Kansas City
I-70, I-35, I-29, I-49 · To Omaha, NE: $375–$475Kansas City is one of the busiest carrier hubs in the middle of the country, with interstates in every direction. Pickups are fast and prices competitive.
Car Shipping in Missouri: 2026 Costs, Transit Times & Vetted Carriers
Shipping a car out of St. Louis, into Kansas City, or across the Ozarks on I-44. Missouri sits in the middle of the country's busiest cross-country routes. See what Missouri routes cost, how long they take, and which carriers Missouri shippers rate highest.
Updated Reviewed by Transportvibe Editorial Team
How much does it cost to ship a car in Missouri?
Shipping a standard sedan to or from Missouri costs $350–$1,350 on open transport in 2026, depending on distance. In-state moves run $350–$575, regional moves to neighboring states $425–$800, and coast-to-coast routes $1,050–$1,350. Enclosed transport adds roughly 40–60%.
- Transit time: 1–3 days in state, 4–7 days coast to coast.
- Cheapest months: January and February. Summer is busiest, with relocations and PCS moves.
- Main carrier corridors: I-70, I-44, I-55, I-35 and I-49.
- Average cost, sedan, open
- $350–$1,3502026 estimate, depends on distance
- Average transit time
- 1–7 daysPickup to delivery
- Cheapest months
- January and FebruaryLowest demand for Missouri routes
- Enclosed transport adds
- 40–60%Over open-carrier price
Missouri car shipping costs by route
Typical open-carrier prices for a standard sedan on the most-quoted Missouri routes. SUVs and pickups usually add $100–$250.
| Route | Distance | Open transport | Enclosed transport | Transit time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kansas City, MO to Seattle, WA | 1,800 mi | $1,050–$1,350 | $1,525–$2,150 | 4–7 days |
| St. Louis, MO to Little Rock, AR | 350 mi | $475–$600 | $700–$950 | 1–3 days |
| Springfield, MO to Chicago, IL | 530 mi | $525–$675 | $750–$1,075 | 1–3 days |
| Los Angeles, CA to Kansas City, MO | 1,620 mi | $1,000–$1,275 | $1,450–$2,050 | 3–6 days |
| Kansas City, MO to Boston, MA | 1,500 mi | $950–$1,200 | $1,375–$1,925 | 3–6 days |
| Des Moines, IA to St. Louis, MO | 330 mi | $450–$575 | $650–$925 | 1–3 days |
| Miami, FL to Springfield, MO | 1,320 mi | $900–$1,150 | $1,300–$1,850 | 3–5 days |
| Columbia, MO to Kansas City, MO | 150 mi | $350–$475 | $500–$750 | 1–3 days |
What changes the price of shipping a car in Missouri
Two big hubs
Kansas City and St. Louis both have constant carrier traffic, so routes starting or ending in either city are usually fast and well priced.
The Ozarks
Branson, Lake of the Ozarks and other hilly areas sit off the main interstates. Expect higher prices or a meet-up point in Springfield or along I-44.
Central location
Missouri is a common midpoint for cross-country shipments, so carriers often have space on routes passing through.
Weather
Tornadoes in spring, heat in summer and ice in winter can cause short delays.
Shipping a car to and from Missouri's main cities
Missouri has two major hubs, Kansas City and St. Louis, linked by I-70. I-44 runs southwest through Springfield toward Oklahoma.
I-70I-44I-55I-35I-49
Schematic, not to scale. Tap a city to jump to it.
St. Louis
I-70, I-44, I-55, I-64 · To Louisville, KY: $425–$550St. Louis is where four interstates meet on the Mississippi. Carriers between the East Coast and the West pass through constantly.
Springfield
I-44 · To Little Rock, AR: $375–$475Springfield is the hub for southwest Missouri and the gateway to Branson and the Ozarks. It sits on I-44 between St. Louis and Tulsa.
Columbia
I-70 · To Des Moines, IA: $400–$500Columbia is halfway between Kansas City and St. Louis on I-70. The University of Missouri brings August and May student moves.
Joplin
I-44, I-49 · To Little Rock, AR: $400–$525Joplin is where I-44 meets I-49 near Oklahoma, Kansas and Arkansas. It's a convenient meeting point for the four-state area.
Rolla
I-44 · To Little Rock, AR: $425–$550Rolla is on I-44 near Fort Leonard Wood, one of the Army's major training posts. Summer brings steady PCS moves.
Highest-rated car shipping companies serving Missouri
Ranked by TrustScore, using FMCSA records and reviews from people who shipped to or from Missouri. Companies cannot pay to change their rank.
- 1
Royal Auto Ship LLC
Broker · FMCSA authority: Active · 3 years active · 1 quote in Missouri
94Highly trusted - 2
5 Star Auto Transport
Broker · FMCSA authority: Active · 14 years active · 1 quote in Missouri
69Mixed - 3
Apex Auto Transport
Broker · FMCSA authority: Active · 3 years active · 1 quote in Missouri
69Mixed - 4
Falcon Auto Logistics Inc.
Broker · FMCSA authority: Active · 4 years active · 1 quote in Missouri
69Mixed - 5
Freedom 35 Auto Transport Inc
Broker · FMCSA authority: Active · 4 years active · 1 quote in Missouri
69Mixed - 6
Friendly Auto Transport
Broker · FMCSA authority: Active · 8 years active · 1 quote in Missouri
69Mixed - 7
Moving Kingdom Inc
Broker · FMCSA authority: Active · 10 years active · 1 quote in Missouri
69Mixed
TrustScore weighs reputation, on-time performance, pricing accuracy, customer experience and FMCSA compliance. Companies cannot pay to change their score; sponsored placements are always labeled. How TrustScore works.
Open or enclosed transport for Missouri?
Most Missouri shipments go on open carriers. Choose enclosed when the car's value, finish or clearance makes road exposure a real risk.
| Open carrier | Enclosed carrier | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical Missouri price | $350–$1,350 | $500–$2,150 |
| Truck availability | High on I-70, I-44, I-55, I-35 and I-49. Fastest scheduling in the larger metros. | Lower. Often routed through the nearest major hub, so allow extra days. |
| Protection | Exposed to weather, road grime and debris | Fully covered. Shields against hail, road debris and winter salt. |
| Best for | Daily drivers, leases, used cars, most relocations | Classics, exotics, show cars, low-clearance and new luxury vehicles |
| Insurance limit (typical) | $100,000–$250,000 cargo coverage | $250,000–$1,000,000 cargo coverage |
Best time to ship a car in Missouri
Typical demand for Missouri routes by month. Higher demand means higher prices and longer waits for a truck.
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
High demandModerateLow
Summer brings relocations, PCS moves and August college move-ins. Fall sends snowbirds south. Winter can be cheaper with occasional ice delays, and spring brings storms.
How shipping a car in Missouri works
Compare quotes
Enter your pickup and delivery ZIPs. Compare companies by TrustScore, Missouri reviews and price, not price alone.
Verify and book
Check the company's USDOT or MC number and insurance. Get the pickup window, price and deposit terms in writing.
Prepare the car
Remove personal items and toll tags, leave about a quarter tank, and photograph every side in daylight.
Inspect at delivery
Walk around the car with the driver and note any damage on the Bill of Lading before you sign it.
Moving to Missouri with a car
What to do after your car arrives. Requirements can change, so confirm with the Missouri Department of Revenue, Motor Vehicle Bureau.
- Register and title your vehicleNew residents register [VERIFY: new-resident registration deadline] through the Missouri Department of Revenue, Motor Vehicle Bureau. Bring your out-of-state title or lienholder details, ID and proof of Missouri insurance.
- Switch to a Missouri driver licenseHandled by the Missouri Department of Revenue, Motor Vehicle Bureau. Most states expect this within the same window as registration.
- Carry Missouri minimum insurance[VERIFY: minimum liability insurance limits]
- Inspections and emissionsMost vehicles more than 10 model years old or with more than 150,000 miles need a safety inspection. Emissions testing applies in the St. Louis area.
Missouri car shipping questions
How much does it cost to ship a car to Missouri?
Shipping a sedan to Missouri costs $350–$1,350 on an open carrier in 2026. Shorter moves within the state run about $350–$575, while cross-country routes cost $1,050–$1,350. SUVs, pickups, non-running cars and enclosed transport cost more.
How long does it take to ship a car to or from Missouri?
Most Missouri shipments are delivered in 1–3 days within the state, 2–5 days to neighboring states, and 4–7 days coast to coast. Add one to five days for the carrier to schedule pickup, more for rural addresses far from an interstate.
What is the cheapest way to ship a car in Missouri?
The cheapest option is an open carrier with flexible pickup dates, booked two to three weeks ahead. Meeting the driver near I-70, I-44, I-55, I-35 and I-49 instead of at a remote address usually lowers the price and shortens the wait.
Do I need to be there for pickup and delivery?
Someone aged 18 or older needs to be present at both ends to hand over or receive the keys, inspect the car with the driver and sign the Bill of Lading. It doesn't have to be you, but it should be someone you trust to note damage before signing.
Does Missouri require an inspection for a car shipped from another state?
Missouri requires a safety inspection for most vehicles more than 10 model years old or with more than 150,000 miles, and emissions testing in the St. Louis area. Check with the Missouri Department of Revenue before registering.
Is it cheaper to ship a car from Kansas City or St. Louis?
Prices are similar. Choose the city closer to you, or the one on the more direct route to your destination.
How do I check that a Missouri car shipping company is legitimate?
Look up the company's USDOT or MC number on FMCSA and confirm its operating authority is active and insurance is on file. Then check its TrustScore and reviews from people who shipped to or from Missouri. Be cautious of quotes far below market and of companies asking for a large deposit before a carrier is assigned.
Keep planning
Neighboring states
Popular Missouri routes
- Missouri to Washington
- Washington to Missouri
- Missouri to California
- California to Missouri
Guides and tools
- Open vs enclosed car shipping
- How to prepare your car for shipping
- What is a Bill of Lading?
- Car shipping in every state
Ready to ship your car in Missouri?
Compare quotes from FMCSA-checked companies Missouri shippers trust. Free, no obligation.