Shipping a Car from Houston, TX to Minneapolis, MN
The Houston–Minneapolis haul covers roughly 1,259 road miles northbound, through Texas, Oklahoma, Missouri, Iowa and Minnesota. Allow 2–3 days after pickup, in line with roughly 25 hours of highway time. Volume is middling, so most customers find a carrier without much waiting.
The Route and Corridor
The direct line between the two cities crosses Texas, Oklahoma, Missouri, Iowa and Minnesota. Oklahoma: I-35, I-40 and I-44 cross, and turnpikes are tolled. Missouri: I-70, I-44 and I-55 run through St. Louis and Kansas City, with hilly Ozark sections. In Texas, I-35, I-10, I-45, I-20 and I-40 cross a state where El Paso to Houston is about 750 miles. Metros near that straight-line path include Overland Park (KS), Kansas City (MO) and Des Moines (IA), although the actual interstate routing may bend around them. Toll roads in Texas and Oklahoma are built into carrier pricing.
Pickup and Delivery Details
Pickup in Houston. George Bush Intercontinental Airport is the usual reference point for staging in the area. Giant Gulf Coast metro and port with deep carrier supply, but exposed to hurricane-season delays. Houston is a freight crossroads, so there is usually a truck passing through.
Delivery in Minneapolis. Carriers typically arrive around I-35W and I-94. Winter weather near Minneapolis is a real scheduling factor from December to March. Upper Midwest hub on I-35W/I-94 where deep winter cold shapes scheduling.
What Houston to Minneapolis Costs
Over 1,259 miles, a standard sedan on open transport runs $755–$1,070 ($0.72 per mile). SUVs and pickups usually add about 12% ($845–$1,200); enclosed sedan transport is $1,095–$1,550, roughly 45% more than open. Ending in St. Paul instead (11 mi from Minneapolis) is estimated at $755–$1,070. For scale, Austin, TX to Charlotte, NC is a similar 1,239-mile move at $745–$1,055.
| Service | Vehicle | Typical Price | Good For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Open | Sedan / Coupe | $755–$1,070 | Standard choice for everyday cars |
| Open | SUV / Truck | $845–$1,200 | Bigger cars, same open trailers |
| Open | Minivan | $845–$1,200 | Bigger cars, same open trailers |
| Enclosed | Sedan / Coupe | $1,095–$1,550 | High-value or low cars |
Figures assume a standard sedan; your quote depends on pickup and drop-off points, condition and season.
Timing and Seasonality
Snow in the northern tier of states can push dates back from December to February; spring and fall run smoothest. For a 1,259-mile trip, request quotes about three weeks before pickup. Across Texas expect severe spring storms, Gulf hurricanes and desert heat in the west; across Minnesota, deep winter cold and heavy snow.
Practical Tips for This Lane
- Ask for a call-ahead. Request a heads-up several hours before the truck reaches Minneapolis.
- Remove loose items. Personal belongings are usually not insured in transit; clear the cabin before pickup in Houston.
- Keep the tank low. About a quarter tank is the usual advice for the trip to Minneapolis.