Texas Car Shipping: Top Cities

Most Texas car shipping routes run between $350 and $1,200 for open-carrier transport. Short in-state Triangle routes — Houston, Dallas, Austin, San Antonio — typically run $350 to $550, while cross-country routes to the East Coast run $800 to $1,200. Your exact price depends on your vehicle’s size, the season, and how flexible your pickup date is.

Every shipment carries a baseline cost for fuel, driver time, and handling that doesn’t shrink much on a short trip. Spread that same baseline cost over 1,300 miles instead of 200, and the per-mile rate drops sharply even though the total price goes up. That’s why a 200-mile Houston-to-Dallas run can price at $1.50–$2.00 per mile while a 1,300-mile Texas-to-California haul runs $0.55–$0.90 per mile — the total dollar amount is what matters, not the per-mile figure.

Most Texas Triangle routes — Houston, Dallas, Austin, San Antonio — deliver within a single day of pickup, since these are among the busiest carrier corridors in the state. Routes to or from El Paso typically take two to three days given the added distance and lower carrier density heading west.

Yes, particularly for Houston and other Gulf Coast routes, from June through November. Storms can tighten carrier availability with little warning and delay pickup windows. If you’re shipping during these months, building extra flexibility into your schedule — and considering enclosed transport for a higher-value vehicle — is a smart precaution.

Open transport uses a multi-vehicle carrier and is the standard, most affordable choice for the vast majority of vehicles. Enclosed transport uses a fully covered trailer, costs roughly 40–60% more in Texas, and is the better choice for classic cars, exotics, or low-clearance vehicles — especially useful protection against spring hail in North Texas or dust in West Texas.

Yes. You or someone you authorize needs to be present at both pickup and delivery to walk through the vehicle’s condition with the driver and sign the Bill of Lading — this document is what protects you if any damage dispute comes up later.

Yes. These installations drive a significant share of Texas auto transport demand, especially during PCS season from May through August, and our carrier network is experienced with base-access requirements and PCS report-date scheduling. Book as early as your orders allow — this is the busiest stretch of the year for these routes.