California to Texas is the largest interstate move in the United States — and we run every major corridor weekly, from Los Angeles and San Diego to San Francisco and San Jose, into Austin, Dallas, Houston, and San Antonio. Licensed, insured carriers, transparent cubic-footage pricing, a dedicated relocation coordinator, and delivery windows you can plan around.
Distance
~1,300–1,750 mi
Transit time
8–14 days
Service
Weekly
No obligation · Response in 30–60 minutes
Overview
Moving from California to Texas is the single most-traveled interstate relocation in the country, driven by Texas’s no-income-tax advantage, far lower housing costs, and booming job markets. Quick Ship Van Lines coordinates this corridor weekly with licensed, carefully selected carriers who know both ends — California pickups from LA’s traffic and hills to Bay Area walk-ups and narrow streets, and Texas deliveries into master-planned suburbs and downtown high-rises. Whether you’re relocating a San Jose one-bedroom to Austin, an LA family home to the Dallas–Fort Worth area, or downsizing from San Diego to San Antonio, you get upfront pricing based on the cubic footage of your inventory, a dedicated relocation coordinator, and a realistic delivery window. Most quote requests get a response in 30–60 minutes.
Popular Routes
We move from every major California metro to every major Texas city. Distances and transit windows vary by pairing:
Route | Approx. distance | Est. transit |
1,440 mi | 8–12 days | |
1,460 mi | 8–12 days | |
1,750 mi | 8–13 days | |
Los Angeles → Austin | 1,375 mi | 8–12 days |
Los Angeles → Houston | 1,550 mi | 9–13 days |
San Francisco → Dallas | 1,730 mi | 8–13 days |
Route Details
~1,300–1,750 miles depending on your origin and destination
8–14 business days
Primarily I-10 E across AZ & NM into Texas (Bay Area origins connect via I-5 to I-10)
California · Arizona · New Mexico · Texas
Pacific → Central (+2 hours)
May – September (busiest and hottest — plan around Texas summer heat)
Demand for California-to-Texas moves peaks May through September, which is also when Texas heat is at its most intense. Spring and fall bring better rates and more comfortable move-in weather. Mid-month and weekday moves are typically cheaper than Friday or month-end. Because this is the busiest interstate lane in the country, booking 3–4 weeks ahead is recommended to secure preferred dates.
Pricing
Real-world estimates by home size, based on the cubic footage your inventory takes on the truck. Costs vary with your California origin (Bay Area access can add cost) and Texas destination. Get an accurate upfront quote in about 60 seconds.
$1,900 – $4,600
~250 cubic ft of inventory
$3,800 – $7,200
Couple or small family
Most common
$5,500 – $9,800
Average family home
$8,000 – $14,000+
Larger homes / specialty items
What affects your California to Texas moving cost
Final pricing may vary if inventory or service requirements change prior to pickup.
Real-World Examples
Three representative scenarios based on typical moves on this route.
Brianna
Move
San Jose, CA → Austin, TX
Inventory
Queen bed, sofa, standing desk and monitors, 25 boxes — a typical 1-bedroom
$3,600
10 days
“A no-income-tax tech move; coordinator timed pickup around the start date at an Austin campus.”
The Brooks Family
Move
Los Angeles, CA → Frisco (Dallas–Fort Worth), TX
Inventory
3-bedroom home — full household, kids’ rooms, home gym, 70+ boxes
$7,600
11 days
“Traded an LA rental for a single-family home with a yard; delivery timed to the school-year start.“
Diego & Lucia
Move
San Diego, CA → San Antonio, TX
Inventory
2-bedroom — curated furniture, 45 boxes, no specialty items
$5,200
10 days
“A cost-of-living move; coordinator kept both ends aligned around the closing.“
Good to Know
Three things every California to Texas mover should know before pickup day.
Texas requires you to register your vehicle, transfer your driver’s license, and update voter registration within 90 days of establishing residency. Several Texas metro counties (including Travis, Harris, and Dallas) require an emissions inspection as part of registration. There’s no state income tax to file in Texas.
Texas summers are hot — regularly 95–105°F across much of the state — a change from California’s milder coastal climate. Wood furniture, electronics, and leather benefit from climate-conscious packing, and the desert stretch of the I-10 gets extremely hot in transit. Let your coordinator know about any temperature-sensitive belongings.
Texas has no state income tax, versus California’s top rate of 13.3% — roughly $5,700 a year saved at $100,000 of income, and $11,000+ at $150,000. The honest caveat: Texas property taxes are high (about 1.6–2.2% of assessed value), so if you buy an expensive home the property-tax bill can offset part of the income-tax savings. For renters and most buyers, though, California-to-Texas is still a clear financial win.
More Ways We Help
Rather than drive 1,300+ miles, many customers ship a car alongside the household move. Open transport on this corridor typically runs $800–$1,200 and enclosed transport for luxury or classic vehicles runs $1,400–$2,000, with vehicle transit usually 5–9 days.
Full or partial packing is available, along with short-term storage if your Texas move-in date falls after your California move-out date. Ask your coordinator to build either into your quote.
Pianos, pool tables, antiques, artwork, home-gym equipment, and gun safes are handled by experienced crews, with custom crating available for fragile or high-value pieces making the long haul. Flag any specialty items when you request your quote so the right equipment and team are scheduled.
Why Quick Ship
Reviews
FAQs
Full-service moves typically range from $1,900 for a studio to $14,000+ for a 4+ bedroom home, based on the cubic footage of your inventory. Your California origin and Texas destination both affect the price. Get an exact number with a free quote in 30–60 minutes.
Plan on 8–14 business days depending on the pairing — Southern California to Dallas or Houston is quicker than the Bay Area to Austin — and whether your items travel on a dedicated or consolidated truck. Your coordinator confirms a delivery window before pickup.
Austin is the top destination for its tech scene, Dallas–Fort Worth for its job market and family suburbs, Houston for affordable big-city living and energy/medical jobs, and San Antonio for the lowest cost of living. We serve them all.
Texas has no state income tax, versus California’s 13.3% top rate — roughly $5,700 a year at $100,000 income and $11,000+ at $150,000. Keep in mind Texas property taxes are high (about 1.6–2.2%), so if you buy an expensive home, factor that in. For most movers it’s still a significant net saving.
Yes. California is Pacific Time and Texas is Central Time — a 2-hour difference. When it’s 8 AM in California, it’s 10 AM in Texas. Factor this into delivery scheduling and remote-work transitions.
Most carriers take the I-10 East across Arizona and New Mexico into Texas; Bay Area origins connect down via I-5 to the I-10. The exact path can vary with the carrier’s other stops and the season.
Yes. Open transport typically costs $800–$1,200, enclosed transport for luxury or classic vehicles runs $1,400–$2,000, and vehicle transit is usually 5–9 days. We can bundle it with your household move.
Spring and fall are generally cheaper than the May–September summer peak, with more comfortable move-in weather. Mid-month, weekday dates are typically cheaper than month-end.
Join 1,000+ families who chose Quick Ship Van Lines for a stress-free move. Request a quote and we’ll get back to you in 30–60 minutes with a free, no-obligation estimate.
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