Dallas and Houston are two of the most common destinations for people leaving Austin and the rest of Central Texas. A new job, family nearby, a different housing market, or just a change of scenery can all pull you up I-35 or east toward the coast. Because both cities are only a few hours away, it’s tempting to treat the move like a long local move. It’s not. A move of 165 to 200 miles has its own planning needs, and a little preparation goes a long way.
Here’s what to plan for when you’re moving from Austin to Dallas or Houston, from the drive itself to the details at your new front door.
The Routes: I-35 North or East to the Coast
Austin to Dallas
Dallas is about 195 miles north of downtown Austin. Almost every trip follows I-35 through Round Rock, Georgetown, Temple, and Waco. North of Hillsboro, the highway splits into I-35E toward Dallas and I-35W toward Fort Worth, so your exact destination in the Metroplex matters. Depending on traffic and where you’re starting, the SH-130 toll road east of Austin can be a useful way around I-35 congestion in the city.
Austin to Houston
Houston is about 165 miles east of Austin, and there are two main ways to get there. US-290 runs through Elgin, Giddings, Brenham, and Hempstead and arrives on Houston’s northwest side, which works well for Cypress, Jersey Village, and the Heights. SH-71 runs through Bastrop, La Grange, and Columbus to I-10, a natural fit for Katy, the Energy Corridor, and west Houston.
Either way, the drive is long enough that a move becomes a full-day job: loading in Central Texas, a few hours on the highway, and unloading at your new home. That’s why planning your timing matters so much.
Timing Your Move Around Traffic
Both corridors carry heavy traffic. I-35 through Austin and Waco and the southern Dallas suburbs can slow to a crawl at rush hour, and Houston’s freeways, including the 610 Loop, Beltway 8, and the Grand Parkway, are famously busy. A truck that leaves at the wrong time can lose hours.
- Start early. An early load gets your belongings on the road ahead of afternoon traffic.
- Avoid Friday afternoons and holiday weekends when you can. Highway traffic out of Austin can be heavy then.
- Plan your arrival window. Think about when the truck will reach your new home, and whether that lines up with building move-in hours or your key handoff.
- Coordinate closings and leases. If you’re closing on a home, keep in mind that funding and key release can take longer than expected. Leave room in your schedule.
Weather to Watch
Dallas
North Texas runs a little cooler than Austin in winter and every bit as hot in summer. Spring, roughly March through June, is hail and severe storm season, so keep an eye on the forecast during your move week. Occasional winter ice can close roads for a day or two. Fall is a comfortable and popular time to move.
Houston
Houston is hot and humid for much of the year, and summer afternoons often bring heavy downpours. Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 through November 30, so a late summer or early fall move calls for watching the tropical forecast and keeping some flexibility. Street flooding after heavy rain can happen quickly in parts of the city. Humidity is also hard on furniture and electronics, so good wrapping and prompt unpacking of mattresses and fabric items help.
Access at Your New Home
Access is one of the most overlooked parts of any move. How easily your crew can get from the truck to your front door affects how long the job takes. Before moving day, find out:
- Building rules. Apartments and high-rises in Uptown Dallas, downtown Houston, and the Galleria area often require elevator reservations, certificates of insurance, and set move-in hours.
- HOA rules. Master-planned communities in Frisco, McKinney, Katy, The Woodlands, and Sugar Land may have rules about truck parking and move times.
- Parking and street access. Narrow streets in older neighborhoods can make it harder for a large truck to park close to the door.
- Stairs and long walks. Let your mover know about stairs, long hallways, or a long walk from the parking area.
Share these details when you request your quote, and again when you confirm your move, so there are no surprises on either end.
Pricing: Know Your Number Before Moving Day
A trip of a few hours can be unpredictable. Traffic, weather, and a slow elevator can all stretch the day. That’s why it helps to know your price before you move. At Elite Star Movers, moves from Central Texas to Dallas and Houston are treated as long-distance moves and come with our flat-rate price guarantee. The details are confirmed in your written quote, so a complete, accurate inventory matters.
A few ways to keep your move efficient:
- Declutter first. Sell, donate, or toss what you don’t want before you get your quote.
- Be thorough with your inventory. Include the garage, attic, patio, and closets.
- Book early. Late spring, summer, and the end of each month fill up first.
- Decide on packing help. Packing the easy items yourself and leaving the kitchen and fragile items to the pros is a common middle ground. Our packing services can cover as much as you need.
Packing for a Few Hours on the Highway
A move to Dallas or Houston is far enough that packing matters more than it does across town. Boxes ride longer, and highway miles are harder on loosely packed items.
- Use sturdy boxes and fill empty space so contents don’t shift.
- Keep heavy items in small boxes and light items in large ones.
- Label boxes with the room and contents on at least two sides.
- Keep valuables, important documents, medications, and chargers with you.
- Pack a “first night” box with sheets, towels, toiletries, and a few kitchen basics.
Moving a piano? It needs careful wrapping, strapping, and a plan for stairs at both homes. Our piano movers handle upright and grand pianos.
Settling In
Because you’re staying in Texas, there’s less paperwork than with an out-of-state move. You’ll still want to update your address with USPS, your bank, employer, and insurance providers, and update your Texas driver’s license address online or in person. Set up utilities at your new home for the day before you arrive, and schedule shutoff at your old home for the day after you leave.
If you’re starting a new school year, request records from your current school and check enrollment requirements in your new district early.
Moving to Dallas or Houston with Elite Star Movers
Elite Star Movers is a family owned and operated moving company based in Buda, with more than 10 years of experience helping Central Texas families and businesses. We’re state-licensed in Texas (TXDMV #007098595c), insured, BBB-registered, and HomeAdvisor-screened, and our owner works in the field alongside our crews. Every job is backed by our Quality Service Guaranteed promise.
Learn more on our Austin to Dallas movers and Austin to Houston movers pages, or see our long distance moving page for moves farther afield, including Denver and Nashville. When you’re ready, request a free quote or call us at (512) 358-7827.
