One of the most active interstate corridors in the US
California-to-Texas has been a top-five interstate moving lane every year for the past five years. Carrier capacity is strong on this route, which keeps pricing competitive — but peak season (May to August) still adds 20–30% to the typical quote.
| Home size | Typical weight | Full-service range | Container option |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / small 1BR | 1,800–2,800 lbs | $2,200 – $3,500 | $1,400 – $2,200 |
| 1-bedroom | 2,800–4,000 lbs | $2,800 – $4,500 | $1,800 – $2,800 |
| 2-bedroom | 4,500–6,500 lbs | $4,000 – $6,500 | $2,500 – $3,800 |
| 3-bedroom | 7,000–9,500 lbs | $5,500 – $8,500 | $3,200 – $4,800 |
| 4+ bedroom | 10,000+ lbs | $7,500 – $14,000 | Not typical for this size |
Distance and timeline by city pair
Routes vary by 500+ miles depending on origin and destination cities. Transit time follows.
| Origin | Destination | Distance | Typical transit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles | Dallas | 1,440 mi | 5–9 business days |
| Los Angeles | Houston | 1,540 mi | 6–10 business days |
| Los Angeles | Austin | 1,375 mi | 5–9 business days |
| San Francisco | Austin | 1,755 mi | 6–11 business days |
| San Francisco | Dallas | 1,720 mi | 6–11 business days |
| San Diego | Houston | 1,470 mi | 5–10 business days |
| Sacramento | Dallas | 1,735 mi | 6–11 business days |
Why people are moving this lane
Cost-of-living differential is the dominant driver. Texas has no state income tax, lower median home prices in most metros, and lower utility costs. Tech and finance employers in Austin, Dallas, and Houston have been recruiting heavily from the Bay Area and Los Angeles. Family relocation and remote-work flexibility round out the rest.
Best mover type by move profile
- Small apartment, flexible timing: U-Pack or PODS (saves 30–40% vs full-service)
- 2–3 bedroom family move with school-year deadline: full-service van line with binding NTE
- Tech relocation with employer reimbursement: full-service with full-value protection
- Move into Austin or Dallas with high-rise destination: confirm shuttle and COI requirements upfront
Packing and storage considerations
Texas summers are brutal. If your shipment includes heat-sensitive items (electronics, vinyl records, candles, certain medications), confirm whether the carrier's trailers are temperature-controlled or whether goods sit in a non-climate terminal between transit legs.
Storage-in-transit is common on this lane because home closings and lease starts often miss the carrier's delivery window. Build in a 7–14 day flex period, or budget $200–$400/month for temporary storage.
What changes the price most
- Move date — late May through July adds 20–30%
- Inventory weight — every additional 1,000 lbs adds roughly $500–$700
- Origin city — high-rise pickups in SF or LA add shuttle and parking fees
- Packing — full-pack adds $700–$1,800 for a typical 2BR
- Destination access — Austin and Dallas urban core may require shuttle