California to Kansas Car Shipping (2025 Cost Guide)
Quick answer: The average cost to move a car 1,538 miles from California to Kansas falls between $1,199 and $1,581. Delivery typically takes three–nine days. The timeline can vary based on the type of transport you opt for and the time of year. To get a tailored quote, check out our car shipping cost calculator.
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Shipping a car the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our Kansas to California car shipping guide.
Our track record
Each year, 400,000+ people trust our car shipping recommendations. Here are a few reasons why:
- Founded in 2015
- 2,500+ car shipping companies analyzed
- $50,000 in moving & auto transport grants delivered
- Up-to-date pricing info & industry data
- Fact-checked for accuracy
The best California to Kansas car shipping companies
After logging over 400 hours of research in the car shipping industry, we found that these are the best car shipping companies to help transport your vehicle from California to Kansas:
- Best for real-time tracking: Nexus Auto Transport
- Best for accurate pricing: Sherpa Auto Transport
- Best for safety & reliability: Montway Auto Transport
- Best for budget-conscious: Navi Auto Transport
- Best for overall value: SGT Auto Transport
- GPS tracking
- Instant online quotes
- Economy option
- Ships nationwide
- Easy online scheduling
- Price Lock Promise
- Pay by credit card
- Free car wash at delivery
- No upfront deposit
- Door-to-door service
- Competitive pricing & $0 upfront
- GPS tracking
- Multiple insurance options
- Guaranteed pickup dates available
- Door-to-door service
- No hidden fees
- Free online quotes
- Door-to-door service in 48 states
- Exact pickup dates
- Ships to & from HI
Top local car shippers in California
Prefer a hometown provider? Check out the best car shippers in California ready to move your vehicle to Kansas:
- Jp Logistics & Motorsports: 3.94 out of 5 stars
- Auto Express Inc.: 3.88 out of 5 stars
- King Of The Road Transport Inc: 3.86 out of 5 stars
- A To Z Auto Shipping: 3.86 out of 5 stars
- McCollister's Transportation Group,Inc.: 3.78 out of 5 stars
How we chose the best car shipping companies
We analyzed 2,400 car shipping companies nationally and evaluated and rated them based on key factors using our unique system of methodology.
Here’s what we considered:
- Standard services: We looked at the types and variety of services each company provides. This includes whether they offer open transport, enclosed transport, or both. We also rated companies based on whether they have door-to-door shipping or just terminal pickup and delivery and the kinds of vehicles they ship. Companies that move RVs, motorcycles, and other specialty vehicles scored higher than those that just ship cars.
- Add-on services: We gave additional points to companies that provide special optional services like expedited shipping, guaranteed pickup times, car washes, and rental car reimbursement.
- Customer satisfaction: We analyzed consumer reviews on multiple major platforms, such as Yelp, Google, and Trustpilot to see whether a car shipping company delivers services promptly with good communication and within the estimated cost. We also evaluated each company’s standing within the car shipping industry as a whole by confirming U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) licensure and checked their membership in — and reputation with — trade associations.
- Availability: We awarded points to each company based on their service areas. Companies that are available in Alaska and Hawaii, in addition to the continental U.S., scored higher than those that just service the Lower 48 or fewer states.
- Scheduling and payment: We reviewed the ease with which customers can schedule services and estimate their costs through accurate quotes, price matching, flat-rate pricing, and other perks. Car shippers that give binding quotes or a price-lock promise got more positive rankings than those that are not as transparent with pricing.
Alternative ways to ship your car from California to Kansas
Ship it with your movers
If you’re planning a move from California to Kansas, you may find it convenient to work with a moving company that also handles car shipping. Many interstate movers partner with experienced car shipping services to arrange auto transport.
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Drive it yourself
Driving is simple but not always practical, and it adds about 1,538 miles to your car on the trip from California to Kansas. If you’re weighing the options, check out the pros and cons of driving versus shipping.
Hire a driver
Hiring a driver to take your car from California to Kansas is an alternative you might want to consider. However, it typically comes with a high price tag, and you’ll need to rely on the driver to care for your car.
Ship by train
Shipping a car by train is a safe and low-cost way to move a car. Transporting by train is actually the cheapest shipping option available, on average.
California to Kansas auto transport costs and transit times
The tables below detail the costs and estimated transit times for shipping a car between popular cities in California and Kansas. The average travel distance is about 1,538 miles, with shipping times typically ranging from three to nine days.
Cost to ship a car from Los Angeles, CA to Kansas
| From California to Kansas | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles, CA to Wichita, KS | $1,079 – $1,474 | 1,378 miles | 3 – 8 days |
| Los Angeles, CA to Overland Park, KS | $1,175 – $1,812 | 1,619 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| Los Angeles, CA to Kansas City, KS | $1,247 – $1,777 | 1,615 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| Los Angeles, CA to Olathe, KS | $1,259 – $1,708 | 1,609 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| Los Angeles, CA to Topeka, KS | $1,164 – $1,696 | 1,554 miles | 3 – 9 days |
Cost to ship a car from San Diego, CA to Kansas
| From California to Kansas | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Diego, CA to Wichita, KS | $997 – $1,505 | 1,362 miles | 3 – 8 days |
| San Diego, CA to Overland Park, KS | $1,210 – $1,613 | 1,545 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| San Diego, CA to Kansas City, KS | $1,199 – $1,597 | 1,557 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| San Diego, CA to Olathe, KS | $1,176 – $1,613 | 1,535 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| San Diego, CA to Topeka, KS | $1,073 – $1,646 | 1,499 miles | 3 – 8 days |
Cost to ship a car from San Jose, CA to Kansas
| From California to Kansas | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Jose, CA to Wichita, KS | $1,223 – $1,639 | 1,634 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| San Jose, CA to Overland Park, KS | $1,215 – $1,878 | 1,849 miles | 3 – 11 days |
| San Jose, CA to Kansas City, KS | $1,228 – $1,973 | 1,838 miles | 3 – 11 days |
| San Jose, CA to Olathe, KS | $1,330 – $1,954 | 1,856 miles | 3 – 11 days |
| San Jose, CA to Topeka, KS | $1,266 – $1,991 | 1,815 miles | 3 – 11 days |
Cost to ship a car from Bakersfield, CA to Kansas
| From California to Kansas | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bakersfield, CA to Wichita, KS | $976 – $1,552 | 1,394 miles | 3 – 8 days |
| Bakersfield, CA to Overland Park, KS | $1,259 – $1,708 | 1,635 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| Bakersfield, CA to Kansas City, KS | $1,259 – $1,674 | 1,631 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| Bakersfield, CA to Olathe, KS | $1,175 – $1,708 | 1,625 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| Bakersfield, CA to Topeka, KS | $1,129 – $1,564 | 1,570 miles | 3 – 9 days |
Cost to ship a car from San Francisco, CA to Kansas
| From California to Kansas | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco, CA to Wichita, KS | $1,259 – $1,674 | 1,676 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| San Francisco, CA to Overland Park, KS | $1,241 – $1,897 | 1,817 miles | 3 – 11 days |
| San Francisco, CA to Kansas City, KS | $1,292 – $1,821 | 1,806 miles | 3 – 11 days |
| San Francisco, CA to Olathe, KS | $1,343 – $1,954 | 1,824 miles | 3 – 11 days |
| San Francisco, CA to Topeka, KS | $1,228 – $1,855 | 1,783 miles | 3 – 11 days |
Shipping an SUV or truck from California to Kansas
Since vehicles like SUVs, 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 California to Kansas you should expect to pay between $1,499 and $1,976.
Factors that affect car shipping costs from California to Kansas
When transporting your vehicle from the Golden State to the Sunflower State, these factors will influence your final price:
- Type of transport: Common choices include open carriers, enclosed carriers, and top-loading. Open carriers are the least expensive, while enclosed shipping is better for classic or high-end cars. More details are available in our open vs. enclosed car shipping guide.
- Vehicle size and type: Larger vehicles that weigh more are costlier to ship. This directly affects pricing for transport to Kansas.
- Distance and route: The route from California to Kansas is about 1,538 miles. Costs grow with longer trips due to the increased fuel and labor required.
- Time of the year: Peak seasons like summer or holidays raise shipping demand. This makes moves out of California more expensive during these times.
- Fuel prices: Variability in fuel prices across states affects the cost of moving a vehicle between California and Kansas.
- 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 California to Kansas should take between three and nine days. Expedited services are available but come at a higher cost.
Kansas vehicle regulations you need to know
Moving to Kansas means taking care of certain tasks to get your car registered and ready for the road. Here’s a summary of the key steps involved.
- Car insurance 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.
- Vehicle inspection: Kansas only requires car inspections when registering an out-of-state vehicle.
- Driver’s license: Kansas requires new residents to obtain a driver's license and register their vehicle within 90 days of establishing residency in the state.
- Additional taxes: The sales tax on car purchases in Kansas ranges from 7.5% to 11.5% and varies based on the dealership's location. The average state sales tax rate is 8.479%.
Learn more with our car shipping checklist.
Transporting your vehicle from California
More than 39.0 million people call California home. Nicknamed the Golden State. 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.
Transporting your vehicle to Kansas
About 2.9 million people are living in 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.
FAQ
Does someone have to be present when you ship a car for pickup in California and delivery in Kansas?
Most companies will require that an adult of at least 18 years of age be present when picking up your car in California and when dropping it off in Kansas.
Do you need car insurance when shipping your car from California to Kansas?
If you’re not driving the vehicle from California to Kansas, you aren't required to have typical car insurance. Your car hauler should have adequate insurance if an accident happened on the drive to Kansas, which you should verify before loading your car in California.
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.
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.
How long does it take to ship a car from California to Kansas?
Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from California to Kansas is about 1,538 miles, and that’s as fast as about 4 days. However, most car transport companies will take three to nine days to travel from California to Kansas.
Will I be required to have a vehicle inspection in either state?
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.
Kansas only requires car inspections when registering an out-of-state vehicle.
If I have a driver’s license in California, will I need one in Kansas?
Kansas requires new residents to obtain a driver's license and register their vehicle within 90 days of establishing residency in the state.
If I bought a car in California, will I be required to pay sales tax in Kansas after shipping it there?
It’s important to understand any tax implications if you’re having a car shipped from California to Kansas after purchasing it.
The sales tax on car purchases in Kansas ranges from 7.5% to 11.5% and varies based on the dealership's location. The average state sales tax rate is 8.479%.
We recommend that you always check for updated tax information in both California and Kansas to avoid any hidden costs.
What is the cheapest way to ship a car from California to Kansas?
The cheapest way to ship a car from California to Kansas is to ship it on a train or choose an open trailer transport method, avoid expedited shipping, and be flexible with your pickup dates.
How much does it cost to ship a car from California to Kansas?
Shipping a car from California to Kansas costs $1,199 to $1,581.
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