Virginia to Kentucky Car Shipping (2024 Cost Guide)
Fact Checked by: Quick answer: The average cost to ship a car 418 miles from Virginia to Kentucky ranges from $750 to $998 and takes 1–4 days depending on factors like the transport type and season. For a more detailed quote, use our car shipping cost calculator.
Shipping a car the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our Kentucky to Virginia car shipping guide.
Virginia to Kentucky auto transport costs and transit times
The table below details the costs and estimated transit times for shipping a car between popular cities in Virginia and Kentucky. The average travel distance is about 418 miles, with shipping times typically ranging from 1 to 4 days.
Cost to ship a car from Virginia Beach, VA to Kentucky
| From Virginia to Kentucky | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia Beach, VA to Louisville, KY | 669 miles | $932–$1,378 | 1–6 days |
| Chesapeake, VA to Lexington, KY | 598 miles | $851–$1,261 | 1–6 days |
| Arlington, VA to Bardstown, KY | 656 miles | $932–$1,312 | 1–6 days |
| Norfolk, VA to Fort Campbell North, KY | 777 miles | $964–$1,507 | 2–7 days |
| Richmond, VA to Somerset, KY | 614 miles | $870–$1,260 | 1–6 days |
Cost to ship a car from Chesapeake, VA to Kentucky
| From Virginia to Kentucky | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia Beach, VA to Louisville, KY | 665 miles | $950–$1,365 | 1–6 days |
| Chesapeake, VA to Lexington, KY | 595 miles | $885–$1,273 | 1–6 days |
| Arlington, VA to Bardstown, KY | 654 miles | $895–$1,352 | 1–6 days |
| Norfolk, VA to Fort Campbell North, KY | 775 miles | $1,013–$1,478 | 2–7 days |
| Richmond, VA to Somerset, KY | 611 miles | $897–$1,248 | 1–6 days |
Cost to ship a car from Arlington, VA to Kentucky
| From Virginia to Kentucky | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia Beach, VA to Louisville, KY | 579 miles | $877–$1,213 | 1–6 days |
| Chesapeake, VA to Lexington, KY | 508 miles | $776–$1,122 | 1–6 days |
| Arlington, VA to Bardstown, KY | 566 miles | $838–$1,224 | 1–6 days |
| Norfolk, VA to Fort Campbell North, KY | 718 miles | $914–$1,371 | 1–6 days |
| Richmond, VA to Somerset, KY | 555 miles | $813–$1,118 | 1–6 days |
Cost to ship a car from Norfolk, VA to Kentucky
| From Virginia to Kentucky | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia Beach, VA to Louisville, KY | 653 miles | $895–$1,378 | 1–6 days |
| Chesapeake, VA to Lexington, KY | 583 miles | $851–$1,164 | 1–6 days |
| Arlington, VA to Bardstown, KY | 642 miles | $933–$1,255 | 1–6 days |
| Norfolk, VA to Fort Campbell North, KY | 769 miles | $955–$1,439 | 2–7 days |
| Richmond, VA to Somerset, KY | 600 miles | $870–$1,285 | 1–6 days |
Cost to ship a car from Richmond, VA to Kentucky
| From Virginia to Kentucky | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia Beach, VA to Louisville, KY | 562 miles | $804–$1,212 | 1–6 days |
| Chesapeake, VA to Lexington, KY | 491 miles | $772–$1,050 | 1–4 days |
| Arlington, VA to Bardstown, KY | 550 miles | $855–$1,212 | 1–6 days |
| Norfolk, VA to Fort Campbell North, KY | 671 miles | $895–$1,378 | 1–6 days |
| Richmond, VA to Somerset, KY | 508 miles | $784–$1,056 | 1–6 days |
Shipping an SUV or truck from Virginia to Kentucky
Since vehicles like SUV, trucks, and vans are larger and heavier, it’s a bit more expensive to ship them than a sedan. How much more?
If you’re shipping a larger vehicle from Virginia to Kentucky you should expect to pay between $938 and $1,248.
Factors that affect the price of shipping a car from Virginia to Kentucky
When transporting your vehicle from the Old Dominion State to the Bluegrass State, these factors will influence your final price:
- Type of transport: Options like open, enclosed, or top-loaded transport cater to different needs. Open carriers are cost-effective, while enclosed transport provides added protection for luxury or classic cars. If you’re not sure, check out our guide comparing open vs. enclosed car shipping.
- Vehicle size and type: The dimensions and weight of your vehicle directly affect shipping costs. The larger and heavier your vehicle, the more it will cost to ship your car to Kentucky.
- Distance and route: The journey from Virginia to Kentucky spans approximately 418 miles, influencing fuel and labor costs. The longer the distance, the bigger the price tag.
- Time of the year: Seasonal demand impacts the price of getting your car out of Virginia, with summer and winter holidays often seeing a spike due to increased moving and travel activity.
- Fuel prices: Fluctuating fuel prices can significantly affect transport costs. This is an important consideration given the distance between Virginia and Kentucky and the varying gas prices across the country.
- Delivery expectations: Because it’ll make their job easier, your auto shipper may give you a pricing discount if you’re flexible on delivery dates. That being said, getting your car from Virginia to Kentucky should take between 1 and 4 days. Expedited services are available but come at a higher cost.
The best Virginia to Kentucky car shipping companies
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We’ve done the research and these are the best car shipping companies to help transport your vehicle from Virginia to Kentucky:
- Best for Overall Value: SGT Auto Transport
- Best for Quick Pick Up: Easy Auto Ship
- Best Insurance Coverage: Ship A Car Direct
- Best for accurate pricing: Sherpa Auto Transport
- Best Cross Country: Montway Auto Transport
Alternative ways to ship your car from Virginia to Kentucky
- Drive it yourself: This is straightforward but not always an option, and it will put about 418 miles on your car going from Virginia to Kentucky. If you’re not sure, here are the pros and cons of driving your car vs shipping it.
- Ship it with your movers: If you hire a moving company, they also work with reputable car shippers. Otherwise, there may be the option of even shipping your car with your household belongings!
- Hire a driver: Hire someone to drive the car from Virginia to Kentucky for you. It’s an option, but will probably be a very costly one and involve trusting a driver to safely get your car to its destination.
- Ship by train: If this is an option for you, it’s an affordable and secure way of shipping your vehicle. Shipping a car by train is actually the cheapest way to ship your car!
What else should you know about shipping a car from Virginia to Kentucky?
- Car insurance requirements: The insurance coverage includes Bodily Injury and Property Damage Liability with limits of $25,000 per person/$50,000 per accident and $25,000 respectively; Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist coverage (not required); Personal Injury Protection with a limit of $10,000; and optional Collision and Comprehensive coverage for vehicle repair or replacement expenses, with no requirement.
- Vehicle inspection: When moving to Kentucky from another state, a one-time Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) inspection is required. To complete the VIN inspection, bring the vehicle and its title to the Sheriff's office in the county where the car will be registered.
- Driver’s license: New residents in Kentucky have a 30-day time frame to obtain a Kentucky driver's license.
- Additional taxes: In Kentucky, a 6% motor vehicle usage tax is imposed on the retail price of vehicles registered for the first time in the state.
Learn more with our car shipping checklist
Transporting your vehicle from Virginia
Over 39 million people call Virginia home. Nicknamed the Old Dominion State, Virginia has humid hot and humid summers and cool to mild winters. The Atlantic Ocean and Gulf Stream have a strong effect on eastern and southeastern coastal areas of the Commonwealth, making the climate there warmer and more constant.
Transporting your vehicle to Kentucky
About 22 million people are living in the Bluegrass State of Kentucky. Kentucky has relatively hot, humid, rainy summers, and moderately cold and rainy winters. Kansas rarely experiences the extremes cold of the northern states nor the heat of the state in the Deep South.
FAQ
Does someone have to be present when picking up my car in Virginia and when dropping off my car in Kentucky?
Most companies will require someone that is at least 18 years old to be present when picking up your car in Virginia and when dropping it off in Kentucky.
Do you need car insurance when shipping your car from Virginia to Kentucky?
If you’re not driving the vehicle from Virginia to Kentucky, you aren't required to have typical car insurance. Your car hauler should have adequate insurance if an accident happened on the drive to Kentucky, which you should verify before loading your car in Virginia.
If you’re driving your car at all in either state, you should understand the requirements. It's crucial for drivers to have liability insurance, meeting the state's minimum coverage requirements: $25,000 for individual injury or death, $50,000 for injury or death involving multiple individuals, and $20,000 for property damage. Elevate your road safety with mandatory uninsured motorist coverage, ensuring protection with matching limits. Stay road-ready by fulfilling these insurance obligations in Virginia.
If you’re driving your car at all in either state, you should understand the requirements. The insurance coverage includes Bodily Injury and Property Damage Liability with limits of $25,000 per person/$50,000 per accident and $25,000 respectively; Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist coverage (not required); Personal Injury Protection with a limit of $10,000; and optional Collision and Comprehensive coverage for vehicle repair or replacement expenses, with no requirement.
How long does it take to ship a car from Virginia to Kentucky?
Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from Virginia to Kentucky is about 418 miles, and that’s as fast as about 1 day. However, most car transport companies will take 1-4 days to travel from Virginia to Kentucky.
Will I be required to have a vehicle inspection in either state?
All vehicles must pass annual safety and emissions inspections at DMV-approved stations. Vehicles that fail can be re-inspected for free within 60 days. Upon passing, a sticker is issued to indicate the vehicle's compliance.
When moving to Kentucky from another state, a one-time Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) inspection is required. To complete the VIN inspection, bring the vehicle and its title to the Sheriff's office in the county where the car will be registered.
If I have a driver’s license in Virginia, will I need one in Kentucky?
New residents in Kentucky have a 30-day time frame to obtain a Kentucky driver's license.
If I bought a car in Virginia, will I be required to pay sales tax in Kentucky after shipping it there?
It’s important to understand any tax implications if you’re having a car shipped from Virginia to Kentucky after purchasing it.
In Kentucky, a 6% motor vehicle usage tax is imposed on the retail price of vehicles registered for the first time in the state.
We recommend that you always check for updated tax information in both Virginia and Kentucky to avoid any hidden costs.
