San Francisco to Dallas Car Shipping
San Francisco to Dallas Car Shipping
Written by Richard Avery, President of Smart Auto Move · USDOT 2887232 · MC 969368
Shipping a car from San Francisco to Dallas costs $1,375 to $1,525 on an open trailer. The trip is about 1,770 miles and takes four to six days on the road. The trip back from Dallas prices the same, and McKinney, just north of Dallas, is one of our service areas.
San Francisco to Dallas car shipping prices
Running mid-size vehicle on an open trailer, reviewed September 2026. The lower rows show the trip back and the Southern California lane to the same place.
| Route | Distance | Days on the road | Open transport |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco to Dallas-Fort Worth | 1,770 miles | 4 to 6 days | $1,375 to $1,525 |
| Dallas to San Jose THE OTHER DIRECTION | 1,680 miles | 4 to 6 days | $1,375 to $1,525 |
| San Diego to Dallas-Fort Worth FOR COMPARISON | 1,360 miles | 3 to 5 days | $1,150 to $1,300 |
| San Francisco to Miami FOR COMPARISON | 3,045 miles | 8 to 10 days | $1,875 to $2,025 |
These are estimates, not fixed prices. Diesel drives most of the cost of hauling a car, and fuel prices move, so we review these ranges as the market changes. The days shown are road time after your pickup window. Plan on about 80 percent more for enclosed. A non-running car needs a winch truck, so add $200 or more. See how our national bands work.
One price, in either direction
San Francisco to Dallas runs $1,375 to $1,525. Dallas to San Jose, the same trip in reverse, runs the same $1,375 to $1,525 on our rate card.
That is handy for anyone with a car moving each way, like a family relocating in stages or a buyer returning a car later. One figure covers both legs.
Southern California is the step down. San Diego sits about 400 miles closer to Dallas and runs $1,150 to $1,300. From the Bay Area, the extra distance is the difference.
San Francisco to Dallas Car Shipping Questions
What customers moving a car from the Bay Area to Dallas-Fort Worth ask us most.
How much is San Francisco to Dallas car shipping?
$1,375 to $1,525 for a running mid-size car on an open trailer. That covers pickup anywhere in the Bay Area and delivery anywhere in Dallas-Fort Worth.
How many days does it take?
Four to six days on the road for about 1,770 miles. Your pickup window comes first, six days on Standard or three on Expedited.
What does Dallas to the Bay Area cost?
About the same. Dallas to San Jose runs $1,375 to $1,525 on our rate card, so you can budget both directions at one figure.
Why is San Diego to Dallas cheaper?
San Diego is about 400 miles closer to Dallas by road. San Diego to Dallas-Fort Worth runs $1,150 to $1,300. From the Bay Area, the extra distance is the difference.
Which route does the truck take?
Most trucks head south through the Central Valley, pick up Interstate 40 at Barstow, and cross Arizona and New Mexico to Amarillo. From there they drop southeast into Fort Worth and Dallas.
Does winter matter on this route?
A little. I-40 climbs past Flagstaff at about 7,000 feet, and snow there can pause trucks for a few hours. From December through March, give your plan an extra day.
When is the easiest time to ship?
Spring and fall. June through August is peak moving season, so book two to three weeks ahead then.
Is Fort Worth priced the same as Dallas?
Yes. Dallas, Fort Worth and the suburbs between them share one range.
Where in the Bay Area do you pick up?
San Francisco, Oakland, Berkeley, Alameda, San Mateo, Palo Alto, San Jose, Fremont, Hayward and Walnut Creek.
Where around Dallas-Fort Worth do you deliver?
The whole Metroplex: Dallas, Fort Worth, Plano, Frisco, McKinney, Allen, Richardson, Irving, Arlington and Grapevine.
Do you have locations in Texas?
Yes. McKinney, north of Dallas, and Houston are Smart Auto Move service areas. Our staffed Los Angeles office supports Bay Area pickups.
Can the truck load on a San Francisco hill?
The driver meets you on a flat, wide block nearby. It is part of door-to-door service, at no charge.
What if my new Texas neighborhood has HOA rules?
Many Frisco, Plano and McKinney neighborhoods limit big trucks. The driver meets you at a nearby open lot instead.
How long do I have to register in Texas?
Thirty days after you move. Dallas, Tarrant, Collin and Denton counties need an emissions test first.
Is door-to-door included?
Yes. Every quote includes it.
Open or enclosed?
Open suits almost every daily driver. Enclosed fits a classic, a low sports car or fresh paint, at about 80 percent more.
Can you ship a car that won't start?
Yes. It rides on a winch truck, typically for $200 or more above the running price.
What does Expedited change?
Your pickup window shortens to three days. The drive takes as long as usual.
Can I send two cars together?
Yes. Two cars going to one Dallas-area address can often share a truck.
Can I pack a few things in the car?
Usually yes, within reason. Around 100 pounds in the trunk works. Carrier Cargo Insurance covers the car, not what is inside.
How do I prep the car?
Wash it, photograph each side, leave about a quarter tank, turn off the alarm and remove your FasTrak.
Who insures my car?
The carrier, under Carrier Cargo Insurance, from pickup in the Bay Area to delivery in Dallas. We email you the certificate once your truck is assigned.
How is my carrier chosen?
From our vetted network of over 16,000 carriers. All of them hold active FMCSA authority with insurance on file.
How can I check Smart Auto Move?
Look us up on SAFER, the FMCSA's free database, under USDOT 2887232 or MC 969368.
Is driving it myself cheaper?
The drive is about 26 hours, so three days with hotels, meals and fuel. Shipping saves those days and 1,770 miles on your car.
Does my price hold after I book?
Yes. Under 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 for a quote?
Your two zip codes, the year, make and model, whether it runs, and when it is ready. Use the form at the top or call 888-709-9078.
The road 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 drop southeast into Fort Worth and Dallas.
The high point is Flagstaff, at about 7,000 feet. From December through March, snow there can pause trucks for a few hours, so an extra day in your plan covers it. The rest of the year, the route runs steadily.
Your pickup window, six days on Standard or three on Expedited, comes before the road time. Our guide to how long car shipping takes explains the full timeline.
Bay Area pickup, Metroplex delivery
We pick up across the Bay Area: San Francisco, Oakland, Berkeley, Alameda, San Mateo, Palo Alto, San Jose, Fremont, Hayward and Walnut Creek. On San Francisco's hills, the driver meets you on a flat, wide block nearby. Our San Francisco car shipping page has more pickup tips.
We deliver all over Dallas-Fort Worth: Dallas, Fort Worth, Plano, Frisco, McKinney, Allen, Richardson, Irving, Arlington and Grapevine. Where an HOA limits big trucks, the driver meets you at a nearby open lot.
McKinney and Houston are Smart Auto Move service areas, and our staffed Los Angeles office supports California pickups.
Registering your car in Dallas-Fort Worth
Texas gives new residents 30 days to register. In Dallas, Tarrant, Collin and Denton counties, an emissions test comes first, along with Texas insurance.
Our California to Texas page covers other Texas cities.
Open, enclosed or expedited to Dallas
Open trailers carry most cars on this lane at the best price. Enclosed is ideal for a classic, a low sports car or new paint, and keeps Texas hail and sun off the finish, at about 80 percent more.
Expedited brings your pickup window down to three days. See our military discount and college student discount if they apply, and the open and enclosed guide for trailer details.
Who carries and insures your car to Dallas
We assign your car to a carrier from our vetted network of over 16,000. Each one has active FMCSA authority and insurance on file, and we review equipment and service history first.
Carrier Cargo Insurance, the carrier's own policy, protects your car from pickup in the Bay Area to delivery in Dallas. The certificate reaches you by email once the truck is set. On SAFER, look up USDOT 2887232, MC 969368.
What our customers report
Reviews from customers across our offices and service areas, Texas and California included. There are more on our BBB profile, where we hold an A+ rating and have been accredited since 2016.
Crystal Evans was very helpful.
More Bay Area and Texas car shipping pages
Related lanes and guides.