San Antonio, Texas Car Shipping and Auto Transport
Written by Richard Avery, President of Smart Auto Move · USDOT 2887232 · MC 969368
Car shipping to or from San Antonio runs $450 to $900 within Texas and $1,100 to $1,300 from Los Angeles, on an open trailer. San Antonio is home to Joint Base San Antonio, so we move a lot of cars here on military orders. From November 1, 2026, most gas cars also need an emissions test to register in Bexar County.
San Antonio car shipping prices
Running mid-size vehicle on an open trailer, reviewed September 2026. Four rows are lanes we publish for San Antonio; the first is our national band for short trips.
| Route | Distance | Days on the road | Open transport |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Antonio to Houston, Austin or Dallas NATIONAL BAND | 80 to 275 miles | 1 to 3 days | $450 to $900 |
| San Diego to San Antonio | 1,250 miles | 3 to 5 days | $1,000 to $1,150 |
| Los Angeles to San Antonio | 1,354 miles | 3 to 4 days | $1,100 to $1,300 |
| San Antonio to San Francisco | 1,750 miles | 4 to 6 days | $1,475 to $1,625 |
| Lakewood, WA to San Antonio | 2,250 miles | 6 to 8 days | $1,550 to $1,850 |
These are estimates, not fixed prices. Diesel is the biggest cost of hauling a car and fuel prices change, so we review these ranges as the market moves. Day counts are road time, after your pickup window. Enclosed costs about 80 percent more than open. A car that will not start rides on a winch truck, so allow $200 or more on top. See how our national bands work.
Shipping a car on military orders to Military City USA
Joint Base San Antonio brings together Fort Sam Houston, Lackland and Randolph. Every Air Force enlistee starts basic training at Lackland, and medical training runs through Fort Sam Houston, so cars arrive and leave on orders every month of the year.
Three tips make a PCS move easy. Book as soon as your report date is firm. Choose Expedited if the window is tight, which cuts the pickup window to three days. And if you will be away, name a spouse, parent or friend to hand over or receive the car.
Service members can check our military discount before booking.
San Antonio Car Shipping Questions
The questions we hear most about shipping a car to or from San Antonio.
How much does it cost to ship a car to or from San Antonio?
Inside Texas, to Houston, Austin or Dallas, plan on $450 to $900. From Los Angeles it runs $1,100 to $1,300, and from San Diego $1,000 to $1,150. All three assume a mid-size car that runs, on an open trailer.
What about longer trips, like the West Coast or Pacific Northwest?
San Antonio to San Francisco runs $1,475 to $1,625. Lakewood, Washington to San Antonio runs $1,550 to $1,850. For anywhere else, send two zip codes and we will price your exact trip.
How many days does shipping take?
One to three days within Texas, three to five from Southern California, and about a week from the Pacific Northwest. The pickup window comes first: six days on Standard, three on Expedited.
Do you ship cars for military PCS moves?
Yes, often. Joint Base San Antonio includes Fort Sam Houston, Lackland and Randolph, so cars move in and out on orders all year. Book as soon as your report date is set, and see our military discount page.
Can you ship my car while I'm at basic training at Lackland?
Yes. Many families ship a car to San Antonio for graduation week or for a first assignment afterward. Give us the date and the address, and a family member can hand over or receive the car for you.
Will my car need an emissions test in San Antonio?
Starting November 1, 2026, yes for most gas cars. Bexar County now requires a passing emissions test to register gasoline vehicles from 2 to 24 years old.
How long do I have to register in Texas?
Thirty days after you move. Get Texas insurance and a passing inspection first, then register at the Bexar County tax office.
Where do you pick up and deliver around San Antonio?
Across the metro: San Antonio, Alamo Heights, Leon Valley, Helotes, Live Oak, Converse, Universal City, Schertz, New Braunfels, Seguin and Boerne.
Do you have an office in Texas?
Houston is a Smart Auto Move service area, about 200 miles east, and McKinney serves North Texas. Every San Antonio order is door to door, so there is nowhere you need to drive.
What if the truck can't fit on my street?
Newer subdivisions in the north and west have tight cul-de-sacs, and some older streets downtown are narrow. The driver will meet you at a nearby lot with room to load, at no charge.
Does the summer heat affect my car?
Not the car, but a weak battery can fail in the heat. Test or replace a tired battery before pickup and the loading goes smoothly.
Which months are busiest in San Antonio?
May through August, when military families and school-year moves overlap. Booking two to three weeks out works well in those months, and fall and winter open up.
Is door-to-door included?
Yes, in every quote.
Should I pick open or enclosed?
Open works for nearly every daily driver. Enclosed suits a classic, a low sports car or fresh paint, at about 80 percent more.
My car won't start. Can you still move it?
Yes. A winch truck loads it, and that typically adds $200 or more.
What does Expedited change?
It shortens the pickup window from six days to three. The drive itself takes the same time.
Can two of our cars go on the same truck?
Yes. Two cars headed to one address can often share a truck.
Can I leave some things in the car?
Usually yes, within reason. Around 100 pounds in the trunk works. Carrier Cargo Insurance protects the car itself rather than what you pack.
How do I get my car ready?
Wash it, take photos of all four sides, leave about a quarter tank, turn off the alarm and take your toll tag out.
Who insures my car?
The carrier, through Carrier Cargo Insurance, from pickup to delivery. We send you the certificate once your truck is assigned.
Where do your carriers come from?
Our vetted network of over 16,000 carriers. Every carrier in it carries active FMCSA authority and has insurance on file.
How can I look you up?
Search USDOT 2887232 or MC 969368 on SAFER, the FMCSA's free lookup.
Could my price go up once I book?
No. With the Smart Price Promise, the price we quote is the price you pay, as long as the car, route, condition and shipping details stay the same.
What do you need from me to quote?
Pickup and delivery zip codes, your car's year, make and model, whether it runs, and the first day it is ready. Use the quote form at the top or call 888-709-9078.
New in 2026: the Bexar County emissions test
Bexar County begins emissions inspections on November 1, 2026. From then on, gasoline vehicles from 2 to 24 years old need a passing test to register, according to the Texas Department of Public Safety.
Texas gives new residents 30 days to register after a move. Set up Texas insurance, pass the inspection, then register at the Bexar County tax office. A car that arrives early gives you plenty of time for all three.
Our Texas state page covers the other cities in the state.
Pickup and delivery across the San Antonio area
We cover the whole metro: San Antonio, Alamo Heights, Leon Valley, Helotes, Live Oak, Converse, Universal City, Schertz, New Braunfels, Seguin and Boerne.
Trucks reach the city on Interstate 10 from the west and Houston, and on Interstate 35 from Austin, Dallas and Laredo. A hauler runs close to 75 feet, so in a tight cul-de-sac or a narrow older street, the driver will meet you at a nearby lot at no extra cost.
Summer heat is hard on tired batteries. A quick battery test before pickup keeps loading day simple.
Open, enclosed or expedited in San Antonio
Open trailers carry most cars and give the best value. Enclosed is a good choice for a classic, a low sports car or new paint, and it keeps sun and hail off the finish, at about 80 percent more.
With Expedited, the pickup window drops to three days. Our open and enclosed guide compares the options.
Who carries and insures your car
Your car travels with a carrier from our vetted network of over 16,000. Every one has active FMCSA authority and insurance on file, and we review equipment and service history before we assign your car.
Carrier Cargo Insurance, the carrier's own policy, covers the car from pickup to delivery. We send you the certificate once the truck is booked. Look us up on SAFER at USDOT 2887232, MC 969368.
What our customers report
Reviews from customers across our offices and service areas, Houston included. More are on our BBB profile, where we hold an A+ rating and have been accredited since 2016.
Crystal Evans was very helpful.
More Texas car shipping pages
Routes into San Antonio and nearby Texas cities.