($1,244) Cost to ship a car from McAllen, TX to Santa Clarita, CA
Fact Checked by: Quick answer: Shipping a car 1,625 miles from McAllen, Texas, to Santa Clarita, California, typically costs between $1,244 and $1,688. Final pricing depends on details like your vehicle type, shipping method, and the time of year. For personalized pricing, try our car shipping cost calculator.
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Shipping a car the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Santa Clarita to McAllen 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 McAllen to Santa Clarita car shipping companies
Our team has reviewed thousands of companies and narrowed down the top car shipping companies to safely move your vehicle from McAllen to Santa Clarita:
- 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
- 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
Top local car shippers in McAllen
If you’re leaning towards hiring a local car shipper, here are the best car shippers based in McAllen, TX:
- Ceva Logistics: 3.5 out of 5 stars
- Incognito Express Llc: 3.5 out of 5 stars
- AMPM Auto Transport: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Ceva Logistics
11906 Hayter Rd, Laredo, TX 78045 US
cevalogistics.com
3.5 / 5.0
Customers appreciate the drop-and-hook nature of the service and indicate that the facility is generally good and functional, but they also express frustration regarding inefficiencies, long wait times, and some unpleasant interactions with staff.
Services Offered
- Door-to-door service
- Open transport
- Enclosed transport
- Interstate shipping
- International shipping
- Insured shipping
- Shipment tracking
- Expedited delivery
- Storage solutions
- Trailers
- Motorcycles
- Heavy equipment
- Boats
Additional Information
- Pay by credit card
- Deposit Required
- DOT #: 187774
Incognito Express Llc
1910 Cochran Lane, Rockport, TX 78382 US
incognitoexpress.com
3.5 / 5.0
Services Offered
- Open transport
- Enclosed transport
- Interstate shipping
- Insured shipping
- Multi-car transport
- Classic cars
- Motorcycles
Additional Information
- Pay by credit card
- DOT #: USDOT2366481
AMPM Auto Transport
302 Crossroads Loop, Laredo, TX 78045 US
ampmautotransport.com/laredo-auto-transport
3.5 / 5.0
Services Offered
- Open transport
- Enclosed transport
- Interstate shipping
- Insured shipping
- Expedited delivery
- Multi-car transport
- Classic cars
- RVs
- ATVs
- Trailers
- Motorcycles
- Heavy equipment
- Boats
- Electric vehicles
- Inoperable cars
Additional Information
- Pay by money order
- Pay by cash
- Pay by credit card
- Deposit Required
- DOT #: 2247310
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 TX to CA
When you’re moving from McAllen to Santa Clarita, 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
On moves from McAllen to Santa Clarita, it’s common for the top long-distance movers to coordinate with established car shippers for you. This can simplify your relocation, but you might not have a say in which car shipper they choose.
Drive your car
There are lots of pros and cons of driving your car versus shipping it. You may be able to incorporate the 1,625-mile drive from McAllen to Santa Clarita into a fun road trip, and you’ll likely save money. But all that mileage will put some wear and tear on your vehicle, and you could face inclement weather or other dangerous driving conditions.
Use a driving service
If cost isn’t your biggest concern, you might consider hiring someone to drive your car from Texas to California. That said, you’ll want a driver you can rely on to handle the trip from McAllen to Santa Clarita carefully. Just remember—this option still puts added miles on your car.
Ship your car via train
Transporting your car by train is one of the safest and most affordable options for getting your vehicle to Santa Clarita—especially if your household goods are already moving by rail. In fact, it’s the cheapest car shipping method available. The downside is limited pickup and drop-off flexibility, plus longer transit times compared to standard car shipping or driving yourself.
Factors affecting McAllen to Santa Clarita car shipping costs
If you’re moving your car from McAllen to Santa Clarita, the cost will depend on several key factors:
Transport method
If you’re moving a car from McAllen to Santa Clarita, your options include open, enclosed, and top-loaded shipping. Each service has pros and cons depending on your situation.
Open carriers from McAllen tend to be the most budget-friendly, while enclosed transport is better for protecting luxury or classic cars. To help you decide on the right choice for your move to Santa Clarita, see our detailed guide on open vs. enclosed transport.
Vehicle size and type
Your shipping price from McAllen 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 Santa Clarita will cost significantly more to ship than a compact car.
Distance and route
To put it simply, the longer the journey, the higher the price. Distance impacts pricing in terms of fuel and labor expenses, as well as added costs like toll fees and carrier maintenance. Shipping your car 1,625 miles from McAllen to Santa Clarita will likely be more expensive than transporting it a shorter distance within Texas.
Where you’re shipping your car matters, too. Rates are usually lower for routes along major highways and higher for more remote areas.
The time of the year
Seasonal demand and weather patterns in McAllen and Santa Clarita often affect the cost of auto transport.
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.
Santa Clarita experiences hot, very dry summers and cool winters with moderate precipitation.
When demand peaks in summer and during holiday seasons, prices rise accordingly. Shipping your car from McAllen to Santa Clarita in these high-demand windows typically comes at a premium.
Fuel prices
Fuel costs are a key driver of car shipping prices. On a 1,625-mile trip from McAllen to Santa Clarita, rising fuel prices can quickly push your rates higher. When gas prices spike, expect your transport costs to increase as well.
Delivery expectations
If you’re flexible with delivery dates, you may qualify for discounts from your car shipper. Typically, transporting a vehicle from McAllen to Santa Clarita takes between three and nine days. While flexibility can reduce costs, choosing expedited shipping guarantees faster delivery at a higher price.
Comparing McAllen and Santa Clarita vehicle regulations
Parking permits
- 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.
- Santa Clarita: A Vehicle Moving Permit (REG 172) may be issued at no fee for a period of only one day for movement of a vehicle in accordance with CVC §§4002 and 11716. Registration of a vehicle moved or operated under a permit issued by DMV is not required. Auto clubs are authorized to issue REG 172s. A REG 172 is valid for one day and issued to vehicles that have a valid planned nonoperation (PNO) status on record, be exempt from the PNO law, or have current fees on deposit and will be moved
Car insurance requirements
- 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.
- Santa Clarita: 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 inspections
- McAllen: In Texas, vehicles undergo annual safety inspections covering brakes, lights, steering, tires, etc. Some qualify for a two-year cycle.
- Santa Clarita: 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
- 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.
- Santa Clarita: If you move to California and become a resident, you are required to obtain a California driver's license within 10 days.
FAQ
How much does it cost to ship a car from McAllen to Santa Clarita?
The cost to ship a car from McAllen, TX to Santa Clarita, CA 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 McAllen to Santa Clarita will range from $1,244 to $1,688.
How long will it take to ship my car from McAllen to Santa Clarita?
It will take approximately three to nine days to ship your car the 1,625 miles from McAllen to Santa Clarita. If you need it quicker, ask your shipper about expedited delivery.
What’s the cheapest way to ship my car from McAllen to Santa Clarita?
An open-transport car carrier is the cheapest way to ship your car from McAllen to Santa Clarita. 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 McAllen to Santa Clarita?
It is generally cheaper to drive your car from McAllen to Santa Clarita 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 1,625-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.
