California to Texas Car Shipping Overview
California to Texas is one of the best-supplied long-distance lanes in the country: two big, well-connected states, a direct interstate line between them and steady relocation demand in both directions. The practical questions are which California city you load in, and whether your Texas destination is on the I-10 or the I-20/I-35 side of the state.
We price 36 city-to-city lanes on this corridor, from six California pickup cities (Fresno, Los Angeles, Sacramento, San Diego, San Francisco and San Jose) to six Texas cities (Austin, Dallas, El Paso, Fort Worth, Houston and San Antonio). Open-transport estimates for a standard sedan run from $500 to $1,370, and the shortest lane covers 746 miles while the longest covers 1,954.
Price Comparison Across Every Lane
The cheapest lane in our California to Texas data is Los Angeles, CA to El Paso, TX at $500–$710; the most expensive is San Francisco, CA to Houston, TX at $975–$1,370, a spread of $568 on open transport. By pickup city, Fresno is the lowest-priced origin on average (about $925) and San Francisco the highest ($1,043); by destination, El Paso averages $755 against $1,066 for Houston. Enclosed transport adds about 45% on average.
Price a Lane
Price Matrix
Open-transport price for a standard sedan between every California pickup city (rows) and Texas destination (columns). Each price links to that lane's full page.
| From \ To | Austin | Dallas | El Paso | Fort Worth | Houston | San Antonio |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fresno | $800–$1,120 | $790–$1,105 | $595–$840 | $775–$1,085 | $875–$1,225 | $790–$1,105 |
| Los Angeles | $875–$1,240 | $885–$1,250 | $500–$710 | $860–$1,220 | $815–$1,140 | $860–$1,215 |
| Sacramento | $870–$1,220 | $855–$1,195 | $690–$980 | $840–$1,175 | $950–$1,330 | $865–$1,215 |
| San Diego | $825–$1,170 | $840–$1,190 | $560–$820 | $820–$1,165 | $765–$1,075 | $805–$1,140 |
| San Francisco | $890–$1,250 | $880–$1,235 | $710–$1,005 | $865–$1,210 | $975–$1,370 | $885–$1,240 |
| San Jose | $870–$1,220 | $855–$1,200 | $685–$965 | $845–$1,185 | $945–$1,325 | $865–$1,210 |
Roads, Route and Conditions
Two corridors dominate. The southern route follows I-10 through Arizona and New Mexico to El Paso, San Antonio and Houston. The central route follows I-40 through Flagstaff, Albuquerque and Amarillo before dropping into the Dallas-Fort Worth area, while Dallas-bound trucks on the southern route usually leave I-10 for I-20 in West Texas. Summer desert heat and winter ice on the I-40 plateau are the main hazards.
California end. Expect mild coastal weather but snow on the Sierra passes in winter; I-5 and Highway 99 run the length of the Central Valley, and I-15 and I-10 cross the desert.
Texas end. Expect severe spring storms, Gulf hurricanes and desert heat in the west; I-35, I-10, I-45, I-20 and I-40 cross a state where El Paso to Houston is about 750 miles.
Timing and Seasonality
Summer is the busiest moving season and also the hottest; desert heat does not stop trucks but makes midday loading hard, so early-morning pickups are common. Winter storms matter mostly on the I-40 route, and spring thunderstorms can delay deliveries in North and Central Texas.
Every California Pickup City
From Fresno, CA
Central Valley city on Highway 99, a farm-belt freight stop between Los Angeles and the Bay Area. All routes from Fresno →
| To | Distance | Open | Enclosed | Transit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| El Paso, TX | ~991 mi | $595–$840 | $865–$1,220 | 2–3 days |
| Fort Worth, TX | ~1,548 mi | $775–$1,085 | $1,125–$1,575 | 3–4 days |
| Dallas, TX | ~1,575 mi | $790–$1,105 | $1,145–$1,600 | 3–4 days |
| San Antonio, TX | ~1,582 mi | $790–$1,105 | $1,145–$1,600 | 3–4 days |
| Austin, TX | ~1,598 mi | $800–$1,120 | $1,160–$1,625 | 3–4 days |
| Houston, TX | ~1,752 mi | $875–$1,225 | $1,270–$1,775 | 3–5 days |
From Los Angeles, CA
The West Coast's largest auto-import and relocation market, with I-5, I-10 and I-405 and very deep carrier supply. All routes from Los Angeles →
| To | Distance | Open | Enclosed | Transit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| El Paso, TX | ~833 mi | $500–$710 | $725–$1,030 | 1–2 days |
| San Antonio, TX | ~1,430 mi | $860–$1,215 | $1,245–$1,760 | 2–4 days |
| Fort Worth, TX | ~1,436 mi | $860–$1,220 | $1,245–$1,770 | 2–4 days |
| Austin, TX | ~1,458 mi | $875–$1,240 | $1,270–$1,800 | 2–4 days |
| Dallas, TX | ~1,473 mi | $885–$1,250 | $1,285–$1,810 | 2–4 days |
| Houston, TX | ~1,631 mi | $815–$1,140 | $1,180–$1,655 | 3–5 days |
From Sacramento, CA
California's capital at the I-5/I-80 junction, a gateway to the Sierra and Bay Area. All routes from Sacramento →
| To | Distance | Open | Enclosed | Transit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| El Paso, TX | ~1,152 mi | $690–$980 | $1,000–$1,420 | 2–3 days |
| Fort Worth, TX | ~1,678 mi | $840–$1,175 | $1,220–$1,705 | 3–5 days |
| Dallas, TX | ~1,707 mi | $855–$1,195 | $1,240–$1,735 | 3–5 days |
| San Antonio, TX | ~1,733 mi | $865–$1,215 | $1,255–$1,760 | 3–5 days |
| Austin, TX | ~1,743 mi | $870–$1,220 | $1,260–$1,770 | 3–5 days |
| Houston, TX | ~1,897 mi | $950–$1,330 | $1,380–$1,930 | 3–5 days |
From San Diego, CA
Major Navy and Marine hub on I-5/I-8/I-15 and one of the most active military-relocation lanes. All routes from San Diego →
| To | Distance | Open | Enclosed | Transit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| El Paso, TX | ~746 mi | $560–$820 | $810–$1,190 | 1–2 days |
| San Antonio, TX | ~1,340 mi | $805–$1,140 | $1,165–$1,655 | 2–4 days |
| Fort Worth, TX | ~1,370 mi | $820–$1,165 | $1,190–$1,690 | 2–4 days |
| Austin, TX | ~1,374 mi | $825–$1,170 | $1,195–$1,695 | 2–4 days |
| Dallas, TX | ~1,397 mi | $840–$1,190 | $1,220–$1,725 | 2–4 days |
| Houston, TX | ~1,535 mi | $765–$1,075 | $1,110–$1,560 | 3–4 days |
From San Francisco, CA
Peninsula city with steep, narrow streets where large trucks often meet customers at a nearby lot. All routes from San Francisco →
| To | Distance | Open | Enclosed | Transit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| El Paso, TX | ~1,182 mi | $710–$1,005 | $1,030–$1,455 | 2–3 days |
| Fort Worth, TX | ~1,728 mi | $865–$1,210 | $1,255–$1,755 | 3–5 days |
| Dallas, TX | ~1,762 mi | $880–$1,235 | $1,275–$1,790 | 3–5 days |
| San Antonio, TX | ~1,770 mi | $885–$1,240 | $1,285–$1,800 | 3–5 days |
| Austin, TX | ~1,785 mi | $890–$1,250 | $1,290–$1,810 | 3–5 days |
| Houston, TX | ~1,954 mi | $975–$1,370 | $1,415–$1,985 | 3–5 days |
From San Jose, CA
Silicon Valley hub on I-280/I-880 with heavy tech-relocation demand. All routes from San Jose →
| To | Distance | Open | Enclosed | Transit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| El Paso, TX | ~1,138 mi | $685–$965 | $995–$1,400 | 2–3 days |
| Fort Worth, TX | ~1,690 mi | $845–$1,185 | $1,225–$1,720 | 3–5 days |
| Dallas, TX | ~1,713 mi | $855–$1,200 | $1,240–$1,740 | 3–5 days |
| San Antonio, TX | ~1,727 mi | $865–$1,210 | $1,255–$1,755 | 3–5 days |
| Austin, TX | ~1,743 mi | $870–$1,220 | $1,260–$1,770 | 3–5 days |
| Houston, TX | ~1,892 mi | $945–$1,325 | $1,370–$1,920 | 3–5 days |
Texas Destination Cities
- Austin, TX. Fast-growing Texas Hill Country metro on I-35, where tech relocations keep demand steady year-round.
- Dallas, TX. One of the country's biggest vehicle-transport hubs, with I-30, I-35E and I-45 and heavy carrier supply.
- El Paso, TX. Border city on I-10 at the far western tip of Texas, home to Fort Bliss.
- Fort Worth, TX. Sister city to Dallas on I-30/I-35W/I-820, with the same deep pool of carriers.
- Houston, TX. Giant Gulf Coast metro and port with deep carrier supply, but exposed to hurricane-season delays.
- San Antonio, TX. South Texas metro on I-10/I-35/I-37 with a large military presence.
Registration and Paperwork
Texas generally expects new residents to title and register a vehicle within about 30 days of moving, and inspection rules have changed in recent years, so confirm the current steps with the Texas DMV or your county tax office before you ship.
How Shipping Works on This Corridor
- Request quotes. Enter your California pickup and Texas drop-off and compare matched carriers; start about three weeks ahead for the best availability.
- Choose open or enclosed. Open is $500–$1,370; enclosed is $725–$1,985 and suits luxury, classic or low cars.
- Schedule pickup. Offer a three to five day window so dispatch can place your car on a truck heading to Texas.
- Inspect and load. Walk around the car with the driver, note existing marks on the bill of lading and take dated photos.
- In transit. Allow 1–5 days on the road once the car is loaded; the driver will call before arrival.
- Inspect and sign. Check the car against the bill of lading before paying the driver and signing.
How to Pay Less
- Starting from Fresno instead of San Francisco saves about $118 on average on this corridor.
- Delivering to El Paso rather than Houston saves about $311 on average.
- A flexible three to five day pickup window usually matters more than any single city choice on a lane of 746–1,954 miles.
- Quotes that seem far below the others often come from brokers who later raise the price; compare several and verify each carrier's MC number at safer.fmcsa.dot.gov.