option could be a very costly one and involves trusting a driver to safely get your car to its destination.
Ship by train
This service provides a secure and budget-friendly option for transporting your car. Car shipping by train is actually the most economical choice.
Michigan to Texas auto transport costs and transit times
The following tables provide estimated costs and shipping times for cars transported between key cities in Michigan and Texas. Average distances are close to 1,378 miles, with delivery usually taking three–eight days.
Cost to ship a car from Detroit, MI to Texas
| From Michigan to Texas | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Detroit, MI to Houston, TX | $1,025 – $1,610 | 1,310 miles | 3 – 8 days |
| Detroit, MI to San Antonio, TX | $1,093 – $1,515 | 1,469 miles | 3 – 8 days |
| Detroit, MI to Dallas, TX | $895 – $1,331 | 1,195 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Detroit, MI to Austin, TX | $1,035 – $1,549 | 1,381 miles | 3 – 8 days |
| Detroit, MI to Fort Worth, TX | $904 – $1,318 | 1,182 miles | 2 – 8 days |
Cost to ship a car from Grand Rapids, MI to Texas
| From Michigan to Texas | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Rapids, MI to Houston, TX | $928 – $1,406 | 1,226 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Grand Rapids, MI to San Antonio, TX | $1,046 – $1,457 | 1,348 miles | 3 – 8 days |
| Grand Rapids, MI to Dallas, TX | $797 – $1,262 | 1,075 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Grand Rapids, MI to Austin, TX | $1,046 – $1,457 | 1,306 miles | 3 – 8 days |
| Grand Rapids, MI to Fort Worth, TX | $830 – $1,236 | 1,099 miles | 2 – 8 days |
Cost to ship a car from Warren, MI to Texas
| From Michigan to Texas | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Warren, MI to Houston, TX | $1,066 – $1,595 | 1,320 miles | 3 – 8 days |
| Warren, MI to San Antonio, TX | $1,114 – $1,674 | 1,478 miles | 3 – 8 days |
| Warren, MI to Dallas, TX | $985 – $1,449 | 1,204 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Warren, MI to Austin, TX | $1,028 – $1,658 | 1,408 miles | 3 – 8 days |
| Warren, MI to Fort Worth, TX | $1,004 – $1,435 | 1,200 miles | 2 – 8 days |
Cost to ship a car from Sterling Heights, MI to Texas
| From Michigan to Texas | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sterling Heights, MI to Houston, TX | $1,035 – $1,533 | 1,323 miles | 3 – 8 days |
| Sterling Heights, MI to San Antonio, TX | $1,114 – $1,610 | 1,481 miles | 3 – 8 days |
| Sterling Heights, MI to Dallas, TX | $995 – $1,435 | 1,216 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Sterling Heights, MI to Austin, TX | $1,125 – $1,578 | 1,402 miles | 3 – 8 days |
| Sterling Heights, MI to Fort Worth, TX | $947 – $1,435 | 1,203 miles | 2 – 8 days |
Cost to ship a car from Ann Arbor, MI to Texas
| From Michigan to Texas | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ann Arbor, MI to Houston, TX | $985 – $1,449 | 1,280 miles | 3 – 8 days |
| Ann Arbor, MI to San Antonio, TX | $1,136 – $1,642 | 1,438 miles | 3 – 8 days |
| Ann Arbor, MI to Dallas, TX | $877 – $1,387 | 1,165 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Ann Arbor, MI to Austin, TX | $1,056 – $1,549 | 1,360 miles | 3 – 8 days |
| Ann Arbor, MI to Fort Worth, TX | $921 – $1,331 | 1,162 miles | 2 – 8 days |
Shipping an SUV or truck from Michigan to Texas
SUVs, trucks, and vans typically cost more to ship than smaller cars because of their size and weight.
For a larger vehicle going from Michigan to Texas, the price usually falls between $1,308 and $1,936.
Factors that affect car shipping costs from Michigan to Texas
When transporting your vehicle from the Wolverine 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 journey from Michigan to Texas spans approximately 1,378 miles, influencing fuel and labor costs. The longer the distance, the bigger the price tag.
- Time of the year: Peak seasons like summer or holidays raise shipping demand. This makes moves out of Michigan more expensive during these times.
- Fuel prices: Variability in fuel prices across states affects the cost of moving a vehicle between Michigan 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 Michigan
More than 10.0 million people call Michigan home. Nicknamed the Wolverine State. Michigan has a continental climate, although there are two distinct regions. The southern and central parts of the Lower Peninsula (south of Saginaw Bay and from the Grand Rapids area southward) have a warmer climate with hot summers and cold winters. The northern part of the Lower Peninsula and the entire Upper Peninsula has a more severe climate (Köppen Dfb), with warm, but shorter summers and longer, cold to very cold winters. Some parts of the state average high temperatures below freezing from December through February, and into early March in the far northern parts. During the winter through the middle of February, the state is frequently subjected to heavy lake-effect snow. The state averages 30 days of thunderstorm activity per year. These can be severe, especially in the southern part of the state. The state averages 17 tornadoes per year, which are more common in the state's extreme southern section.
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 Michigan 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 Michigan and when dropping it off in Texas.
Do you need car insurance when shipping your car from Michigan to Texas?
If you’re not driving the vehicle from Michigan 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 Michigan.
If you’re driving your car at all in either state, you should understand the requirements. Michigan requires a minimum auto insurance coverage of $50,000/$100,000 for bodily injury and $10,000 for property damage in case of an accident.
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 Michigan to Texas?
Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from Michigan to Texas is about 1,378 miles, and that’s as fast as about 3 days. However, most car transport companies will take three to eight days to travel from Michigan to Texas.
Will I be required to have a vehicle inspection in either state?
Michigan does not require vehicle inspections for registration purposes. There is no state mandate for car safety inspections or emissions testing.
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 Michigan, 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 Michigan, 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 Michigan 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 Michigan and Texas to avoid any hidden costs.
What is the cheapest way to ship a car from Michigan to Texas?
The cheapest way to ship a car from Michigan 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 Michigan to Texas?
Shipping a car from Michigan to Texas costs $1,046 to $1,549.
100 Riverfront Dr Suite 2610, Detroit, MI 48226 US
10888 Us Highway 12, White Pigeon, MI 49099 US
2900 Miller Rd, Dearborn, MI 48120 US
7262 Lansing Rd, Dimondale, MI 48821 US
9338 Harrison Rd, Romulus, MI 48174 US