($842) Cost to ship a car from St. Louis, MO to McAllen, TX
Quick answer: Expect to pay around $842 to $1,456 to ship your car 1,136 miles from St. Louis, Missouri, to McAllen, Texas. The actual cost depends on factors like your vehicle type, shipping method, and the time of year. For a customized estimate, use our car shipping cost calculator.
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Shipping a car the reverse route? We've got you covered with our McAllen to St. Louis 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 St. Louis to McAllen car shipping companies
We’ve done the research, and these are the best car shipping companies to help transport your vehicle from St. Louis to McAllen:
- 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 St. Louis
Prefer to keep it local? Here are the top car transport companies serving St. Louis, MO:
- Jmn Logistics Llc: 3.66 out of 5 stars
- Jack Cooper Transport: 3.5 out of 5 stars
- Ceva Logistics: 3.5 out of 5 stars
- Saint Louis Auto Transport: 3.5 out of 5 stars
- Auto Driveaway: 3.5 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.
Car shipping alternatives from MO to TX
When you’re moving from St. Louis to McAllen, there are several ways to get your car to your new home. Here are the most common car shipping alternatives. Each one has its own benefits and trade-offs.
Coordinate with your movers
If you are relocating from St. Louis to McAllen, many of the top long-distance moving companies partner with reputable car shippers nationwide and can oversee auto transport for you as part of an overall relocation package. You won’t have to handle the logistics yourself, but you’ll be locked into your mover’s preferred car shipper and their pricing.
Drive your car
Choosing whether to drive or ship your vehicle involves trade-offs. The 1,136 miles from St. Louis to McAllen might make for an enjoyable road trip and save you money. But the downsides include added wear on your car and potential risks from weather or long-distance driving.
Use a driving service
Having a driver transport your car from Missouri to Texas is also an option, but it doesn’t come cheap. You’ll need to trust that the driver can deliver your car safely from St. Louis to McAllen. Plus, the trip inevitably adds wear and mileage to your vehicle.
Ship your car via train
Shipping a car by train is a cost-effective and safe way to transport your vehicle to McAllen, particularly if you’re already planning to move your household belongings by rail. In fact, it is the cheapest way to ship your car! Keep in mind that this method offers no real flexibility in terms of pickup and drop-off locations and will take longer than using a car shipper or driving.
Factors affecting St. Louis to McAllen car shipping costs
When you’re arranging vehicle transport from St. Louis to McAllen, keep these cost factors in mind:
Transport method
You have a few different options for shipping your car from St. Louis to McAllen, including open, enclosed, and top-loaded transport. The method you should choose depends on your specific needs.
Open carriers are the most cost-effective option, while enclosed transport provides added protection for luxury or classic cars. If you’re uncertain which option to use to get your vehicle to McAllen, refer to our guide on comparing open vs. enclosed car shipping.
Vehicle size and type
Your shipping price from St. Louis depends heavily on your car’s size and weight. The larger the vehicle, the higher the cost, since it takes up more space on the carrier. For instance, a full-size SUV headed to McAllen will cost significantly more to ship than a compact car.
Distance and route
Basically, longer distances mean higher shipping prices. Extra miles drive up fuel usage, labor hours, tolls, and maintenance costs. So moving your car 1,136 miles from St. Louis to McAllen will almost always cost more than a shorter in-state trip in Missouri.
Location also affects the cost. Shipments along common interstate routes are typically cheaper, while hard-to-reach destinations add to the price.
The time of the year
The time of year and weather conditions in St. Louis and McAllen play a major role in determining car shipping rates.
St. Louis experiences hot summers, cold winters, many thunderstorms, and tornados. There's a chance that the climate will affect your move so be sure to check the forecast ahead of time.
Consider moving to McAllen city on November, March and February. The city has two distinct seasons; a wet season from May to October and a dry season from November to April.
For example, peak moving seasons like summer and the holidays increase demand, which pushes prices higher. Shipping your car from St. Louis to McAllen in those months will likely cost more than during slower seasons.
Fuel prices
Changes in fuel prices have a major impact on shipping costs. With 1,136 miles between St. Louis and McAllen, fluctuating fuel rates across regions can significantly affect your price. Higher fuel costs almost always mean higher transport charges.
Delivery expectations
Auto shippers sometimes offer reduced rates if you’re open to flexible delivery dates. On average, shipping from St. Louis to McAllen takes two to eight days. Opting for flexibility can save you money, but expedited service provides quicker transport at an added cost.
Comparing St. Louis and McAllen vehicle regulations
Parking permits
- St. Louis: Blocking Right of Way Permits are required for any activity that will block any portion of the public right of way (streets and sidewalks) such as dumpster placement, moving truck, block parties, construction related street closures. These may go from $20-$35
- McAllen: Make sure to check with the City of McAllen for details about parking permits and restrictions that you should know about before your move to McAllen.
Car insurance requirements
- St. Louis: In Missouri, drivers must have minimum liability coverage, including $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for bodily injury, along with $25,000 per accident for property damage. Adherence to these requirements is crucial for financial responsibility and contributes to a safer driving environment.
- McAllen: 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 inspections
- St. Louis: Missouri's DMV requires that passenger vehicles undergo a biennial safety inspection to evaluate the condition of its suspension, seatbelts, headlights, and related components. Additionally, residents of the St. Louis metropolitan area are required to have vehicle emission inspections.
- McAllen: In Texas, vehicles undergo annual safety inspections covering brakes, lights, steering, tires, etc. Some qualify for a two-year cycle.
Driver’s license
- St. Louis: As a new resident of Missouri with an out-of-state driver's license or non-driver ID, either valid or expired for no longer than 184 days, you must provide acceptable documents to demonstrate Proof of Identity, Proof of Legal Status, Proof of Social Security Number, and Proof of Missouri residency.
- McAllen: 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.
FAQ
How much does it cost to ship a car from St. Louis to McAllen?
The cost to ship a car from St. Louis, MO to McAllen, TX varies based on several factors, including the type of transport (open vs. enclosed car shipping), vehicle size and weight, and the current fuel prices. On average, transporting your vehicle from St. Louis to McAllen will range from $842 to $1,456.
How long will it take to ship my car from St. Louis to McAllen?
It will take approximately two to eight days to ship your car the 1,136 miles from St. Louis to McAllen. If you need it quicker, ask your shipper about expedited delivery.
What’s the cheapest way to ship my car from St. Louis to McAllen?
An open-transport car carrier is the cheapest way to ship your car from St. Louis to McAllen. However, there are other methods. Read our post on the cheapest way to ship a car to learn more.
Is it cheaper to ship my car or drive it from St. Louis to McAllen?
It is generally cheaper to drive your car from St. Louis to McAllen than to ship it. However, when deciding whether to drive your car or ship it, you need to factor in related costs like maintenance fees that could result from the additional wear-and-tear on your vehicle during the 1,136-mile trip. Long-distance trips also involve food and possibly lodging, which can add up quickly.
We recommend that you reach out to at least a few of the top car shippers to ask about seasonal rates and auto transport discounts. You can also use our car shipping calculator to quickly generate and compare quotes from multiple companies.
2050 Creve Coeur Mill Road N., Maryland Heights, MO 63043 US
655 Parr Rd, Wentzville, MO 63385 US
4745 Earth City Expy, Bridgeton, MO 63044 US
5908 Telegraph Rd, St. Louis, MO 63129 US
1750 S Brentwood Blvd #304, Brentwood, MO 63144 US