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Texas vehicle shipping · statewide and interstate

Texas Car Shipping Services

The Easiest Way to Ship a Car to or From Texas

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Instant Car Shipping Quote

Request a route-specific Texas car shipping quote in three easy steps.

  1. 1 Route
  2. 2 Vehicle
  3. 3 Contact
Step 1: route

Pickup ZIP code or city is required.

Delivery ZIP code or city is required.

First available date is required.

Transport type is required.

No credit card required. No obligation.

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Send us a written Texas car shipping quote from any licensed competitor for the same route, vehicle, dates and service, and NIKI beats it. Your price is itemized, locked for 30 days under the TruePrice Guarantee, and you pay $0 until a carrier is secured.

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Quick answer: shipping a standard car within Texas on an open carrier costs about $150 to $650 depending on the route; Houston to Dallas is $200 to $300. Leaving the state, expect roughly $800 to $1,100 to Florida, $900 to $1,300 to California and $1,000 to $1,400 to New York. Transit after pickup is 1 to 2 days in-state, 2 to 4 days to neighboring regions and 4 to 7 days coast to coast. NIKI picks up at any Texas address, including the Panhandle, West Texas and the Rio Grande Valley.

How much does Texas car shipping cost in 2026?

Texas sits on four of the busiest freight corridors in the country, I-10, I-20, I-35 and I-45, which keeps metro prices low. The tables show typical NIKI ranges for a running vehicle on an open carrier with a flexible pickup window.

Estimated cost to ship a car within Texas
RouteMilesSedanSUV / truckTransit
Houston ↔ Dallas–Fort Worth240$200–$300$260–$3801–2 days
Austin ↔ San Antonio80$150–$250$200–$300Same or next day
Dallas ↔ Austin195$200–$300$250–$3601 day
Houston ↔ San Antonio200$200–$300$250–$3601 day
El Paso ↔ Houston745$550–$650$650–$8002–3 days
Dallas ↔ McAllen / Rio Grande Valley500$400–$550$480–$6501–2 days
Amarillo ↔ Houston600$500–$650$600–$7802–3 days
Estimated cost to ship a car between Texas and other states
Origin or destinationSedanSUV / truckEnclosed
Oklahoma, Louisiana or Arkansas$400–$600$480–$720$650–$950
Colorado, New Mexico or Arizona$600–$850$700–$1,000$950–$1,350
Georgia or the Carolinas$650–$900$780–$1,050$1,050–$1,450
Florida$800–$1,100$950–$1,300$1,300–$1,800
Illinois, Ohio or Michigan$800–$1,050$950–$1,250$1,300–$1,700
California or Nevada$900–$1,300$1,050–$1,500$1,400–$2,000
New York, New Jersey or Pennsylvania$1,000–$1,400$1,200–$1,650$1,600–$2,300
Washington or Oregon$1,200–$1,500$1,400–$1,800$1,900–$2,500

Estimates checked October 2026 for a running vehicle with a 3 to 5 day pickup window. Inoperable vehicles add $150 to $300. Lifted or dually trucks are priced by the trailer space they take. Far West Texas, the Panhandle and the Rio Grande Valley may add positioning time or a surcharge. Your written NIKI quote is the price that governs.

What changes your Texas price

  • Corridor vs off-route. I-10, I-20, I-35 and I-45 have carriers every day. El Paso, Amarillo, Midland-Odessa and the Valley need a carrier to position, which adds a few days or a surcharge.
  • Vehicle size. Texas ships more full-size and lifted trucks than any state; a lift kit, dually axle or long bed can take two trailer positions.
  • Season. Summer moves, August campus move-in and the October Winter Texan arrival fill trucks; January and February are the cheapest months.
  • Pickup access. Gated communities in Houston and DFW suburbs, ranch roads and downtown Austin streets often need a meeting point at a nearby lot.

What a NIKI quote includes

  • Door-to-door pickup and delivery, or a confirmed meeting point
  • Fuel, tolls and the carrier's cargo insurance
  • One carrier assignment with the carrier's name and insurance certificate
  • 30-day price lock under the TruePrice Guarantee

How NIKI prices are built · Instant calculator

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Texas car shipping routes: distance, transit time and price

Transit starts when the car is loaded. Add a 1 to 5 day pickup window before it. Carriers average about 400 miles a day with required rest stops.

Austin, Texas skyline and Congress Avenue Bridge, a Central Texas car shipping hub
Popular routes to and from Texas
RouteDistanceTransit after pickupTypical priceYour shipment
Los Angeles to Houston1,550 miles4–6 days$900–$1,100Get quote
Texas to California1,400–1,600 miles4–6 days$900–$1,300Get quote
Texas to Florida870–1,200 miles2–4 days$800–$1,100Get quote
Florida to Texas870–1,200 miles2–4 days$800–$1,100Get quote
New York to Texas1,550–1,750 miles4–6 days$1,000–$1,400Get quote
Chicago to Austin1,120 miles3–4 days$850–$1,050Get quote
Atlanta to San Antonio990 miles3 days$650–$850Get quote
Denver to El Paso640 miles2–3 days$600–$800Get quote
Seattle to Dallas2,100 miles5–8 days$1,200–$1,500Get quote
Phoenix to Houston1,180 miles3–4 days$750–$950Get quote

Distances are road miles between the metro areas named. Expedited pickup guarantees the pickup date; it does not shorten the drive.

Shipping on one of these routes?Tell us your dates and we will match you with a carrier already running that lane.
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How does Texas auto shipping work?

Three stages, one coordinator. The same person books, dispatches and tracks your shipment.

  1. Booking and planning

    Give us both ZIP codes, the vehicle and the first available date. Mention lifts, oversized tires, lowered suspension, roof racks or a non-running engine before accepting the quote. If the car is at a dealership or auction, confirm it is paid and released. You get the pickup window, payment terms and cancellation terms in writing.

  2. Pickup and inspection

    The driver walks the car with you, records its condition on the bill of lading, and you both sign. Photograph every panel in daylight first. Keep the bill of lading and the driver's number until delivery.

  3. Transport and delivery

    Track the shipment online or call your coordinator. At delivery, compare the car with your pickup photos before signing; anything new goes on the delivery report. Pay the driver the balance by the method in your confirmation.

Full step-by-step guide to shipping a car · Watch how car shipping works on YouTube

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Open, enclosed, cross-country or expedited: which Texas service fits?

Open carrier transport

The standard 8 to 10 car trailer you see on I-35. Lowest cost, fastest to schedule, and right for daily drivers, SUVs and pickups. The car is exposed to weather for the trip, as it would be on the road. Open transport details.

Quote open transport

Enclosed carrier transport

A covered trailer with liftgates for low ground clearance. Choose it for classics, exotics, fresh paint, or anything you do not want in Texas summer sun and hail country for three days. Adds 40 to 70 percent. Enclosed transport details.

Quote enclosed transport

Cross-country shipping

Texas to either coast in 4 to 6 days on one carrier, with no mileage, wear or hotel nights on your own car. Give the receiving contact a delivery window and a backup person. Cross-country details.

Quote cross-country

Need the pickup on a fixed day? Expedited auto transport guarantees the pickup date for a premium. Compare open vs enclosed costs before choosing.

Shipping trucks, lifted pickups and oversized vehicles in Texas

Texas ships more full-size pickups than any other state, and a stock F-150 or Silverado moves on a standard open trailer at the SUV rate. What changes the price is height and length: a lift kit over 4 inches, 35-inch or larger tires, a dually rear axle, a long bed with a crew cab, a ranch bumper or a headache rack can push the truck into two trailer positions or onto a flatbed or low-boy.

  • Tell us the lift height, tire size and overall length when you request the quote
  • Remove toolboxes, hitches, ladder racks and bed covers that add height or length
  • Dually trucks, work trucks with utility bodies and vehicles over 8,000 pounds are quoted on specialty equipment
  • Oil-field and fleet trucks move on the same lanes; multi-unit bookings get a lower per-truck rate

Truck and oversized shipping details

Shipping an electric vehicle in Texas

EVs ship on standard open or enclosed carriers. Carriers ask for a 25 to 50 percent charge, cables removed from the car, and the tow-mode procedure for your model. Heavy EVs such as the Cybertruck, Hummer EV and Rivian R1T may take two trailer positions. Tell your coordinator the car is electric so the right rules apply.

Get a truck or EV quote

Texas ports: shipping a car overseas from Houston or Galveston

Houston and Galveston are among the busiest vehicle ports in the United States, handling both exports and imports for Latin America, Europe, the Middle East and West Africa. NIKI trucks the car from any address in Texas to the port, books the roll-on/roll-off or container sailing and gives you one itinerary.

  • Port of Houston: roll-on/roll-off and container service to Europe, the Middle East and South America.
  • Port of Galveston: dedicated roll-on/roll-off terminals; a major gateway for vehicle exports to Central and South America and West Africa.
  • Hawaii, Puerto Rico and Guam: cars truck to Long Beach, Jacksonville or Oakland and sail from there; quoted as one price.

Port shipments have stricter rules than road moves: the car must be empty, at a quarter tank or less, with the original title and, for exports, customs clearance that NIKI coordinates. International car shipping · Hawaii · Puerto Rico

Texas export at a glance

  • Door pickup anywhere in Texas to the Houston or Galveston terminal
  • Title and export documents reviewed before the car moves
  • Sailing booked and tracked by the same coordinator
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Military car shipping in Texas

Texas hosts more than a dozen major installations, including Fort Cavazos and Fort Bliss, two of the largest Army posts in the country. PCS orders usually cover one privately owned vehicle through the government program; NIKI ships the second car, a motorcycle, or any vehicle the orders do not cover, at a military discount and timed to your report date. We coordinate off-base meeting points where the carrier cannot clear the gate. Military car shipping details.

  • Fort Cavazos (Killeen)
  • Fort Bliss (El Paso)
  • JBSA Lackland
  • JBSA Randolph
  • JBSA Fort Sam Houston
  • NAS Corpus Christi
  • NAS Kingsville
  • NAS JRB Fort Worth
  • Sheppard AFB
  • Dyess AFB
  • Goodfellow AFB
  • Laughlin AFB

Students and Winter Texans

UT Austin, Texas A&M, UH, UNT, Texas Tech and Texas State move-in weeks in August and move-out in May are the busiest in-state lanes; book two weeks ahead for campus pickups. Winter Texans heading to the Rio Grande Valley and the Coastal Bend peak in October and November, with the return north in March and April. Student shipping · Snowbird shipping

Get a military or student quote

Dealership, auction and online purchase pickups in Texas

Texas has the second-largest dealer inventory in the country and some of the busiest wholesale auctions. NIKI picks up daily from Manheim Dallas, Manheim Texas Hobby in Houston, Manheim San Antonio and Manheim El Paso, from Copart, IAA and ADESA yards, and from franchise and independent dealerships statewide.

  • Auctions: we need the lot number, your buyer number or a gate release, and proof of payment. Most yards charge storage after 3 to 5 business days, so book before the sale closes.
  • Dealerships: give us the sales contact and the hours the car can be released. The dealer signs the bill of lading on your behalf.
  • Online purchases (Carvana, Vroom, Bring a Trailer, private sellers): we coordinate with the seller directly and send you the pickup photos.

Online car buyer shipping · Auction transport for businesses · Dealership programs

Quote an auction pickupCall dispatch
NIKI Auto Transport customer service team coordinating Texas car shipments
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How to prepare your vehicle for Texas car transport

  • Photograph every panel, the roof, wheels and odometer in daylight on pickup day.
  • Clear the car. Up to about 100 pounds of soft items below the window line is usually tolerated on road moves but is never insured; nothing in a car going to a port.
  • Quarter tank of fuel or less; EVs at the charge level the carrier specifies.
  • Fix leaks and check the battery. Texas heat kills weak batteries; a car that will not start is quoted as inoperable.
  • Remove or secure accessories: bike racks, toolboxes, antennas, loose spoilers. Fold in mirrors.
  • Remove the TxTag, TollTag or EZ TAG so you are not billed for the truck's tolls.
  • One key for the driver, alarm off, and any immobilizer instructions written down.

Documents for pickup

  • Government photo ID of the person handing off or receiving
  • Registration or title copy (lien letter if the car is financed and going to a port)
  • NIKI booking confirmation with the pickup window
  • Auction or dealer release, lot number and buyer number when applicable

NIKI sends a one-page checklist after you book.

Receiving your vehicle and registering it in Texas

At delivery

Meet the driver at a spot a 75-foot truck can reach; in gated communities that is usually the clubhouse or a nearby lot. Walk the car with the driver, compare it to your pickup photos, write any new damage on the delivery report before signing, and keep a copy. Count keys and accessories against the pickup record.

Title, registration and inspection

New residents must title and register within 30 days. Since 2025 Texas no longer requires an annual safety inspection for non-commercial vehicles, but an emissions test is still required in the DFW, Houston, Austin and El Paso areas, and an out-of-state vehicle needs a VIN inspection before registration. You also need Texas liability insurance (30/60/25 minimum). TxDMV new-to-Texas guide

Weather and roads

Gulf Coast hurricane season runs June through November, North Texas gets ice storms in January and February, and hail season peaks in spring. When weather closes a corridor, carriers pause for a day or two and your coordinator reschedules at no charge. Check DriveTexas for closures.

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Six ways to pay less for car shipping in Texas

  1. Open carrier unless the car's value or clearance needs enclosed.
  2. A 3 to 5 day pickup window instead of a single date; flexible loads fill empty spots and cost less.
  3. Ship in January or February, the slowest months on Texas lanes.
  4. Meet on the corridor. A truck-accessible lot near I-35, I-10, I-45 or I-20 avoids a detour or gate surcharge.
  5. Ship two vehicles together for a lower per-car rate.
  6. Ask for the military, student, senior or Winter Texan discount; it is not applied automatically.

Why ship instead of drive?

Houston to Los Angeles is about 23 hours of driving: two long days, roughly $250 in fuel, a hotel night, meals and 1,550 miles of wear. Shipping costs about the same, and you fly in three and a half hours.

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NIKI Auto Transport reviews

Excerpts from customer recommendations on Facebook; each links to the original post. Read all reviews.

Niki made shipping my car a lot less stressful than I thought it would be, which I really appreciated during a busy move.
Niki Auto Transport made my vehicle shipment smooth, simple, and easy to follow.
I was a little nervous about shipping my car at first, but Niki made the whole process feel much easier than I expected.
Join 1,000+ five-star customersSame team, same process, your car next.
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Texas car shipping questions, answered

How much does it cost to ship a car to or from Texas?

Inside Texas, open-carrier shipping of a standard sedan runs about $200 to $300 for Houston to Dallas and $150 to $250 for Austin to San Antonio. Leaving the state, expect roughly $800 to $1,100 to Florida, $900 to $1,300 to California, $800 to $1,050 to Illinois and $1,000 to $1,400 to New York. SUVs, trucks, enclosed trailers and inoperable vehicles cost more.

How long does it take to ship a car to or from Texas?

Transit after pickup is usually 1 to 2 days within Texas, 2 to 4 days to the Southeast, Midwest or Mountain states, 4 to 6 days to the West Coast or Northeast, and 5 to 8 days to the Pacific Northwest. Add a 1 to 5 day pickup window before transit starts.

What is the cheapest way to ship a car in Texas?

Open transport with a 3 to 5 day pickup window on the I-10, I-35, I-45 or I-20 corridor. Meeting the carrier at a truck-accessible lot instead of a gated community or narrow street, and avoiding the summer move peak, also lower the price.

Do I need a Texas inspection when I bring a car into the state?

New residents must title and register within 30 days. Since 2025 Texas no longer requires an annual safety inspection for non-commercial vehicles, but an emissions test is still required in the Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston, Austin and El Paso areas, and an out-of-state vehicle needs a VIN inspection before registration. Confirm current rules with TxDMV.

Does NIKI ship cars from Texas ports to other countries?

Yes. Houston and Galveston are two of the busiest vehicle ports in the country. NIKI trucks the car from anywhere in Texas to the port and coordinates the roll-on/roll-off or container sailing for international shipping, and quotes the whole trip as one price.

Do you offer military car shipping in Texas?

Yes, with a military discount. We serve Fort Cavazos, Fort Bliss, Joint Base San Antonio, NAS Corpus Christi, Sheppard, Dyess, Goodfellow and Laughlin, and we coordinate off-base meeting points when the carrier cannot enter the gate.

Does NIKI pick up from Texas auctions and dealerships?

Yes. We pick up daily from Manheim Dallas, Manheim Texas Hobby in Houston, Manheim San Antonio, Copart, IAA and ADESA locations and from dealerships statewide. The car must be paid for and released; we need the lot number, buyer number or release contact before dispatch.

Can I ship a lifted truck or an oversized pickup from Texas?

Yes. Lifted trucks, dually pickups and long-bed trucks are common Texas shipments. They take extra trailer height or length, so tell us the lift height, tire size and overall length when you request the quote; the price reflects the space the truck needs.

Can I ship an electric vehicle to or from Texas?

Yes, on standard open or enclosed carriers. Carriers ask for a 25 to 50 percent charge, cables removed from the car and the tow-mode procedure for your model. Heavy EVs such as the Cybertruck may take two trailer positions, which affects the price.

Can I put personal items in my car?

Most carriers tolerate up to about 100 pounds of soft items in the trunk or below the window line, but they are not covered by cargo insurance. Never ship documents, valuables or electronics in the car, and nothing in a vehicle headed to a port.

Is my car insured during transport?

Every carrier NIKI dispatches carries cargo insurance, and you receive the certificate before pickup. Damage is covered when it is noted on the bill of lading at delivery, so inspect the car with the driver and compare it to your pickup photos before signing.

How far in advance should I book Texas car shipping?

One to two weeks is ideal. Same-week pickup is often possible in Houston, Dallas-Fort Worth, Austin and San Antonio; El Paso, the Panhandle, West Texas and the Rio Grande Valley need more lead time because carriers have to position for those lanes.

View all frequently asked questions

Still have a question?Call and talk to a real coordinator, or request a quote and ask in the notes.
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Texas car shipping routes and locations

Pick your route for a lane-specific price guide, or your city for local pickup details.

Shipping to Texas (47 states)
Shipping from Texas (47 destinations)
Texas cities we serve (15)

Written by the NIKI Auto Transport dispatch team. Prices and transit figures reviewed against current carrier rates. Last updated .

Ready to ship your car to or from Texas?

Tell us both addresses, the car and your first available date. You get an itemized price locked for 30 days, and you pay nothing until a carrier is secured.

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