Texas to Michigan Car Shipping (2026 Cost Guide)
Quick answer: The average cost to move a car 1,377 miles from Texas to Michigan falls between $951 and $1,421. Delivery typically takes three–eight days. The timeline can vary based on the type of transport you opt for and the time of year. To get a tailored quote, check out our car shipping cost calculator.
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Shipping a car the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our Michigan to Texas 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 Texas to Michigan car shipping companies
After putting more than 400 hours of research into the car shipping industry, we identified the best car shipping companies for transporting your vehicle from Texas to Michigan:
- 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
- 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 Texas
If you prefer to go with a local company, here are the top car shippers in Texas that can relocate your vehicle to Michigan:
- New World Auto Transport: 3.8 out of 5 stars
- Lepke Auto Transport: 3.8 out of 5 stars
- San Antonio Auto Shipping Group: 3.76 out of 5 stars
- Auto Transport Co: 3.64 out of 5 stars
- Thrifty Auto Shipping, Inc.: 3.62 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 Texas to Michigan
Ship it with your movers
If you’re planning a move from Texas to Michigan, you may find it convenient to work with a moving company that also handles car shipping. Many interstate movers partner with experienced car shipping services to arrange auto transport.
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Drive it yourself
This option is straightforward but may not suit every situation, and it’ll put around 1,377 miles on your car to travel between Texas and Michigan. To compare your options, see the pros and cons of driving vs. shipping.
Hire a driver
You can hire someone to drive your car from Texas to Michigan, but it’s often expensive and requires confidence in the driver’s ability to deliver your car safely.
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.
Texas to Michigan auto transport costs and transit times
The tables below detail the costs and estimated transit times for shipping a car between popular cities in Texas and Michigan. The average travel distance is about 1,377 miles, with shipping times typically ranging from three to eight days.
Cost to ship a car from Houston, TX to Michigan
| From Texas to Michigan | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Houston, TX to Detroit, MI | $941 – $1,496 | 1,301 miles | 3 – 8 days |
| Houston, TX to Grand Rapids, MI | $924 – $1,457 | 1,226 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Houston, TX to Warren, MI | $1,001 – $1,466 | 1,318 miles | 3 – 8 days |
| Houston, TX to Sterling Heights, MI | $1,010 – $1,511 | 1,322 miles | 3 – 8 days |
| Houston, TX to Ann Arbor, MI | $924 – $1,429 | 1,284 miles | 3 – 8 days |
Cost to ship a car from San Antonio, TX to Michigan
| From Texas to Michigan | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Antonio, TX to Detroit, MI | $1,056 – $1,540 | 1,458 miles | 3 – 8 days |
| San Antonio, TX to Grand Rapids, MI | $1,010 – $1,556 | 1,383 miles | 3 – 8 days |
| San Antonio, TX to Warren, MI | $1,109 – $1,603 | 1,475 miles | 3 – 8 days |
| San Antonio, TX to Sterling Heights, MI | $1,109 – $1,571 | 1,479 miles | 3 – 8 days |
| San Antonio, TX to Ann Arbor, MI | $1,014 – $1,618 | 1,410 miles | 3 – 8 days |
Cost to ship a car from Dallas, TX to Michigan
| From Texas to Michigan | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dallas, TX to Detroit, MI | $890 – $1,394 | 1,185 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Dallas, TX to Grand Rapids, MI | $794 – $1,207 | 1,075 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Dallas, TX to Warren, MI | $952 – $1,486 | 1,201 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Dallas, TX to Sterling Heights, MI | $943 – $1,386 | 1,206 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Dallas, TX to Ann Arbor, MI | $908 – $1,326 | 1,138 miles | 2 – 8 days |
Cost to ship a car from Austin, TX to Michigan
| From Texas to Michigan | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Austin, TX to Detroit, MI | $961 – $1,571 | 1,380 miles | 3 – 8 days |
| Austin, TX to Grand Rapids, MI | $924 – $1,429 | 1,269 miles | 3 – 8 days |
| Austin, TX to Warren, MI | $1,030 – $1,571 | 1,396 miles | 3 – 8 days |
| Austin, TX to Sterling Heights, MI | $1,003 – $1,478 | 1,401 miles | 3 – 8 days |
| Austin, TX to Ann Arbor, MI | $1,040 – $1,496 | 1,362 miles | 3 – 8 days |
Cost to ship a car from Fort Worth, TX to Michigan
| From Texas to Michigan | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fort Worth, TX to Detroit, MI | $830 – $1,299 | 1,183 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Fort Worth, TX to Grand Rapids, MI | $818 – $1,308 | 1,099 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Fort Worth, TX to Warren, MI | $847 – $1,421 | 1,199 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Fort Worth, TX to Sterling Heights, MI | $980 – $1,400 | 1,203 miles | 2 – 8 days |
| Fort Worth, TX to Ann Arbor, MI | $908 – $1,340 | 1,161 miles | 2 – 8 days |
Shipping an SUV or truck from Texas to Michigan
SUVs, trucks, and vans typically cost more to ship than smaller cars because of their size and weight.
For a larger vehicle going from Texas to Michigan, the price usually falls between $1,189 and $1,776.
Factors that affect car shipping costs from Texas to Michigan
When moving your vehicle from the Lone Star State to the Wolverine State, several factors can affect the total shipping cost:
- Type of transport: Options include open carriers, enclosed transport, and top-loading. Open carriers are less expensive, while enclosed transport is best for luxury or classic cars. See our comparison of open vs. enclosed auto transport for more details.
- Vehicle size and type: Shipping rates rise with vehicle size and weight. Generally, larger cars cost more to ship to Michigan than smaller ones.
- Distance and route: The trip from Texas to Michigan covers roughly 1,377 miles. Longer routes raise fuel and labor expenses, which increase the overall cost.
- Time of the year: Seasonal demand drives prices up. Moves from Texas in summer or over the holidays are often more expensive.
- Fuel prices: Fluctuating fuel prices can significantly affect transport costs. This is an important consideration given the distance between Texas and Michigan and the varying gas prices across the country.
- 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 Michigan should take between three and eight days. Expedited services are available but come at a higher cost.
Michigan vehicle regulations you need to know
After relocating to Michigan, you’ll need to complete a few important steps to register your vehicle and make it legal to drive. Below is an overview of the main requirements to help with the process.
- Car insurance 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.
- Vehicle inspection: Michigan does not require vehicle inspections for registration purposes. There is no state mandate for car safety inspections or emissions testing.
- Driver’s license: Michigan law requires new residents to promptly title and register their vehicles, with no grace period provided. A person is considered a resident if they live in the state and prove their legal presence in the US. To comply with these requirements, new residents should visit a Secretary of State office to obtain a Michigan driver's license, title, and registration as soon as they establish residency.
- Additional taxes: In Michigan, a 6% sales tax is imposed on all vehicle purchases.
Learn more with our car shipping checklist.
Transporting your vehicle from Texas
More than 30.5 million people call Texas home. Nicknamed the Lone Star State. Although winters are mild, hurricane season during the summer months may affect your move.
Transporting your vehicle to Michigan
About 10.0 million people are living in 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.
FAQ
Does someone have to be present when you ship a car for pickup in Texas and delivery in Michigan?
Most companies will require that an adult of at least 18 years of age be present when picking up your car in Texas and when dropping it off in Michigan.
Do you need car insurance when shipping your car from Texas to Michigan?
If you’re not driving the vehicle from Texas to Michigan, you aren't required to have typical car insurance. Your car hauler should have adequate insurance if an accident happened on the drive to Michigan, which you should verify before loading your car in Texas.
If you’re driving your car at all in either state, you should understand the 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.
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.
How long does it take to ship a car from Texas to Michigan?
Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from Texas to Michigan is about 1,377 miles, and that’s as fast as about 3 days. However, most car transport companies will take three to eight days to travel from Texas to Michigan.
Will I be required to have a vehicle inspection in either state?
In Texas, vehicles undergo annual safety inspections covering brakes, lights, steering, tires, etc. Some qualify for a two-year cycle.
Michigan does not require vehicle inspections for registration purposes. There is no state mandate for car safety inspections or emissions testing.
If I have a driver’s license in Texas, will I need one in Michigan?
Michigan law requires new residents to promptly title and register their vehicles, with no grace period provided. A person is considered a resident if they live in the state and prove their legal presence in the US. To comply with these requirements, new residents should visit a Secretary of State office to obtain a Michigan driver's license, title, and registration as soon as they establish residency.
If I bought a car in Texas, will I be required to pay sales tax in Michigan after shipping it there?
It’s important to understand any tax implications if you’re having a car shipped from Texas to Michigan after purchasing it.
In Michigan, a 6% sales tax is imposed on all vehicle purchases.
We recommend that you always check for updated tax information in both Texas and Michigan to avoid any hidden costs.
What is the cheapest way to ship a car from Texas to Michigan?
The cheapest way to ship a car from Texas to Michigan 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 Texas to Michigan?
Shipping a car from Texas to Michigan costs $951 to $1,421.
300 Alamo Plaza, San Antonio, TX 78205 US
5460 Babcock Rd #120-C, San Antonio, TX 78240 US
2201 Main St #205, Dallas, TX 75201 US