Missouri to California Car Shipping (2025 Cost Guide)
Quick answer: The cost to ship a car 1,847 miles from Missouri to California typically falls between $1,302 and $1,837. The process usually takes three–eleven days, depending on variables like the type of transport and seasonal demand. For a personalized estimate, visit our car shipping cost calculator.
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Shipping a car the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our California to Missouri 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 Missouri to California 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 Missouri to California:
- 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
- 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
Top local car shippers in Missouri
If you prefer to go with a local company, here are the top car shippers in Missouri that can relocate your vehicle to California:
- Kansas City Auto Shipping Group: 3.66 out of 5 stars
- Jmn Logistics Llc: 3.66 out of 5 stars
- Passport Transport: 3.66 out of 5 stars
- Jack Cooper Transport Co Inc: 3.58 out of 5 stars
- Nations Auto Transport LLC: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Kansas City Auto Shipping Group
1712 Main St 4th floor, Kansas City, MO 64108 US
autoshippinggroup.com/locations/auto-shipping-missouri/kansas-city
3.66 / 5.0
Customers frequently highlight the professionalism and attentiveness of the staff, particularly mentioning Jason, Felicia, and Mandi, who provided clear communication throughout the shipping process. The efficient booking and delivery times, along with the overall excellent customer service, lead to positive experiences. Some complaints include reports of robocalls and frustrations with prior companies, but overall, most customers express high satisfaction and are likely to recommend the service to others.
Services Offered
- Door-to-door service
- Open transport
- Enclosed transport
- Interstate shipping
- International shipping
- Insured shipping
- Shipment tracking
- Expedited delivery
- Multi-car transport
- Detailed inspection reports
- Classic cars
- RVs
- ATVs
- Trailers
- Motorcycles
- Boats
- Inoperable cars
Discounts
- Military
Additional Information
- Pay by credit card
- Deposit Required
- DOT #: 2239008
Jmn Logistics Llc
2050 Creve Coeur Mill Road N., Maryland Heights, MO 63043 US
jmnhaul.com
3.66 / 5.0
JMN Transport is recognized for excellent customer service, notably by representative Maria Henke, who goes above and beyond to assist clients. However, some reviews reveal serious concerns regarding unethical practices, including refusal to pay contracted amounts to drivers and discrepancies in wage agreements.
Services Offered
- Open transport
- Enclosed transport
- Interstate shipping
- Insured shipping
- Shipment tracking
- Multi-car transport
- Electric vehicles
- Inoperable cars
Additional Information
- Pay by money order
- Pay by credit card
- Deposit Required
- DOT #: 2239181
Alternative Business Names
- JMN Transportation, INC
Passport Transport
145 Evergreen Pkwy, Lebanon, MO 65536 US
passporttransport.com
3.66 / 5.0
Passport Transport is recognized for their professionalism, courtesy, and quality of service in transporting vehicles, though there have been significant criticisms regarding communication and punctuality. Many customers have praised the care taken during transportation, as well as the professionalism of the drivers. However, issues such as delays, poor communication from the office, and incidents of damage to vehicles during transit have been reported and caused frustration among several customers.
Services Offered
- Enclosed transport
- Interstate shipping
- Insured shipping
- Classic cars
Additional Information
- Pay by credit card
- DOT #: 2043860
Alternative Business Names
- Passport Auto Logistics
Jack Cooper Transport Co Inc
2345 Grand Blvd # 2400, Kansas City, MO 64108 US
jackcooper.com
3.58 / 5.0
Services Offered
- Enclosed transport
- Interstate shipping
- Insured shipping
- Multi-car transport
Additional Information
- Pay by credit card
- DOT #: 64161
Alternative Business Names
- Pacific Motor Trucking Co.
Nations Auto Transport LLC
12032 E 46 Terrace, Kansas City, MO 64133 US
shipnat.com
3.5 / 5.0
Services Offered
- Door-to-door service
- Open transport
- Enclosed transport
- Interstate shipping
- Multi-car transport
- Classic cars
- Motorcycles
Additional Information
- Pay by credit card
- Deposit Required
- DOT #: 2244737
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 Missouri to California
Ship it with your movers
When moving from Missouri 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 straightforward, this choice isn’t always possible, and it will add roughly 1,847 miles to your vehicle on the route from Missouri to California. For guidance, review the advantages and disadvantages of driving or shipping.
Hire a driver
You can also hire someone to drive the car from Missouri to California for you. This option could be a very costly one and involves trusting a driver to safely get your car to its destination.
Ship by train
Shipping by train can be a cost-effective and reliable method of moving your vehicle. Shipping a car by train is actually the least expensive way to move a vehicle.
Missouri to California auto transport costs and transit times
Here are tables summarizing the expected costs and transit times for car shipping between well-traveled routes in Missouri and California. The average journey covers about 1,847 miles and takes roughly three to eleven days.
Cost to ship a car from Kansas City, MO to California
| From Missouri to California | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kansas City, MO to Los Angeles, CA | $1,184 – $1,722 | 1,618 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| Kansas City, MO to San Diego, CA | $1,150 – $1,643 | 1,560 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| Kansas City, MO to San Jose, CA | $1,201 – $1,893 | 1,839 miles | 3 – 11 days |
| Kansas City, MO to Bakersfield, CA | $1,196 – $1,739 | 1,633 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| Kansas City, MO to San Francisco, CA | $1,327 – $1,799 | 1,807 miles | 3 – 11 days |
Cost to ship a car from St. Louis, MO to California
| From Missouri to California | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| St. Louis, MO to Los Angeles, CA | $1,264 – $1,968 | 1,826 miles | 3 – 11 days |
| St. Louis, MO to San Diego, CA | $1,264 – $1,780 | 1,847 miles | 3 – 11 days |
| St. Louis, MO to San Jose, CA | $1,288 – $2,115 | 2,086 miles | 4 – 12 days |
| St. Louis, MO to Bakersfield, CA | $1,315 – $1,799 | 1,841 miles | 3 – 11 days |
| St. Louis, MO to San Francisco, CA | $1,327 – $2,034 | 2,054 miles | 4 – 12 days |
Cost to ship a car from Springfield, MO to California
| From Missouri to California | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Springfield, MO to Los Angeles, CA | $1,184 – $1,739 | 1,613 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| Springfield, MO to San Diego, CA | $1,220 – $1,722 | 1,635 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| Springfield, MO to San Jose, CA | $1,264 – $1,893 | 1,869 miles | 3 – 11 days |
| Springfield, MO to Bakersfield, CA | $1,196 – $1,705 | 1,628 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| Springfield, MO to San Francisco, CA | $1,270 – $1,850 | 1,911 miles | 3 – 11 days |
Cost to ship a car from Columbia, MO to California
| From Missouri to California | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Columbia, MO to Los Angeles, CA | $1,251 – $1,850 | 1,742 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| Columbia, MO to San Diego, CA | $1,189 – $1,797 | 1,718 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| Columbia, MO to San Jose, CA | $1,347 – $1,928 | 1,964 miles | 3 – 11 days |
| Columbia, MO to Bakersfield, CA | $1,226 – $1,815 | 1,757 miles | 3 – 11 days |
| Columbia, MO to San Francisco, CA | $1,257 – $1,947 | 1,932 miles | 3 – 11 days |
Cost to ship a car from Independence, MO to California
| From Missouri to California | Cost | Distance | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Independence, MO to Los Angeles, CA | $1,184 – $1,688 | 1,629 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| Independence, MO to San Diego, CA | $1,220 – $1,739 | 1,605 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| Independence, MO to San Jose, CA | $1,239 – $1,818 | 1,849 miles | 3 – 11 days |
| Independence, MO to Bakersfield, CA | $1,196 – $1,620 | 1,644 miles | 3 – 9 days |
| Independence, MO to San Francisco, CA | $1,289 – $1,818 | 1,817 miles | 3 – 11 days |
Shipping an SUV or truck from Missouri to California
Transporting bigger vehicles like SUVs, trucks, and vans is usually more expensive than shipping a sedan due to increased weight and space requirements.
For this route from Missouri to California, the cost for a larger vehicle is generally about $1,628–$2,296.
Factors that affect car shipping costs from Missouri to California
If you’re shipping a car from the Show-Me State to the Golden State, keep these cost factors in mind:
- Type of transport: Open carriers are the most economical, while enclosed transport offers greater protection for valuable or classic cars. Another option you might want to consider is top-loading. For a detailed comparison, see our guide on open vs. enclosed shipping.
- Vehicle size and type: Shipping rates rise with vehicle size and weight. Generally, larger cars cost more to ship to California than smaller ones.
- Distance and route: The route from Missouri to California is about 1,847 miles. Costs grow with longer trips due to the increased fuel and labor required.
- Time of the year: Seasonal demand drives prices up. Moves from Missouri in summer or over the holidays are often more expensive.
- Fuel prices: Varying fuel costs across the country can affect shipping rates. When transporting your car from Missouri to California, you may see the effect of these fluctuations.
- Delivery expectations: Shippers may offer lower pricing if your schedule allows for flexible delivery dates. Standard delivery takes three–eleven days, while expedited service costs 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 Missouri
More than 6.2 million people call Missouri home. Nicknamed the Show-Me State. Although temperature in Missouri doesn't get extreme, being in the heart of tornado alley means that storms in the area are common. Be sure to check the weather forecast before move day to prepare for any upcoming weather.
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 Missouri 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 Missouri and when dropping it off in California.
Do you need car insurance when shipping your car from Missouri to California?
If you’re not driving the vehicle from Missouri 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 Missouri.
If you’re driving your car at all in either state, you should understand the requirements. In Missouri, drivers must have minimum liability coverage, including $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for bodily injury, along with $25,000 per accident for property damage. Adherence to these requirements is crucial for financial responsibility and contributes to a safer driving environment.
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 Missouri to California?
Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from Missouri to California is about 1,847 miles, and that’s as fast as about 4 days. However, most car transport companies will take three to eleven days to travel from Missouri to California.
Will I be required to have a vehicle inspection in either state?
Missouri's DMV requires that passenger vehicles undergo a biennial safety inspection to evaluate the condition of its suspension, seatbelts, headlights, and related components. Additionally, residents of the St. Louis metropolitan area are required to have vehicle emission inspections.
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 Missouri, 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 Missouri, 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 Missouri 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 Missouri and California to avoid any hidden costs.
What is the cheapest way to ship a car from Missouri to California?
The cheapest way to ship a car from Missouri 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 Missouri to California?
Shipping a car from Missouri to California costs $1,302 to $1,837.
