Kansas to California Car Shipping (2026 Cost Guide)
Quick answer: On average, shipping a car 1,538 miles from Kansas to California ranges from $1,076 to $1,537. Expect the trip to take around three–nine days, depending on the transport method you choose and seasonal demand. For a detailed breakdown, use our car shipping cost calculator.
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Shipping a car the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our California to Kansas 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 Kansas to California car shipping companies
After spending over 400 hours analyzing the key players in the car shipping industry, we determined that these are the best car shipping companies for moving your car from Kansas to California:
- Best for real-time tracking: Nexus Auto Transport
- Best for accurate pricing: Sherpa Auto Transport
- Best for budget-conscious: Navi Auto Transport
- Best for exact pickup dates: SGT Auto Transport
- Best insurance coverage: Ship A Car Direct
- 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
- Price matching
- One-day pickup
- New customer discount
- White-glove service
- No hidden fees
- Free online quotes
- Door-to-door service in 48 states
- Exact pickup dates
- Ships to & from HI
- Damage-free guarantee
- $500 damage or loss coverage
- No deposit
- Rental car assistance
- Inoperable car shipping
Top local car shippers in Kansas
If you prefer to go with a local company, here are the top car shippers in Kansas that can relocate your vehicle to California:
- ASAP Transport Solutions: 3.76 out of 5 stars
- Jack Cooper Transport: 3.62 out of 5 stars
- Draiver: 3.5 out of 5 stars
- AMPM Auto Transport: 3.5 out of 5 stars
- Auto Driveaway: 3.5 out of 5 stars
ASAP Transport Solutions
11248 Strang Line Rd, Lenexa, KS 66215 US
asaptransportsolutions.com
3.76 / 5.0
ASAP Transport Solutions has a strong reputation for efficiency and professionalism, especially regarding their courteous communication and timely deliveries. Customers appreciate the team's attentiveness and quick response times, often highlighting their successful experience in transporting classic and valuable vehicles safely. However, there are considerable concerns regarding inconsistent communication post-booking, issues with drivers, additional charges, and damage during transport, leading to some unsatisfied customers feeling misled or poorly treated.
Services Offered
- Open transport
- Enclosed transport
- Interstate shipping
- Insured shipping
- Shipment tracking
- Multi-car transport
Additional Information
- Pay by credit card
- DOT #: 2380139
Jack Cooper Transport
200 Marley Rd, Kansas City, KS 66115 US
jackcooper.com
3.62 / 5.0
Services Offered
- Enclosed transport
- Interstate shipping
- Insured shipping
- Expedited delivery
- Multi-car transport
- RVs
- Motorcycles
- Boats
Additional Information
- Pay by credit card
- DOT #: 64161
Alternative Business Names
- Pacific Motor Trucking Co.
Draiver
7900 College Blvd # 141, Overland Park, KS 66210 US
draiver.com
3.5 / 5.0
Services Offered
- Open transport
- Interstate shipping
- Shipment tracking
- Motorcycles
Additional Information
- Pay by credit card
- DOT #: 2841522
Alternative Business Names
- DRAIVER
- DriverDo LLC
AMPM Auto Transport
3150 Fiberglass Rd, Kansas City, KS 66115 US
ampmautotransport.com
3.5 / 5.0
Customers generally praise AMPM Auto Transport for its efficient service, competitive pricing, and excellent customer communication. While many appreciate the quality of service and timely delivery, delays in pickup were reported by some, causing inconvenience and frustration.
Services Offered
- Open transport
- Enclosed transport
- Interstate shipping
- Insured shipping
- Expedited delivery
- Multi-car transport
- Classic cars
- RVs
- ATVs
- Trailers
- Motorcycles
- Heavy equipment
- Boats
- Electric vehicles
- Inoperable cars
Discounts
- Military
- Student
Additional Information
- Pay by money order
- Pay by cash
- Pay by credit card
- Deposit Required
- DOT #: 2247310
Auto Driveaway
16011 College Blvd Suite 200, Lenexa, KS 66219 US
autodriveaway.com/locations/kansas-city-auto-shipping
3.5 / 5.0
Services Offered
- Open transport
- Enclosed transport
- Interstate shipping
- Insured shipping
- Shipment tracking
- Multi-car transport
- Detailed inspection reports
- Storage solutions
- Trailers
- Electric vehicles
Additional Information
- Pay by credit card
- DOT #: 1335807
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 Kansas to California
Ship it with your movers
When moving from Kansas to California, it can be helpful to hire a moving company that includes car shipping services. A number of long-distance moving companies work directly with reliable car shippers to arrange transport.
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 rating
4.75 / 5
Licensed
 Insured
Price
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Drive it yourself
While it’s simple, this isn’t always the best option, and it’ll put about 1,538 extra miles on your car to travel from Kansas to California. To help decide, here are the pros and cons of driving vs. shipping.
Hire a driver
You can hire someone to drive your car from Kansas to California, but it’s often expensive and requires confidence in the driver’s ability to deliver your car safely.
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!
Kansas to California auto transport costs and transit times
The following tables provide estimated costs and shipping times for cars transported between key cities in Kansas and California. Average distances are close to 1,538 miles, with delivery usually taking three–nine days.
Cost to ship a car from Wichita, KS to California
| From Kansas to California | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wichita, KS to Los Angeles, CA | $978 – $1,507 | 1,378 miles | 3 – 8 days |
| Wichita, KS to San Diego, CA | $1,008 – $1,419 | 1,363 miles | 3 – 8 days |
| Wichita, KS to San Jose, CA | $1,142 – $1,725 | 1,634 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| Wichita, KS to Bakersfield, CA | $998 – $1,448 | 1,394 miles | 3 – 8 days |
| Wichita, KS to San Francisco, CA | $1,153 – $1,610 | 1,676 miles | 3 – 9 days |
Cost to ship a car from Overland Park, KS to California
| From Kansas to California | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overland Park, KS to Los Angeles, CA | $1,187 – $1,643 | 1,619 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| Overland Park, KS to San Diego, CA | $1,043 – $1,490 | 1,547 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| Overland Park, KS to San Jose, CA | $1,255 – $1,842 | 1,847 miles | 3 – 11 days |
| Overland Park, KS to Bakersfield, CA | $1,107 – $1,693 | 1,635 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| Overland Park, KS to San Francisco, CA | $1,243 – $1,716 | 1,814 miles | 3 – 11 days |
Cost to ship a car from Kansas City, KS to California
| From Kansas to California | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kansas City, KS to Los Angeles, CA | $1,164 – $1,676 | 1,615 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| Kansas City, KS to San Diego, CA | $1,054 – $1,552 | 1,595 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| Kansas City, KS to San Jose, CA | $1,218 – $1,879 | 1,835 miles | 3 – 11 days |
| Kansas City, KS to Bakersfield, CA | $1,142 – $1,561 | 1,631 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| Kansas City, KS to San Francisco, CA | $1,182 – $1,788 | 1,803 miles | 3 – 11 days |
Cost to ship a car from Olathe, KS to California
| From Kansas to California | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Olathe, KS to Los Angeles, CA | $1,119 – $1,627 | 1,611 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| Olathe, KS to San Diego, CA | $1,120 – $1,599 | 1,573 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| Olathe, KS to San Jose, CA | $1,170 – $1,842 | 1,854 miles | 3 – 11 days |
| Olathe, KS to Bakersfield, CA | $1,107 – $1,725 | 1,626 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| Olathe, KS to San Francisco, CA | $1,194 – $1,734 | 1,822 miles | 3 – 11 days |
Cost to ship a car from Topeka, KS to California
| From Kansas to California | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Topeka, KS to Los Angeles, CA | $1,152 – $1,615 | 1,555 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| Topeka, KS to San Diego, CA | $1,120 – $1,646 | 1,504 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| Topeka, KS to San Jose, CA | $1,255 – $1,806 | 1,810 miles | 3 – 11 days |
| Topeka, KS to Bakersfield, CA | $1,076 – $1,615 | 1,570 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| Topeka, KS to San Francisco, CA | $1,205 – $1,783 | 1,780 miles | 3 – 11 days |
Shipping an SUV or truck from Kansas to California
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 Kansas to California you should expect to pay between $1,345 and $1,921.
Factors that affect car shipping costs from Kansas to California
When moving your vehicle from the Sunflower State to the Golden State, several factors can affect the total shipping cost:
- 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: Larger vehicles that weigh more are costlier to ship. This directly affects pricing for transport to California.
- Distance and route: The route from Kansas to California 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 Kansas more expensive during these times.
- Fuel prices: Varying fuel costs across the country can affect shipping rates. When transporting your car from Kansas to California, you may see the effect of these fluctuations.
- Delivery expectations: Being flexible with your delivery window can sometimes reduce costs. Typically, cars arrive within three–nine days, but expedited options cost more.
California vehicle regulations you need to know
When you move to California, there are a few important steps you’ll need to take to get your vehicle registered and road-ready. Here’s a breakdown of the key requirements to make your transition as smooth as possible.
- 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
More than 2.9 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 39.0 million people are living in 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.
FAQ
Does someone have to be present when you ship a car for pickup in Kansas and delivery in California?
Most companies will require that an adult of at least 18 years of age 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.
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 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 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.
What is the cheapest way to ship a car from Kansas to California?
The cheapest way to ship a car from Kansas to California 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 Kansas to California?
Shipping a car from Kansas to California costs $1,076 to $1,537.
