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Route guide · MO → CA
Car shipping from Missouri to California
Car transport from Missouri to California runs 1,610 road miles between the biggest metros. Shipping a running sedan from Kansas City to Los Angeles costs about $1,050–$1,500 on an open carrier and $1,575–$2,250 in an enclosed trailer, with 4–6 days in transit. It ranks #173 among the 250 busiest car-shipping lanes, based on Census moving data.
- Open carrier, sedan
- $1,275
- Road miles
- 1,610
- Days in transit
- 4–6
- People moving a year
- 5.8K
- Companies at both ends
- 112
City to city
Cost to ship a car from Missouri to California, city to city
Open-carrier prices for a running sedan between Kansas City, St. Louis, Springfield and Columbia and Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego and San Jose — 1,570 to 2,090 road miles apart.
| From | Los Angeles | San Francisco | San Diego | San Jose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kansas City | $1,050–$1,5001,610 mi · 4–6 days | $1,100–$1,5751,820 mi · 4–7 days | $1,025–$1,4751,570 mi · 4–6 days | $1,075–$1,5501,750 mi · 4–7 days |
| St. Louis | $1,125–$1,6001,880 mi · 4–7 days | $1,175–$1,7002,090 mi · 5–8 days | $1,100–$1,5751,830 mi · 4–7 days | $1,150–$1,6502,020 mi · 5–8 days |
| Springfield | $1,075–$1,5251,680 mi · 4–7 days | $1,125–$1,6251,920 mi · 4–7 days | $1,050–$1,5001,630 mi · 4–6 days | $1,100–$1,5751,840 mi · 4–7 days |
| Columbia | $1,075–$1,5501,750 mi · 4–7 days | $1,150–$1,6251,960 mi · 4–7 days | $1,075–$1,5251,710 mi · 4–7 days | $1,125–$1,6001,890 mi · 4–7 days |
Estimate, not a quote
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
Kansas City to Los Angeles, 1,610 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 | $1,050–$1,500 | $1,575–$2,250 |
| Midsize SUV or crossover | $1,175–$1,675 | $1,750–$2,500 |
| Large SUV (Tahoe, Expedition) | $1,300–$1,875 | $1,950–$2,800 |
| Pickup truck | $1,350–$1,950 | $2,050–$2,925 |
| Motorcycle | $625–$900 | $950–$1,350 |
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 Missouri to California is January–May and September–November.
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Cheapest: about $1,275 Peak: about $1,375
About this route
Why so many cars go from Missouri to California
About 5,772 people moved from Missouri to California in each of the last two years, according to the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (6,400 in 2023, 5,144 in 2024). That is 4.3% of everyone who left Missouri for another state.
This is the lighter direction: about 8,466 people a year move California to Missouri. Carriers that bring cars into Missouri need loads back toward California, so it's worth asking for a backhaul price on this leg.
How the price compares
At a typical $1,275, shipping from Missouri to California is among the most expensive routes out of Missouri; Florida ($1,225) and Arizona ($1,150) cost less. That works out to about 79¢ a mile — long hauls cost less per mile because loading and paperwork are spread over more distance.
Distance and transit time
Expect about 1,610 road miles from Kansas City to Los Angeles — 4–6 days on the truck after pickup. Carriers usually load several cars before heading out, so the pickup window matters as much as transit time. The car heads west and crosses 2 time zones — from Central to Pacific time — so confirm whether the delivery window you are given is in local time.
On the road
- The route crosses mountain passes in the West; from November to March, snow and chain laws can hold trucks for a day or two.
Companies
Car transport companies from Missouri to California
Companies headquartered at either end of the route usually run this lane often. Filter by services, company type and safety record — every listing is matched to its FMCSA record.
- Pickup end Missouri 24 companies · 24 carriers · 0 brokers · 515 trucks · 18 yrs avg.
- Delivery end California 88 companies · 67 carriers · 24 brokers · 1,921 trucks · 12 yrs avg.
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Founded in 2016 and headquartered in North Hollywood, California, BAH Logistics LLC is a federally licensed auto transport broker. We connect customers with a…
In 2004, Direct Express Auto Transport changed the vehicle logistics industry forever. Before we launched, getting a car shipping quote meant hours of phone…
San Jose auto transport broker operating as CarHauler247, with instant online quotes and booking.
LISCA Auto Transport is your trusted nationwide shipping solution. We specialize in transporting cars, trucks, boats, motorcycles, and RVs safely and…
We are a family owned and operated business. Our goal is to get your vehicle to its destination safely and on time. With our several years of pertinence we…
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At Nationwide United Auto Transport our goal is simple, provide fast, safe and reliable vehicle transport.
Revoway was founded for one reason: to revolutionize the industry and address existing gaps. Committed to constant growth, we have developed outstanding and…
At Send It Car Shippers, we offer a diverse range of auto transport services tailored to meet the unique needs of our clients. Our comprehensive vehicle…
Shelby Auto Transport – the difference. In an industry as expansive as auto transport, a company’s reputation isn’t just built on efficiency but on a deeper…
Tempus Logix has a vast network of mandatory insured and bonded carriers with whom we continually work.
Cross-border car shipping between the USA and Canada with customs handling, in business since 1985.
H&
Hansen & Adkins Auto Transport Inc
FMCSA verifiedLarge Los Alamitos, CA auto carrier with 30+ years of experience, moving new and remarketed vehicles coast to coast.
DA
Deluxe Auto Carriers
FMCSA verifiedSouthern California car carrier in the Proficient Auto Logistics group, moving finished vehicles to dealerships.
MC
Mid-Western Car Carriers
FMCSA verifiedKansas City car carrier founded in 1976, hauling for dealers, auctions, manufacturers and remarketers nationwide.
DA
DBN Auto Transport
FMCSA verifiedWoman-owned Anaheim car carrier established in 2012, with soft-tie trailers and camera/GPS on every truck.
QC
Quality Car Shippers LLC
FMCSA verifiedFamily-owned Murrieta, CA car carrier serving dealers, rental companies, auctions and OEMs across the lower 48.
AL
Auto Line Express Inc
FMCSA verifiedGardena, CA car carrier moving thousands of finished vehicles a year across the U.S. and Canada since 2013.
IL
Intercity Lines, Inc
FMCSA verifiedPT
Passport Transport
FMCSA verifiedEnclosed-only auto transport for luxury, classic, exotic and race cars, with door-to-door service since 1970.
AP
A Plus Auto Shippers LLC
FMCSA verifiedLicensed and bonded auto carrier from the Phoenix and Palm Desert area shipping cars and trucks nationwide.
AS
All Star Auto Transport
FMCSA verifiedChino, California auto carrier moving vehicles in California and Texas since 2005.
IL
Irontiger Logistics Inc
FMCSA verifiedIndependence, Missouri truck driveaway company (TruckMovers) moving trucks for manufacturers and dealers since 1983.
CA
CA Auto Express Inc
FMCSA verifiedSouthern California motor carrier shipping vehicles on its own trucks, coast to coast and within California.
GK
Golden Key Express
FMCSA verifiedLS
Lucky Star Auto Transport
FMCSA verifiedFamily-owned San Jose car carrier offering open, door-to-door auto transport nationwide since 2012.
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Related routes
Nearby alternatives
Moving close to California but not into it — or coming from somewhere near Missouri? These guides cover the neighbouring lanes.
From Missouri to states near California
To California from states near Missouri
FAQ
Missouri to California car shipping: questions
Numbers on this page come from our price model, Census moving data and California's DMV.
How much does it cost to ship a car from Missouri to California?
For a running sedan on an open carrier, expect about $1,050–$1,500 from Kansas City to Los Angeles (1,610 road miles). Between other big cities in the two states prices range from $1,025–$1,700. An SUV costs about $1,175–$1,675, a pickup $1,350–$1,950, and an enclosed trailer $1,575–$2,250 for a sedan.
How long does it take to ship a car from Missouri to California?
Transit is usually 4–6 days after pickup for the 1,610-mile trip from Kansas City to Los Angeles. Getting the car picked up takes another 1–5 days on a standard booking; expedited pickup within 1–2 days costs about 30% more.
When is the cheapest time to ship a car from Missouri to California?
January–May and September–November is the cheapest window on this lane. Prices are highest in June–August, up to about 8% more. Whatever the month, a flexible pickup date booked 2–3 weeks out gets the best price.
How soon do I have to register my car in California after moving?
California requires new residents to register within 20 days of becoming a resident. The car must pass a California smog check, and it has to meet California emission standards to be registered at all.
Is it cheaper to drive or ship my car from Missouri to California?
Driving 1,610 miles takes about 4 days: roughly $210 in gas and 3 nights of hotels and meals (about $420). Shipping a sedan costs about $1,050–$1,500. Add wear on the car and 4 days off work, and the two come out close.
Which car shipping companies go from Missouri to California?
Our directory lists 24 companies based in Missouri and 88 based in California, each checked against FMCSA records, plus 191 that ship nationwide.