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How Much to Ship a Car from Texas to California

Texas to California is one of the most searched car shipping routes. See what it costs from Dallas–Fort Worth, Houston, Austin and San Antonio to Los Angeles, Bay Area, San Diego and Sacramento, how long it takes, and how to book safely.

Reviewed by Transportvibe Editorial Team

How much does it cost to ship a car from Texas to California?

Shipping a standard sedan from Texas to California costs about $900–$1,400 on an open carrier. Dallas–Fort Worth to Los Angeles runs about $950–$1,200 and takes 3–5 days after pickup. Enclosed transport costs $1,300–$2,250.

  • Transit time: 3–7 days, depending on the cities.
  • Cheapest time: January and February.
  • Main corridors: I-10 / I-20 or I-40.
Average cost, sedan
$900–$1,400Estimate, depends on cities
Transit time
3–7 daysAfter pickup
Distance
1,350–1,960 miBetween major metros
Enclosed transport adds
40–60%Over standard price
Price by city

Texas to California car shipping prices

Open-carrier prices for a standard sedan between the main metro areas on each side. Darker cells cost more. Tap a city pair to start a quote for that route.

Estimated rates based on distance, carrier demand and season.
From ↓ / To →Los AngelesCaliforniaBay AreaCaliforniaSan DiegoCaliforniaSacramentoCalifornia
Dallas–Fort Worth$950–$1,2001,480 mi · 3–5 days$1,050–$1,3251,770 mi · 4–7 days$925–$1,1751,420 mi · 3–5 days$1,025–$1,3251,730 mi · 4–7 days
Houston$1,000–$1,2751,640 mi · 3–6 days$1,100–$1,4001,960 mi · 4–7 days$975–$1,2501,560 mi · 3–6 days$1,100–$1,4001,930 mi · 4–7 days
Austin$950–$1,2001,470 mi · 3–5 days$1,050–$1,3501,790 mi · 4–7 days$925–$1,1751,390 mi · 3–5 days$1,050–$1,3251,760 mi · 4–7 days
San Antonio$925–$1,2001,440 mi · 3–5 days$1,050–$1,3251,780 mi · 4–7 days$900–$1,1501,350 mi · 3–5 days$1,050–$1,3251,750 mi · 4–7 days
LowerHigher
Book with confidence

Three ways to move your car to California

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 Texas to California move and handles the details for you. Shown separately from TrustScore rankings.

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Compare independent companies

See FMCSA-checked brokers and carriers that serve Texas to California, ranked by TrustScore with verified reviews. Companies can't pay to change their score.

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Red 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 $900–$1,400 market range.

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The drive your car takes

Two corridors carriers use

Most Texas to California loads take the southern interstates. Which one your car rides depends on where it's going and the time of year.

  1. Dallas, Austin or HoustonPickup at your address or a nearby meeting point.Pickup · Central Time
  2. Midland or San AntonioLoads split between I-20 toward Dallas and I-10 toward San Antonio and Houston.Route splits
  3. El PasoWhere Texas meets I-10 and the Mountain Time zone.Mountain Time
  4. PhoenixBusy hub where many carriers add or drop cars.Desert heat Jun–Sep
  5. Los AngelesDelivery to your address or a nearby meeting point.Delivery · Pacific Time

This is the year-round default. It avoids mountain snow but crosses desert where summer temperatures can top 110°F, so make sure the battery and coolant are in good shape before a June–September shipment.

What to expect

Your shipment, day by day

A typical Dallas–Fort Worth to Los Angeles shipment booked with flexible dates.

  1. Day 0

    Book and verify

    Compare quotes, check the company's USDOT or MC number, and confirm the price and deposit in writing.

  2. Day 1–5

    Carrier assigned

    The broker finds a truck heading your way. Flexible dates make this faster and cheaper.

  3. Pickup day

    Inspection and loading

    You and the driver note any existing damage on the Bill of Lading before the car is loaded.

  4. +3–5 days

    On the road

    About 1,480 miles via Midland or San Antonio, El Paso, often with stops for other cars.

  5. Delivery

    Inspect and sign

    Check the car against the pickup report before signing. Note new damage on the Bill of Lading.

Ship or drive?

Is it cheaper to drive or ship your car to California?

Driving Dallas–Fort Worth to Los Angeles is about 1,480 miles and roughly 24 hours behind the wheel. Change the numbers to match your car and trip.

Defaults are example values, not current averages. Enter your own for an accurate comparison. Return flight not included.

Drive it

$723
Fuel
$185
Hotels
$240
Food
$150
Wear on your car
$148

Ship it

$950–$1,200
Open carrier, sedan
Dallas–Fort Worth → Los Angeles
Miles added to your car
0
Your days on the road
0
You travel by
Flight (extra)

With your numbers, driving costs less than shipping, but adds about 3 days on the road and 1,480 miles to your car.

Both ends of the trip

Leaving Texas, arriving in California

Before pickup in Texas

Things that catch Texas shippers out.

  • Remove your TxTag, EZ TAG or TollTag. It can register tolls as the truck passes toll points.
  • Check the battery and coolant. Texas summer heat is hard on batteries, and a weak one is the most common reason a car won't start at delivery.
  • Check the battery and coolant. A weak battery is the most common reason a car won't start at delivery.
  • Leave about a quarter tank and remove personal items and loose accessories.

After delivery in California

For new California residents. Confirm current rules with the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).

  • Register within 20 days. New residents register through the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).
  • Carry California minimum insurance. Liability of at least $30,000 per person, $60,000 per accident for bodily injury and $15,000 for property damage.
  • Check inspection rules. Most vehicles coming from another state need a smog certification before they can be registered in California, with some exemptions. California has no general annual safety inspection.
  • Get a FasTrak if you'll use toll roads in your new area.
Timing

Best time to ship a car from Texas to California

Demand follows the moving calendar, with a summer peak and a winter low.

Dec–Feb

Winter

Lower demand

Lowest prices of the year

January and February are usually the cheapest months. Watch for snow on mountain passes; carriers often switch to the southern route.

Mar–May

Spring

Moderate

Prices start climbing

Prices start rising in April as relocation season begins. Book two to three weeks ahead.

Jun–Aug

Summer

Peak

Highest prices, longest waits

June to August is peak moving season, with higher prices and longer waits. Hurricane season can affect Gulf and Atlantic coast pickups and deliveries.

Sep–Nov

Fall

Moderate

Prices settle

Demand eases after Labor Day, a good balance of price and reliable weather.

Ready to ship your car from Texas to California?

Let our Full Service team book a vetted carrier for you, or check any company with the Red Flag Checker before you pay a deposit.

Questions

Texas to California car shipping FAQ

How much does it cost to ship a car from Texas to California?

Shipping a standard sedan from Texas to California costs about $900–$1,400 on an open carrier, depending on the cities. Dallas–Fort Worth to Los Angeles is about $950–$1,200. Enclosed transport costs about $1,300–$2,250.

How long does it take to ship a car from Texas to California?

Most cars arrive 3–7 days after pickup, depending on the cities. Add 1–5 days for the carrier to schedule pickup.

Is it cheaper to drive or ship a car from Texas to California?

With typical costs for fuel, hotels, food and wear, driving is usually cheaper in direct costs for Dallas–Fort Worth to Los Angeles. Shipping saves about 3 days of driving and 1,480 miles on your car. Use the calculator on this page with your own numbers, and remember to add a flight if you ship.

What is the cheapest way to ship a car from Texas to California?

Book an open carrier two to three weeks ahead, keep your pickup window flexible, and meet the driver near a major interstate instead of on a narrow city street. Avoid the busiest season for this route if you can.

Can I put my car on a train from Texas to California?

No. Amtrak's Auto Train, the only US passenger train that carries cars, runs only between Lorton, Virginia, and Sanford, Florida. Your options are a car carrier or driving.

Is it cheaper to ship a car from California to Texas?

It can be. Prices depend on how many cars are moving in each direction, so the reverse trip may cost more or less. Compare prices on our California to Texas page.

Do I need to register my car in California after moving?

Yes. New California residents need to title and register their vehicle with the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) within 20 days. Most vehicles coming from another state need a smog certification before they can be registered in California, with some exemptions. California has no general annual safety inspection.

Related routes and guides

How we estimate prices. Prices, distances 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. California registration details come from the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).