Movers from California
to Texas
The California-to-Texas corridor is one of the busiest interstate migration routes in the country. Bay Area tech workers, families seeking more space, and corporate transfers are all heading to Austin, Dallas, Houston, and beyond. We are not a broker. We are an asset-based carrier with our own trucks, our own crews, and headquarters at 22950 Clawiter Rd, Hayward, California.
Get a Free QuoteMoving + Storage under one roof, one company, one point of contact Plus complimentary moving blankets, wardrobe boxes, and floor protection with every move.
How much does it cost to move from California to Texas?
As of June 2026, Ontrack Moving® moves households from California to Texas on a flat-rate quote based on inventory volume, distance (about 1,460 miles from the Bay Area to Dallas, roughly 1,750 miles to Austin, and roughly 1,930 miles to Houston), packing, and access conditions, with transit typically 3 to 5 days. Ontrack Moving® is a direct asset-based carrier (USDOT #2551548), not a broker, so your shipment rides one dedicated truck with no load consolidation. Final charges are based on actual labor time, materials used, access conditions, and any additional services requested.
Ontrack Moving® is headquartered in Hayward, CA and holds a 0% Federal Out-of-Service Rate under FMCSA inspection. The $10,000,000 Combined Protection Tower protects building structures and the premises, while your belongings are covered by standard $0.60/lb cargo liability per article. Verify the federal safety record by entering USDOT 2551548 at the FMCSA SAFER database.
California to Texas Moving: Quick Facts
- Route: California to Texas via I-10 and I-40 east, approximately 1,460 to 1,930 miles depending on origin and destination cities
- Transit Time: 3-5 days depending on the city pair and scheduling
- Pricing: Flat-rate quotes based on inventory volume and services. Contact us for a free estimate.
- Headquarters: Hayward, CA (San Francisco Bay Area)
- Credentials: USDOT #2551548 | CA License CAL-T190721 | A+ BBB
- Rating: 4.9/5 average from 2,847+ verified reviews
The migration corridor
Why California to Texas?
Over the past five years, California has consistently ranked as the top origin state for Texas transplants. The reasons are straightforward: no Texas state income tax, lower cost of living, larger homes with more land, and a fast-growing tech presence anchored by Austin's Silicon Hills. For the full cost-of-living and tax breakdown behind this move, see our guide on the signs it is time to leave California for Texas.
Remote work has accelerated this trend. Bay Area professionals who once needed to live within commute distance of San Francisco or San Jose now have the option to relocate to Austin, Dallas, or Houston while keeping their California salaries. Corporate relocations and company expansions continue to make this corridor one of the most active interstate routes in the country.
Tech Industry Migration
Companies like Tesla, Oracle, and Samsung have established major operations in and around Austin's Silicon Hills, with Dallas and Houston drawing finance and energy expansions. Bay Area tech workers relocating to these offices make up a significant portion of the California-to-Texas corridor traffic we handle each month.
More Space, Lower Cost
The median home price in the Bay Area is well over twice the typical Texas metro median. Families who sell a two-bedroom condo in Oakland can often buy a four-bedroom house with a yard in the Dallas-Fort Worth or Austin suburbs. That is the math driving this corridor.
No State Income Tax
Texas levies no state income tax, a major draw for high earners and retirees leaving California. Combined with lower housing costs, that tax difference is one of the most cited reasons households give us for making the move from California to Texas.
Route coverage
Popular City Pairs on This Corridor
Dedicated Route Pages
Detailed information for the most popular California to Texas city-to-city moves
California Origin Cities
We pick up from anywhere in the Bay Area from our Hayward headquarters. 40+ cities served.
Texas Destination Cities
We deliver to every major Texas metro on a dedicated truck, direct from California. All major cities covered.
- Dallas
- Fort Worth
- Austin
- Houston
- San Antonio
- El Paso
Other Long-Distance Routes We Handle
Beyond the California to Texas corridor, we operate direct routes across the Western US and beyond from our Bay Area headquarters.
View all long-distance routes we service.
What affects your quote
Pricing Factors for California to Texas Moves
Distance Between Cities
The California to Texas corridor spans roughly 1,460 to 1,930 miles depending on the city pair. Bay Area to Dallas is approximately 1,460 miles, to Austin roughly 1,750 miles, and to Houston roughly 1,930 miles. Distance directly affects transit time and fuel costs.
Home Size and Inventory
A studio apartment and a five-bedroom house require very different resources. Total volume (measured in cubic feet or weight) determines truck size, crew size, and loading time. We assess this during your estimate to provide an accurate flat-rate quote.
Specialty Items
Pianos, gun safes, wine collections, and artwork require custom handling, crating materials, and specialized loading techniques. These items are quoted separately based on dimensions, weight, and the specific handling required. See our piano moving and fine art moving pages.
Access Conditions
Bay Area hillside homes, San Francisco walk-ups, and Texas master-planned communities each present different access challenges. Stairs, elevators, long carry distances, and narrow streets affect crew time. SFMTA parking permits in San Francisco typically cost $341 to $590.
Timeline and Season
Peak season (May through September) is the busiest period for this corridor, driven by school schedules and summer relocations. Month-end dates fill up fastest. Moving during the off-season (October through April) often provides more flexibility and better availability.
Packing and Add-Ons
Full or partial packing services, custom crating, storage, junk removal, and additional valuation protection are all available as add-ons. Each is priced separately so you only pay for what you need.
Carrier vs. Broker: Why It Matters for Interstate Moves
Direct carrier service, not warehouse handoffs. Your shipment rides on Ontrack trucks with Ontrack crews.
| Factor | Ontrack (Carrier) | Typical Broker |
|---|---|---|
| Carrier Continuity | Same Ontrack carrier from California to Texas | Unloaded and reloaded multiple times at warehouses |
| Who Moves You | Our own crews and trucks | Random carrier (lowest bidder) |
| Accountability | Single point of contact throughout | Broker blames carrier, carrier blames broker |
| Price Transparency | Flat-rate quote, transparent pricing | Low quote, then add fees at delivery |
| Delivery Timeline | Scheduled window, direct route | 21-day window common, your items wait for full truck |
| Carrier Authority | Licensed asset-based carrier, USDOT #2551548 | No carrier authority of their own |
Ontrack holds USDOT #2551548 and MC #889001 as a licensed carrier, not a broker. Learn what that authority means on our out-of-state movers page. For phased office moves, see our office relocation playbook.
What you get
Everything Included in Your Interstate Move
Standard with Every Move
- Dedicated truck (no shared loads)
- Furniture disassembly and reassembly
- Moving blankets for all furniture
- Floor runners and doorway protection
- Wardrobe boxes (free to use)
- Basic liability ($0.60/lb per item)
- Dedicated move coordinator
- Flat-rate pricing (your quote does not change with final weight)
Available Add-Ons
- Professional packing services (full or partial)
- Custom crating for artwork and antiques
- Piano, safe, and specialty item handling
- Storage at our Hayward, CA warehouse
- Additional valuation protection
- Junk removal and pre-move decluttering
- COI for building management at both ends
- Auto transport coordination
How it works
Four Steps: California Pickup to Texas Delivery
California Pickup
Our Bay Area crew arrives at your home, protects floors and doorways, disassembles furniture, and loads everything onto a dedicated truck. For San Francisco addresses, we handle SFMTA parking permits and shuttle van logistics.
Secure Transport
Your belongings travel on a dedicated truck east along the I-10 and I-40 corridor. No consolidation with other shipments. Climate-aware wrapping and transit protocols are applied during summer crossings through the Sonoran and Chihuahuan desert.
Texas Delivery
Our crew coordinates Texas delivery logistics: gated community access, HOA requirements, and unloading with floor runners and padding to protect your new home's surfaces across the Hill Country and DFW metroplex.
Setup and Walkthrough
We reassemble beds, tables, and desks. Place furniture where you want it. Then do a final walkthrough together before we leave your new Texas home.
Recent Moves on This Corridor
Bay Area Family to Dallas
A family of four moving for a corporate transfer from a three-bedroom home in Fremont to a master-planned community in Frisco, north of Dallas. The load included a home office, a treadmill, and a backyard playset broken down for the long-haul run east. Our Bay Area crew loaded in a single day and coordinated the Frisco HOA gate window for delivery. See our Bay Area to Dallas route page.
San Jose Tech Worker to Austin
A product manager relocating from a San Jose rental to a downtown Austin high-rise after joining a Silicon Hills employer. The job required a certificate of insurance for the tower's freight elevator and a reserved loading dock, which we arranged before load day and timed to the building's move-in window. See our San Jose to Austin route page.
Oakland Couple to Houston
A retiring couple leaving Oakland for a single-story home near Houston's Energy Corridor to be closer to family. We handled full packing for a long-held household and a dedicated truck for the I-10 run, using climate-aware wrapping for the Gulf Coast humidity at delivery.
4.9/5 Average Rating from 2,847+ Reviews
Yelp
BBB A+
Bay Area long-distance move done right
Moved from Bay area to San Diego. Great front office, easy to work with. Up front pricing, no runaround. The crews have a Foreman, in this case Brandon, who was helpful and professional and helped coordinate the group. They put cardboard, moving rug, blankets, and plastic down to protect the floors. Ontrack is a no nonsense group who know their trade well. If you want your move done right, hire this business.
Verified on Google
Flat-rate bid, itemized pricing
We moved from the Bay Area to a house 3 hours north. ... Most of our furniture is only 2-3 years old and we were worried that it would be damaged in the move. We chose Ontrack and we are so happy we did. They gave us a flat rate bid and they provided so many things along the way. ... Johnathan A supervised and did an incredible job. He made sure that care was taken with everything.
Verified on Google
Long-distance move done right
Carmina was great to work with, she answered all my questions and helped to set up the payment for us. Ervin, Edgar, and the moving team were amazing. They packed up everything very quickly and efficiently, making sure the furniture was covered. The wardrobe boxes and padding blankets all looked clean which was very nice. Friendly and fast movers made our long distance move a breeze.
Verified on Google
Loaded one day, delivered the next
Antonio, Javier, and Jonathan were awesome movers. They helped my family move from the Bay Area to SoCal. They came on day one and loaded everything up in the truck, then delivered the next day. They stayed to load everything in the garage and assembled furniture in designated rooms. Highly recommend Ontrack for moving needs.
Verified on Google
Oakland long-distance move handled with care
Mauricio and Victor handled our two-day move with exceptional professionalism and care. Both Mauricio and Victor, as well as their Oakland crew, were incredibly polite and respectful throughout the entire process. Every item, from our fragile dishes to heavy furniture, was treated with the utmost care. Despite the distance between Oakland and Santa Barbara, they managed the logistics smoothly over the two-day period, keeping us informed every step of the way.
Verified on Google
Most professional of six estimates
Caesar, Arturo, Javier and Ricardo were awesome. I received 6 estimates for our move from Oakland to Palm Desert. Ontrack was the most professional from start to finish. Paul did the walk through and was our first in-person contact, along with Carmina in the office. We knew almost immediately that these were the people we could trust to make our move smoothly and safely. Ontrack exceeded our expectations.
Verified on Google
Common questions
California to Texas Moving FAQs
California to Texas moving costs depend on the specific city pair (Bay Area to Dallas is roughly 1,460 miles, to Austin roughly 1,750 miles, and to Houston roughly 1,930 miles), total inventory volume, specialty items, packing services needed, and access conditions at both locations. We provide flat-rate quotes for interstate moves, so the estimate you receive before your move is a clear, itemized flat rate. Final charges are based on actual labor time, materials used, access conditions, and any additional services requested. Contact us for a free estimate tailored to your specific move.
Transit time ranges from 3 to 5 days depending on origin and destination cities. Bay Area to Dallas is approximately 1,460 miles, to Austin roughly 1,750 miles, and to Houston roughly 1,930 miles. The total timeline from pickup to delivery depends on loading day, route conditions along the I-10 and I-40 corridor, and Texas delivery logistics such as gated community access and HOA requirements. Weather and road conditions may also affect timing.
Every interstate move includes a dedicated truck (no shared loads), furniture disassembly and reassembly, moving blankets for all items, floor runners and doorway protection at both locations, wardrobe boxes, basic liability coverage at $0.60 per pound per item, and a dedicated move coordinator. Packing, specialty item handling, storage, and additional valuation protection are available as add-ons.
Yes. Our crews regularly deliver to gated communities and master-planned developments across Texas, including neighborhoods around Dallas, Fort Worth, Austin, Houston, and San Antonio. We coordinate with HOA offices, handle gate access protocols, and work within community guidelines for truck access and loading times. Mention your community name and any specific requirements when booking.
Ontrack Moving® is a licensed interstate carrier, not a broker. We own our trucks, employ our crews, and operate under USDOT #2551548. Enter that number at the FMCSA SAFER database to verify our 0% Out-of-Service Rate, active insurance, and carrier authority. Brokers sell your move to unknown subcontractors. We do the work ourselves.
Yes. We operate a secure storage warehouse at our Hayward, CA headquarters (22950 Clawiter Rd). If your Texas home is not ready on departure day, we store your items at our California warehouse and schedule the long-haul delivery when you have the keys. No random lots or storage-in-transit sitting on a truck somewhere. Your items are inside our building, under our roof, with our team.
Peak season runs from May through September, with the heaviest demand in June and July driven by school schedules and summer relocations. Month-end dates fill up fastest. We recommend booking 4-6 weeks in advance during peak season and 2-3 weeks during the off-season (October through April). Rates are higher during peak months due to demand across this corridor.
Enter USDOT 2551548 into the FMCSA SAFER database. You will see our 0% Out-of-Service Rate, active insurance filings, and carrier authority. This is a public federal database. Any legitimate carrier can be looked up the same way. If a company cannot provide a USDOT number tied to active carrier authority, they are a broker.
A broker sells your move to an unknown subcontractor, often the lowest bidder. Your belongings may sit in a consolidation warehouse for 14-21 days waiting for a full truck. A carrier like Ontrack loads a dedicated truck with our own crew and drives directly from California to Texas. One company, one truck, one point of accountability from San Francisco to Dallas, Austin, or Houston.
In California, we serve the entire San Francisco Bay Area from our Hayward headquarters, including San Francisco, Oakland, San Jose, Palo Alto, Fremont, and 40+ surrounding cities. In Texas, we deliver to every major metro, including Dallas, Fort Worth, Austin, Houston, and San Antonio. We handle moves between any city pair across both states. See our full service area map.
Federal Safety Record: California to Texas Corridor
Our safety record is public. Look it up before you hire any mover for this interstate route.
0%
Ontrack Moving
Federal Out-of-Service Rate
USDOT #2551548
22.26%
National Average
National carrier Out-of-Service Rate
Source: FMCSA, 01/30/2026
Don't Take Our Word for It. Look Us Up.
Enter USDOT 2551548 into the FMCSA SAFER database and see our official federal safety record, insurance status, and inspection history for the California to Texas corridor. It takes 30 seconds.
Verify at FMCSA SAFERThen ask your broker to provide their USDOT number. Many cannot, because they do not operate trucks.
$10M Building Liability for the California to Texas Corridor
Our $10M Tower covers damage to buildings and premises, while your belongings are covered by standard $0.60/lb cargo liability per article.
Building Liability
Our $10M Combined Protection Tower policy covers damage to floors, walls, staircases, door frames, and common areas at your California origin and Texas destination. This is the coverage property managers and HOAs require for COIs.
COI at Both Ends
Bay Area high-rises require COIs before loading day. Texas gated communities and HOAs require insurance documentation before delivery. We provide Certificates of Insurance with fast turnaround, naming your building or HOA as additional insured at both ends.
Belongings Coverage
All interstate moves between California and Texas include $0.60 per pound basic liability coverage as mandated by federal law. Additional valuation protection is available. Ask your coordinator for details.
General liability ($10M) covers damage to the building and premises. Household goods coverage ($0.60/lb basic) covers your personal belongings. These are separate coverages. Ask your move coordinator to explain both.
