Illinois to Kentucky Car Shipping (2024 Cost Guide)

Quick answer: The average cost to ship a car 408 miles from Illinois to Kentucky ranges from $600 to $846 and takes one–four days depending on factors like the transport type and season. For a more detailed quote, use our car shipping cost calculator.

moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
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  • Price lock promise
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  • Established in 2007
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.9 / 5
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  • No deposit
  • Quick pickup

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

The best Illinois to Kentucky car shipping companies

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

  • Drive it yourself. This is straightforward but not always an option, and it will put about 408 miles on your car going from Illinois 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 Illinois 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 Illinois 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!

IL 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 Illinois and Kentucky. The average travel distance is about 408 miles, with shipping times typically ranging from one to four days .

Cost to ship a car from Chicago, IL to Kentucky

From Illinois to Kentucky Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Chicago, IL to Louisville, KY $470 – $668 298 miles 1 – 4 days
Chicago, IL to Lexington, KY $593 – $734 372 miles 1 – 4 days
Chicago, IL to Bowling Green, KY $600 – $846 418 miles 1 – 4 days
Chicago, IL to Owensboro, KY $576 – $803 373 miles 1 – 4 days
Chicago, IL to Covington, KY $509 – $681 297 miles 1 – 4 days

Cost to ship a car from Aurora, IL to Kentucky

From Illinois to Kentucky Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Aurora, IL to Louisville, KY $557 – $709 331 miles 1 – 4 days
Aurora, IL to Lexington, KY $624 – $855 406 miles 1 – 4 days
Aurora, IL to Bowling Green, KY $637 – $874 451 miles 1 – 4 days
Aurora, IL to Owensboro, KY $606 – $813 406 miles 1 – 4 days
Aurora, IL to Covington, KY $551 – $738 331 miles 1 – 4 days

Cost to ship a car from Joliet, IL to Kentucky

From Illinois to Kentucky Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Joliet, IL to Louisville, KY $524 – $736 305 miles 1 – 4 days
Joliet, IL to Lexington, KY $557 – $787 380 miles 1 – 4 days
Joliet, IL to Bowling Green, KY $617 – $845 425 miles 1 – 4 days
Joliet, IL to Owensboro, KY $493 – $715 321 miles 1 – 4 days
Joliet, IL to Covington, KY $514 – $722 304 miles 1 – 4 days

Cost to ship a car from Naperville, IL to Kentucky

From Illinois to Kentucky Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Naperville, IL to Louisville, KY $509 – $680 319 miles 1 – 4 days
Naperville, IL to Lexington, KY $592 – $811 393 miles 1 – 4 days
Naperville, IL to Bowling Green, KY $648 – $811 439 miles 1 – 4 days
Naperville, IL to Owensboro, KY $604 – $762 394 miles 1 – 4 days
Naperville, IL to Covington, KY $539 – $680 318 miles 1 – 4 days

Cost to ship a car from Rockford, IL to Kentucky

From Illinois to Kentucky Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Rockford, IL to Louisville, KY $557 – $819 386 miles 1 – 4 days
Rockford, IL to Lexington, KY $631 – $874 460 miles 1 – 4 days
Rockford, IL to Bowling Green, KY $659 – $924 506 miles 1 – 6 days
Rockford, IL to Owensboro, KY $588 – $871 403 miles 1 – 4 days
Rockford, IL to Covington, KY $575 – $827 385 miles 1 – 4 days

Shipping an SUV or truck from Illinois 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 Illinois to Kentucky you should expect to pay between $750 and $1,058.

Factors that affect car shipping costs from IL to KY

When transporting your vehicle from the Land of Lincoln 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 Illinois to Kentucky spans approximately 408 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 Illinois, 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 Illinois 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 Illinois to Kentucky should take between one and four 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 Illinois

More than 39 million people call Illinois home. Nicknamed the Land of Lincoln, Illinois' climate is clearly different in the northern and southern halves of the state. The northern half experiences cold winters and mild summers whereas the southern half experiences mild winters and hot and humid summers. Illinois is a part of "tornado alley"

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 Illinois 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 Illinois and when dropping it off in Kentucky.

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

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

If you’re driving your car at all in either state, you should understand the requirements. The liability insurance minimums for Illinois are $25,000 bodily injury liability per person, $50,000 bodily injury liability per accident, and $20,000 property damage liability per 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 Illinois to Kentucky?

Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from Illinois to Kentucky is about 408 miles, and that’s as fast as about 1 day. However, most car transport companies will take one to four days to travel from Illinois to Kentucky.

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

In Illinois, emissions inspections are mandatory on a yearly basis for eligible vehicles in the Chicago and East St. Louis metropolitan areas. The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency conducts tests on automobiles before residents can renew their vehicle registration with the Secretary of State's office.

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

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

The cheapest way to ship a car from Illinois 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 Illinois to Kentucky?

Shipping a car from Illinois to Kentucky costs $600 to $846.

Helpful Illinois resources