Dec–Feb
Winter
Watch for ice
Winter is usually steady, but ice storms can close roads for a day or two.
Car Shipping in Dallas
Shipping a car out of Uptown, from Frisco to California, or into Fort Worth for a new job. Dallas–Fort Worth is one of the busiest car carrier crossroads in the country. Here's what it costs and where carriers can meet you.
How much does it cost to ship a car from Dallas?
Shipping a standard sedan from Dallas costs about $675–$1,425 on an open carrier to most mainland cities, depending on distance. Dallas to Los Angeles runs about $950–$1,200 (3–5 days), and Dallas to New York about $1,000–$1,275 (3–6 days). Enclosed transport adds roughly 40–60%.
- Pickup: most of DFW is truck-friendly, with wide roads and big lots.
- Weather: hail season (March to June) and winter ice storms can delay pickups.
- Main truck routes: I-35, I-20, I-30, I-45 and I-635.
Pickup and delivery
Where car carriers can meet you in Dallas–Fort Worth
DFW is mostly easy for carriers, but some older neighborhoods and Uptown streets are tight. Pick your area to see truck routes and good meeting spots.
Hail season is real
North Texas sees frequent hailstorms from March to June. Carriers pause in severe weather, and enclosed transport is worth considering for valuable cars. Inspect your car carefully at delivery.
Hail season Mar–JunSpring severe stormsWinter ice stormsSummer heat
Downtown & Uptown
Truck access: ModerateDowntown and Uptown have high-rises, garages and busy streets. Carriers usually meet residents near I-35E or the Dallas North Tollway.
Truck routes
- Stemmons Freeway
- DNTDallas North Tollway
- I-30 to Fort Worth
Good meeting spots
- Large lots near the Design District
- Retail lots near I-35E
Tip: Book a loading dock if you live in a tower, or meet at a nearby lot.
Park Cities & North Dallas
Truck access: ModerateHighland Park, University Park and North Dallas have tree-lined streets and some local truck rules. Main roads are usually best for loading.
Truck routes
- US-75 Central Expressway
- LBJ Freeway
Good meeting spots
- Retail lots along US-75
- Shopping center lots near I-635
Tip: Low branches on older streets can block tall carriers; meet on a main road.
Fort Worth
Truck access: EasyFort Worth has wide roads and easy access to I-35W, I-30 and I-20. Door pickups are common in most neighborhoods.
Truck routes
- I-35W
- I-30
- I-20
Good meeting spots
- Your driveway in most neighborhoods
- Retail lots near I-30 and I-20
Tip: Westbound loads to California often leave from the Fort Worth side on I-20.
Arlington & Mid-Cities
Truck access: EasyArlington, Grand Prairie and Irving sit between Dallas and Fort Worth with quick access to everything.
Truck routes
- I-30
- TX 360State Highway 360
- TX 183Airport Freeway
Good meeting spots
- Your driveway in most neighborhoods
- Retail lots near I-30
Tip: Avoid game days near the stadiums in Arlington.
Plano, Frisco & McKinney
Truck access: EasyThe northern suburbs have wide streets and new neighborhoods. Some gated communities need driver access arranged in advance.
Truck routes
- US-75
- DNTDallas North Tollway
- TX 121Sam Rayburn Tollway
Good meeting spots
- Your driveway in most communities
- Shopping center lots near the tollways
Tip: Corporate relocations to the northern suburbs often include car shipping; ask HR before booking.
DFW Airport & Irving
Truck access: EasyThe area around DFW Airport is full of distribution centers and wide roads, making pickups simple.
Truck routes
- TX 114John Carpenter Freeway
- LBJ Freeway
- I-35E
Good meeting spots
- Business park and hotel lots near DFW (not terminal roads)
- Retail lots near I-635
Tip: A meeting point near DFW is often the fastest option for busy schedules.
South Dallas & the I-20 corridor
Truck access: EasySouthern Dallas, Lancaster and DeSoto have large distribution centers along I-20 and I-45.
Truck routes
- I-20
- I-45 to Houston
- I-35E south
Good meeting spots
- Truck-friendly lots near I-20
- Retail lots near I-45
Tip: Southbound loads to Houston and Austin leave on I-45 and I-35E from here.
Prices
Car shipping prices to and from Dallas
Estimated open-carrier prices for a standard sedan. Routes with a guide link to city-by-city prices; the rest start a quote.
Shipping from Dallas
- Dallas → Los Angeles, CA
1,480 mi · 3–5 days$950–$1,200
Route guide → - Dallas → Phoenix, AZ
1,060 mi · 2–4 days$775–$1,000 - Dallas → Denver, CO
790 mi · 2–4 days$675–$875 - Dallas → Chicago, IL
970 mi · 2–4 days$750–$950 - Dallas → Atlanta, GA
860 mi · 2–4 days$700–$900 - Dallas → Miami, FL
1,330 mi · 3–5 days$900–$1,150 - Dallas → New York, NY
1,640 mi · 3–6 days$1,000–$1,275 - Dallas → Seattle, WA
2,020 mi · 4–7 days$1,125–$1,425
Shipping to Dallas
- Los Angeles, CA → Dallas
1,480 mi · 3–5 days$950–$1,200
Route guide → - Detroit, MI → Dallas
1,200 mi · 2–4 days$850–$1,075
Route guide → - Des Moines, IA → Dallas
760 mi · 2–4 days$675–$850 - Baltimore, MD → Dallas
1,450 mi · 3–5 days$925–$1,200
Route guide → - Chicago, IL → Dallas
970 mi · 2–4 days$750–$950 - Miami, FL → Dallas
1,330 mi · 3–5 days$900–$1,150
Route guide →
Enclosed transport adds about 40–60%. SUVs and pickups usually add $100–$250.
Book with confidence
Three ways to ship your car in Dallas
Compare independent companies, let our own licensed team handle it, or check a quote you already have.
Full Service
Let Transportvibe handle it
Full Service is our own licensed brokerage. Our team books a vetted carrier for your Dallas move, including a truck-friendly meeting point, and handles the details. Shown separately from TrustScore rankings.
Explore Full ServiceCompare
Compare independent companies
See FMCSA-checked brokers and carriers serving Dallas, ranked by TrustScore with verified reviews. Companies can't pay to change their score.
Compare companiesRed Flag Checker
Check a company before you pay
Paste a USDOT or MC number to see FMCSA authority, insurance status, complaint history and warning signs, including quotes far below the $675–$1,425 market range.
Run Red Flag CheckerLocal know-how
What makes Dallas car shipping different
One of the country's busiest crossroads
I-35, I-20, I-30 and I-45 meet in DFW, so trucks pass through in every direction. Pickups are usually scheduled within a few days.
Hail and severe storms
North Texas sees hail and severe storms from March to June. Carriers pause in bad weather, and enclosed transport protects valuable cars.
Toll roads
The Dallas North Tollway, Sam Rayburn Tollway and other NTTA roads use TollTags. Remove yours so it doesn't register charges on the truck.
Inspections and emissions
Texas no longer requires annual safety inspections for most passenger vehicles. Emissions testing still applies in the DFW counties.
Winter ice storms
A few times a winter, ice storms can shut down DFW roads for a day or two. Carriers wait them out, so keep a backup date.
Military moves
Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth and Fort Hood, about two hours south, bring regular PCS moves.
Timing
Best time to ship a car in Dallas
Summer relocations and spring storms shape Dallas prices most.
Mar–May
Spring
Hail season
Spring brings hail and severe storms. Prices are steady, but delays happen.
Jun–Aug
Summer
Moving season
Summer is peak season for relocations and PCS moves. Book two to three weeks ahead.
Sep–Nov
Fall
Good time to ship
Fall is usually a good time to ship, with mild weather and steady demand.
Moving checklist
Moving to or from Dallas with a car
Moving to Dallas
Confirm current rules with the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TxDMV) and your county tax office.
- Register within 30 days of becoming a Texas resident, through the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TxDMV) and your county tax office.
- Inspection: Texas no longer requires annual safety inspections for most passenger vehicles. Emissions testing still applies in several metro counties.
- Minimum insurance: Liability of at least $30,000 per person, $60,000 per accident for bodily injury and $25,000 for property damage.
- Plan for hail. If you don't have covered parking, consider a garage or covered spot during spring storm season.
Leaving Dallas
Things Dallasites forget before the truck arrives.
- Remove your TollTag or TxTag. It can register toll road charges while the car is on the truck.
- Watch the weather. Have a backup pickup date in spring storm season and winter.
- Pick a main-road meeting point if you live on a narrow or tree-lined street.
- Leave about a quarter tank and remove personal items before pickup.
Ready to ship your car in Dallas?
Let our Full Service team find a carrier and a meeting point that works, or check any company with the Red Flag Checker before you pay a deposit.
Questions
Dallas car shipping FAQ
How much does it cost to ship a car from Dallas?
Shipping a standard sedan from Dallas costs about $675–$1,425 on an open carrier to most mainland cities, depending on distance. Dallas to Los Angeles runs about $950–$1,200 (3–5 days), and Dallas to New York about $1,000–$1,275 (3–6 days). Enclosed transport adds roughly 40–60%.
How much does it cost to ship a car from Dallas to California?
About $950–$1,200 to Los Angeles on an open carrier, taking 3–5 days after pickup. Carriers use I-20 and I-10 or I-40.
Is it cheaper to ship from Fort Worth or Dallas?
Prices are about the same, but Fort Worth can be slightly cheaper for westbound shipments since carriers leave on I-20 from that side.
Does hail affect car shipping in Dallas?
It can. From March to June, hail and severe storms can delay pickups. Consider enclosed transport for valuable cars, and inspect your car carefully at delivery.
Do I need an inspection after moving my car to Dallas?
Texas no longer requires annual safety inspections for most passenger vehicles, but emissions testing still applies in the DFW counties. New residents should register within 30 days.
What is the cheapest way to ship a car from Dallas?
Book an open carrier two weeks ahead, avoid peak summer, and meet the truck near a freeway in the Mid-Cities, near DFW Airport or along I-20.
How long does it take to ship a car from Dallas?
About 2–4 days to Atlanta, 3–6 days to New York and 3–5 days to Los Angeles after pickup. Add 1–3 days for scheduling.
Can I ship a car from Dallas to Seattle?
Yes. Carriers run through Denver and Boise, or along I-10 and I-5 in winter. Expect about $1,125–$1,425 and 4–7 days.
Related routes and guides
- Texas to California
- California to Texas
- Michigan to Texas
- Maryland to Texas
- Florida to Texas
- Car shipping in Texas
- Car shipping in New York City
- Car shipping in Los Angeles
- Car shipping in San Diego
- Car shipping in Chicago
- Car shipping in Houston
- Car shipping in Miami
- Car shipping in Seattle
- Car shipping in San Jose
- Car shipping in Atlanta
- Get a car shipping quote
How we estimate prices. Prices and transit times on this page are estimates for a standard sedan, based on route distance, typical carrier rates, seasonal demand and the extra cost of enclosed transport. Quotes from individual companies can be higher or lower. Registration details come from the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TxDMV) and your county tax office; truck route rules from Texas Department of Transportation information.