Cost to ship a car from Kansas City to Madison

Quick answer: The average cost to ship a car 477 miles from Kansas City to Madison ranges from $749 to $1,008. Depending on factors like the transport type and season, you can expect your vehicle to land in Madison, WI in 1–4 days. For a more detailed quote, use our car shipping cost calculator.

Shipping a car the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Madison to Kansas City car shipping guide.

Why Trust Us

Our mission at moveBuddha is to make every aspect of moving easier, and we use our firsthand knowledge of the industry to simplify and streamline what can often be a stressful process.

Since moveBuddha’s foundation in 2015, our team has talked to thousands of consumers and analyzed 4,400 moving companies and 2,400 car shippers across the U.S. We’ve collected detailed car shipping experiences through our Better Moves project. We routinely dig deep into online consumer reviews to identify the most common complaints and compliments companies receive.

We created our own system for analyzing and rating car shipping companies on important factors like pricing, variety of services, customer feedback, and availability. Our experienced editorial team fully fact-checks all content to ensure it is accurate, informative, and up-to-date.

Factors affecting Kansas City to Madison car shipping costs

Companies base their car shipping costs on a variety of factors. When transporting your vehicle from Kansas City to Madison, these factors will influence the cost:

Type of transport

There are different options for transporting your car from Kansas City to Madison, such as open, enclosed, or top-loaded transport, each catering to specific needs. When leaving Kansas City, open carriers are the most cost-effective option, while enclosed transport provides added protection for luxury or classic cars. If you’re uncertain which option to use to get your vehicle to Madison, refer to our guide comparing open vs. enclosed car shipping.

Vehicle size and type

The size and weight of your vehicle play a crucial role in determining shipping costs out of Kansas City. Larger and heavier vehicles are more expensive to ship. For instance, shipping a large SUV to Madison will cost more than a compact car due to the additional space and weight.

Distance and route

The distance from the KC to the Mad City — approximately 477 miles — directly influences fuel and labor costs. The longer the journey, the higher the cost.

Time of the year

The season and weather in both Kansas City and Madison can impact car shipping prices.

Kansas City is in an area of the country with a lot of storms, very hot summers, and very cold winters. Therefore, there's chance that your move will be affected by the weather. Check the forecast ahead of time to plan accordingly. Remember, moves often require spending many hours outdoors.

August, June and July are the most pleasant months in Madison, while January and December are the least comfortable months for any relocation activities.

During peak times like summer and the winter holidays, demand for car shipping services increases, leading to higher prices. Shipping your car from Kansas City to Madison during these peak seasons can result in higher costs due to increased demand.

Fuel prices

Fuel price fluctuations can greatly influence transport costs. This is a critical factor given the 477-mile distance between Kansas City and Madison and the varying fuel prices across different regions. When fuel prices are high, shipping costs will rise accordingly.

Delivery expectations

Being flexible with your delivery dates can sometimes lead to discounts from your auto shipper. However, shipping a car from Kansas City to Madison typically takes between 1 and 4 days. Flexibility in delivery times can save costs, whereas expedited services ensure quicker delivery but at a premium cost.

Kansas City to Madison car shipping companies

We’ve done the research, and these are the best car shipping companies to help transport your vehicle from Kansas City to Madison:

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  • No deposit
  • Quick pickup
moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
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  • Price lock promise
  • Free car wash
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  • Rental car option
  • Ship inoperable

Comparing Kansas City and Madison vehicle regulations

Parking permits

  • Kansas City: Although there's no specific permit required to move in Kansas City, you may still need to apply for a loading permit or something similar if your move requires you to block public lanes, curbs, sidewalks, etc.
  • Madison: The Residential Parking Permit allows residents to park in excess of the posted one- or two-hour time limits on designated streets in their area between the hours of 8:00 am and 6:00 pm, or in locations designated for resident parking only between the hours of 8:00 am and 6:00 pm. This provides residents the opportunity for the limited storing of vehicles on public streets to the partial exclusion of commuter vehicles. A Residential Parking Permit does not guarantee a parking place. It allows the right to park if space is available. It is recommended to apply online.

Car insurance requirements

  • Kansas City: 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.
  • Madison: Wisconsin requires auto insurance policies to provide a minimum coverage of $10,000 for property damage, $25,000 for individual injury or death, and $50,000 for injury or death involving multiple individuals.

Vehicle inspections

  • Kansas City: 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.
  • Madison: Safety and emission inspections are not required in Wisconsin. However, you must take your vehicle for emissions inspection available at select privately owned businesses including vehicle repair facilities, service stations, and car dealerships.

Driver’s license

  • Kansas City: As a new resident of Missouri with an out-of-state driver's license or non-driver ID, either valid or expired for no longer than 184 days, you must provide acceptable documents to demonstrate Proof of Identity, Proof of Legal Status, Proof of Social Security Number, and Proof of Missouri residency.
  • Madison: After establishing residence, new residents must apply for a WI driver license at any Wisconsin DMV service center within 60 days for a regular license and within 30 days for a Commercial Driver License (CDL).

FAQ

How much does it cost to ship a car from Kansas City to Madison?

The cost to ship a car from Kansas City, MO to Madison, WI varies based on several factors, including the type of transport (open vs. enclosed), the size and weight of the vehicle, and the current fuel prices. On average, transporting your vehicle from Kansas City to Madison will range from $749 to $1,008.

How long will it take to ship my car from Kansas City to Madison?

It will take approximately 1–4 days to ship your car the 477 miles from Kansas City to Madison. If you need it quicker, ask your shipper about expedited delivery.

What’s the cheapest way to ship my car from Kansas City to Madison?

An open-transport car carrier is the cheapest way to ship your car from Kansas City to Madison. However, there are other methods. Read our post on the cheapest way to ship a car to learn more.

Helpful Kansas City resources