Arkansas to Kentucky Car Shipping (2024 Cost Guide)

Quick answer: The average cost to ship a car 544 miles from Arkansas to Kentucky ranges from $672 to $966 and takes one–six days depending on factors like the transport type and season. For a more detailed quote, use our car shipping cost calculator.

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  • Established in 2007
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  • No deposit
  • Quick pickup

Shipping a car the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our Kentucky to Arkansas car shipping guide.

The best Arkansas to Kentucky car shipping companies

We’ve done the research and these are the best car shipping companies to help transport your vehicle from Arkansas to Kentucky:

Best for accurate pricing
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
Check prices (833) 775-1461
At A Glance
  • Price Lock Promise
  • Pay by credit card
  • Free car wash at delivery
  • No upfront deposit
  • Door-to-door service
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Check prices (833) 775-1461
Best cross-country shipper
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
Check prices (224) 206-5633
At A Glance
  • No upfront payment
  • GPS tracking
  • Multiple insurance options
  • Competitive pricing
  • Door-to-door shipping
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Check prices (224) 206-5633
Best for quick pickup
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.9 / 5
Check prices (888) 259-6046
At A Glance
  • No upfront deposit
  • Expedited shipping
  • No hidden fees
  • Ships motorcycles & RVs
  • Discount for cash payments
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Check prices (888) 259-6046
Best for discounts
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.3 / 5
Check prices (770) 501-9057
At A Glance
  • Competitive pricing
  • Last-minute car shipments
  • Guaranteed & expedited shipments
  • Gap insurance coverage
  • Multiple discounts
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Check prices (770) 501-9057
Best for overall value
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.9 / 5
Check prices (864) 492-1221
At A Glance
  • No hidden fees
  • Free online quotes
  • Door-to-door service in 48 states
  • Exact pickup dates
  • Ships to & from HI
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Check prices (864) 492-1221

Alternative ways to ship your car from Arkansas to Kentucky

  • Drive it yourself. This is straightforward but not always an option, and it will put about 544 miles on your car going from Arkansas 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 need to ship your car from Arkansas for a move to Kentucky, you may want to hire a moving company that can handle car shipping, as well. Many long-distance moving companies work with reputable car shippers to coordinate auto transport.
  • Hire a driver. Hire someone to drive the car from Arkansas 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!

AR to KY auto transport costs and transit times

The tables below detail the costs and estimated transit times for shipping a car between popular cities in Arkansas and Kentucky. The average travel distance is about 544 miles, with shipping times typically ranging from one to six days .

Cost to ship a car from Little Rock, AR to Kentucky

From Arkansas to Kentucky Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Little Rock, AR to Louisville, KY $691 – $915 521 miles 1 – 6 days
Little Rock, AR to Lexington, KY $711 – $959 558 miles 1 – 6 days
Little Rock, AR to Bowling Green, KY $630 – $813 411 miles 1 – 4 days
Little Rock, AR to Owensboro, KY $610 – $862 439 miles 1 – 4 days
Little Rock, AR to Covington, KY $702 – $997 616 miles 1 – 6 days

Cost to ship a car from Fayetteville, AR to Kentucky

From Arkansas to Kentucky Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Fayetteville, AR to Louisville, KY $768 – $986 623 miles 1 – 6 days
Fayetteville, AR to Lexington, KY $784 – $1,073 700 miles 1 – 6 days
Fayetteville, AR to Bowling Green, KY $708 – $949 591 miles 1 – 6 days
Fayetteville, AR to Owensboro, KY $697 – $950 569 miles 1 – 6 days
Fayetteville, AR to Covington, KY $768 – $1,163 717 miles 1 – 6 days

Cost to ship a car from Fort Smith, AR to Kentucky

From Arkansas to Kentucky Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Fort Smith, AR to Louisville, KY $737 – $1,113 670 miles 1 – 6 days
Fort Smith, AR to Lexington, KY $768 – $1,186 708 miles 1 – 6 days
Fort Smith, AR to Bowling Green, KY $697 – $959 560 miles 1 – 6 days
Fort Smith, AR to Owensboro, KY $700 – $999 588 miles 1 – 6 days
Fort Smith, AR to Covington, KY $819 – $1,114 766 miles 2 – 7 days

Cost to ship a car from Springdale, AR to Kentucky

From Arkansas to Kentucky Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Springdale, AR to Louisville, KY $702 – $1,007 614 miles 1 – 6 days
Springdale, AR to Lexington, KY $749 – $1,084 690 miles 1 – 6 days
Springdale, AR to Bowling Green, KY $731 – $1,017 600 miles 1 – 6 days
Springdale, AR to Owensboro, KY $662 – $959 559 miles 1 – 6 days
Springdale, AR to Covington, KY $752 – $1,186 708 miles 1 – 6 days

Cost to ship a car from Jonesboro, AR to Kentucky

From Arkansas to Kentucky Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Jonesboro, AR to Louisville, KY $610 – $811 393 miles 1 – 4 days
Jonesboro, AR to Lexington, KY $635 – $862 431 miles 1 – 4 days
Jonesboro, AR to Bowling Green, KY $524 – $715 324 miles 1 – 4 days
Jonesboro, AR to Owensboro, KY $514 – $701 304 miles 1 – 4 days
Jonesboro, AR to Covington, KY $643 – $892 488 miles 1 – 4 days

Shipping an SUV or truck from Arkansas to Kentucky

Since vehicles like SUVs, 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 Arkansas to Kentucky you should expect to pay between $840 and $1,208.

Factors that affect car shipping costs from AR to KY

When transporting your vehicle from the Natural Slate 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 Arkansas to Kentucky spans approximately 544 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 Arkansas, 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 Arkansas 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 Arkansas to Kentucky should take between one and six days. Expedited services are available but come at a higher cost.

Kentucky vehicle regulations you need to know

  • 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 Arkansas

More than 39 million people call Arkansas home. Nicknamed the Natural Slate, Arkansas has hot, humid summers and slightly drier, mild to cool winters. Arkansas is known for extreme weather and frequent storms. A typical year brings thunderstorms, tornadoes, hail, snow, and ice storms. Between both the Great Plains and the Gulf States, Arkansas receives around 60 days of thunderstorms. Movers should check their local weather station to make sure they are not being caught in any of these storms.

Transporting your vehicle to Kentucky

About 22 million people are living in the Bluegrass State. 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 you ship a car for pickup in Arkansas and delivery in Kentucky?

Most companies will require that an adult of at least 18 years of age be present when picking up your car in Arkansas and when dropping it off in Kentucky.

Do you need car insurance when shipping your car from Arkansas to Kentucky?

If you’re not driving the vehicle from Arkansas 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 Arkansas.

If you’re driving your car at all in either state, you should understand the requirements. In Arkansas, all drivers must maintain liability insurance that meets the state's minimum requirements, which are $25,000 per person for bodily injury or death in one accident, $50,000 for bodily injury or death of two or more persons in one accident, and $25,000 for property damage caused by an auto accident.

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 Arkansas to Kentucky?

Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from Arkansas to Kentucky is about 544 miles, and that’s as fast as about 2 days. However, most car transport companies will take one to six days to travel from Arkansas to Kentucky.

Will I be required to have a vehicle inspection in either state?

Arkansas does not require mandatory safety or emissions inspections, but the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality encourages voluntary emissions testing for the benefit of the environment. This means that while getting your car tested for emissions is optional, it is strongly encouraged.

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 Arkansas, 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 Arkansas, 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 Arkansas 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 Arkansas and Kentucky to avoid any hidden costs.

What is the cheapest way to ship a car from Arkansas to Kentucky?

The cheapest way to ship a car from Arkansas to Kentucky is to ship it on a train or choose an open trailer transport method, avoid expedited shipping, and be flexible with your pickup dates.

How much does it cost to ship a car from Arkansas to Kentucky?

Shipping a car from Arkansas to Kentucky costs $672 to $966.

Helpful Arkansas resources