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Best Car Shipping Companies In Texas

From our #1 rated provider,

844-601-0286

08/05/2024 08:00 AM

If you need to move to Texas for a little while or permanently, getting your car shipped there should be an easy process. In this article, we’ll provide a look at the five best auto transport companies in Texas that offer peace of mind and competitive costs. We will also explain the costs of shipping for both open and enclosed transport services and give you guidance on how to easily ship your car.

The Gist:

  • Our team found that Montway Auto Transport is the best Texas car shipping company, though it’s best to compare rates with those from Sherpa Auto Transport, SGT Auto Transport, American Auto Shipping and AmeriFreight.
  • The average cost to ship a car to or from Texas is $990 for open car shipping services and $1,387 for enclosed auto transport.
  • Your car shipping cost in Texas depends on factors like a city’s size, nearby traffic patterns, and weather conditions.

5 Best Car Shipping Companies In Texas

We have dedicated more than 300 hours to researching the auto transport industry in order to offer an truthful review of the top car shipping companies. If you’re moving a car to or from Dallas, Houston, San Antonio, or beyond, check out our list of the best Texas car shipping companies.

1. Montway Auto Transport: Best Reputation

Montway Auto Transport is our top choice among the best auto transport companies of 2024 because they offer dependable service and reasonable rates. While they may not have the lowest prices, Montway stands out from the competition with excellent customer service and a wide variety of options.

Montway Auto Transport is a big and well-liked company that transports cars. They operate in all 50 states and also offer international shipping. Because they have many carriers they work with, Montway is able to provide customers with prices that are lower than the average.

Read more: Montway Auto Transport review

Montway Auto Transport Best Reputation
BBB Rating : A+ Phone : 844-601-0286 Coverage : 50 states
Pros & Cons
Pros Strong reputation, customer satisfaction, and industry ratings Carrier vetting Large network of 30,000+ carriers Offers expedited delivery Competitive pricing Cons No real-time tracking or mobile-app; must contact company for tracking info No guaranteed pricing $249 cancellation fee No specialty shipping services for recreational vehicles (RVs), boats, trailers, or other watercraft Intrusive Pop-up Ads
Summary

Montway Auto Transport is a reputable auto transport broker offering several car shipping services and cheap car shipping rates. We named it the Best Reputation car shipping company for 2024.

2. Sherpa Auto Transport: Best For Locked-In Rates

Our research team has rated Sherpa Auto Transport with a score of 4.6 out of 5.0 using our own rating system. This high score is based on their consistent rates, high customer satisfaction, and wide range of services. In addition, Sherpa also provides a Clean Car Guarantee, which includes a $20 reimbursement for a car wash.

Sherpa Auto Transport makes shipping easy and gives you a guarantee on the price. With their Price Lock Promise, the quoted price is the final price. They will also cover up to $300 if needed, so your rate won’t go up.

Read more: Sherpa Auto Transport review

Sherpa Auto Transport
4.5
BBB Rating : A+ Phone : 888-202-7706 Coverage : 49 states
Pros & Cons
Pros Locked-in shipping rates through the Price Lock Promise Vetted network of reliable and friendly carriers Strong customer service ratings on the Better Business Bureau (BBB) Offers a Clean Car Guarantee Cons Slightly higher prices than competitors Does not provide terminal-to-terminal shipping
Summary

Sherpa Auto Transport has many strengths, from excellent customer service to the added security of the Price Lock Promise.

3. SGT Auto Transport: Best Price-Match Guarantee

We gave SGT Auto Transport a rating of 4.6 out of 5.0 stars because they have different shipping choices available at prices that compete well with others. The company received a high score for their services because they offer various options like open, enclosed, and door-to-door car transportation. They also provide fast delivery and guaranteed pickup dates.

You don’t need to pay until the carrier is sent to pick up your vehicle when using SGT Auto Transport. If you find a lower price from another company, SGT Auto Transport will match it. Based on our research, most customers have a good experience with this provider.

Read more: SGT Auto Transport review

SGT Auto Transport Best Price-Match Guarantee
4.5
BBB Rating : B Phone : 864-635-4879 Coverage : 49 states
Pros & Cons
Pros Available in 49 states Offers price matching Has an option for a guaranteed pickup date Cons Doesn’t offer real-time tracking No terminal-to-terminal shipping option
Summary

We give SGT Auto Transport an overall rating of 4.5 out of 5.0 stars. This shipping broker has an outstanding reputation and offers affordable options for car transport services. Price matching, express shipping, and guaranteed pickups are other great features of SGT Auto Transport.

4. American Auto Shipping: Best Service Availability

American Auto Shipping provides various auto transport services to deliver your vehicle to its desired location. With an impressive 5.0 rating in the services category, this provider offers convenient door-to-door shipping, both open and enclosed auto transport options, shipping to Hawaii, motorcycle transportation, military vehicle shipping, heavy equipment transport, and more.

American Auto Shipping strives to offer customers a pleasant experience with perks like a covered rental car if your shipment is delayed over 14 days past the delivery date. Another benefit is your choice of pickup times from three different options–standard, priority, or expedited.

Read more: American Auto Shipping review

American Auto Shipping Best Service Availability
4.6
BBB Rating : A+ Phone : 800-238-7613
Pros & Cons
Pros Instant online quotes 24/7 customer service A+ rating from the BBB Standard, priority, and expedited service Cons No Alaska service No terminal-to-terminal shipping No GPS tracking
Summary

Considering its service offering, availability, and average rates, we give American Auto Shipping 4.5 out of 5.0 stars overall. It can work with a variety of shipping timelines, whether you need to ship your car next month or tomorrow. We recommend checking out a quote from American Auto Shipping when you plan your car shipment.

5. AmeriFreight: Best For Discounts

AmeriFreight has prices that are typical for the industry. However, customers can reduce their rates by taking advantage of AmeriFreight’s discounts and special pricing options. These discounts include lower rates for loyal customers, shipping multiple vehicles, first responders and medical personnel, seniors, students, and more.

AmeriFreight is one of the best auto shippers according to our ranking. They offer a variety of discounts, price-matching services, and attentive customer service. As a car shipping broker, they work with over 10,000 car carriers and have a thorough vetting process to make sure each shipper is licensed and insured.

Read more: AmeriFreight review

AmeriFreight Best for Discounts
4.8
BBB Rating : A+ Phone : 855-460-6609 Coverage : 50 states
Pros & Cons
Pros Affordable rates and several discount opportunities available Thorough carrier vetting process Excellent reviews on BBB; A+ rating and accreditation Offers a guaranteed price option Delivers coast to coast Cons No real-time GPS tracking or mobile app Charges extra for insurance No locked-in rates No international shipping
Summary

AmeriFreight is a leading car shipping broker that partners with over 10,000 car carriers to deliver a wide range of auto transport services. The company also works with government agencies, vehicle manufacturers, and retailers to deliver outsourced logistics services and shipping on a large scale.

Other Texas Car Shipping Companies

Although we mentioned five reliable nationwide providers earlier, there are also excellent regional choices for shipping cars in Texas. Take a look at the following provider as another option to consider.

uShip

uShip is headquartered in Austin, TX. Learn more about this provider on the uShip website.


Texas Car Shipping Costs

The price of shipping a car in Texas can vary a lot depending on a few things. Some factors that affect the cost are based on what you want, like the type of car transport you choose. Most people use either an open or enclosed trailer to transport their vehicle, so we have provided the average costs for both methods below.

Open Car Shipping Costs In Texas

Open car shipping is when vehicles are transported on a trailer with no walls or roof. Many vehicles can be transported at the same time using this method. It is a cheaper way to ship cars, but it also has more risks compared to enclosed transport services.

The average cost to ship a car to and from Texas using open auto transport is $990, which is 2 percent cheaper than the national average of $1,010. We gathered cost estimates for open car transport along popular Texas car shipping routes, which you’ll find below:

Auto Shipping RouteTotal Average Cost
Dallas to New York$919
Dallas to Los Angeles$819
Dallas to Chicago$599
San Francisco to Dallas$1,079
Miami to Dallas$869
Houston to New York$829
Houston to Los Angeles$719
Houston to Chicago$699
San Francisco to Houston$1,129
Miami to Houston$769
San Antonio to New York$869
San Antonio to Los Angeles$739
San Antonio to Chicago$749
San Francisco to San Antonio$1,129
Miami to San Antonio$919
Austin to New York$1,029
Austin to Los Angeles$1,029
Austin to Chicago$699
San Francisco to Austin$1,129
Miami to Austin$949
El Paso to New York$1,229
El Paso to Los Angeles$609
El Paso to Chicago$1,049
San Francisco to El Paso$1,129
Miami to El Paso$1,439

Enclosed Car Shipping Costs In Texas

Enclosed auto transport services utilize an enclosed carrier that provides the ultimate level of protection from road hazards during transport. While it makes Texas car shipping much pricier than open car shipping services, owners of classic or luxury cars should consider it.

The average cost to ship a car to and from Texas using enclosed car shipping is $1,387, which is 40 percent more than the average cost of open car shipping in Texas. The table below has average costs of popular Texas car shipping routes using enclosed transport.

Auto Shipping RouteTotal Average Cost
Dallas to New York$1,289
Dallas to Los Angeles$1,149
Dallas to Chicago$839
San Francisco to Dallas$1,509
Miami to Dallas$1,219
Houston to New York$1,159
Houston to Los Angeles$1,009
Houston to Chicago$979
San Francisco to Houston$1,579
Miami to Houston$1,079
San Antonio to New York$1,219
San Antonio to Los Angeles$1,039
San Antonio to Chicago$1,049
San Francisco to San Antonio$1,579
Miami to San Antonio$1,289
Austin to New York$1,439
Austin to Los Angeles$1,439
Austin to Chicago$979
San Francisco to Austin$1,579
Miami to Austin$1,329
El Paso to New York$1,719
El Paso to Los Angeles$849
El Paso to Chicago$1,469
San Francisco to El Paso$1,579
Miami to El Paso$2,009

What Affects Car Shipping Costs In Texas?

Your exact auto transport expenses for Texas will likely depend on various factors. Different factors can influence the cost of car shipping, such as the mode of transportation, where the car needs to be delivered, fuel prices, distance of shipping, the type of vehicle, and the condition of the car.

A visual list of items that affect car shipping prices

How To Ship A Car To And From Texas

Are you trying to send a car in Texas but don’t know where to begin? It might seem confusing at first, but we have broken down the process of transporting your car to make it easy and stress-free.

Choose Your Shipping Method

First, you have to choose how you want to transport your vehicle. As previously mentioned, enclosed and open carrier car shipping are the most common types used across the industry. Both have their pros and cons, so comparing enclosed vs. open auto transport will help you determine which best fits your needs.

Compare Texas Car Shipping Quotes

After you have chosen how you will transport your vehicle, you should start comparing quotes for auto transport in Texas. It’s easy to get car shipping quotes online, and we recommend providing vehicle details to various car shipping companies to find the best price.

Remember that not all companies will keep the same price for shipping your car in Texas. Some may raise their rates because of market changes. If having a fixed price is important to you, make sure to choose a provider that guarantees it.

Select A Transport Provider

Once you’ve looked at and compared different quotes for transporting your car, you’ll probably start to narrow down your options for shipping services in Texas. Now, you need to decide if you prefer working with a car shipping broker or an online shipping marketplace. Brokers will find a car carrier for you, while shipping marketplaces let you connect with carriers on your own.

No matter what you decide, make sure to use online review websites and discussion boards to look into your options. It’s really helpful to hear directly from other customers about their experiences with car shipping companies when you’re deciding which one to choose for transporting your car to Texas.

Prepare Your Car And Meet The Carrier

After you have reserved a service to transport your vehicle, you need to prepare your car for shipment. Remove any personal belongings from your vehicle, as some Texas transporters factor in the weight of the vehicle when determining the costs. It’s also wise to leave your gas tank no more than a quarter full.

It’s now time to meet your carrier at a predetermined time and location. Whether you opted for door-to-door or terminal-to-terminal shipping, you’ll inspect your vehicle for prior damages such as dents, scratches, and dings. Make sure to take pictures of your car before it gets put on the trailer so you have proof of its condition. All you need to do now is sign the bill of lading, which is a receipt that follows your vehicle as it travels to or from Texas.

Pick Your Car Up

If the car transport company you pick has GPS tracking, you can watch your car as it goes to or from Texas right away. Even if they don’t have GPS, the carrier will still send you a message about when they will pick up your vehicle.

When you arrive at the assigned pickup spot and time, make sure to check your vehicle for any damage. This is particularly crucial if you select an open auto transport service. If you find any damages, report them on the bill of lading and take photos for potential claims. However, if everything looks good, you’ll just sign the bill of lading one last time and drive the car away.


What To Expect With Texas Car Shipping

When you send a car to or from Texas, there are things related to the state that might affect your car shipping experience. The size of the city, how many people live there, traffic patterns, and bad weather can all influence how long it takes to ship your car in Texas. It’s a good idea to be prepared for these things so that you’re not surprised while shipping your car.

Population density can also have an impact on the availability of door-to-door transport. Texas is less densely populated than other states in the U.S., which may make door-to-delivery less of a hassle. However, availability may differ in major cities such as Dallas and Houston.

In addition, many cities in Texas have less-than-average rainfall and less chances of extreme weather. If the weather is bad, like storms or flooding, it might take longer to ship cars in Texas. So, it’s a good idea to make a plan and be understanding about delivery times.


Texas Car Shipping: FAQ

Here are some frequently asked questions customers have about Texas car shipping.

Why would a person want to ship their car?

If you’re moving more than a few hundred miles away, a long-distance road trip might not be worth it. Cross-country car shipping can provide peace of mind while offering protection from risks associated with long drives, such as mechanical breakdowns and car accidents. Getting your car to Texas from far away states is much easier with auto transport.

What are the benefits of car shipping?

Car shipping is a safe way to get your car to and from Texas without wasting the time and expenses associated with a long road trip. Choosing to ship your car rather than drive it will also protect your car from the wear and tear that comes along with extended driving periods.

How do I ship a car to Texas?

You’ll start the shipping process by researching various car shipping companies and getting free quotes online. Next, you’ll choose a provider, book your shipment, and prepare the car for transport. Once your car has made it to or from Texas, you’ll meet the car carrier for pickup.

How We Rate Texas Auto Shippers

Our review process aims to deliver consistent and unbiased assessments of car shipping companies. While there are multiple qualities that make an auto transport provider successful, our review team focuses on those we believe are the most important for consumers:

  • Cost: Cost can be difficult to compare between providers because so many factors impact auto shipping rates. To determine our cost score, we perform a secret shopper analysis for a variety of vehicles and routes.
  • Services: Our team of experts looks at the types of services available, as well as insurance coverage and the ability to guarantee pickup and dropoff dates. Ratings also take into account whether the transport company is a broker or a carrier.
  • Reputation: It’s important that a car shipping provider is able to deliver your vehicle in a safe and timely manner. Companies with a strong rating from the Better Business Bureau (BBB) score well in this category. Established providers with a long history of reliable service also receive positive marks.
  • Customer Experience: We comb through consumer reviews on sites like the BBB to learn about customer experiences. Car transport companies with a low volume of complaints score well in this area.

*Data accurate at time of publication.
*Read more about our methodology.