San Jose to Dallas Car Shipping and Auto Transport
San Jose to Dallas Car Shipping
Written by Richard Avery, President of Smart Auto Move · USDOT 2887232 · MC 969368
Shipping a car from San Jose to Dallas costs $1,225 to $1,375 on an open trailer. The trip is about 1,720 miles and takes four to six days on the road. Leaving Silicon Valley is the better-priced direction, about $150 less than coming back, and McKinney, just north of Dallas, is one of our service areas.
San Jose to Dallas car shipping prices
Running mid-size vehicle on an open trailer, reviewed September 2026. The lower rows show the trip back and two related California to Texas lanes.
| Route | Distance | Days on the road | Open transport |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Jose to Dallas-Fort Worth | 1,720 miles | 4 to 6 days | $1,225 to $1,375 |
| Dallas to San Jose THE OTHER DIRECTION | 1,680 miles | 4 to 6 days | $1,375 to $1,525 |
| Sacramento to Austin FOR COMPARISON | 1,750 miles | 4 to 6 days | $1,225 to $1,375 |
| San Diego to Dallas-Fort Worth FOR COMPARISON | 1,360 miles | 3 to 5 days | $1,150 to $1,300 |
These are estimates, not fixed prices. Diesel is the biggest part of what it costs to haul a car, and fuel prices move, so we review these ranges as the market changes. The day counts start once your pickup window ends. Budget about 80 percent more for enclosed. A car that will not start needs a winch truck, so plan on $200 or more extra. See how our national bands work.
Leaving Silicon Valley is the better-priced direction
San Jose to Dallas runs $1,225 to $1,375. Dallas to San Jose, over almost the same miles, runs $1,375 to $1,525.
The reason is what the truck does next. Northern California takes in more cars than it sends back out, so trucks that deliver around San Jose often leave with open spaces. The inbound price covers part of that empty trip. Heading east, your car fills one of those spaces.
Sacramento to Austin shows the same pattern, at $1,225 to $1,375. If you are moving to Texas now and may bring a car west later, budget a little more for the return.
San Jose to Dallas Car Shipping Questions
What customers moving a car from Silicon Valley to Dallas-Fort Worth ask us most.
How much does it cost to ship a car from San Jose to Dallas?
Most customers pay $1,225 to $1,375 to move a running mid-size car on an open trailer. That covers pickup in Silicon Valley and delivery anywhere in Dallas-Fort Worth.
How long does San Jose to Dallas take?
Four to six days on the road for about 1,720 miles. Add your pickup window ahead of that, which is six days on Standard or three on Expedited.
Why does Dallas to San Jose cost more?
Trucks heading into Northern California often leave empty, because fewer cars go back east from there. That empty trip gets built into the inbound price. Dallas to San Jose runs $1,375 to $1,525, about $150 more than this direction.
Is McKinney or Fort Worth priced differently?
No. The whole Metroplex, from McKinney and Frisco to Fort Worth and Arlington, shares one range.
What route will my car travel?
Most trucks head south through the Central Valley, join Interstate 40 at Barstow, and cross Arizona and New Mexico to Amarillo before dropping into Dallas-Fort Worth.
Does winter slow things down?
Sometimes by a day. I-40 climbs past Flagstaff at about 7,000 feet, and a snowstorm there can pause trucks for a few hours from December through March.
When is the easiest time to book?
Spring and fall. Summer is peak season, so book two to three weeks out in June, July and August.
Where in Silicon Valley can you collect my car?
All of Santa Clara County and nearby, including San Jose, Santa Clara, Sunnyvale, Mountain View, Cupertino, Milpitas, Campbell, Los Gatos, Morgan Hill, Gilroy, Palo Alto and Fremont.
Where around Dallas do you deliver?
All of Dallas-Fort Worth, including Dallas, Plano, Frisco, McKinney, Allen, Richardson, Irving, Arlington and Fort Worth.
Do you have a location near Dallas?
Yes. McKinney, on the north side of the Metroplex, is one of our service areas. Our staffed Los Angeles office supports Silicon Valley pickups.
What if my new neighborhood has HOA rules?
Many Frisco, Plano and McKinney neighborhoods limit large trucks. When that happens, the driver picks a nearby lot with room to load, free of charge.
What is the deadline to register in Texas?
You get 30 days from the day you move. Dallas, Tarrant, Collin and Denton counties require an emissions test first.
Can you ship an electric car?
Yes. A charge of around 50 percent is ideal, and please leave the cable in the trunk.
Is door-to-door included?
Yes. It comes with every quote.
Open or enclosed?
Open is the right pick for most daily drivers. Enclosed suits a classic, a low sports car or new paint, and keeps Texas hail off the finish, at about 80 percent more.
Can you move a car that won't start?
Yes. A winch truck loads it. Expect $200 or more on top of the running price.
What does Expedited change?
It cuts your pickup window to three days. Road time stays the same.
Can I ship two cars?
Yes. Two cars going to one Dallas-area address can often ride together.
Can I leave things in the car?
Usually yes, within reason. About 100 pounds in the trunk works. Carrier Cargo Insurance covers the car, not the items.
How should I prep my car?
Wash it, photograph all four sides, leave a quarter tank, turn off the alarm and take out your FasTrak.
Who insures my car?
The carrier, through Carrier Cargo Insurance, from pickup in San Jose to delivery in Dallas. We send the certificate once your truck is assigned.
How do you choose the carrier?
We pick one from our vetted network of over 16,000. Every carrier in it holds active FMCSA authority and keeps insurance on file.
How can I check your company?
Search USDOT 2887232 or MC 969368 on SAFER, the free FMCSA lookup.
Would it cost less to drive?
The drive is about 25 hours, so three days with hotels and fuel. Shipping saves those days and 1,720 miles of wear.
Will my price change after I book?
It holds. Our Smart Price Promise means the price we quote is the price you pay, as long as the car, route, condition and shipping details stay the same.
What should I have ready to get a price?
Both zip codes, the year, make and model, whether it runs, and your ready date. Send them through the quote form or call 888-709-9078.
The route from the Valley to North Texas
Most trucks head south through the Central Valley and pick up Interstate 40 at Barstow. They cross Arizona and New Mexico through Flagstaff and Albuquerque, reach Amarillo, then run southeast into Dallas-Fort Worth.
From December through March, a snowstorm near Flagstaff can pause trucks for a few hours, so give your plan a spare day then. Spring and fall are the easiest seasons to book.
Before the drive, allow for the pickup window: six days on Standard, three on Expedited. Our guide to how long car shipping takes covers the full timeline, and how car shipping works explains each step.
Silicon Valley pickup, Metroplex delivery
We pick up across Silicon Valley: San Jose, Santa Clara, Sunnyvale, Mountain View, Cupertino, Palo Alto, Milpitas, Campbell, Los Gatos, Fremont, Morgan Hill and Gilroy. Most streets here are wide and easy for a hauler.
We deliver throughout Dallas-Fort Worth, including Dallas, Plano, Frisco, McKinney, Allen, Richardson, Irving, Arlington and Fort Worth. Where HOA rules limit big trucks, the driver meets you at a nearby open lot.
McKinney, on the north side of the Metroplex, is one of our service areas. On the California end, our staffed Los Angeles office backs up your pickup. Our San Jose car shipping page has more on Valley pickups.
Getting Texas plates in the Metroplex
New Texas residents have 30 days to register a car. Living in Dallas, Tarrant, Collin or Denton County? Get Texas insurance and pass an emissions test, then register.
Our California to Texas page lists more Texas destinations.
Choosing a trailer for the trip to Texas
Most San Jose cars ride on an open trailer, which keeps the cost lowest. Enclosed suits a classic, a low sports car or fresh paint, at about 80 percent more.
If your dates are tight, Expedited cuts the pickup window to three days. Our open and enclosed guide compares the options, and our military and college student discounts may apply.
The carrier and the coverage
We place your car with one carrier from our vetted network of over 16,000. Each carrier holds active FMCSA authority with insurance on file, and we review equipment and service history before we assign your car.
Carrier Cargo Insurance, the carrier's own policy, covers your car from pickup in San Jose to delivery in Dallas. We email the certificate once the truck is set. Find us on SAFER under USDOT 2887232, MC 969368.
What our customers report
Customer feedback from across our offices and service areas. You will find more on our BBB profile, where we hold an A+ rating and have been accredited since 2016.
Crystal Evans was very helpful.
More San Jose and Texas car shipping pages
Related lanes and guides.