Shipping a Car From Los Angeles to Houston

Estimated reading time: 7 minutes

There are many reasons why you might want to ship a car from Los Angeles, California to Houston, Texas.

You might be relocating from Los Angeles to Houston or just purchased a car from someone in LA. Perhaps you’ve got an auto show to attend or you’re importing a car internationally and it's arriving at a Los Angeles port. 

Whatever the reasons, you’ve probably got some questions you need to ask. In this post, we’ll answer some of the most common ones and share some tips and advice. 

You might already be considering transporting the vehicle yourself or driving it but take a few minutes out of your day to read what we’ve got to say before you make your final decision.

Why shipping a car from Los Angeles to Houston is a good option

If you choose to ship your car across the country with us there are several benefits you can enjoy. 

You save time

If you want to drive across the country from Los Angeles to Houston, it’s a distance of around 1,500 miles. If you were to drive non-stop it would take more than 20 hours, according to Google Maps. 

However, as we all know, driving non-stop is not the smart thing to do as it’s very dangerous. To drive safely across the country, you should take a few days and stop overnight along the way.

You can arrange car shipping from Los Angeles to Houston for a time that suits you. All you must do is be there in Houston when your car is delivered.   

You save money

With car shipping from Los Angeles to Houston there are no additional costs to think about. If you drive, you’ll have to pay for gas, overnight accommodation, food, and drinks. In addition, there’s the wear and tear on your vehicle that will cost extra in maintenance and repair bills in the end. 

The cost of shipping a car is all-inclusive and typically costs less than driving.  

There’s less planning and stress

Have faith in a reliable auto transport company like ours and all the arrangements are taken care of. You get the ball rolling by getting in touch and requesting a quote, but once that’s done every other detail is taken care of on your behalf. Our experienced shipping advisors find a trusted carrier to ship your car and make the necessary arrangements.  

It’s safe and convenient

Safety should be a primary concern when traveling long distances and there’s no safer way to move a car than to ship it. Your vehicle can be picked up from your door and delivered to your chosen final destination. 

Vehicles are shipped door-to-door

Auto transport is a very convenient service because it’s door-to-door. We communicate with the carrier and arrange for them to come as close as possible to your home when they pick up your vehicle. We also arrange for them to drop it off as close to your chosen destination. 

If there are low-hanging branches, powerlines, or parking restrictions, you may have to think about somewhere more suitable nearby.  

You can ship multiple vehicles simultaneously

More and more American households own more than one car, but that doesn’t have to be an issue if you’re relocating. You can ship more than one car at the same time with no inconvenience. The cost of shipping each car should also be lower if you’re shipping multiple vehicles simultaneously. 

Complete protection for your vehicle

Your vehicle will be exposed to serious amounts of wear and tear if you decide to drive it across the country. What this means for you will be additional repairs and maintenance, and a reduction in its resale value. You’re also exposing your vehicle to possible breakdowns or accidents. 

You can avoid all this by shipping your car with an auto transport company like ours. Your vehicle will be loaded onto a trailer and safely and securely transported from Los Angeles to Houston with no extra miles on the odometer.

You have the option of choosing open or enclosed car transport. What is the difference? Apart from the price, enclosed car transport offers 100% protection from the weather, road, and traffic grime because your vehicle is shipped in an enclosed trailer. With regards to the cost, it will be 30% to 40% more than open car transport.

That doesn’t mean open car transport isn’t a safe option. On the contrary. Your vehicle will still be transported in a trailer that lifts it several feet off the ground and away from the dust and dirt on the highway. There is no risk of getting involved in a road traffic accident and there is no wear and tear. It is also a more affordable option than enclosed auto transport.   

How much is it to ship a car from LA to Houston, TX?

Now we’ve mentioned price, it’s time to look at how much it might cost to ship a car from LA to Houston and what factors affect the price.

One of the biggest factors we have to consider is the distance you want to ship your car. The shorter the distance, the lower the price. Let’s give you some figures for a variety of distances, so you can compare. 

Shipping locations	Type of transport	Average price per mile	Sample distance	Sample price
Los Angeles, CA to Houston, TX	Open transport	$0.59	1548 miles	$913
San Diego, CA to Houston, TX	Open transport	$0.59	1470 miles	$867
Los Angeles, CA to San Antonio, TX	Open transport	$0.59	1352 miles	$797
Los Angeles, CA to Dallas, TX	Open transport	$0.59	1434 miles	$846
Los Angeles, CA to Jacksonville, FL	Open transport	$0.49	2416 miles	$1,183
Los Angeles, CA to Phoenix, AZ	Open transport	$1.04	373 miles	$387

The rates shown above are reflective of current market conditions as of September 2023. These rates are subject to change due to seasonal fluctuations, price of gas, pick-up, and delivery locations. 

It helps you understand a bit more about the cost of shipping a car from Los Angeles to Houston when you know the factors that affect it. The price you pay to ship a car from Los Angeles to Houston, or anywhere else in the continental United States, also depends on the following:

• The make, model, and year of your car: An auto transport carrier is limited in the number of vehicles it can transport and the weight a trailer can carry. Carriers must be incredibly careful when organizing shipments because vehicles come in many shapes and sizes. The larger your vehicle, the more it will cost to ship it. 
• The time of year: Prices in the auto transport industry tend to ebb and flow, depending on the time of year. When demand is high, prices are also higher than when demand is low. Prices tend to be higher during the spring and summer months, and when snowbirds are heading south for the winter or home again in the spring. 
• The auto transport method: Open car transport is cheaper than enclosed auto transport. 
• The condition of your vehicle: If your vehicle is inoperable, you’ll have to pay more because specialist equipment is needed to load it on and off the trailer. 
• Additional insurance coverage: Auto transport companies are legally obliged to carry cargo insurance. However, you can purchase a separate policy if you want to take added precautions. 

Want to know the cost of shipping a car with us? Get a quote today

How long does shipping a car from Los Angeles to Houston take?

If you’re planning to ship your car from Los Angeles to Houston, something else that’s useful to know is how long it will take. 

The exact period depends on the pick-up and delivery locations, but on average, an auto transport driver can cover around five hundred miles in one day. This is just meant as a guideline because numerous factors can impact a driver’s schedule. These factors include:

• Location: Pick-ups and deliveries that have to be made in remote locations tend to increase the time it takes. Metropolitan locations or those located along a major interstate and quicker and easier to find. 
• Weather: We’re experiencing some unusual and extreme weather at the moment and this can affect the flow of traffic on the highway, thereby increasing shipping times. Even heavy rain can slow down the traffic and drivers have to be more careful when the roads are icy. 
• Issues on the highway: Issues such as heavy traffic, detours, and road construction can affect a carrier’s progress. 
• Driver’s hours: Truck drivers are limited to working 70 hours per week for the safety of themselves and other road users. 

If you’re ready to book your car shipping service, our shipping advisors are waiting to hear from you at (864) 546-5038. Alternatively, use our Live Chat option. 

FAQs

How much does it cost to ship a car from California to Houston?

On average, it costs around $900 to ship a car from Los Angeles to Houston. Depending on where in California you want to ship your car from, it could cost a little more or a little less. 

How much does it cost to deliver a car from California to Texas?

You can expect to pay between $900 and $1000 to deliver a car from California to Texas. The actual amount depends on several factors such as the exact pick-up and drop-off locations, as well as the type of car you want to ship.