How To Ship Car From California To Texas

Moving from a state like California to Texas is a big decision. These are two very different states that have contrasting climates, weather, and a stark difference in lifestyle. In Texas, you should be prepared to get more rainfall and get used to dusty, orange skies. 

So when you are adjusting to the idea of making such a big move, one of the biggest concerns on your mind is how to ship a car from California to Texas. Although the distance between California and Texas is barely 1,800 miles, the drive from the West Coast to Texas can take anywhere between 5-7 days. 

Although there are many ways to ship a car to another state, not all of them may be fit for your schedule or budget. In this blog, we break down everything you need to know to ship a car from Texas to California and vice versa in the easiest way possible.

Car shipping options

To ship your car through these 1,800 miles from California to Texas, you can choose from five primary options that depend on how much are you willing to splurge on shipping your car from California to Texas, the time of the year you are doing so, the kind of car you are shipping, how fast do you want the car at in Texas, amongst many other factors. 

Ways to transport a vehicle from California to Texas (and vice versa)

Here is a detailed break-up of all the five ways you can choose from to ship my car from California to Texas along with the advantages and disadvantages of each of these ways. 

Drive it yourself 

One of the most obvious ways of Texas to California car shipping is by driving it yourself. If you have a big family or a group of friends, you can very easily turn this into either a group getaway or a small family vacation, or a road trip. For instance, you can have stopovers at Palm Springs, Sedona, Santa Fe, and Austin to check out different activities and things to do in these cities. Not to mention, you can get your hands dirty with some good Southern-style food while you’re on the road. 

As a result of this road trip, you won’t even realize when you will arrive at your destination and it would have been a fun trip. 

However, a road trip for 6 or more days, behind the wheel sounds exhausting. The over exhaustion when moving a car from California to Texas can lead to a high possibility of accidents and road mishaps. In addition to this, the trip can become very expensive since it would require stopping over at multiple places and getting accommodations at a new place every night. 

The cost to ship a car from California to Texas can further mount if you are traveling in a big group, which can cost you a lot. The food expenses, fuel expenses, and unforeseen mechanic expenses can add to this and result in a long bill, making this way to ship car from California to Texas an expensive affair.

Hire someone to drive it for you 

Well, if driving 300-40 miles a day is an issue for you, there is always the option of hiring a professional driver to ship it for you. In this method, you will basically be getting in touch with a professional driver who drives an individual’s vehicle from one state to another or a company that has a team of experienced drivers who will do it for you. 

These are professional drivers who will ship cars from Texas to California. The best part is that you can also hitch a ride with most of them and save money on booking yourself a flight. However, the key here is to find a trustworthy professional driver or a company who will take care of your car while shipping it from one corner of the country to another.

It is almost natural to feel anxious about a stranger driving your car which is worth thousands of dollars. There is no means to settle this anxiety and worry until the car is delivered to you. Moreover, you might have to pay for the insurance of the driver as a mandatory clause which may further increase the cost to ship a car from Texas to California. 

Use the train to ship it for you 

Another method is to completely avoid the road routes and ditch the steering wheel. For this, you could explore the possibility of shipping your car from California to Texas via the rail route. There are many trains that ply on California to Texas route. All you have to do is find out if any of these trains are cargo trains and allow shipping a car from California to Texas. 

However, the downside of using this method to ship my car from Texas to California is how you will have to micromanage everything. From the train’s arrival and departure schedule, to how long will the train be stationed and how long will it take to load and unload the car on the train. You will also have to find someone who will do the loading and unloading for you in the stipulated time. 

Moreover, this can also be an expensive option since one entire coach of the train cargo might be reserved for your car. So if you are thinking about how much to ship a car from Texas to California, be prepared to sign a big check. 

Use an auto transport service to ship it for you 

The auto transport service is a vehicle shipping service that entails loading your car on a trailer truck and driving the truck from one location to another and unloading your car at your desired location. An experienced driver will drive the trailer through the best route possible in order to avoid bumpy roads, bottlenecks, and road closures. 

If you are wondering how much to ship a car from California to Texas via an auto transport service, you will be surprised to know that it costs much less than all the other four options mentioned above in this article. A lot of the expense depends on the kind of car you have and what are extra precautions that you want to take while your car is being shipped from California to Texas or vice versa. 

When you choose an auto transport shipping service to ship your car from California to Texas, you can rest assured about your car is treated with care and is handled by professionals to ensure there is no damage to the car. 

Types of auto transport shipping

After you have chosen an auto transport shipping company to transport your car, you will have to decide between two auto transport shipping types. This will not only determine the cost to ship a car from Texas to California, but it will also help have an estimate of how long the process will take. These two options are: 

1. Enclosed auto transport

As the name suggests, your car will be loaded onto a trailer that is closed from all sides. In many cases, the car is loaded into a shipping container, and then the container is placed onto the trailer or the truck. The cost of shipping a car from Texas to California via enclosed car shipping takes more time and more money than its counterpart. 

However, this is the best option for you if you have an ultra-luxurious car that is priceless or have an antique car where you cannot afford to let the rain or dust spoil it. The route from California to Texas passes through many areas that are particularly dusty and can spoil leather seats and the interiors of open cars. 

2. Open car transport 

In contrast to the enclosed shipping type, open car shipping involves loading your car onto an open trailer when it comes to shipping a car from Texas to California. Just remember, in this type of auto shipping, the car is exposed to all weather conditions. 

This is the best option if you have a mid-range car that is not likely to be affected by rain, dust, or snowfall. If you are wondering how much to ship a car from Texas to California via open auto transport shipping, you should know that it will be cheaper than enclosed auto transport shipping. 

How much does it cost to transport a car from California to Texas (and vice versa)

Here are a few factors that will help you determine the cost of shipping a car from Texas to California. 

The Distance

Distance is one of the biggest factors affecting the cost of shipping a car from Texas to California. If you’re looking at shipping across the country, expect prices to be much higher than if you’re only looking to move just five miles.

Pickup and Drop off location

The cost to ship a car from Texas to California depends upon the pickup and drop-off location. For example, suppose your vehicle is being picked up in Los Angeles and dropped off in San Antonio (just above 270 mi.). In that case, it will probably have cheaper rates than vehicles being shipped between Los Angeles and Las Vegas (above 1,300 mi).

Open vs. Enclosed Transport

If you choose open transport, your vehicle will be transported on an uncovered trailer and exposed to potential elements such as rain, snow, and dirt. If you decide on enclosed transport, professionals will load your vehicle into a closed trailer protected from potential elements. Choosing enclosed over open is more costly and more convenient. But both options can be reliable depending on your needs and pick and drop locations.

Make and Model of Your Vehicle

The make and model of your car matter when it comes to how much to ship a car from Texas to California. Shipping a luxury car costs more than sending a regular one because luxury cars are bigger and require special transportation. This means it’s going to take longer for your transport company and their team of professionals to assemble, secure, and get everything ready for transport. It all adds up.

Seasonality

Seasonality will determine the cost of shipping a car from one state to the next. In the summer, demand for shipping is high so prices will be higher. The best time to ship a vehicle is when the need for cars is the lowest, which is typically in the winter months. Winter is the cheapest time to move a car because fewer people plan to relocate at this time of the season, so more trucks are available for hire.

Current Fuel Prices

Fuel prices can also play a key role in deciding the cost of transportation. If fuel prices are low, shipping firms can charge less. However, if fuel prices rise, so will transportation costs. The price of fuel is constantly fluctuating, so if you’re going to ship your vehicle, plan on it being in transit during a time when fuel prices will likely be lower.

Types of auto transport services

In order to help you have a close estimate of how much to ship a car from California to Texas, you will have to choose an auto transport service. This will be based on how fast you want your car to be picked up and shipped. 

1. Guaranteed pick up

In the guaranteed pick-up service, the auto transport company will work round the clock and pick your car up within 24 hours and begin the process of shipping it. The cost of shipping a car from Texas to California this way will be slightly higher but you will get prompt service.

Therefore, if you are in a time crunch and are moving to Texas from California on short notice, this is the best shipping service to opt for when it comes to Texas to California car shipping. 

2. Express shipping

Very similar to how guaranteed auto transport shipping operates, express shipping will ensure that your car is picked up at the earliest after you make a booking. The auto transport company will try to get your car picked up and processed for shipment as fast as they can, but it can take 1-2 days to do so. 

If you are looking for a fast and cost-effective way to ship your car from Texas to California, express shipping may be your best option. 

How long will it take to ship my car from California to Texas (and vice versa)

The process of picking up the car and loading it on the trailer can take anything from a few hours to a day. After that, you should keep in mind that the distance between California and Texas is around 1,80 miles. Assuming that a driver drives the trailer for 300 miles each day, it will take them at least 6 days to ship my car from Texas to California. 

However, this is an estimate in the best-case scenario. Any hindrances like traffic jams, bottlenecks, and road closures can increase the time it takes to ship a car from California to Texas. In fact, road closures may prompt the driver to take an alternative route which might be longer and take more time. 

However, when you sign up for professional auto transport companies who have adequate experience in shipping cars over long distances, you can rest assured about getting your car shipped in the shortest time and delivered safely at the earliest. 

How does the process of shipping a car from California to Texas work?

Shipping a car from Texas to California is a very technical process and requires all due diligence to be followed by those handling the car and shipping it. Although it sounds as simple as picking it up and dropping it to the destination via a trailer, there is a lot more that goes on in the background of Texas to California car shipping. Here is a step-wise guide of how that happens:

1. If you want to ship a car from California to Texas via an auto transport company, you will have to find an auto transporter who operates on that route. 
2. The next step would be to give them all the correct details about your car in order to help get a cost to ship a car from California to Texas. This will include mentioning details about the make of the car, the year it was manufactured in, the model and brand of the car, weight, and other specifications. If you have a luxury or an antique car, you will have to mention those details as well. 
3. Now, you will have to decide how to ship a car from California to Texas. This will include telling the auto transport company about your choice between open and enclosed car transport, and guaranteed and express shipping. 
4. At this point, the auto transport will tell you how much to ship a car from California to Texas. You have the option of negotiating with the auto transport company before you close in on a price. 
5. The auto transport company will pick your car up for shipping on the day both the parties have agreed upon. Thus, the process of moving a car from California to Texas will begin after you sign the Bill of Lading. 
6. The process to ship a car from California to Texas will be completed after you receive the car at the destination, and sign the Bill of Lading. 

How to find the best auto transport company to ship a car from California to Texas

To find the best auto transport company for shipping your car from California to Texas, you need to first figure out the auto transport companies that operate on California to Texas route. 

After this, you will have to get the quotes from the prospective companies, compare them, and negotiate to get the best rate. The key point to remember while shipping a car to Texas from California is that the drive can be a little rough. Therefore, you need to consider the experience of an auto transport company before closing the deal. 

FAQs regarding shipping a car from California to Texas (and vice versa)

Do car shipping companies have insurance to protect your car? 

As per the country’s law, all auto transport companies provide insurance to cover the car of the customer when it is in transit. Therefore, you can relax and know that your car is protected by an insurance cover for any damages that might be incurred while the car is being transported.

What paperwork is required to ship my car from New York to California and vice versa? 

When the car is in transit, there is no need for you to get any documents. However, it is always helpful if you have a copy of the car purchase and insurance documents readily available. 

Should I be present at the pickup and delivery location? 

Although it is not compulsory for you to be present at the delivery or the pickup location, it is recommended that you do so to assess the car when it is delivered for any damages. You can also choose to assign anyone else who is over the age of 18 years to do the same in your place.

How do I pay for the auto transport service?

You can opt to pay the auto transport company via using any payment option you like which includes credit cards, debit cards, cash, or even mobile payments like PayPal and other online payment options.

Pros and cons of moving to California

Pros: 

• Great weather 
• The hub of tech and IT companies 
• Great colleges and universities for kids to attend 
• Strong focus on green energy and sustainable lifestyle 
• High standard of living

Cons:

• Extremely high tax burden
• The cost of living is too high 
• Heavily populated 
• Wildfires and high temperatures
• Traffic jams

Pros and cons of moving to Texas

Pros: 

• Decent cost of living
• Booming infrastructure and job opportunities
• Warm and comfortable weather around the year
• Family-friendly atmosphere
• Minimal income taxes

Cons: 

• High possibility of tornadoes, hurricanes, storms, and torrential downpour 
• Skyrocketing property taxes
• Intrastate travel can be a nightmare
• Open gun laws in the state can be a problem for some people
• The quality of health insurance in the state is sub-par average at best

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