California → Texas
California to Texas Car Shipping
Door-to-door car shipping from anywhere in California to anywhere in Texas, plus vehicle storage at our Freeport lot. Final-price quote, $0 due at booking.
Shipment Details
20+ YEARS
of combined auto transportation experience.
10,000+
top-rated, vetted carriers within our network.
$0
due upfront. You only pay when we assign a carrier.
California to Texas Auto Transport
Shipping a Car From California to Texas
Los Angeles to Dallas is about 1,435 miles, and Houston is around 1,550, nearly all on I-10 and I-20 across the desert and West Texas. El Paso is barely 800 miles away. Most of these moves are two to three long days of driving.
California to Texas is the biggest state-to-state move in the country, and we're a Texas-based broker, so we know it well. Tesla moved its headquarters to Austin, Toyota moved from Torrance to Plano, and thousands of families have followed for no state income tax and lower housing costs. We also ship for soldiers heading to Fort Bliss and Fort Hood. And we can store your vehicle at our lot in Freeport, Texas, and get it ready to go to Port Freeport if it's being shipped overseas.
Door-to-door, a final-price quote, and $0 due at booking.
Popular Routes
Popular California to Texas Routes
City pairs we see a lot on this route, with approximate distances and typical transit times after pickup.
| From | To | Miles | Typical Transit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles, CA | El Paso, TX | ~800 | 2–3 days |
| Los Angeles, CA | Amarillo, TX | ~1,075 | 3–4 days |
| Los Angeles, CA | Midland, TX | ~1,105 | 3–4 days |
| Los Angeles, CA | San Antonio, TX | ~1,350 | 3–5 days |
| Los Angeles, CA | Austin, TX | ~1,375 | 3–5 days |
| Torrance, CA | Plano, TX | ~1,450 | 3–5 days |
| Los Angeles, CA | Houston, TX | ~1,550 | 3–5 days |
| Los Angeles, CA | Freeport, TX | ~1,610 | 4–5 days |
| San Francisco, CA | Austin, TX | ~1,700 | 4–5 days |
Distances and transit times are estimates and can vary with weather, traffic, and the carrier's other stops.
The Route
How Cars Get From California to Texas
Almost everything starts on I-10 through Palm Springs, Phoenix, and Tucson into El Paso. From there, Dallas and Fort Worth loads switch to I-20 through Midland and Abilene. San Antonio and Houston loads stay on I-10 across the Hill Country, and Austin is a short hop up I-35 from San Antonio.
Freeport and Port Freeport are about an hour south of Houston on TX-288. The Panhandle around Amarillo is reached on I-40 from Barstow instead. Bay Area loads come down I-5 and join I-10 or I-40 in Southern California.
Along the Way
- Los Angeles → Phoenix~370 mi
- Phoenix → El Paso~430 mi
- El Paso → San Antonio~550 mi
- San Antonio → Houston~200 mi
Approximate distances. The exact route depends on the carrier's other stops.
Timing
When to Ship California to Texas
Desert heat, Texas storms, and Gulf hurricanes all play a part.
Summer Heat
The desert stretch and most of Texas are over 100°F from June through August. Make sure the battery and tires are in good shape.
Hurricane Season
June through November can affect Houston, Freeport, and the Gulf Coast. Keep a little slack in your dates for coastal deliveries.
Spring Storms
March through May brings hail and severe storms to North Texas. Drivers wait them out, which can add a few hours.
Fall & Winter
Usually the easiest time to ship. I-10 stays mostly clear of snow.
Pricing
How Much Does It Cost to Ship a Car From California to Texas?
Here's what moves the price between California and Texas.
Distance
El Paso is about 800 miles from LA. Houston and Freeport are closer to 1,600.
A Busy Lane
California to Texas is one of the busiest car-shipping lanes in the country, which keeps prices competitive.
Delivery Area
Major metros are easy. Big Bend country, the Rio Grande Valley, and rural West Texas take more planning.
Open or Enclosed
Open is the standard. Enclosed keeps hail, sun, and road debris off a nicer car.
Vehicle Size
Pickups and full-size SUVs take more trailer space than sedans, so they cost more to ship.
Storage or Port Prep
Need your car held at our Freeport lot before it ships out of Port Freeport? We'll quote the storage along with the transport.
Your Quote Is Your Final Price
We know Texas routes well, and we price them to move. What we quote is what you pay, with $0 due at booking.
Get My California to Texas QuoteGood to Know
Before You Ship & After You Arrive
A few Texas-specific things worth knowing.
Registering in Texas
New residents have 30 days to register with their county tax office. Texas ended safety inspections for most passenger vehicles in 2025, but emissions testing still applies in the major metro counties. Check txdmv.gov for current requirements.
Vehicle Storage & Port Freeport
Need somewhere to keep your car, or shipping it overseas? We can store vehicles at our lot in Freeport, Texas, and get them ready to go to Port Freeport to be shipped.
Moving With the Military
We ship for soldiers, airmen, and families moving from Fort Irwin, Edwards, Travis, and other California bases to Fort Bliss, Fort Hood, Joint Base San Antonio, Dyess, and Sheppard.
California Pickups
Tight streets, permit parking, and big apartment complexes in LA, San Francisco, and San Diego can keep a carrier off your block. If so, the driver will set up a nearby meeting spot.
Our Services
Ways to Ship California to Texas
Choose the service that fits your vehicle, budget, and timeline.
Open Auto Transport
The most affordable way to ship a car from California to Texas.
Learn more →Door-to-Door Shipping
From your California address to your Texas door, or to our Freeport lot.
Learn more →Expedited Car Shipping
New job or report date coming up? We'll prioritize a faster pickup.
Learn more →Enclosed Auto Transport
Full protection from hail and heat for classic and luxury vehicles.
Learn more →The Process
How It Works
Simple, transparent, and nothing due until a carrier is on the way.
- 1
Request Your Quote
Give us your California pickup address, your Texas delivery address, the vehicle, and your dates. You get a final price, good for 7 days.
- 2
Book With $0 Down
Nothing is due when you book. We match your vehicle with a vetted carrier that has room on a truck headed to Texas.
- 3
Carrier Dispatched
Once a carrier is assigned, a deposit (or full payment, if you prefer) secures your spot. The driver inspects your car with you at pickup and notes its condition on the Bill of Lading.
- 4
Delivered & Inspected
Look your car over with the driver in Texas, sign off, and pay any remaining balance directly to the driver by cash or check.
Why NEXLogistix
Car Shipping You Can Trust
A licensed, bonded, and insured broker (DOT 4238940 | MC-1641261).
Family-Owned Broker
A small, family-owned team that answers the phone and stays with your shipment from quote to delivery.
20+ Years Combined Experience
Deep industry experience and a network of more than 10,000 vetted, insured carriers.
Final-Price Quotes
The price we quote is the price you pay. No bait-and-switch, no surprise fees.
$0 Due at Booking
You don't pay anything until a carrier is actually dispatched for your vehicle.
FAQ
California to Texas Car Shipping FAQs
How long does it take to ship a car from California to Texas?
Usually 2 to 3 days for El Paso, 3 to 5 days for Dallas, Austin, San Antonio, and Houston.
How much does it cost to ship a car from California to Texas?
It depends on your exact pickup and delivery locations, vehicle size, open or enclosed transport, and the season. Request a free quote and you'll get a final price, good for 7 days.
Do you ship cars for corporate moves to Austin and Dallas?
Yes. California to Austin and Dallas are some of the most common relocations we handle. Tell us your start date when you request a quote.
Does Texas still require a vehicle inspection?
Texas ended safety inspections for most passenger vehicles in 2025, but emissions testing still applies in the major metro counties. Check with your county tax office.
Can you store my car in Texas or get it to Port Freeport?
Yes. We can store vehicles at our lot in Freeport, Texas, and get them ready to go to Port Freeport for ocean shipping. Tell us your timeline when you request a quote and we'll plan the handoff.
Can you ship a car from Texas back to California?
Yes. Request a quote with your Texas pickup address and your California delivery address. It's door-to-door either way.
Is my car insured during transport?
Yes. Every carrier we work with is required to carry active cargo insurance. Your car's condition is documented on the Bill of Lading at pickup and checked again at delivery. Personal items left in the vehicle aren't covered.
Do I have to pay upfront?
No. There's $0 due at booking. Once a carrier is assigned, you can pay a deposit and the rest to the driver at delivery by cash or check, or pay in full at that point.
Keep Exploring
Related Routes & States
States on This Route
More Routes From California
More Routes to Texas
Don't see your route? We ship door-to-door between all 48 contiguous states. Browse all states we serve.
Ready to Ship Your Car From California to Texas?
Get a free, final-price quote today. You won't pay anything until a carrier is assigned.
Prefer email? hello@nexlogistix.com
Licensed, bonded & insured broker · DOT 4238940 | MC-1641261