California to Kansas

Certified by
Tim DeMille
Auto Transport Expert
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CALIFORNIA TO KANSAS
Shipping from California to Kansas
Planning to move your vehicle across state lines? California to Kansas car shipping doesn’t have to be stressful or expensive. Whether you’re relocating for work, buying a car online, or heading to college, professional auto transport services make the 1,300+ mile journey simple. This complete guide covers everything about car shipping costs, timelines, and tips to ensure your vehicle arrives safely in the Sunflower State.
Average Distance, Time and Cost

CA
California

KS
Kansas
Popular Routes from California to Kansas

Key Takeaways From This Article
Auto Transport from California to Kansas
California to Kansas car shipping costs $1,025-$1,625 and takes 2-6 days to travel approximately 1,594 miles across major interstate highways.
Our California & Kansas Customers
Sherpa Auto Transport offers transparent pricing with our Price Lock Promise, 4.9-star ratings, and BBB A+ rating for reliable California to Kansas vehicle shipping.
Factors that Impact Cost
Distance is the biggest cost factor for California to Kansas shipping, with seasonal demand and vehicle type also significantly affecting your final price.
Tips and Tricks to Save
Book your shipment 2-3 weeks in advance and choose flexible pickup dates to secure the best rates for California to Kansas car transport.
How Car Shipping Works
Vehicle inspection at pickup is the most critical step, as it documents your car’s condition before the 1,594-mile journey to Kansas begins.
State Insights
Kansas has more lenient vehicle modification laws and no emissions testing compared to California’s strict regulations and smog requirements.
What Sherpa’s Customers are Saying
The Sherpa Difference
TRANSPARENCY
Our Price Lock Promise ensures you know exactly what you’ll pay, with no hidden fees or last-minute surprises.
NATIONWIDE COVERAGE
Whether you’re shipping your vehicle across the state or across the country, our extensive network of carriers ships to all 50 states all year round.
CUSTOMER FIRST APPROACH
Sherpa has a 4.87 average customer rating with over 7,000 five-star reviews. We were recognized by Auto Business Outlook as the Top Automotive Shipping Provider in 2023 for our commitment to customer service.
CARRIER QUALITY
We carefully evaluate transportation records, accident history, and customer feedback to vet every one of our carriers. If a carrier does not meet our high standards, we do not use them.
EXPERT HANDLING
From classic cars, everyday vehicles, motorcycles and more, we have the expertise to manage all types of auto transport needs with care and precision.
Popular Routes from California to Kansas
Factors that Affect California to Kansas Shipping Prices
Distance
California to Kansas spans approximately 1,200-1,500 miles depending on your specific locations. This considerable distance makes shipping costs higher than shorter regional moves, but remains competitively priced for cross-country transport.
Route
Major interstate highways like I-70 and I-40 connect California to Kansas efficiently. These well-traveled routes offer lower shipping costs compared to remote areas, as carriers regularly service these corridors.
Season
Summer months see peak demand from college students and families relocating. Winter offers lower rates but potential weather delays. Spring and fall typically provide the best balance of pricing and reliability.
Vehicle Type
Compact cars cost less to ship than SUVs or trucks due to weight and space requirements. Oversized vehicles may require special trailers, increasing costs significantly for California to Kansas transport.
Traffic Considerations
Avoid shipping during Thanksgiving week, Christmas holidays, and summer moving season when roads are congested. These peak travel times increase transit time and costs for your California-Kansas shipment.
Carrier Availability
Peak summer season may require 1-2 weeks to secure carriers for California-Kansas routes. Off-season bookings often find available carriers within days, offering more flexibility and potentially lower rates.
Open vs Enclosed
Open trailers cost 20-40% less than enclosed transport for California-Kansas shipping. Choose enclosed trailers for luxury vehicles, classics, or protection from desert dust and weather exposure.
Population Density
Major California cities like LA increase pickup costs due to traffic and access challenges. Kansas destinations are typically easier to reach, keeping delivery costs reasonable throughout the state.
Tips & Tricks for Saving on Vehicle Shipping
Off Season Savings
Ship your car during off-peak months to save money. Avoid busy snowbird season when rates spike. Even shifting your shipment by a few weeks can reduce costs significantly.
Flexible Pickup & Delivery
Choose flexible pickup and delivery windows to lower shipping costs. Offering carriers a five-day window for both pickup and delivery gives them scheduling freedom, resulting in better rates.
Hub City Advantages
Select pickup and delivery locations near major highways in California and Kansas. Hub cities offer more carrier options and competitive pricing compared to remote rural locations with limited access.
Open Trailers
Open trailers cost less than enclosed options for standard vehicles. Choose open transport for regular cars, but consider enclosed trailers for luxury or classic vehicles needing extra protection.
Learn More About Open vs. Enclosed Trailers
How does Car Shipping from California to Kansas Work?

Car shipping from California to Kansas involves transporting your vehicle across 1,594 miles through professional auto transport carriers. This interstate route connects the West Coast to America’s heartland, requiring experienced drivers who navigate through diverse terrain including mountain passes, desert regions, and plains. California to Kansas car shipping typically uses open-carrier trucks that can transport multiple vehicles simultaneously, making it a cost-effective option for most customers.
The car shipping process begins when you request a quote and book your transport service. Our team schedules pickup at your California location, whether in Los Angeles, San Francisco, or anywhere throughout the state. Professional drivers conduct a thorough vehicle inspection, documenting any existing damage before loading your car onto the transport trailer using specialized equipment and secure tie-downs.
During transit, your vehicle travels through major highways including Interstate 40 and Interstate 70, depending on your specific pickup and delivery locations. The auto transport carrier maintains communication throughout the journey, providing updates on estimated delivery times. Weather conditions and traffic can affect timing, but our experienced drivers plan routes to minimize delays while ensuring vehicle safety.
California to Kansas car shipping typically takes 2-6 days to complete, with costs ranging from $1,025 to $1,625 depending on vehicle size, transport type, and seasonal demand. Upon arrival in Kansas, drivers perform a final inspection with you present, comparing the vehicle’s condition to the initial documentation. Once you approve the delivery and sign off on the transport, your car shipping experience is complete, and you can drive away with confidence knowing your vehicle arrived safely.
California to Kansas Car Transport: State Insights and Regulations

When planning California to Kansas car shipping, understanding the registration differences between states helps ensure a smooth transition. California requires smog checks for most vehicles, while Kansas has no emission testing requirements. This means your car will likely face fewer restrictions once registered in Kansas. However, you’ll need to register your vehicle within 60 days of establishing Kansas residency, compared to California’s 20-day requirement for new residents.
Vehicle modification laws differ significantly between these states. California has strict window tinting regulations allowing only 70% light transmission on front windows, while Kansas permits 35% tinting. Kansas also has more lenient vehicle height modifications and exhaust system rules. If your car has California-specific modifications, verify they meet Kansas standards before your auto transport arrives.
Preparing your vehicle for Kansas weather conditions is crucial after car shipping from California. Kansas experiences harsh winters with snow, ice, and freezing temperatures that many California vehicles aren’t equipped to handle. Consider investing in winter tires, checking your battery and antifreeze levels, and ensuring your heating system works properly. The extreme temperature variations between Kansas summers and winters can also affect tire pressure and fluid levels more than California’s mild climate.
Insurance requirements and costs often change when moving from California to Kansas. Kansas requires minimum liability coverage of $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for bodily injury, plus $25,000 for property damage. California has higher minimum requirements, so you may be able to reduce coverage and costs. However, comprehensive coverage remains important due to Kansas weather risks like hail storms and tornadoes. Contact your insurance provider before your California to Kansas car shipping to understand how your rates and coverage will change, as Kansas generally offers lower insurance premiums than California.
California to Kansas Vehicle Transport FAQs
Preparing your vehicle for transport from California to Kansas is simple but important. Here’s what you need to do:
Clean and inspect your car: Wash your vehicle inside and out. Take photos of any existing damage for your records.
Remove personal items: Take out all belongings, toll passes, and loose items. Car carriers are not insured for personal property.
Check fluids and battery: Ensure your car has enough gas (about 1/4 tank) and that the battery works. Your vehicle needs to start and drive onto the carrier.
Remove or secure accessories: Take off bike racks, spoilers, or other add-ons that could get damaged. Fold in side mirrors and retract antennas.
Have keys ready: You’ll need to give the driver a working key. Make sure you have a spare.
For complete details, check our Vehicle Shipping Tips page. Following these steps helps ensure your car arrives safely in Kansas.
Yes, your vehicle is fully insured during transport from California to Kansas. All Sherpa Auto Transport carriers must carry a minimum of $1,000,000 in liability insurance and $100,000 in cargo insurance.
Before your car ships, we verify that your carrier’s insurance is active and valid. We also require all carriers to add Sherpa as a Certificate Holder on their policy. This gives you extra protection during your California to Kansas shipment.
Your vehicle is covered from pickup to delivery. If damage occurs during transport, the carrier’s insurance will handle your claim. We work with you throughout the process to ensure everything goes smoothly.
We recommend scheduling your car pickup from California at least 2-3 weeks in advance. This gives us time to find the best carrier and secure competitive rates for your California to Kansas route.
Why book early? Carriers often bundle multiple vehicles going to similar destinations. The more time we have, the better we can match your car with other shipments heading to Kansas, which helps keep costs down.
Need to ship sooner? We can often accommodate rush orders with 3-7 days notice, though this may come with additional fees. Peak seasons (summer months and holidays) require even more advance planning.
Pro tip: California is a major shipping hub, so we typically have good carrier availability. However, booking early ensures you get your preferred pickup dates and the best possible price for your California to Kansas transport.
No payment is due at the time of booking. We do require a payment method on file so that it is available to charge once a carrier is secured. We accept all major debit and credit cards, including Mastercard, Visa, Discover and American Express. The most convenient option is to pay for your shipment in full by credit card at the time a carrier is secured.
We also allow you to pay for your Initial Payment via credit or debit card and then pay the outstanding balance on delivery day via cash or a certified check made out to the carrier.
Your Sherpa shipment includes up to 100 lbs of personal items or household goods stored in the trunk area or secured below the window line. If you are shipping to or from a port or your shipment includes ocean transit, your vehicle must be emptied of all items. Sherpa and your assigned carrier cannot be responsible for personal items left inside the vehicle. See our Vehicle Shipping Tips for more details.
Yes. It is important that you, or another adult that you trust, is there for pickup and delivery of your vehicle. This designated person plays an important role in the shipping process including documenting the state of the vehicle and signing the Bill of Lading, which acts as a receipt of the vehicle’s condition.
Open transport uses uncovered trailers that hold 8-10 cars. Your vehicle is exposed to weather and road debris, but it’s safe and costs less. This is how 90% of cars get shipped, including new cars from dealers.
Enclosed transport uses covered trailers that protect your car from weather and debris. It costs 40-60% more than open transport but gives extra protection.
For California to Kansas shipping: Most people choose open transport because it’s reliable and affordable for the 1,300+ mile trip. Pick enclosed transport if you have a luxury car, classic vehicle, or custom paint job that needs extra care.
Both options are safe and insured. See our complete open vs enclosed guide to help you decide what’s best for your move.
Yes, Sherpa Auto Transport offers door-to-door service for car shipping from California to Kansas. This means we pick up your vehicle at your home or office and deliver it directly to your new address.
When you book your shipment, simply provide your pickup address in California and delivery address in Kansas. Our carrier will come to both locations to handle your vehicle. This saves you time and eliminates the need to drive to a terminal.
In some cases, large trucks cannot access certain streets due to low bridges, narrow roads, or tight turns. If this happens, our driver will work with you to find a safe, nearby meeting spot like a shopping center or gas station. This is rare, but we always prioritize safety first.
Door-to-door service is included in most of our California to Kansas auto transport quotes at no extra charge. It’s the most popular option because it offers maximum convenience for your cross-country move.
Many Auto Transport companies try to tease customers with lower rates, only to surprise you with “hidden costs” later. At Sherpa Auto Transport, we do things differently. We provide one locked-in price upfront and stick to it. If unexpected costs arise, we pay them out of our own pocket.
While we may not always be the cheapest option at first glance, our commitment to transparency and reliability offers exceptional value. As a premium service, we ensure an stress-free experience from start to finish.
We transport sedans, SUVs, pickup trucks, vans and motorcycles across the nation, including service to Alaska and Hawaii. At this time, we do not service boats, golf carts, ATVs, or RVs. We can ship both operable and inoperable vehicles so long as the vehicle can roll, brake, and steer, and that you can provide the carrier with a key to the vehicle. We can also ship electric vehicles.
Visit Sherpa’s FAQ page to learn more about car shipping!