Shipping a car to or from Houston, TX typically costs between $300 and $1,600, depending on where you’re going, the size of your vehicle, and whether you choose open or enclosed transport. Star Auto Shipping is a licensed, FMCSA-registered auto transport company providing door-to-door vehicle shipping service throughout Greater Houston — Harris, Fort Bend, Montgomery, Brazoria, and Galveston counties. Whether you’re searching for a car shipping service near me, auto transport near me, or simply need to ship your car across the country, most customers get a carrier assigned within 1–3 business days of booking. Call 832-779-1555 or get a free quote online.
Rather than driving your vehicle hundreds or thousands of miles yourself, professional auto transport lets a licensed carrier handle the move for you — door to door. You get a quote, schedule a pickup window, and a vetted driver loads your car onto a hauler and delivers it to your destination. It’s straightforward, and for most long-distance moves it costs significantly less than the fuel, lodging, and wear-and-tear of driving yourself.
Houston is one of the most active vehicle transport hubs in the country. Its position at the intersection of I-10, I-45, and I-69 means carriers pass through constantly, which keeps both availability and pricing competitive year-round. Whether you’re relocating across state lines, buying a car remotely, or moving a fleet vehicle, there’s almost always a carrier heading in your direction within a day or two of booking.
As a licensed broker registered with the FMCSA, Star Auto Shipping coordinates the full process on your behalf — sourcing the right carrier for your route, negotiating rates, scheduling pickup, and tracking your shipment from start to finish.
A broker like Star Auto Shipping manages the logistics — finding the right carrier for your route, coordinating pickup and delivery windows, handling paperwork, and being your single point of contact throughout the shipment. You get access to a wide network of carriers rather than being limited to one company’s availability or pricing.
The carrier is the licensed trucking company that physically moves your vehicle on their hauler. Every carrier in the network holds active FMCSA and DOT registration and maintains cargo insurance as required by federal law. Their credentials are verified before dispatch on any shipment.
Houston’s highway network — including I-10, I-45, I-69, and Beltway 8 — means carriers are moving through the metro constantly, keeping pickup windows short.
Prices vary based on distance, vehicle size, and transport type. The table below shows realistic ranges for the most common routes out of Houston — use it as a reference, then get a free quote for your exact itinerary.
| Route From Houston | Estimated Cost | Transit Time | Carrier Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Houston → Dallas, TX | $300–$500 | 1–2 days | Open Carrier |
| Houston → San Antonio, TX | $250–$450 | 1 day | Open Carrier |
| Houston → Austin, TX | $250–$400 | 1 day | Open Carrier |
| Houston → Atlanta, GA | $650–$950 | 2–4 days | Open Carrier |
| Houston → Chicago, IL | $700–$1,000 | 3–5 days | Open Carrier |
| Houston → Miami, FL | $800–$1,100 | 3–5 days | Open Carrier |
| Houston → Los Angeles, CA | $900–$1,300 | 5–7 days | Open Carrier |
| Houston → New York, NY | $1,100–$1,600 | 7–10 days | Open Carrier |
| Houston → Seattle, WA | $1,100–$1,500 | 7–10 days | Open Carrier |
* These figures are reference ranges only. Your actual quote depends on your vehicle’s year, make, model, exact pickup and delivery addresses, current fuel costs, and carrier availability at the time of booking. Enclosed transport typically runs 30–40% higher than the open carrier rates shown above.
Every vehicle type, every destination. Whether you need open carrier, enclosed, flatbed, or heavy vehicle transport — here’s what’s available.
The industry standard for car shipping — your vehicle is loaded onto a multi-car open hauler alongside other vehicles. The same method manufacturers use to deliver new cars from factories to dealerships. It’s the most affordable car transport option and works well for the vast majority of shipments on any Houston route.
Best for: Sedans, SUVs, pickup trucks, fleet vehicles, everyday cars.
Learn More →Your vehicle travels inside a fully covered trailer, shielded from rain, hail, road debris, and UV exposure throughout the entire journey. The premium auto shipping option for high-value, classic, or restored vehicles — particularly important during Houston’s summer heat and hurricane season (June–November).
Best for: Luxury, classic, exotic, and freshly restored vehicles.
Learn More →Designed for vehicles that can’t be driven onto a standard multi-car hauler — think inoperable cars, heavily modified builds, lifted trucks with oversized tires, or supercars with extremely low ground clearance. Flatbed loading removes the need to drive the vehicle onto the trailer at all.
Best for: Non-running, lifted, modified, or low-clearance vehicles.
Learn More →For oversized commercial assets — trucks, buses, RVs, motorhomes, construction equipment, and farm machinery. These shipments require specialized trailers, oversize permits, and experienced drivers, all of which are coordinated through the carrier network.
Best for: RVs, buses, construction equipment, commercial trucks.
Learn More →Most Houston shipments are booked, picked up, and delivered without you needing to leave home. Here’s what to expect.
Enter your pickup ZIP, destination ZIP, vehicle details, and preferred carrier type. You’ll receive transparent pricing with no hidden fees — online 24/7 or by calling 832-779-1555.
Once you approve the quote, a coordinator assigns a carrier from the network. Standard pickup windows in the Houston area run 1–3 business days after booking. Expedited options are available if timing is tight.
Before loading, remove personal items and disable your EZ TAG or TxTag. Leave roughly a quarter tank of fuel. The driver walks around the vehicle with you, documents its condition on the Bill of Lading, and loads it for transit.
Track your shipment in real time using your booking number. When the carrier arrives, inspect the vehicle together, sign the Bill of Lading confirming delivery, and you’re done.
Fully Licensed & Registered
Registered with the FMCSA and DOT as an auto transport broker. Every carrier dispatched through the network is independently verified for active licensing, insurance coverage, and federal safety ratings before they ever touch your vehicle.
Genuine Door-to-Door Service
Pickup and delivery go directly to your home, office, or dealership — anywhere in the Greater Houston metro. If a street has weight restrictions or low clearance, the driver coordinates the nearest safe loading point at no extra charge.
Insurance on Every Shipment
All shipments carry the carrier’s cargo insurance as required by federal law. Coverage details are shared upfront at booking — not buried in fine print after the fact. The Bill of Lading signed at pickup is your official condition record if you ever need to file a claim.
Live Shipment Tracking
Your booking number gives you 24/7 access to real-time status updates. The tracking portal also includes a live chat option so you can reach a shipping agent directly with any questions about your vehicle’s progress.
The Price You’re Quoted Is the Price You Pay
No fuel surcharges added on delivery. No origin fees. No brokerage markups discovered after you’ve committed. The number in your quote is the final number, and all payment terms are spelled out in writing before you book.
Houston’s Road Network Works in Your Favor
I-10, I-45, I-69, Beltway 8, and the Grand Parkway (SH-99) give carriers efficient access to every part of the metro. That connectivity translates directly into shorter pickup windows and more competitive pricing for Houston-area customers.
Every review below is from a verified Google customer. When comparing car shipping companies, real verified reviews are one of the most reliable signals — here’s what people say about their experience.
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Leave a Google ReviewPeople ship cars for a lot of different reasons. Here are the most common situations we handle in the Houston area.
With Ellington Field and several military-connected employers in the Houston area, PCS relocations are one of the most common reasons people call us. Families on orders often need a fast, flexible pickup window — and we build shipments around that timeline, not the other way around.
Houston’s energy, medical, and aerospace sectors move a lot of people in and out of the city. Professionals relocating to Chicago, Atlanta, Denver, or the Northeast ship their vehicles instead of driving — it saves days of travel time and keeps unnecessary mileage off the car.
Buying a car remotely through platforms like CarGurus, Autotrader, or Bring a Trailer has become standard practice. Once the deal is done, transport bridges the gap — a buyer in Houston can have a vehicle from California or New York delivered to their door within a week.
Many Houston residents split their time between Texas and other states — heading north in summer or south for winter. Shipping a vehicle both ways, rather than logging 1,500–2,000 miles of driving each time, is the practical choice for second-home owners and retirees.
Students moving to out-of-state schools — or coming home after the semester — ship their vehicles to avoid solo road trips. Open carrier transport is the most budget-friendly option, and the process is simple enough to handle without any prior shipping experience.
Houston has a strong car culture, and enclosed transport is the go-to for anyone moving a classic, vintage, or high-value vehicle. Zero road miles and full weather protection throughout — whether it’s heading to a show, an auction, a new owner, or seasonal storage.
Service covers the entire Houston metro — Harris, Fort Bend, Montgomery, Brazoria, and Galveston counties. Every neighborhood, every community, every ZIP code.
| Region | Key Communities |
|---|---|
| Downtown & Central | Midtown, Montrose, Heights, Medical Center, River Oaks, Galleria, Greenway Plaza |
| North / Woodlands | Spring, The Woodlands, Tomball, Humble, Kingwood, Atascocita, Conroe |
| West / Katy | Katy, Cinco Ranch, Energy Corridor, Memorial, Westchase, Cypress |
| SW / Sugar Land | Sugar Land, Missouri City, Stafford, Richmond, Rosenberg, Bellaire |
| South / Pearland | Pearland, Friendswood, League City, Webster, Clear Lake, Alvin |
| SE / Pasadena | Pasadena, Baytown, La Porte, Deer Park, Galena Park |
| Galveston County | Galveston Island, Texas City, La Marque, Dickinson, Santa Fe |
Houston Neighborhoods Served
Pickup and delivery is available at every Houston-area ZIP code. Tap any region below to see the full list. If you’re looking for car shipping near me, auto transport near me, or vehicle transport near me in the Houston area — you’re covered.
Don’t see your ZIP listed? Call 832-779-1555 — coverage extends to all Greater Houston addresses accessible by large transport trucks. If your street has weight restrictions or limited clearance, we coordinate a nearby safe loading point at no extra charge.
Houston’s climate and seasonal patterns directly affect both pricing and carrier availability. Knowing what to expect helps you plan smarter.
Demand picks up quickly in spring, driven by military PCS orders, end-of-semester moves, and general relocation activity. April and May in particular can see carrier availability tighten faster than people expect.
Peak season for the whole industry. Houston’s heat regularly exceeds 95°F, and relocation demand is at its highest. Carriers fill up fast. If you’re moving a luxury or high-value vehicle, enclosed transport is a smart call during these months.
Houston sits squarely in the Gulf Coast’s active storm zone. If a major system threatens the area, carrier operations can be paused temporarily. Build some flexibility into your schedule for any shipment during this window, and stay in touch with your coordinator if weather develops.
Outside the holiday rush (late November through early January), fall and winter offer the shortest pickup windows, the most competitive rates, and the widest carrier availability of the year. If your schedule is at all flexible, this is the best time to ship.
No obligation. Transparent pricing. Door-to-door service throughout Greater Houston.
