How Much Does It Cost to Ship a Car from Texas to California?

As a general estimate, shipping a car between Texas and California runs about $800 to $1,400: open transport sits at the lower end and enclosed at the upper, with the exact figure set by the cities involved, the season, and the vehicle. The route covers roughly 1,400 to 1,800 miles depending on endpoints and typically delivers in 3 to 6 transit days. It is one of the busiest transport corridors in the country, in both directions, which keeps carrier supply steady and pricing competitive year-round.

Texas to California Car Shipping


Texas to California is a lane carriers run every week: relocations for work, military moves, students, and dealer inventory all flow along I-10, I-20, and I-40. Booking works the same as any transport: you get a quote for your exact route and vehicle, a carrier is dispatched, and the car is picked up at your address and delivered door to door at the other end. Transit typically takes 3 to 6 days depending on the endpoints, and because so many trucks work this corridor, pickup windows stay short most of the year.

California to Texas Auto Transport

The reverse direction runs just as steadily, and the math against driving is the same. The distance between the states’ major metros is roughly 1,400 to 1,800 miles: two long days of driving plus hotel, fuel, and food, and every one of those miles lands on your odometer. Add the real risk of rock chips and road debris across the desert stretches, and professional transport usually costs close to the true cost of the drive while sparing the car entirely. Let the professionals carry it; the numbers usually agree.

detail of a tow truck towing a damaged car in the middle of the street

Auto Transport Category

Your service choice is the biggest price lever. An open carrier is the standard and the value option: your car rides a multi-car trailer, professionally secured and insured, exposed to weather the way it is in your driveway. Enclosed transport boxes the vehicle away from wind, debris, and desert dust entirely, the right call for a costly, antique, or exclusive car, at a premium of roughly a third or more.

Most owners ship open, and that is the sensible default for a daily driver. Whichever you choose, book with a company whose credentials you can verify (Ship A Car, Inc. is USDOT 2303542, MC 784930) and whose carriers are experienced on this specific corridor, because driver quality shows up in both the schedule and the delivery condition.

Calculate Your Instant Car Shipping Quote

The figures on this page are market estimates, not quotes. Your exact price depends on the cities, the vehicle’s size and running condition, the season, and your date flexibility. The instant calculator prices your specific Texas to California move in seconds, with no payment due until a carrier is confirmed.

Auto Shipping Cost and Transit Times for Common California to Texas Auto Transport Routes

Both states are enormous, but the traffic concentrates on a handful of metro pairs. Here is how the common routes price as general estimates for a standard sedan, open transport at the low end and enclosed at the high end; see our full Texas car shipping guide for statewide detail:

transporting cars

  1. Houston, Texas to Los Angeles, California is around 1,553 miles and takes almost 3-5 days to transport your car. The cost might vary, but it is ultimately within $1,050 and $1,350 for an open or enclosed carrier, respectively.
  2. Dallas, Texas to Los Angeles, California is around 1,557 miles; it also takes approximately 3-5 days to ship your car. It will cost you about $1,400 if you use the enclosed carrier and $800 to use the open carrier for car shipping.
  3. San Francisco, California to Austin, Texas is another famous shipping destination around 1,773 miles. It takes 4-6 days for larger vehicle shipping to the final destination and costs around $1,000 to $1,200; it can vary depending on your model and date of transport.
  4. Sacramento, California to Fairview, Texas is around 1,722 miles, and your car will be shipped within 4-6 days. Cost is around $1,050 to $1,250 for car shipping.
  5. Bakersfield, California to Corpus Christi, Texas costs around $1,025 to $1,225, depending on the service and your car model. The distance is around 1,632 miles, and it may take 3-6 days to ship your vehicle.
  6. El Paso, Texas to Long Beach, California is around 851 miles, which only takes 2-3 days to ship your car. The cost can be about $650 to $1,000 depending on service and season.
Choosing Ship A Car is a smart and reliable choice to make for shipping your vehicle. To answer any questions or relieve any worry, feel free to contact us at 866-821-4555 for more information.

*All prices above are market estimates at time of publication and subject to change with season, fuel, and carrier availability.