Michigan to Texas Car Shipping (2024 Cost Guide)
Fact Checked by: Quick answer: The average cost to ship a car 1,382 miles from Michigan to Texas ranges from $1,297 to $1,903 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 Texas to Michigan car shipping guide.
Michigan to Texas auto transport costs and transit times
The table below details the costs and estimated transit times for shipping a car between popular cities in Michigan and Texas. The average travel distance is about 1,382 miles, with shipping times typically ranging from 3 to 8 days.
Cost to ship a car from Detroit, MI to Texas
| From Michigan to Texas | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Detroit, MI to Houston, TX | 1,291 miles | $1,199–$1,782 | 3–8 days |
| Grand Rapids, MI to San Antonio, TX | 1,458 miles | $1,277–$1,921 | 3–8 days |
| Ann Arbor, MI to Dallas, TX | 1,177 miles | $1,132–$1,654 | 2–8 days |
| Lansing, MI to Austin, TX | 1,372 miles | $1,260–$1,828 | 3–8 days |
| Flint, MI to Fort Worth, TX | 1,182 miles | $1,089–$1,603 | 2–8 days |
Cost to ship a car from Grand Rapids, MI to Texas
| From Michigan to Texas | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Detroit, MI to Houston, TX | 1,224 miles | $1,129–$1,871 | 2–8 days |
| Grand Rapids, MI to San Antonio, TX | 1,376 miles | $1,235–$1,847 | 3–8 days |
| Ann Arbor, MI to Dallas, TX | 1,103 miles | $1,110–$1,603 | 2–8 days |
| Lansing, MI to Austin, TX | 1,298 miles | $1,222–$1,835 | 3–8 days |
| Flint, MI to Fort Worth, TX | 1,102 miles | $1,110–$1,603 | 2–8 days |
Cost to ship a car from Ann Arbor, MI to Texas
| From Michigan to Texas | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Detroit, MI to Houston, TX | 1,270 miles | $1,222–$1,835 | 3–8 days |
| Grand Rapids, MI to San Antonio, TX | 1,446 miles | $1,382–$1,843 | 3–8 days |
| Ann Arbor, MI to Dallas, TX | 1,155 miles | $1,056–$1,603 | 2–8 days |
| Lansing, MI to Austin, TX | 1,350 miles | $1,272–$1,866 | 3–8 days |
| Flint, MI to Fort Worth, TX | 1,167 miles | $1,078–$1,721 | 2–8 days |
Cost to ship a car from Lansing, MI to Texas
| From Michigan to Texas | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Detroit, MI to Houston, TX | 1,265 miles | $1,117–$1,871 | 3–8 days |
| Grand Rapids, MI to San Antonio, TX | 1,417 miles | $1,369–$1,862 | 3–8 days |
| Ann Arbor, MI to Dallas, TX | 1,145 miles | $1,132–$1,688 | 2–8 days |
| Lansing, MI to Austin, TX | 1,309 miles | $1,272–$1,810 | 3–8 days |
| Flint, MI to Fort Worth, TX | 1,143 miles | $1,035–$1,603 | 2–8 days |
Cost to ship a car from Flint, MI to Texas
| From Michigan to Texas | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Detroit, MI to Houston, TX | 1,313 miles | $1,260–$1,791 | 3–8 days |
| Grand Rapids, MI to San Antonio, TX | 1,471 miles | $1,356–$1,862 | 3–8 days |
| Ann Arbor, MI to Dallas, TX | 1,205 miles | $1,117–$1,853 | 2–8 days |
| Lansing, MI to Austin, TX | 1,400 miles | $1,316–$1,998 | 3–8 days |
| Flint, MI to Fort Worth, TX | 1,198 miles | $1,046–$1,671 | 2–8 days |
Shipping an SUV or truck from Michigan to Texas
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 Michigan to Texas you should expect to pay between $1,621 and $2,379.
Factors that affect the price of shipping a car from Michigan to Texas
When transporting your vehicle from the Wolverine State to the Lone Star 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 Texas.
- Distance and route: The journey from Michigan to Texas spans approximately 1,382 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 Michigan, 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 Michigan and Texas 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 Michigan to Texas should take between 3 and 8 days. Expedited services are available but come at a higher cost.
The best Michigan to Texas 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 Michigan to Texas:
- 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 Michigan to Texas
- Drive it yourself: This is straightforward but not always an option, and it will put about 1,382 miles on your car going from Michigan to Texas. 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 Michigan to Texas 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 Michigan to Texas?
- Car insurance 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.
- Vehicle inspection: In Texas, vehicles undergo annual safety inspections covering brakes, lights, steering, tires, etc. Some qualify for a two-year cycle.
- Driver’s license: New residents are required to obtain a Texas driver license from the Texas Department of Public Safety within 90 days of moving to the state.
- Additional taxes: New residents must pay a $90 new resident tax instead of a use tax for a vehicle they bring into Texas. This applies if the vehicle was previously registered in the new resident's name in another state or foreign country.
Learn more with our car shipping checklist
Transporting your vehicle from Michigan
Over 39 million people call Michigan home. Nicknamed the Wolverine State, Michigan has a continental climate, although there are two distinct regions. The southern and central parts of the Lower Peninsula (south of Saginaw Bay and from the Grand Rapids area southward) have a warmer climate with hot summers and cold winters. The northern part of the Lower Peninsula and the entire Upper Peninsula has a more severe climate (Köppen Dfb), with warm, but shorter summers and longer, cold to very cold winters. Some parts of the state average high temperatures below freezing from December through February, and into early March in the far northern parts. During the winter through the middle of February, the state is frequently subjected to heavy lake-effect snow. The state averages 30 days of thunderstorm activity per year. These can be severe, especially in the southern part of the state. The state averages 17 tornadoes per year, which are more common in the state's extreme southern section.
Transporting your vehicle to Texas
About 22 million people are living in the Lone Star State of Texas. Although winters are mild, hurricane season during the summer months may affect your move.
FAQ
Does someone have to be present when picking up my car in Michigan and when dropping off my car in Texas?
Most companies will require someone that is at least 18 years old to be present when picking up your car in Michigan and when dropping it off in Texas.
Do you need car insurance when shipping your car from Michigan to Texas?
If you’re not driving the vehicle from Michigan to Texas, you aren't required to have typical car insurance. Your car hauler should have adequate insurance if an accident happened on the drive to Texas, which you should verify before loading your car in Michigan.
If you’re driving your car at all in either state, you should understand the requirements. Michigan requires a minimum auto insurance coverage of $50,000/$100,000 for bodily injury and $10,000 for property damage in case of an accident.
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.
How long does it take to ship a car from Michigan to Texas?
Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from Michigan to Texas is about 1382 miles, and that’s as fast as about 3 days. However, most car transport companies will take 3-8 days to travel from Michigan to Texas.
Will I be required to have a vehicle inspection in either state?
Michigan does not require vehicle inspections for registration purposes. There is no state mandate for car safety inspections or emissions testing.
In Texas, vehicles undergo annual safety inspections covering brakes, lights, steering, tires, etc. Some qualify for a two-year cycle.
If I have a driver’s license in Michigan, will I need one in Texas?
New residents are required to obtain a Texas driver license from the Texas Department of Public Safety within 90 days of moving to the state.
If I bought a car in Michigan, will I be required to pay sales tax in Texas after shipping it there?
It’s important to understand any tax implications if you’re having a car shipped from Michigan to Texas after purchasing it.
New residents must pay a $90 new resident tax instead of a use tax for a vehicle they bring into Texas. This applies if the vehicle was previously registered in the new resident's name in another state or foreign country.
We recommend that you always check for updated tax information in both Michigan and Texas to avoid any hidden costs.
