Texas to California Car Shipping (2024 Cost Guide)
Fact Checked by: Quick answer: The average cost to ship a car 1,407 miles from Texas to California ranges from $1,251 to $1,959 and takes 3–8 days depending on factors like the transport type and season. For a more detailed quote, use our car shipping cost calculator.
Shipping a car the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our California to Texas car shipping guide.
Texas to California auto transport costs and transit times
The table below details the costs and estimated transit times for shipping a car between popular cities in Texas and California. The average travel distance is about 1,407 miles, with shipping times typically ranging from 3 to 8 days.
Cost to ship a car from Houston, TX to California
| From Texas to California | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Houston, TX to Los Angeles, CA | 1,547 miles | $1,316–$2,059 | 3–9 days |
| San Antonio, TX to San Diego, CA | 1,470 miles | $1,382–$1,862 | 3–8 days |
| Dallas, TX to San Jose, CA | 1,885 miles | $1,569–$2,280 | 3–11 days |
| Austin, TX to San Francisco, CA | 1,928 miles | $1,577–$2,464 | 3–11 days |
| Fort Worth, TX to Fresno, CA | 1,765 miles | $1,477–$2,230 | 3–11 days |
Cost to ship a car from San Antonio, TX to California
| From Texas to California | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Houston, TX to Los Angeles, CA | 1,351 miles | $1,235–$1,866 | 3–8 days |
| San Antonio, TX to San Diego, CA | 1,274 miles | $1,211–$1,799 | 3–8 days |
| Dallas, TX to San Jose, CA | 1,691 miles | $1,499–$2,137 | 3–9 days |
| Austin, TX to San Francisco, CA | 1,733 miles | $1,567–$2,208 | 3–9 days |
| Fort Worth, TX to Fresno, CA | 1,570 miles | $1,386–$1,999 | 3–9 days |
Cost to ship a car from Dallas, TX to California
| From Texas to California | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Houston, TX to Los Angeles, CA | 1,436 miles | $1,343–$1,843 | 3–8 days |
| San Antonio, TX to San Diego, CA | 1,358 miles | $1,272–$1,847 | 3–8 days |
| Dallas, TX to San Jose, CA | 1,689 miles | $1,456–$2,137 | 3–9 days |
| Austin, TX to San Francisco, CA | 1,732 miles | $1,567–$2,100 | 3–9 days |
| Fort Worth, TX to Fresno, CA | 1,557 miles | $1,330–$2,039 | 3–9 days |
Cost to ship a car from Austin, TX to California
| From Texas to California | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Houston, TX to Los Angeles, CA | 1,376 miles | $1,223–$1,959 | 3–8 days |
| San Antonio, TX to San Diego, CA | 1,300 miles | $1,248–$1,940 | 3–8 days |
| Dallas, TX to San Jose, CA | 1,716 miles | $1,567–$2,252 | 3–9 days |
| Austin, TX to San Francisco, CA | 1,757 miles | $1,462–$2,273 | 3–11 days |
| Fort Worth, TX to Fresno, CA | 1,595 miles | $1,344–$2,019 | 3–9 days |
Cost to ship a car from Fort Worth, TX to California
| From Texas to California | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Houston, TX to Los Angeles, CA | 1,404 miles | $1,330–$1,862 | 3–8 days |
| San Antonio, TX to San Diego, CA | 1,327 miles | $1,248–$1,772 | 3–8 days |
| Dallas, TX to San Jose, CA | 1,662 miles | $1,499–$2,095 | 3–9 days |
| Austin, TX to San Francisco, CA | 1,704 miles | $1,447–$2,165 | 3–9 days |
| Fort Worth, TX to Fresno, CA | 1,532 miles | $1,400–$1,900 | 3–9 days |
Shipping an SUV or truck from Texas to California
Since vehicles like SUV, trucks, and vans are larger and heavier, it’s a bit more expensive to ship them than a sedan. How much more?
If you’re shipping a larger vehicle from Texas to California you should expect to pay between $1,564 and $2,449.
Factors that affect the price of shipping a car from Texas to California
When transporting your vehicle from the Lone Star State to the Golden State, these factors will influence your final price:
- Type of transport: Options like open, enclosed, or top-loaded transport cater to different needs. Open carriers are cost-effective, while enclosed transport provides added protection for luxury or classic cars. If you’re not sure, check out our guide comparing open vs. enclosed car shipping.
- Vehicle size and type: The dimensions and weight of your vehicle directly affect shipping costs. The larger and heavier your vehicle, the more it will cost to ship your car to California.
- Distance and route: The journey from Texas to California spans approximately 1,407 miles, influencing fuel and labor costs. The longer the distance, the bigger the price tag.
- Time of the year: Seasonal demand impacts the price of getting your car out of Texas, with summer and winter holidays often seeing a spike due to increased moving and travel activity.
- Fuel prices: Fluctuating fuel prices can significantly affect transport costs. This is an important consideration given the distance between Texas and California and the varying gas prices across the country.
- Delivery expectations: Because it’ll make their job easier, your auto shipper may give you a pricing discount if you’re flexible on delivery dates. That being said, getting your car from Texas to California should take between 3 and 8 days. Expedited services are available but come at a higher cost.
The best Texas to California car shipping companies
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We’ve done the research and these are the best car shipping companies to help transport your vehicle from Texas to California:
- Best for Overall Value: SGT Auto Transport
- Best for Quick Pick Up: Easy Auto Ship
- Best Insurance Coverage: Ship A Car Direct
- Best for accurate pricing: Sherpa Auto Transport
- Best Cross Country: Montway Auto Transport
Alternative ways to ship your car from Texas to California
- Drive it yourself: This is straightforward but not always an option, and it will put about 1,407 miles on your car going from Texas to California. If you’re not sure, here are the pros and cons of driving your car vs shipping it.
- Ship it with your movers: If you hire a moving company, they also work with reputable car shippers. Otherwise, there may be the option of even shipping your car with your household belongings!
- Hire a driver: Hire someone to drive the car from Texas to California for you. It’s an option, but will probably be a very costly one and involve trusting a driver to safely get your car to its destination.
- Ship by train: If this is an option for you, it’s an affordable and secure way of shipping your vehicle. Shipping a car by train is actually the cheapest way to ship your car!
What else should you know about shipping a car from Texas to California?
- Car insurance requirements: The minimum car insurance requirement in California is $15,000 for individual injury, $30,000 per accident, and $5,000 for property damage in the case of an accident involving another driver.
- Vehicle inspection: California requires an annual safety inspection to ensure that all vehicles used on public roads are in good condition and safe to operate. The inspection can be carried out at any California Department of Transportation approved service station.
- Driver’s license: If you move to California and become a resident, you are required to obtain a California driver's license within 10 days.
- Additional taxes: You are required to pay taxes on a car purchased in another state if you used it for less than 12 months outside of California before bringing it into the state.
Learn more with our car shipping checklist
Transporting your vehicle from Texas
Over 39 million people call Texas home. Nicknamed the Lone Star State, Although winters are mild, hurricane season during the summer months may affect your move.
Transporting your vehicle to California
About 22 million people are living in the Golden State of California. California has a great Mediterranean climate throughout most of the state. In the Southeast, you may experience colder winters and hotter summers. The northern part of California experiences more rain than the rest of the state. Before your move be sure to check for rain or very hot days.
FAQ
Does someone have to be present when picking up my car in Texas and when dropping off my car in California?
Most companies will require someone that is at least 18 years old to be present when picking up your car in Texas and when dropping it off in California.
Do you need car insurance when shipping your car from Texas to California?
If you’re not driving the vehicle from Texas to California, you aren't required to have typical car insurance. Your car hauler should have adequate insurance if an accident happened on the drive to California, which you should verify before loading your car in Texas.
If you’re driving your car at all in either state, you should understand the requirements. Every driver in Texas is mandated to have liability insurance known as 30/60/25 coverage. However, this minimum requirement may fall short in adequately covering the aftermath of a moderately severe accident. The basic policy offers $30,000 for individual injury coverage, up to $60,000 for injury coverage per accident, and provides up to $25,000 for property damage.
If you’re driving your car at all in either state, you should understand the requirements. The minimum car insurance requirement in California is $15,000 for individual injury, $30,000 per accident, and $5,000 for property damage in the case of an accident involving another driver.
How long does it take to ship a car from Texas to California?
Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from Texas to California is about 1407 miles, and that’s as fast as about 3 days. However, most car transport companies will take 3-8 days to travel from Texas to California.
Will I be required to have a vehicle inspection in either state?
In Texas, vehicles undergo annual safety inspections covering brakes, lights, steering, tires, etc. Some qualify for a two-year cycle.
California requires an annual safety inspection to ensure that all vehicles used on public roads are in good condition and safe to operate. The inspection can be carried out at any California Department of Transportation approved service station.
If I have a driver’s license in Texas, will I need one in California?
If you move to California and become a resident, you are required to obtain a California driver's license within 10 days.
If I bought a car in Texas, will I be required to pay sales tax in California after shipping it there?
It’s important to understand any tax implications if you’re having a car shipped from Texas to California after purchasing it.
You are required to pay taxes on a car purchased in another state if you used it for less than 12 months outside of California before bringing it into the state.
We recommend that you always check for updated tax information in both Texas and California to avoid any hidden costs.
