Texas Car Shipping

Shipping a car to or from Texas costs $425 to $1,750 on an open carrier. Short runs to Louisiana and Oklahoma sit at the low end, while Northwest and Northeast trips cost the most.

These prices come from SGT shipments over the last 6 months. They cover running vehicles of all body types on an open carrier, the standard two-level truck you see on the highway. For example, California to Texas runs $1,050 to $1,575 on an open carrier, while enclosed has a premium of 38.9%.

Shipping a car from Texas to Other States

Shipping a car from Texas to another state costs $425 to $1,750 on an open carrier, from Louisiana at the low end to Washington at the top. Prices move with the season, demand and diesel prices, so use the price calculator or call SGT for a firm quote.

_{Prices are open-carrier ranges from SGT Auto Transport bookings from Texas from the last 6 months from the date of last modification, and include door-to-door service, carrier insurance, and fuel.}

Shipping a Car to Texas from Other States

Shipping a car to Texas from another state costs $475 to $1,725 on an open carrier, from Oklahoma at the low end to Washington at the top. Direction changes the price on many Texas routes. California to Texas runs $1,050 to $1,575, while Texas to California runs $800 to $1,350. Carriers price the round trip, so the gap reflects how easily they find a load for the return leg.

_{Prices are open-carrier ranges from SGT Auto Transport bookings to Texas from the last 6 months from the date of last modification, and include door-to-door service, carrier insurance, and fuel.}

Enclosed Transport Premium by Distance

Enclosed transport costs more than open, and the gap grows with distance. An enclosed carrier is a covered trailer that shields the car from weather, hail, and road debris.

These are SGT's enclosed premiums by distance band, so you can see what enclosed adds for your trip instead of a rule of thumb. Find your route's miles in the table above, then match it to a band.

Yes. Shipping a car within Texas costs $375 to $900 on an open carrier, and most in-state shipments arrive within a day of pickup. Enclosed transport adds 21.3% on routes under 500 miles and 28.0% on longer in-state routes, such as those to El Paso.

Texas is big enough that an in-state move can cover as much ground as an interstate one. El Paso to Houston is about as far as Houston to Atlanta. We run in-state routes between every major Texas metro. In-state moves are common for job transfers between Houston and Dallas, students heading to College Station or Lubbock, and buyers picking up a car from a dealer across the state.
 

_{Prices are open-carrier ranges from SGT Auto Transport bookings within Texas from the last 6 months from the date of last modification, and include door-to-door service, carrier insurance, and fuel.}
 

On short in-state trips, driving the car yourself is often cheaper. See the drive vs. ship section below.

Open transport fits most daily drivers and costs less. Enclosed costs 21.3% to 38.9% more, depending on distance, and protects the car from hail, heat, and road debris.
 

Open car transport carries most cars on Texas routes, and pickup is usually faster because there are more open trucks on the road. Enclosed auto transport suits classic, exotic and luxury cars, especially during North Texas hail season. Enclosed trailers carry fewer cars, often 1 to 6, so plan on 2 to 4 weeks of notice. Cargo cover is also higher, at $250,000 to $3,000,000 per load on enclosed trailers against $100,000 to $150,000 per load on open ones.
 

For a modern daily driver with factory paint, open transport is the practical choice, and it books faster on every Texas route. Choose enclosed if a single paint or body repair would cost more than the enclosed premium. That usually means a classic, an exotic, a fresh restoration or a low car that needs a lift gate instead of ramps.

Driving often makes sense on short routes, such as Dallas to Oklahoma City or Houston to New Orleans. On long routes, shipping usually wins once you count every cost of the trip.

Fuel is only part of a long drive. You also pay for hotels and meals, add wear and tear and miles to the car, lower its resale value, and take days off work. In Texas, just crossing the state can mean more than 800 miles behind the wheel. Shipping also lets you fly in on your own schedule while the car travels separately. For a short trip with a reliable car, driving it yourself is usually the cheaper choice. Shipping still makes sense on a short route if you're moving two cars, flying in for a new job, or reporting to a base on a fixed date.

Yes. The carrier's cargo insurance covers your car while it is on the truck. That limit covers all the cars on the truck together, not each car separately.

Coverage runs $100,000 to $150,000 on open trailers and $250,000 to $3,000,000 on enclosed trailers, and you pay no deductible. Cargo insurance is the carrier's policy for the cars it hauls, and it is already part of your quote. Ask for the carrier's certificate of insurance once it is assigned, and check whether your own auto policy adds coverage during shipping. Note any damage on the Bill of Lading before you sign at delivery. For a high-value car, enclosed transport carries a higher limit. Personal items left in the car are not covered by cargo insurance.

Recent Texas Shipments

These are recent cars we shipped on Texas routes, with the route, service and transit time.

1. Texas Department of Motor Vehicles. "New to Texas". https://www.txdmv.gov/motorists/new-to-texas. Retrieved October 14, 2026.
2. Texas Department of Motor Vehicles. "Bexar County Emissions Testing Begins November 1". https://www.txdmv.gov/sites/default/files/body-files/2026-09-15_Bexar_County_Emissions.pdf. Retrieved October 14, 2026.
3. Texas Department of Public Safety. "Vehicle Safety Inspection Changes Take Effect January 2025". https://www.dps.texas.gov/news/icymi-vehicle-safety-inspection-changes-take-effect-january-2025. Retrieved October 14, 2026.
4. Texas Department of Motor Vehicles. "Electric Vehicle Registration Fee". https://www.txdmv.gov/sites/default/files/body-files/2023-07-25_Electric_Vehicle_Registration_Fee_Release.pdf. Retrieved October 14, 2026.
5. U.S. Census Bureau. "QuickFacts: Texas". https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/TX,US/PST045225. Retrieved October 14, 2026.
6. U.S. Army. "Fort Cavazos Redesignated to Fort Hood". https://home.army.mil/hood/index.php/about/fort-cavazos-redesignation. Retrieved October 14, 2026.
7. NOAA National Hurricane Center. "Tropical Cyclone Climatology". https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/climo/. Retrieved October 14, 2026.
8. FMCSA. "Summary of Hours of Service Regulations". https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/regulations/hours-service/summary-hours-service-regulations. Retrieved October 14, 2026.
9. FMCSA. "SAFER Company Snapshot, SGT Auto Transport (USDOT 2521690)". https://safer.fmcsa.dot.gov/query.asp?searchtype=ANY&query_type=queryCarrierSnapshot&query_param=USDOT&query_string=2521690. Retrieved October 14, 2026.
10. Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. "Vehicle Emissions Inspections in Texas". https://www.tceq.texas.gov/airquality/mobilesource/im.html/vim/overview.html. Retrieved October 15, 2026.
11. Texas Department of Insurance. "Auto insurance". https://www.tdi.texas.gov/pubs/consumer/cb020.html. Retrieved October 15, 2026.