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Shipping a Tesla from California to Texas
EVs ship on the same open carriers as everything else — but weight, ride height, and battery handling all matter more. Here's how we move Teslas and other EVs on our California–Texas corridor, and what to prepare before pickup.
What's different about shipping an EV
Three things set EVs apart on a car hauler. First, weight: a Model S or Model X runs 1,000+ lbs heavier than a comparable gas sedan or SUV, which affects where it can be positioned on a 9-car trailer and how the load is balanced. Second, ride height: Teslas sit low, so loading angles and deck positions are chosen to protect the front fascia and battery skid. Third, the battery itself: nothing is drained or disconnected — the car ships as-is — but charge level and settings matter.
As the carrier, we plan all three at booking rather than discovering them at the truck. That's a real difference from broker-arranged shipments, where the assigned carrier may first learn it's hauling a 5,400-lb Model X when it arrives at pickup.
How to prep your Tesla for transport
- Charge to roughly 30–50%. Enough for loading, unloading, and repositioning at both ends — no benefit to shipping at full charge, and it adds weight considerations.
- Disable Sentry Mode and alarms. Sentry will drain the battery recording nine cars' worth of highway vibration and flag constant events.
- Turn off PIN to Drive or share the PIN with dispatch — the driver needs to move the car on and off the deck.
- Add the driver as a temporary key via the app, or hand over a key card at pickup. Phone-key-only handoffs fail at delivery when the phone is a thousand miles away.
- Fold the mirrors and note ground clearance if the car is lowered or has aftermarket aero.
Cost to ship a Tesla from California to Texas
EV pricing on the CA→TX corridor typically lands slightly above a comparable gas vehicle because of weight and positioning: expect roughly $1,000–$1,400 for a Model 3 or Model Y and $1,150–$1,550 for a Model S or Model X on open transport, depending on the exact city pair and season. Enclosed transport for high-value builds is quoted case by case.
Those are carrier ranges, not broker teasers — the number we quote for your addresses and dates is the number you pay.
Open vs enclosed for an EV
The vast majority of Teslas ship open — the same way they ship from the factory. Enclosed makes sense for a Plaid you care about cosmetically, a new delivery you want zero road exposure on, or anything with paint protection film you'd rather not test. Enclosed typically runs 40–60% above open rates on this corridor.
FAQ
Common questions
Does my Tesla need a full charge to ship?
No — 30–50% is ideal. The car only needs enough charge for loading, unloading, and repositioning at both ends.
Should I turn off Sentry Mode during transport?
Yes. Sentry Mode drains the battery and logs constant events during a multi-day highway haul. Disable it before pickup, along with any aftermarket alarms.
How much does it cost to ship a Tesla from California to Texas?
Roughly $1,000–$1,400 for a Model 3/Y and $1,150–$1,550 for a Model S/X on open transport, depending on city pair and season. Enclosed is quoted case by case.
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