Texas to Washington Car Shipping
Certified by
Auto Transport Expert
WHY CHOOSE SHERPA?
With 4.9 Stars out of 8,000+ reviews and a BBB A+ rating: Sherpa Auto Transport stands out as the premier auto transport company in the United States, offering upfront, transparent pricing backed by our Price Lock Promise.
Our Price Lock PromiseTransport My Vehicle From…
Car Shipping from Texas to Washington
Planning to move your vehicle across the country? Texas to Washington car shipping doesn’t have to be stressful or expensive. Whether you’re relocating for work, buying a car online, or snowbirding between states, reliable auto transport is essential. This guide covers everything you need to know about car shipping from the Lone Star State to the Pacific Northwest, including costs, timelines, and expert tips to ensure a smooth journey.
Average Distance, Time and Cost
TX
Texas
WA
Washington
Popular Routes from Texas to Washington
Key Takeaways From This Article
Auto Transport from Texas to Washington
Texas to Washington car shipping costs $1,100-$1,650 and takes 3-7 days to cover the 2,060-mile journey across multiple states.
Our Texas & Washington Customers
Sherpa customers love our transparent pricing with no hidden fees, 4.9-star rating from 8,000+ reviews, and Price Lock Promise that protects against surprise costs.
Factors that Impact Cost
Distance is the biggest cost factor for Texas-Washington shipping, with longer 2,000+ mile routes requiring more fuel, driver time, and vehicle wear than shorter shipments.
Tips and Tricks to Save
Ship during off-peak months and choose flexible pickup windows to save the most money on your Texas to Washington car transport.
How Car Shipping Works
The most important step is preparing your vehicle by removing personal items, cleaning it thoroughly, and documenting existing damage before pickup.
State Insights
Washington requires vehicle registration within 30 days of residency and has stricter emissions testing requirements than Texas in certain counties.
What Sherpa’s Customers are Saying
The Sherpa Difference
TRANSPARENCY
Our Price Lock Promise ensures you know exactly what you’ll pay, with no hidden fees or last-minute surprises.
NATIONWIDE COVERAGE
Whether you’re shipping your vehicle across the state or across the country, our extensive network of carriers ships to all 50 states all year round.
CUSTOMER FIRST APPROACH
Sherpa has a 4.87 average customer rating with over 7,000 five-star reviews. We were recognized by Auto Business Outlook as the Top Automotive Shipping Provider in 2023 for our commitment to customer service.
CARRIER QUALITY
We carefully evaluate transportation records, accident history, and customer feedback to vet every one of our carriers. If a carrier does not meet our high standards, we do not use them.
EXPERT HANDLING
From classic cars, everyday vehicles, motorcycles and more, we have the expertise to manage all types of auto transport needs with care and precision.
Popular Routes from Texas to Washington
Factors that Affect Texas to Washington Shipping Prices
Distance
The 1,200+ mile journey from Texas to Washington significantly impacts shipping costs. Longer distances require more fuel, driver time, and vehicle wear, making this cross-country route more expensive than shorter shipments.
Route
Major highways like I-35 and I-5 offer cost-effective shipping between Texas and Washington. These well-traveled routes provide better carrier availability and lower prices compared to remote rural pickup locations.
Season
Summer months see higher shipping costs due to increased demand from families relocating. Winter weather can also raise prices due to challenging driving conditions along northern routes to Washington.
Vehicle Type
Standard cars cost less to ship than large trucks or SUVs from Texas to Washington. Bigger vehicles require more trailer space, add weight for fuel costs, and limit carrier options.
Traffic Considerations
Holiday periods like Thanksgiving week create heavy traffic delays, increasing shipping costs. Plan your Texas to Washington car shipment during quieter periods to avoid peak traffic surcharges and delays.
Carrier Availability
Peak summer season may require 1-2 weeks for carrier availability on the Texas-Washington route. Off-season shipments typically find carriers within 3-5 days, offering better pricing and flexibility.
Open vs Enclosed
Open trailers cost significantly less for Texas-Washington shipments and work well for most vehicles. Enclosed transport costs more but protects luxury cars from weather during the long journey.
Population Density
Dense urban areas like Seattle increase delivery costs compared to suburban Washington locations. Consider pickup at city outskirts from Texas shipments to reduce final delivery expenses and scheduling challenges.
Tips & Tricks for Saving on Vehicle Shipping
Off Season Savings
Ship during off-peak months to save money on Texas to Washington car transport. Avoid busy snowbird season and summer months when demand peaks. Even shifting your shipment by a few weeks can reduce costs significantly.
Flexible Pickup & Delivery
Choose flexible pickup and delivery windows to lower your shipping costs. Offering carriers a five-day window for both pickup in Texas and delivery in Washington gives them scheduling flexibility, resulting in better rates for you.
Hub City Advantages
Select pickup and delivery locations near major highways in Texas and Washington for better rates. Hub cities with multiple highway access points attract more carriers, creating competition and lower prices than remote rural locations.
Open Trailers
Open trailers cost less than enclosed options for Texas to Washington shipping. Most standard vehicles ship safely on open carriers. Reserve enclosed trailers for luxury, classic, or high-value cars needing extra weather and road debris protection.
Learn More About Open vs. Enclosed Trailers
How does Car Shipping from Texas to Washington Work?
Car shipping from Texas to Washington is a straightforward process that covers approximately 2,060 miles across multiple states. This popular auto transport route connects the Lone Star State to the Pacific Northwest, making it essential for families relocating, military personnel, and anyone needing reliable vehicle transportation. Texas to Washington car shipping typically takes 3-7 days, depending on your specific pickup and delivery locations within each state.
The car shipping process begins when you request a quote and book your transport service. Our team will schedule a pickup time that works with your schedule, whether you’re shipping from major Texas cities like Houston, Dallas, or Austin to Washington destinations such as Seattle, Spokane, or Tacoma. We’ll assign an experienced carrier who specializes in this interstate route to ensure safe and timely delivery.
Several factors make Texas to Washington auto transport unique. The route crosses diverse terrain and weather conditions, from Texas heat to potential mountain weather in northern states. Our carriers are equipped to handle these variations and will secure your vehicle properly for the long journey. The distance requires careful planning for driver rest periods and fuel stops, which our logistics team coordinates seamlessly.
During transport, you’ll receive regular updates on your vehicle’s progress. Upon delivery in Washington, you’ll inspect your car with the driver and sign off on the transport. The entire car shipping process is designed for convenience, with typical costs ranging from $1,100 to $1,650 depending on vehicle size, transport type, and specific locations. This comprehensive auto transport service eliminates the stress and expense of driving across the country yourself.
Texas to Washington Car Transport: State Insights and Regulations
When planning Texas to Washington car shipping, understanding the regulatory differences between states helps ensure a smooth transition. Washington requires vehicle registration within 30 days of establishing residency, while Texas allows 30 days after moving. Washington’s registration fees are typically higher, and the state requires a VIN inspection for out-of-state vehicles during the registration process.
Washington has stricter vehicle regulations compared to Texas. The state requires annual emissions testing in certain counties, including King, Pierce, and Snohomish counties. Window tinting laws differ significantly – Washington allows 24% visible light transmission on front side windows, while Texas permits 25%. Washington also has specific requirements for vehicle frame height modifications and mandates front license plates, unlike Texas which only requires rear plates.
Auto transport customers moving from Texas should prepare their vehicles for Washington’s climate differences. Winter tires or all-season tires with good tread are essential for navigating snowy mountain passes and wet conditions. Consider installing block heaters for extremely cold areas and ensure your battery can handle temperature drops. Many car shipping companies recommend scheduling delivery before winter months to avoid weather-related delays and allow time for necessary vehicle modifications.
Insurance considerations vary between the two states, with Washington requiring higher minimum coverage limits than Texas. Washington mandates $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for bodily injury, compared to Texas’s $30,000 and $60,000 respectively. However, Washington requires $10,000 in property damage coverage while Texas only requires $25,000. When using car shipping services, verify that your auto transport company carries adequate insurance coverage for the journey and understand how your personal policy covers the vehicle during transit.
Texas to Washington Vehicle Transport FAQs
Preparing your vehicle for transport from Texas to Washington is simple but important. Here’s what you need to do:
Remove personal items: Take out all belongings, including toll passes, GPS devices, and fragile items. Carriers are not responsible for personal property left in your vehicle.
Clean your car: Wash both the interior and exterior so you can easily spot any damage during inspection.
Check fluids and battery: Ensure your car has enough gas (about 1/4 tank), oil, and coolant. Make sure your battery is secure and working.
Remove or secure loose parts: Take off bike racks, spoilers, or other accessories that could get damaged. Fold in side mirrors and retract antennas.
Document your vehicle: Take photos of any existing damage and note your car’s condition.
Have keys ready: Provide one working key to the driver for loading and unloading.
For complete details, check our Vehicle Shipping Tips page. Following these steps helps ensure your car arrives safely in Washington.
Yes, your vehicle is fully insured during transport from Texas to Washington. All Sherpa Auto Transport carriers must carry at least $1,000,000 in liability insurance and $100,000 in cargo insurance.
Before we assign your shipment, we verify that your carrier’s insurance is active and valid. We also require all carriers to add Sherpa as a Certificate Holder on their policy for extra protection.
This insurance covers your vehicle throughout the entire journey from Texas to Washington. You can ship with confidence knowing your car is protected by comprehensive coverage from pickup to delivery.
Book your Texas to Washington car shipping at least 2-3 weeks in advance. This gives you the best chance to secure a reliable carrier and competitive rates.
Here’s why early booking matters:
- Better carrier availability: Popular routes like Texas to Washington fill up quickly
- Lower costs: Last-minute bookings often cost 20-30% more
- Flexible scheduling: More time means better pickup and delivery options
- Route optimization: Carriers can bundle your car with others going the same direction
If you’re moving during peak season (summer months or winter holidays), book 3-4 weeks ahead. For urgent shipments, we can often arrange pickup within 3-5 days, but expect higher prices.
Pro tip: Have your pickup and delivery addresses ready when you book. This helps carriers plan their routes and gives you more accurate timing.
No payment is due at the time of booking. We do require a payment method on file so that it is available to charge once a carrier is secured. We accept all major debit and credit cards, including Mastercard, Visa, Discover and American Express. The most convenient option is to pay for your shipment in full by credit card at the time a carrier is secured.
We also allow you to pay for your Initial Payment via credit or debit card and then pay the outstanding balance on delivery day via cash or a certified check made out to the carrier.
Your Sherpa shipment includes up to 100 lbs of personal items or household goods stored in the trunk area or secured below the window line. If you are shipping to or from a port or your shipment includes ocean transit, your vehicle must be emptied of all items. Sherpa and your assigned carrier cannot be responsible for personal items left inside the vehicle. See our Vehicle Shipping Tips for more details.
Yes. It is important that you, or another adult that you trust, is there for pickup and delivery of your vehicle. This designated person plays an important role in the shipping process including documenting the state of the vehicle and signing the Bill of Lading, which acts as a receipt of the vehicle’s condition.
Open transport uses uncovered trailers that carry 8-10 cars at once. Your car is exposed to weather and road debris, but it’s the most affordable option used for 90% of all car shipments from Texas to Washington.
Enclosed transport protects your vehicle inside a covered trailer with only 2-6 cars per load. This costs 40-60% more than open transport but shields your car from weather, dust, and road debris during the long journey from Texas to Washington.
Choose enclosed transport if you’re shipping a luxury car, classic vehicle, or custom car worth over $50,000. For most everyday vehicles, open transport works great and saves you money. See our complete open vs enclosed guide to help you decide what’s best for your Texas to Washington car shipment.
Yes, we offer door-to-door auto transport service from Texas to Washington. This means we pick up your car from your home, office, or chosen address in Texas and deliver it directly to your new location in Washington.
When you book with Sherpa Auto Transport, simply provide us with your pickup and delivery addresses. Our carrier will coordinate with you to schedule convenient times for both pickup and drop-off. This service saves you time and eliminates the need to drive to a terminal.
In some cases, large trucks cannot access certain residential areas due to low bridges, narrow streets, or tight turns. If this happens, our driver will work with you to find a safe, nearby meeting spot like a shopping center or gas station. We always prioritize the safety of your vehicle and our equipment.
Door-to-door service is included in most of our Texas to Washington shipping quotes at no extra cost, making your cross-country move as smooth as possible.
Many Auto Transport companies try to tease customers with lower rates, only to surprise you with “hidden costs” later. At Sherpa Auto Transport, we do things differently. We provide one locked-in price upfront and stick to it. If unexpected costs arise, we pay them out of our own pocket.
While we may not always be the cheapest option at first glance, our commitment to transparency and reliability offers exceptional value. As a premium service, we ensure an stress-free experience from start to finish.
We transport sedans, SUVs, pickup trucks, vans and motorcycles across the nation, including service to Alaska and Hawaii. At this time, we do not service boats, golf carts, ATVs, or RVs. We can ship both operable and inoperable vehicles so long as the vehicle can roll, brake, and steer, and that you can provide the carrier with a key to the vehicle. We can also ship electric vehicles.
Visit Sherpa’s FAQ page to learn more about car shipping!