San Francisco to Houston Car Shipping
San Francisco to Houston Car Shipping
Written by Richard Avery, President of Smart Auto Move · USDOT 2887232 · MC 969368
Shipping a car from San Francisco to Houston costs $1,425 to $1,575 on an open trailer. The trip is about 1,930 miles and takes five to seven days on the road. That is only about $50 more than Dallas, and Houston is one of our service areas at the delivery end.
San Francisco to Houston car shipping prices
Running mid-size vehicle on an open trailer, reviewed September 2026. The other rows compare the trip back and nearby Texas lanes.
| Route | Distance | Days on the road | Open transport |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco to Greater Houston | 1,930 miles | 5 to 7 days | $1,425 to $1,575 |
| Houston to San Francisco THE OTHER DIRECTION | 1,930 miles | 5 to 7 days | $1,525 to $1,675 |
| San Francisco to Dallas-Fort Worth FOR COMPARISON | 1,770 miles | 4 to 6 days | $1,375 to $1,525 |
| Los Angeles to Houston FOR COMPARISON | 1,566 miles | 4 to 5 days | $1,100 to $1,400 |
These are estimates, not fixed prices. Diesel is the main cost of moving a car and its price shifts, so we review these ranges as the market moves. Days shown are road time after the pickup window. Enclosed costs about 80 percent more than open. A car that will not run needs a winch truck, so add $200 or more. See how our national bands work.
Houston or Dallas? About $50 apart
Many Bay Area customers are weighing a move to Houston against one to Dallas. On shipping, the two are close.
San Francisco to Dallas runs $1,375 to $1,525. Houston is about 160 miles farther and runs $1,425 to $1,575. On a trip of nearly 2,000 miles, loading, paperwork and the two handovers cost the same wherever the truck stops, so the extra distance adds only a little.
The direction matters more than the city. Houston to San Francisco runs $1,525 to $1,675, about $100 more than heading east, because the Bay Area is easier for trucks to leave than to reach.
San Francisco to Houston Car Shipping Questions
What customers moving a car from the Bay Area to Greater Houston ask us most.
What does it cost to ship a car from San Francisco to Houston?
Budget $1,425 to $1,575 for a mid-size car that runs, on an open trailer. That is door to door, from anywhere in the Bay Area to anywhere in Greater Houston.
How long is the trip?
About 1,930 miles, which takes five to seven days on the road. The pickup window comes first: six days on Standard or three on Expedited.
Is Houston much more than Dallas from the Bay Area?
Only about $50 more. San Francisco to Dallas runs $1,375 to $1,525, and Houston is about 160 miles farther. If you are choosing between the two cities, the shipping cost barely changes.
What does Houston to San Francisco cost?
$1,525 to $1,675, about $100 more than this direction. Trucks leave the Bay Area more easily than they come in, so heading east is the better-priced side.
Which road does the truck take?
Most trucks run south to Los Angeles, then follow Interstate 10 across Arizona, New Mexico and Texas, through El Paso and San Antonio into Houston.
Will a Gulf storm hold up my car?
Sometimes by a day or two. Gulf hurricane season runs June through November, and drivers wait until roads are clear when a storm comes through. We keep you updated.
When is the best time to book?
Late fall through spring is the easiest stretch. In summer, book two to three weeks ahead.
Does it cost more to deliver to Katy or The Woodlands?
No. Every part of Greater Houston shares one price.
Which Bay Area cities can you collect from?
San Francisco, Oakland, Berkeley, Alameda, San Mateo, Redwood City, Palo Alto, San Jose, Fremont and Walnut Creek.
Which parts of Greater Houston do you deliver to?
Houston, Katy, Cypress, Spring, The Woodlands, Sugar Land, Pearland, League City and the rest of the metro.
Is there a Smart Auto Move location near Houston?
Yes. Greater Houston is one of our service areas, and our staffed office in Los Angeles backs up every Bay Area pickup.
Can a hauler load on a San Francisco hill?
Yes, on level ground close by. The driver picks a flat, wide block near your home. That is part of door-to-door service, at no charge.
What is the Texas registration deadline?
You have 30 days from the day you move. Harris, Fort Bend and Montgomery counties require an emissions test before you register.
Do you ship electric cars?
Yes. Charge it to about half before pickup and leave the charging cable in the car.
Is door-to-door included?
Yes. It is in every quote.
Open or enclosed?
Open suits most daily drivers. Enclosed is for a classic, a low sports car or fresh paint, at about 80 percent more.
Can you ship a car that doesn't run?
Yes, on a truck with a winch. Plan on $200 or more above the running price.
What does Expedited change?
It shortens the pickup window to three days. Road time does not change.
Can I ship two cars together?
Yes. Two cars headed to one Houston address can often share a truck.
Can I put some things in the car?
Usually yes, within reason. Up to about 100 pounds in the trunk is fine. Carrier Cargo Insurance covers the car rather than your belongings.
How should I prepare my car?
Wash it, take photos of all four sides, leave about a quarter tank, turn off the alarm and remove your FasTrak.
Who insures my car?
The carrier, through Carrier Cargo Insurance, from pickup in the Bay Area to delivery in Houston. You get the certificate once your truck is assigned.
Where does my carrier come from?
From our vetted network of over 16,000 carriers, all with active FMCSA authority and insurance on file.
Can I look your company up?
Yes. Search USDOT 2887232 or MC 969368 on SAFER, the free FMCSA site.
Would driving it be simpler?
It is about 28 hours of driving, or four days with stops and hotels. Shipping hands those days back and saves 1,930 miles on your car.
Will my price change once I book?
It holds. The 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 information gets me a quote?
Both zip codes, the year, make and model, whether it runs, and your pickup date. Fill in the quote form at the top, or call 888-709-9078.
Down the coast, then Interstate 10
Most trucks head south through California to Los Angeles, then pick up Interstate 10. It carries them across Arizona and New Mexico, through El Paso and San Antonio, and into Houston.
It is a southern route that runs well all year. Gulf hurricane season runs June through November, and a day or two of flex covers any storm. Late fall through spring is the easiest time to book.
Add the pickup window in front of the drive: six days on Standard, three on Expedited. Our guide to how long car shipping takes walks through each stage.
Bay Area pickup, Houston delivery
We pick up across the Bay Area: San Francisco, Oakland, Berkeley, Alameda, San Mateo, Redwood City, Palo Alto, San Jose, Fremont and Walnut Creek. On San Francisco's hills, the driver meets you on a flat block nearby.
We deliver throughout Greater Houston: Houston, Katy, Cypress, Spring, The Woodlands, Sugar Land, Pearland and League City. Every part of the metro shares one price.
Houston is a Smart Auto Move service area, and our staffed Los Angeles office supports California pickups. Our Houston car shipping page covers the city in depth.
Registering your car in Houston
Texas gives new residents 30 days to register. Harris, Fort Bend and Montgomery counties require an emissions test first, so set up Texas insurance and book the test early.
Our California to Texas page covers other Texas destinations.
Open, enclosed or expedited to Houston
Open trailers carry most cars on this lane at the lowest price. Enclosed is the pick for a classic, a low sports car or new paint, and it keeps Gulf rain off the finish, at about 80 percent more.
Expedited trims the pickup window to three days. The open and enclosed guide compares trailer types, and our military and college student discount pages explain who qualifies.
Who carries and insures your car to Houston
Your car goes with a carrier from our vetted network of over 16,000. Each carrier holds active FMCSA authority with insurance on file, and we check equipment and service history before assigning your car.
Carrier Cargo Insurance, the carrier's own policy, covers your car from pickup in the Bay Area to delivery in Houston. The certificate arrives by email once the truck is set. Check us on SAFER at USDOT 2887232, MC 969368.
What our customers report
Feedback from customers across our offices and service areas, including Houston. Our BBB profile has more, where we hold an A+ rating and have been accredited since 2016.
Crystal Evans was very helpful.
More Bay Area and Houston car shipping pages
Related lanes and guides.