Route guide · CA → KS
Shipping a car from California to Kansas
Shipping a running sedan from Los Angeles to Wichita costs about $1,000–$1,425 on an open carrier and $1,500–$2,125 in an enclosed trailer, with 3–6 days in transit. It ranks #245 among the 250 busiest car-shipping lanes, based on Census moving data.
- Open carrier, sedan
- $1,225
- Road miles
- 1,420
- Days in transit
- 3–6
- People moving a year
- 4.2K
- Companies at both ends
- 126
City to city
What it costs between California and Kansas cities
Open-carrier prices for a running sedan between Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego and San Jose and Wichita, Overland Park, Topeka and Manhattan — 1,370 to 1,810 road miles apart.
| From | Wichita | Overland Park | Topeka | Manhattan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles | $1,000–$1,4251,420 mi · 3–6 days | $1,050–$1,5001,600 mi · 4–6 days | $1,025–$1,4751,540 mi · 4–6 days | $1,000–$1,4501,480 mi · 3–6 days |
| San Francisco | $1,050–$1,5001,650 mi · 4–6 days | $1,100–$1,5751,810 mi · 4–7 days | $1,075–$1,5501,740 mi · 4–7 days | $1,075–$1,5251,690 mi · 4–7 days |
| San Diego | $975–$1,4001,370 mi · 3–6 days | $1,025–$1,4751,560 mi · 4–6 days | $1,025–$1,4501,500 mi · 3–6 days | $1,000–$1,4251,450 mi · 3–6 days |
| San Jose | $1,050–$1,4751,580 mi · 4–6 days | $1,075–$1,5501,740 mi · 4–7 days | $1,050–$1,5251,670 mi · 4–7 days | $1,050–$1,5001,620 mi · 4–6 days |
A pickup or delivery far from these metros usually adds $75–$150. Quotes move with fuel prices and truck space, so treat these as a yardstick. Price your own addresses →
By vehicle
Price by vehicle type
Los Angeles to Wichita, 1,420 miles. Bigger and heavier vehicles take more room and weight on the trailer, so they cost more.
| Vehicle | Open carrier | Enclosed |
|---|---|---|
| Sedan or small car | $1,000–$1,425 | $1,500–$2,125 |
| Midsize SUV or crossover | $1,125–$1,600 | $1,675–$2,375 |
| Large SUV (Tahoe, Expedition) | $1,250–$1,775 | $1,875–$2,650 |
| Pickup truck | $1,300–$1,850 | $1,950–$2,775 |
| Motorcycle | $600–$850 | $900–$1,275 |
By month
Best time to ship
Prices on this lane peak in June–August (the summer moving peak), running about 8% above the quietest months. The cheapest time to ship from California to Kansas is January–May and September–November.
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Cheapest: about $1,200 Peak: about $1,300
About this route
Why so many cars go from California to Kansas
About 4,189 people moved from California to Kansas in each of the last two years, according to the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (3,160 in 2023, 5,217 in 2024). That is 0.6% of everyone who left California for another state.
Far fewer people make the reverse move — about 2,566 a year from Kansas to California. Carriers bound for Kansas rarely run empty, which keeps pickups quick but prices firm.
How the price compares
At a typical $1,200, shipping from California to Kansas costs more than sending a car to Washington ($1,100) and Montana ($1,100) but less than to Texas ($1,225) and Missouri ($1,275). That works out to about 85¢ a mile.
Distance and transit time
Los Angeles to Wichita is about 1,420 road miles, or 3–6 days on a car carrier. Most of the wait is before pickup, while the driver fills the trailer. The car heads east-northeast and crosses 2 time zones — from Pacific to Central time — so confirm whether the delivery window you are given is in local time.
On the road
- Trucks usually take the southern route across the desert Southwest, which stays open all winter — one reason this lane runs on schedule year-round.
Companies
Car carriers at both ends of the route
The largest carriers headquartered in California and Kansas, by trucks on file with the FMCSA. A company based at either end usually runs this lane often.
Pickup end California
122 companies based in California: 91 carriers, 18 brokers, 1,809 trucks in total, 11 years in business on average.
- Hansen & Adkins Auto Transport Inc Los Alamitos · 965 trucks · since 1994 · USDOT 568253
- Professional Auto Transport Inc Jurupa Valley · 257 trucks · since 2003 · USDOT 1130314
- Central Valley Auto Transport Inc Strathmore · 76 trucks · since 2001 · USDOT 978079
- DBN Auto Transport Anaheim · 75 trucks · since 2017 · USDOT 2979175
- Safe Auto Transport Inc N Highlands · 44 trucks · since 2013 · USDOT 2411467
Delivery end Kansas
4 companies based in Kansas: 4 carriers, 0 brokers, 19 trucks in total, 13 years in business on average.
- Autofast Transport Inc Andover · 9 trucks · since 2010 · USDOT 2072048
- Henshaw Transport LLC Olathe · 4 trucks · since 2016 · USDOT 2870687
- Muller Auto Transport LLC Paxico · 4 trucks · since 2000 · USDOT 884531
- Ats Olathe · 2 trucks · since 2025 · USDOT 4379668
96 more companies in our directory ship to all 48 contiguous states. Browse all companies →
Related routes
Nearby alternatives
Moving close to Kansas but not into it — or coming from somewhere near California? These guides cover the neighbouring lanes.
From California to states near Kansas
FAQ
California to Kansas car shipping: questions
Numbers on this page come from our price model, Census moving data and Kansas's DMV.
How much does it cost to ship a car from California to Kansas?
For a running sedan on an open carrier, expect about $1,000–$1,425 from Los Angeles to Wichita (1,420 road miles). Between other big cities in the two states prices range from $975–$1,575. An SUV costs about $1,125–$1,600, a pickup $1,300–$1,850, and an enclosed trailer $1,500–$2,125 for a sedan.
How long does it take to ship a car from California to Kansas?
Transit is usually 3–6 days after pickup for the 1,420-mile trip from Los Angeles to Wichita. Before that, allow 1–5 days for a carrier to be assigned — or pay roughly 30% extra to have it collected within 48 hours.
When is the cheapest time to ship a car from California to Kansas?
January–May and September–November is the cheapest window on this lane. Prices are highest in June–August, up to about 8% more. In any month, giving the carrier a wide pickup window lowers the quote.
How soon do I have to register my car in Kansas after moving?
Kansas requires new residents to register once you become a resident. Kansas requires title and registration once the car has been kept in the state for 90 days; out-of-state cars need a VIN inspection first.
Is it cheaper to drive or ship my car from California to Kansas?
Driving 1,420 miles takes about 3 days: roughly $180 in gas and 2 nights of hotels and meals (about $280). Shipping a sedan costs about $1,000–$1,425. Add wear on the car and 3 days off work, and the two come out close.
Which car shipping companies go from California to Kansas?
Our directory lists 122 companies based in California and 4 based in Kansas, each checked against FMCSA records, plus 96 that ship nationwide.