California to Texas Car Shipping
California to Texas car shipping, door to door: about 1,400 miles and typically 3 to 5 days. Fully licensed, insured carriers and one transparent, all-in price, with $0 due until a carrier is assigned.
The California to Texas lane
California to Texas is one of the busiest relocation lanes in the country, driven by years of people and businesses moving from Los Angeles, the Bay Area and San Diego to Dallas, Houston, Austin and San Antonio. Because so many trucks run this route, carrier supply is strong and pricing stays competitive in both directions.
Shipping the other way? This page covers California to Texas. For the return leg, see Texas to California car shipping, which is priced and scheduled separately.
How much does it cost to ship a car from California to Texas?
Shipping a car from California to Texas typically costs $1,120 to $1,290 all-in for an open, operable sedan, or roughly $1,568 to $1,806 for enclosed transport. The route is about 1,400 miles and takes 3 to 5 days. SUVs, trucks, larger vehicles and peak season run higher.
| Route specifications | Details & pricing |
|---|---|
| Distance | ~1,400 miles |
| Typical transit | 3 to 5 days |
| Open transport (sedan) | $1,120 to $1,290 |
| Enclosed transport | $1,568 to $1,806 |
| Upfront deposit required | $0 |
Popular California to Texas city pairs
| Route | Distance | Open transport | Transit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles, CA → Houston, TX | ~1,625 mi | $1,300 to $1,490 | 4 to 6 days |
| San Diego, CA → Houston, TX | ~1,525 mi | $1,220 to $1,400 | 4 to 6 days |
| Los Angeles, CA → Dallas, TX | ~1,450 mi | $1,160 to $1,330 | 3 to 5 days |
| San Francisco, CA → Houston, TX | ~1,950 mi | $1,360 to $1,560 | 4 to 6 days |
| San Diego, CA → Dallas, TX | ~1,400 mi | $1,120 to $1,290 | 3 to 5 days |
| Sacramento, CA → Dallas, TX | ~1,700 mi | $1,360 to $1,560 | 4 to 6 days |
How long does California to Texas shipping take?
Plan on 3 to 5 days in transit once your vehicle is picked up. Pickup is normally scheduled within one to five days of booking, and you receive real-time updates at every milestone, door to door.
Most California-to-Texas moves travel the I-10, I-20 and I-40 corridors and take about three to five days door to door. Open transport is the value choice for everyday cars; for the exotics and collector cars common around LA and the Bay Area, enclosed transport is worth the premium. Eastbound and westbound volume is high, so you rarely wait long for a truck.
California to Texas shipping in 3 steps
1. Get your price
Enter your California pickup and Texas delivery ZIPs and your vehicle for a real, all-in price in about a minute.
2. We assign a carrier
We match your route to a vetted, licensed and insured carrier. You pay nothing until that happens.
3. Door-to-door delivery
The driver picks up and delivers as close to your door as is safe on both ends, with updates the whole way.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to ship a car from California to Texas?
For an open, operable sedan, the California to Texas lane typically runs $1,120 to $1,290 all-in. Larger vehicles, enclosed transport, and peak season cost more. Your exact, all-in price is on our instant quote, with no phone call required.
How long does California to Texas car shipping take?
About 3 to 5 days in transit once the carrier picks up, and pickup is usually scheduled within one to five days of booking. You get real-time updates at every milestone.
Is it worth shipping a car 1,400 miles from California to Texas?
For most people, yes. Two to three days of driving plus fuel, a hotel and the mileage you would add to the car usually lands close to the shipping cost, and you keep your own time. It is a straightforward comparison once you have the all-in number.
Can you pick up a dealer or auction car on the California to Texas lane?
Yes. This corridor connects active dealer and auction markets, and we coordinate Copart, IAA and Manheim gate pickups with the right paperwork. Inoperable vehicles are fine too, as long as they roll and steer, with a winch-equipped carrier assigned.
How do I prepare my car for the California to Texas trip?
Wash it so existing marks are visible, photograph every panel and the odometer, and leave about a quarter tank of fuel. Remove toll tags, loose items and anything fragile, fold in racks and antennas, note any leaks or quirks for the driver, and have a spare key ready. The pickup inspection goes on the Bill of Lading and is your record if you ever need to claim.
What paperwork do I need to ship a car from California to Texas?
For a domestic move you do not hand over the title. You or a trusted adult signs the Bill of Lading at pickup and again at delivery, and the driver checks photo ID and keys. If the car is coming from a dealer or auction we arrange the gate release, and if someone else is releasing or receiving it, tell us their name and number in advance.
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