Shipping a Car from Miami, FL to Houston, TX
Ship from Miami and the car covers about 1,144 miles westbound to Houston, through Florida, Louisiana and Texas. That is around 23 hours of driving at car-hauler speeds; our transit estimate is 2–3 days after dispatch. This lane sees steady, moderate demand.
What Miami to Houston Costs
Over 1,144 miles, an open-trailer sedan runs $685–$970 ($0.72 per mile). For a larger vehicle plan on $765–$1,085, and for enclosed carriage of a sedan plan on $995–$1,405 (about 45% above open). The reverse haul, Houston, TX to Miami, FL, comes in at $690–$980. For scale, Austin, TX to Augusta, GA is a similar 1,128-mile move at $675–$960.
| Transport Type | Vehicle | Estimated Cost | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Open | Sedan / Coupe | $685–$970 | Lowest cost, most common |
| Open | SUV / Truck | $765–$1,085 | Larger vehicles, same trailers |
| Open | Minivan | $765–$1,085 | Larger vehicles, same trailers |
| Enclosed | Sedan / Coupe | $995–$1,405 | High-value or low cars |
Estimates are for a standard sedan; actual quotes vary with exact addresses, condition and season.
The Route and Corridor
A carrier on this lane works through Florida, Louisiana and Texas. In Louisiana, I-10 crosses the long Atchafalaya Basin bridge and I-20 runs across the north. In Florida, I-95, I-75 and the tolled Florida's Turnpike carry most traffic. Pickup is on Eastern time and delivery on Central time, so a driver's call can come an hour off your clock. Toll roads in Florida and Texas are built into carrier pricing.
Pickup and Delivery Details
Pickup in Miami. Miami has port activity, so imported or exported vehicles may need extra release time. The nearest major airport, Miami International Airport, is a common landmark for meeting a driver. Snowbird and relocation magnet with a major port, a surge of northbound traffic in spring and southbound in fall. Truck restrictions here usually push the handoff to a nearby wide street or lot.
Delivery 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. Trucks serving Houston lean on I-10, I-45 and I-69.
Timing and Seasonality
Northbound moves out of Miami surge from March to May as seasonal residents head home; request quotes three to four weeks out. Hurricane season (June to November) can pause or reroute trucks along the coast. Start getting quotes roughly three weeks ahead for a move of 1,144 miles. Across Florida expect afternoon thunderstorms and hurricane season from June to November; across Texas, severe spring storms, Gulf hurricanes and desert heat in the west.
Practical Tips for This Lane
- Vet the carrier. Check the MC number on safer.fmcsa.dot.gov and get insurance terms in writing before paying a deposit.
- Be flexible on the date. A four-day pickup window lets dispatchers slot your car into a load heading west.
- Inspect at both ends. Walk around the car with the driver in Miami and again in Houston, and note anything on the bill of lading.