Kansas to California Car Shipping (2024 Cost Guide)
Fact Checked by: Quick answer: The average cost to ship a car 1,536 miles from Kansas to California ranges from $1,316 to $1,881 and takes 3–9 days depending on factors like the transport type and season. For a more detailed quote, use our car shipping cost calculator.
Shipping a car the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our California to Kansas car shipping guide.
Kansas to California auto transport costs and transit times
The table below details the costs and estimated transit times for shipping a car between popular cities in Kansas and California. The average travel distance is about 1,536 miles, with shipping times typically ranging from 3 to 9 days.
Cost to ship a car from Wichita, KS to California
| From Kansas to California | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wichita, KS to Los Angeles, CA | 1,388 miles | $1,223–$1,940 | 3–8 days |
| Overland Park, KS to San Diego, CA | 1,367 miles | $1,297–$1,922 | 3–8 days |
| El Dorado, KS to San Jose, CA | 1,639 miles | $1,412–$2,033 | 3–9 days |
| Ottawa, KS to San Francisco, CA | 1,681 miles | $1,398–$2,012 | 3–9 days |
| Arkansas City, KS to Fresno, CA | 1,509 miles | $1,413–$1,900 | 3–9 days |
Cost to ship a car from Overland Park, KS to California
| From Kansas to California | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wichita, KS to Los Angeles, CA | 1,619 miles | $1,427–$2,075 | 3–9 days |
| Overland Park, KS to San Diego, CA | 1,550 miles | $1,455–$1,881 | 3–9 days |
| El Dorado, KS to San Jose, CA | 1,847 miles | $1,461–$2,349 | 3–11 days |
| Ottawa, KS to San Francisco, CA | 1,818 miles | $1,569–$2,166 | 3–11 days |
| Arkansas City, KS to Fresno, CA | 1,744 miles | $1,552–$2,230 | 3–9 days |
Cost to ship a car from El Dorado, KS to California
| From Kansas to California | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wichita, KS to Los Angeles, CA | 1,421 miles | $1,251–$1,882 | 3–8 days |
| Overland Park, KS to San Diego, CA | 1,399 miles | $1,285–$1,940 | 3–8 days |
| El Dorado, KS to San Jose, CA | 1,671 miles | $1,427–$2,012 | 3–9 days |
| Ottawa, KS to San Francisco, CA | 1,772 miles | $1,507–$2,252 | 3–11 days |
| Arkansas City, KS to Fresno, CA | 1,534 miles | $1,441–$1,940 | 3–9 days |
Cost to ship a car from Ottawa, KS to California
| From Kansas to California | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wichita, KS to Los Angeles, CA | 1,530 miles | $1,455–$1,900 | 3–9 days |
| Overland Park, KS to San Diego, CA | 1,509 miles | $1,358–$1,960 | 3–9 days |
| El Dorado, KS to San Jose, CA | 1,780 miles | $1,552–$2,273 | 3–11 days |
| Ottawa, KS to San Francisco, CA | 1,829 miles | $1,600–$2,166 | 3–11 days |
| Arkansas City, KS to Fresno, CA | 1,650 miles | $1,384–$2,158 | 3–9 days |
Cost to ship a car from Arkansas City, KS to California
| From Kansas to California | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wichita, KS to Los Angeles, CA | 1,464 miles | $1,343–$1,940 | 3–8 days |
| Overland Park, KS to San Diego, CA | 1,442 miles | $1,277–$1,998 | 3–8 days |
| El Dorado, KS to San Jose, CA | 1,714 miles | $1,447–$2,078 | 3–9 days |
| Ottawa, KS to San Francisco, CA | 1,756 miles | $1,432–$2,143 | 3–11 days |
| Arkansas City, KS to Fresno, CA | 1,583 miles | $1,358–$1,900 | 3–9 days |
Shipping an SUV or truck from Kansas to California
Since vehicles like SUV, trucks, and vans are larger and heavier, it’s a bit more expensive to ship them than a sedan. How much more?
If you’re shipping a larger vehicle from Kansas to California you should expect to pay between $1,645 and $2,351.
Factors that affect the price of shipping a car from Kansas to California
When transporting your vehicle from the Sunflower State to the Golden State, these factors will influence your final price:
- Type of transport: Options like open, enclosed, or top-loaded transport cater to different needs. Open carriers are cost-effective, while enclosed transport provides added protection for luxury or classic cars. If you’re not sure, check out our guide comparing open vs. enclosed car shipping.
- Vehicle size and type: The dimensions and weight of your vehicle directly affect shipping costs. The larger and heavier your vehicle, the more it will cost to ship your car to California.
- Distance and route: The journey from Kansas to California spans approximately 1,536 miles, influencing fuel and labor costs. The longer the distance, the bigger the price tag.
- Time of the year: Seasonal demand impacts the price of getting your car out of Kansas, with summer and winter holidays often seeing a spike due to increased moving and travel activity.
- Fuel prices: Fluctuating fuel prices can significantly affect transport costs. This is an important consideration given the distance between Kansas and California and the varying gas prices across the country.
- Delivery expectations: Because it’ll make their job easier, your auto shipper may give you a pricing discount if you’re flexible on delivery dates. That being said, getting your car from Kansas to California should take between 3 and 9 days. Expedited services are available but come at a higher cost.
The best Kansas to California car shipping companies
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We’ve done the research and these are the best car shipping companies to help transport your vehicle from Kansas to California:
- Best for Overall Value: SGT Auto Transport
- Best for Quick Pick Up: Easy Auto Ship
- Best Insurance Coverage: Ship A Car Direct
- Best for accurate pricing: Sherpa Auto Transport
- Best Cross Country: Montway Auto Transport
Alternative ways to ship your car from Kansas to California
- Drive it yourself: This is straightforward but not always an option, and it will put about 1,536 miles on your car going from Kansas to California. If you’re not sure, here are the pros and cons of driving your car vs shipping it.
- Ship it with your movers: If you hire a moving company, they also work with reputable car shippers. Otherwise, there may be the option of even shipping your car with your household belongings!
- Hire a driver: Hire someone to drive the car from Kansas to California for you. It’s an option, but will probably be a very costly one and involve trusting a driver to safely get your car to its destination.
- Ship by train: If this is an option for you, it’s an affordable and secure way of shipping your vehicle. Shipping a car by train is actually the cheapest way to ship your car!
What else should you know about shipping a car from Kansas to California?
- Car insurance requirements: The minimum car insurance requirement in California is $15,000 for individual injury, $30,000 per accident, and $5,000 for property damage in the case of an accident involving another driver.
- Vehicle inspection: California requires an annual safety inspection to ensure that all vehicles used on public roads are in good condition and safe to operate. The inspection can be carried out at any California Department of Transportation approved service station.
- Driver’s license: If you move to California and become a resident, you are required to obtain a California driver's license within 10 days.
- Additional taxes: You are required to pay taxes on a car purchased in another state if you used it for less than 12 months outside of California before bringing it into the state.
Learn more with our car shipping checklist
Transporting your vehicle from Kansas
Over 39 million people call Kansas home. Nicknamed the Sunflower State, In the eastern two-thirds of Kansas, there are cool to cold winters and hot, often humid summers. Most of the rainfall occurs during the summer and the spring. In the western third of Kansas, the summers are hot but less humid. Winters change between warm and very cold. Kansas has some severe weather, mainly thunderstorms and tornadoes. Kansas averages about 50 tornadoes annually. Be sure to check the weather before your move to avoid thunderstorms or possible tornadoes.
Transporting your vehicle to California
About 22 million people are living in the Golden State of California. California has a great Mediterranean climate throughout most of the state. In the Southeast, you may experience colder winters and hotter summers. The northern part of California experiences more rain than the rest of the state. Before your move be sure to check for rain or very hot days.
FAQ
Does someone have to be present when picking up my car in Kansas and when dropping off my car in California?
Most companies will require someone that is at least 18 years old to be present when picking up your car in Kansas and when dropping it off in California.
Do you need car insurance when shipping your car from Kansas to California?
If you’re not driving the vehicle from Kansas to California, you aren't required to have typical car insurance. Your car hauler should have adequate insurance if an accident happened on the drive to California, which you should verify before loading your car in Kansas.
If you’re driving your car at all in either state, you should understand the requirements. Kansas mandates car insurance for all drivers, with minimum liability coverage: $25,000 for individual bodily injury, $50,000 for total bodily injury in an accident, and $25,000 for property damage per accident.
If you’re driving your car at all in either state, you should understand the requirements. The minimum car insurance requirement in California is $15,000 for individual injury, $30,000 per accident, and $5,000 for property damage in the case of an accident involving another driver.
How long does it take to ship a car from Kansas to California?
Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from Kansas to California is about 1536 miles, and that’s as fast as about 4 days. However, most car transport companies will take 3-9 days to travel from Kansas to California.
Will I be required to have a vehicle inspection in either state?
Kansas only requires car inspections when registering an out-of-state vehicle.
California requires an annual safety inspection to ensure that all vehicles used on public roads are in good condition and safe to operate. The inspection can be carried out at any California Department of Transportation approved service station.
If I have a driver’s license in Kansas, will I need one in California?
If you move to California and become a resident, you are required to obtain a California driver's license within 10 days.
If I bought a car in Kansas, will I be required to pay sales tax in California after shipping it there?
It’s important to understand any tax implications if you’re having a car shipped from Kansas to California after purchasing it.
You are required to pay taxes on a car purchased in another state if you used it for less than 12 months outside of California before bringing it into the state.
We recommend that you always check for updated tax information in both Kansas and California to avoid any hidden costs.
