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California to Texas Moving: Movers vs. a Rental Truck With a Driver You rent and load the truck. Our professional driver handles the 1,300 to 1,700 miles of desert interstate. Moving Texas to California? Same service.
California to Texas is one of the busiest long-distance moves in the country, and one of the longest drives most people will ever make in a box truck: three to four days across the Mojave, Arizona, New Mexico and West Texas. Here is how full-service movers, driving it yourself, and renting a truck with a professional driver compare.
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California to Texas at a Glance
Southern California routes use I-10 or I-40 and I-20; Bay Area routes add the I-5 run through the Central Valley. Miles are approximate. The driver fee is a typical range; your quote is personal and depends on truck size, towing and dates.
| Route (either direction) | Approx. miles | Drive it yourself | With our driver | Typical driver fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Diego ↔ San Antonio | ~1,280 | 3 days | About 2 days | $1,250–$1,675 |
| Los Angeles ↔ Austin | ~1,375 | 3–4 days | About 2 days | $1,325–$1,775 |
| Los Angeles ↔ Dallas–Fort Worth | ~1,435 | 3–4 days | About 2 days | $1,350–$1,825 |
| Los Angeles ↔ Houston | ~1,550 | 3–4 days | About 2 days | $1,450–$1,950 |
| San Francisco Bay Area ↔ Dallas–Fort Worth | ~1,730 | 4 days | 2–3 days | $1,600–$2,125 |
Driver fee covers the driver and the driver’s travel. The truck rental is paid to the rental company; fuel and tolls are paid at cost.
Movers vs. Renting a Truck and Hiring a Driver
Full-service movers bundle the truck, crew and driver and price by weight and distance. With a rental truck and our driver, you pay each piece separately and handle the loading, by yourself or with local help hired by the hour.
| What you pay for | Full-service movers | Rental truck + our driver | Drive the truck yourself |
|---|---|---|---|
| Truck | Included | One-way rental, quoted by the rental company | One-way rental |
| Driving | Included | $1,325–$2,125 driver fee (by city) | Your time: 3–4 days |
| Fuel and tolls | Included | At cost (see below) | At cost |
| Loading and unloading | Included | You, or local help by the hour | You, or local help by the hour |
| Hotels and meals on the road | None | None for you | 2–3 nights of hotels and meals |
| Typical total for a 3–4 bedroom home | $3,850–$15,250+ (national estimate, 1,000–2,500+ miles) | Rental + driver fee + fuel + tolls | Rental + fuel + tolls + travel costs |
Extra Space Storage puts full-service moves of 1,000 to 2,500+ miles at about $3,150 to $13,650+ for one or two bedrooms and $3,850 to $15,250+ for three or four, and ConsumerAffairs puts moves over 1,000 miles at around $5,000 to $10,000. Angi estimates a cross-country truck rental at roughly $1,200 to $2,100 before gas, tolls and hotels. These are national estimates; get one-way quotes for your dates.
Route Notes: Desert Interstates and the California Border
- Few tolls. The interstate route between California and Texas is essentially toll-free. Tolls only appear if you use optional toll lanes in Southern California or toll roads around Dallas, Houston or Austin.
- Heading west, expect a California agricultural border station. California screens vehicles entering the state for pests at its border protection stations. Don’t pack fresh produce or plants in the truck if you’re moving to California.
- Long empty stretches. West Texas and southern New Mexico have long gaps between truck stops. A loaded truck at 8 to 10 MPG needs fuel planning that most first-time drivers don’t do.
- Wind. A tall box truck catches crosswinds on the open desert, especially in spring. Professional drivers slow down or wait it out.
Fuel Cost: California to Texas in a Moving Truck
Fuel is miles ÷ MPG × price per gallon. A loaded 26-foot truck gets about 8 to 10 MPG. California fuel usually costs more than Texas fuel, so fill up after the state line when you can.
| Route | Approx. miles | Gallons (8–10 MPG) | Fuel at $3.50/gal (example) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles ↔ Austin | ~1,375 | 138–172 | $480–$600 |
| Los Angeles ↔ Dallas–Fort Worth | ~1,435 | 144–179 | $500–$630 |
| Los Angeles ↔ Houston | ~1,550 | 155–194 | $545–$680 |
| Bay Area ↔ Dallas–Fort Worth | ~1,730 | 173–216 | $605–$755 |
When to Move Between California and Texas
- Summer: the Mojave, Arizona and West Texas regularly see triple-digit heat. Loaded trucks overheat on long climbs, and heat-sensitive belongings belong in your car.
- Winter: I-40 climbs to about 7,000 feet near Flagstaff and can see snow and ice. The lower I-10 route through Phoenix and El Paso is usually the better winter choice.
- Peak season: May through September and the last days of each month book up first, for trucks and drivers alike.
How It Works
- Request a quote with pickup and delivery cities, truck size, dates and any towing.
- Rent a one-way truck in your name from U-Haul, Penske or Budget and add our driver to the agreement.
- Load the truck yourself or with hired local help.
- Our driver meets the loaded truck at your pickup address.
- Delivery to your new address. Passengers don’t ride along; you travel separately.
Get a Driver for Your California ↔ Texas Move
Tell us your pickup and delivery cities, truck size and move date. The owner prices every trip personally and replies within hours. No obligation.
California to Texas FAQ
How much does it cost to hire someone to drive a U-Haul from California to Texas?
The driver fee typically runs about $1,325 to $2,125 depending on the cities, plus the one-way truck rental, fuel and tolls at cost. Every trip is priced personally by the owner.
Is renting a truck and hiring a driver cheaper than movers from California to Texas?
Often. National estimates put full-service moves of 1,000 to 2,500+ miles at roughly $3,150 to $15,250+ depending on home size. With a rental truck and our driver, you pay the rental, the driver fee, fuel and tolls, and you handle the loading.
Do you drive from Texas to California too?
Yes. Every route on this page works in both directions.
How long does a California to Texas move take?
About 1,300 to 1,700 miles: 3 to 4 days if you drive it yourself, and about 2 days with a professional driver.
Are there tolls between California and Texas?
Very few. The interstate route is essentially toll-free; tolls only apply on optional toll lanes and metro toll roads.
Can I ride with the driver?
No. Passengers don’t ride with our drivers, so plan to fly or drive your own car.
Key facts
- Route: California to Texas and back on I-10, I-40 and I-20.
- Typical driver fee: about $1,325 to $2,125 depending on cities; truck rental, fuel and tolls are separate.
- The customer rents and loads the truck; the driver meets the loaded truck at the pickup address.
- No passengers ride with the driver.
- Quotes are personal and come back within hours.
Related
Sources: Extra Space Storage, How Much Does It Cost to Hire Movers (Oct 2026), ConsumerAffairs, How Much Does It Cost to Move (2026), Angi, cost to move across the country, California Department of Food and Agriculture, Border Protection Stations; checked November 2026. Mover and truck-rental prices are third-party national estimates, not quotes. TruckRentalDriver.com is an independent driver service and is not affiliated with U-Haul, Penske, Budget or Enterprise.