Car/Vehicle Shipping Cost from Houston, Texas to California

Quick answer: Expect to pay around $1,176 to $1,712 to ship your car 1,547 miles from Houston, Texas, to Irvine, California. The actual cost depends on factors like your vehicle type, shipping method, and the time of year. For a customized estimate, use our car shipping cost calculator.

It's usually cheaper to drive your car than to ship it, especially for shorter distances, as driving costs primarily involve fuel, while shipping adds significant professional fees and potentially higher insurance for the carrier. However, driving incurs hidden costs like wear-and-tear, depreciation, tolls, and your time, so for very long distances or if your car is unreliable, shipping might be worth the extra expense for convenience and safety, with costs varying greatly by distance, carrier, and vehicle type.

Shipping a car by train is generally cheaper and more eco-friendly than by truck, especially for long distances (500+ miles) due to better cost-per-mile efficiency, though it offers less flexibility with fixed station locations and potentially slower transit. Trucking provides door-to-door convenience and speed but costs more, while rail (like Amtrak Auto Train for East Coast routes) offers enclosed, secure transport at lower rates for specific corridors.