Minnesota to Texas Car Shipping
Snowbird car shipping from the Twin Cities and greater Minnesota to the Rio Grande Valley, Corpus Christi and San Antonio. One interstate, one carrier, no 1,500-mile drive.
Quick Answer
Short answer: shipping a car from Minnesota to Texas typically costs $900–$1,400 on open transport with a 4–6-day transit time over ~1,500 miles. It's built for snowbirds moving a car between seasonal homes, and anyone else shipping on this corridor — use the form to the right for your exact price.
Last updated: October 1, 2026
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Minnesota is a major source of Winter Texans — the seasonal residents who spend November through March in the Rio Grande Valley. Every fall, cars leave the Twin Cities, Rochester, St. Cloud and Duluth for McAllen, Mission, Weslaco, Harlingen and South Padre Island.
It's about as simple a long-haul route as exists: I-35 runs from Duluth through Minneapolis all the way to San Antonio, and the Valley is a short run south from there. Minneapolis to McAllen is roughly 1,500 miles. Minnesota to Texas car shipping typically costs $900–$1,400 for a standard sedan on open transport, with four to six days in transit.
This page covers the route, city-to-city costs, timing for the Valley's season, and RV resort delivery.
Minnesota to Texas Route Overview
I-35, end to end: From the Twin Cities, carriers run south on I-35 through Des Moines, Kansas City, Oklahoma City, Dallas–Fort Worth and Austin to San Antonio — roughly 1,270 miles on a single interstate.
Into the Valley: From San Antonio, US-281 (signed I-69C in the Valley) runs about 240 miles south to Edinburg, McAllen and Pharr. Harlingen and Brownsville deliveries often come down US-77 (I-69E) from Corpus Christi through Kingsville instead.
To the coast: Corpus Christi, Rockport and Port Aransas are reached via I-37 from San Antonio.
Winter weather: Ice storms occasionally close I-35 in Oklahoma and North Texas for a day. Carriers wait them out; a December or January arrival may need a day of slack.
Minnesota to Texas Car Shipping Cost
Estimated prices for a standard sedan. The high end of each range is peak season (November southbound); the low end is off-peak. SUVs add 15–25% and pickups 20–30%.
| Route | Open | Enclosed | Transit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minneapolis → McAllen (~1,500 mi) | $950–$1,300 | $1,350–$1,850 | 4–6 days |
| St. Paul → Harlingen (~1,520 mi) | $950–$1,350 | $1,350–$1,900 | 4–6 days |
| Rochester → Mission (~1,470 mi) | $950–$1,300 | $1,350–$1,850 | 4–6 days |
| Minneapolis → Corpus Christi (~1,420 mi) | $900–$1,250 | $1,300–$1,800 | 4–5 days |
| Minneapolis → San Antonio (~1,270 mi) | $900–$1,200 | $1,250–$1,700 | 3–5 days |
| Duluth → South Padre Island (~1,720 mi) | $1,050–$1,400 | $1,500–$2,000 | 5–6 days |
When Minnesota Winter Texans Should Book
Fall: Most Minnesota Winter Texans arrive in the Valley in November, and RV resorts fill by December. Book three to four weeks ahead for a November pickup.
Snow at pickup: A December pickup in Minnesota may be in snow; a plowed driveway or a nearby main road makes loading easy.
Spring: The Valley empties out in March and early April. Book your return by late February — or book both legs now; round-trip bookings typically save 5–10%.
Driving an RV down?: Many Minnesota Winter Texans drive the motorhome or fifth wheel and ship the car. The Winter Texan guide covers timing the two.
Minnesota to Texas — Cities We Serve
Minnesota pickups: Minneapolis, St. Paul, Bloomington, Edina, Eden Prairie, Plymouth, Maple Grove, Coon Rapids, Blaine, Woodbury, Eagan, Burnsville, Lakeville, Stillwater, Rochester, Owatonna, Albert Lea, Mankato, St. Cloud, Willmar, Brainerd, Alexandria, Duluth and greater Minnesota.
Texas deliveries: McAllen, Mission, Edinburg, Pharr, Alamo, Donna, Weslaco, Mercedes, Harlingen, San Benito, Brownsville, Port Isabel, South Padre Island, Corpus Christi, Rockport, Port Aransas, San Antonio and New Braunfels.
Preparing Your Car for the Trip to Texas
Rinse the salt: Wash off road salt before pickup so chips and scratches show up on the inspection report.
Winter tires: Not needed in South Texas — swap before you go if you can.
Kansas Turnpike: I-35 is a toll road south of Emporia, Kansas. Remove or shield your transponder so the trip doesn't land on your account.
Gulf humidity: The Valley and the coast are humid and salty; wash the car after arrival and again before the trip home.
Shipping Your Car Back to Minnesota in Spring
Most Texas snowbirds send the car north again between March and May, and those return weeks book up the same way the fall trip does. If you already know roughly when you'll head home, book the Texas → Minnesota leg together with this one — round-trip bookings typically qualify for 5–10% off the combined rate, and your return pickup window is planned months ahead instead of scrambled for in April.
State-Level Auto Transport Info
FAQ
Minnesota to Texas Car Shipping — Frequently Asked Questions
Straight answers about minnesota to texas auto transport from the ShipMyCar US team.
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Source: every broker and carrier's operating authority, safety rating, and insurance status is public record — verify any company for free at the FMCSA SAFER System.
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