Alabama to Texas Car Shipping — AL to TX Auto Transport

The main carrier path between Alabama and Texas follows I-20 and I-10. Trucks on this lane pick up across the origin metro areas, consolidate loads, and deliver city by city on the way in.

Typical city pairs on this route:

If your address is on a narrow street or in a gated community, the driver may suggest meeting at a nearby parking lot where a full-size car carrier can stop safely.

Wash your car a day or two before pickup so you and the driver can see its condition clearly, and take dated photos of every side.

• Leave about a quarter tank of fuel.
• Remove any toll transponder so it doesn't record tolls on the way.
• Take out valuables and loose items; most carriers allow only a small amount below the window line.
• Disable alarms and fold in mirrors.
• Have keys, registration and a photo ID ready.

Full checklist: how to prepare your car for shipping.

Texas gives new residents 30 days to register at the county tax office. Texas ended passenger vehicle safety inspections in 2025, but emissions testing still applies in some counties.

Rules change, so check the official agency website before your move. For a step-by-step overview, read moving a car to a new state.

Alabama's auto transport traffic centers on Birmingham, Huntsville, Montgomery and Mobile. I-65 runs north–south through the heart of the state, I-20 and I-59 cross it diagonally, and I-10 skims the Gulf Coast at Mobile. Huntsville's aerospace and defense employers, Mobile's port and shipbuilding, and military installations such as Fort Rucker and Maxwell AFB keep relocations steady. Carriers reach Alabama's metros easily; rural areas in the Black Belt and the northeast hills can take a little longer to schedule.

For pickup cities, local tips and other routes, see our Alabama car shipping page.

Texas is one of the largest car shipping markets in the country. Houston, Dallas–Fort Worth, Austin and San Antonio are connected by I-10, I-20, I-35 and I-45, and carriers run full in every direction. Year-round relocation, a huge used car market, major military bases like Fort Hood and Fort Bliss, and winter Texans heading to the Rio Grande Valley keep demand high.

Our Texas car shipping page covers delivery areas, pricing and popular routes.

Texas job growth pulls a steady flow of Alabama residents west on I-20 and I-10.

The most common customers on this route include:

• Job seekers and retirees following growth in Texas's metro areas
• Online and auction buyers who found the right car in Alabama and need it delivered
• Dealers moving inventory and completing dealer trades between markets

Typical open-carrier pricing on the Alabama to Texas route, about 650 miles:

• Sedan or compact car: $740–$900
• Mid-size SUV or crossover: $600–$950
• Full-size SUV or half-ton pickup: $650–$1,100
• Heavy-duty or dually pickup: $800–$1,400
• Sedan, enclosed transport: $700–$1,100
• Non-running vehicle: add a winch charge, depending on whether it rolls, steers and brakes

Peak summer weeks and holidays can add $100–$300 on busy lanes. Get an exact number with the car shipping calculator.

• Exact addresses: Pickups in Birmingham or Huntsville near I-20 are usually quickest and least expensive; rural addresses farther from the interstate take more time and cost a little more.
• Season: Summer relocation season is the busiest time on this lane.
• Pickup window: A five-day window often saves $50–$200 compared with a fixed date.
• Vehicle size and condition: Larger, heavier, modified or non-running vehicles cost more.
• Transport type: Enclosed transport costs about 30–40% more than open.
• Lead time: Booking two to three weeks ahead avoids rush pricing. See when to book car shipping.

Most Alabama to Texas shipments travel on open carriers — the same way new cars reach dealerships. If your vehicle is a classic, an exotic or simply too valuable to risk a stone chip, enclosed transport adds full protection for roughly 30–40% more.

• Pick a delivery spot in Houston, Dallas or Austin where a full-size car carrier can stop safely — a wide street or parking lot works best.
• Keep your phone on; the driver usually calls a day ahead and again a few hours before arrival.
• Inspect the car in good light before signing the Bill of Lading, and note any new issues.
• Have a backup contact who can receive the car if your plans change.
• Start your Texas registration soon after arrival — see the section on arriving in Texas above.

• California to Texas: about 1,450 miles, $900–$1,500
• Georgia to Texas: about 800 miles, $650–$1,000
• New York to Texas: about 1,750 miles, $950–$1,500
• Florida to Texas: about 1,300 miles, $850–$1,350
• Ohio to Texas: about 1,350 miles, $850–$1,350
• Chicago to Dallas: about 925 miles, $650–$1,000
• Pennsylvania to Texas: about 1,450 miles, $950–$1,500
• Minnesota to Texas: about 1,500 miles, $900–$1,400