Kentucky to California Car Shipping (2024 Cost Guide)
Fact Checked by: Quick answer: The average cost to ship a car 2,305 miles from Kentucky to California ranges from $1,600 to $2,495 and takes 5–13 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 California to Kentucky car shipping guide.
Kentucky to California auto transport costs and transit times
The table below details the costs and estimated transit times for shipping a car between popular cities in Kentucky and California. The average travel distance is about 2,305 miles, with shipping times typically ranging from 5 to 13 days.
Cost to ship a car from Louisville, KY to California
| From Kentucky to California | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Louisville, KY to Los Angeles, CA | 2,085 miles | $1,631–$2,499 | 4–12 days |
| Lexington, KY to San Diego, CA | 2,069 miles | $1,568–$2,573 | 4–12 days |
| Bardstown, KY to San Jose, CA | 2,340 miles | $1,552–$2,470 | 5–13 days |
| Fort Campbell North, KY to San Francisco, CA | 2,312 miles | $1,552–$2,495 | 5–13 days |
| Somerset, KY to Fresno, CA | 2,208 miles | $1,611–$2,522 | 4–12 days |
Cost to ship a car from Lexington, KY to California
| From Kentucky to California | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Louisville, KY to Los Angeles, CA | 2,162 miles | $1,568–$2,389 | 4–12 days |
| Lexington, KY to San Diego, CA | 2,146 miles | $1,665–$2,414 | 4–12 days |
| Bardstown, KY to San Jose, CA | 2,417 miles | $1,648–$2,693 | 5–13 days |
| Fort Campbell North, KY to San Francisco, CA | 2,389 miles | $1,616–$2,650 | 5–13 days |
| Somerset, KY to Fresno, CA | 2,285 miles | $1,660–$2,420 | 5–13 days |
Cost to ship a car from Bardstown, KY to California
| From Kentucky to California | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Louisville, KY to Los Angeles, CA | 2,126 miles | $1,665–$2,540 | 4–12 days |
| Lexington, KY to San Diego, CA | 2,110 miles | $1,601–$2,515 | 4–12 days |
| Bardstown, KY to San Jose, CA | 2,382 miles | $1,600–$2,470 | 5–13 days |
| Fort Campbell North, KY to San Francisco, CA | 2,353 miles | $1,616–$2,598 | 5–13 days |
| Somerset, KY to Fresno, CA | 2,249 miles | $1,531–$2,420 | 4–12 days |
Cost to ship a car from Fort Campbell North, KY to California
| From Kentucky to California | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Louisville, KY to Los Angeles, CA | 1,990 miles | $1,592–$2,393 | 3–11 days |
| Lexington, KY to San Diego, CA | 1,974 miles | $1,592–$2,441 | 3–11 days |
| Bardstown, KY to San Jose, CA | 2,245 miles | $1,660–$2,420 | 4–12 days |
| Fort Campbell North, KY to San Francisco, CA | 2,308 miles | $1,568–$2,547 | 5–13 days |
| Somerset, KY to Fresno, CA | 2,113 miles | $1,633–$2,389 | 4–12 days |
Cost to ship a car from Somerset, KY to California
| From Kentucky to California | Distance | Cost | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Louisville, KY to Los Angeles, CA | 2,174 miles | $1,601–$2,465 | 4–12 days |
| Lexington, KY to San Diego, CA | 2,157 miles | $1,520–$2,616 | 4–12 days |
| Bardstown, KY to San Jose, CA | 2,429 miles | $1,648–$2,641 | 5–13 days |
| Fort Campbell North, KY to San Francisco, CA | 2,445 miles | $1,599–$2,667 | 5–13 days |
| Somerset, KY to Fresno, CA | 2,297 miles | $1,595–$2,548 | 5–13 days |
Shipping an SUV or truck from Kentucky to California
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 Kentucky to California you should expect to pay between $2,000 and $3,119.
Factors that affect the price of shipping a car from Kentucky to California
When transporting your vehicle from the Bluegrass State to the Golden 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 California.
- Distance and route: The journey from Kentucky to California spans approximately 2,305 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 Kentucky, 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 Kentucky and California 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 Kentucky to California should take between 5 and 13 days. Expedited services are available but come at a higher cost.
The best Kentucky to California 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 Kentucky to California:
- 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 Kentucky to California
- Drive it yourself: This is straightforward but not always an option, and it will put about 2,305 miles on your car going from Kentucky to California. 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 Kentucky to California 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 Kentucky to California?
- Car insurance requirements: The minimum car insurance requirement in California is $15,000 for individual injury, $30,000 per accident, and $5,000 for property damage in the case of an accident involving another driver.
- Vehicle inspection: California requires an annual safety inspection to ensure that all vehicles used on public roads are in good condition and safe to operate. The inspection can be carried out at any California Department of Transportation approved service station.
- Driver’s license: If you move to California and become a resident, you are required to obtain a California driver's license within 10 days.
- Additional taxes: You are required to pay taxes on a car purchased in another state if you used it for less than 12 months outside of California before bringing it into the state.
Learn more with our car shipping checklist
Transporting your vehicle from Kentucky
Over 39 million people call Kentucky home. Nicknamed 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.
Transporting your vehicle to California
About 22 million people are living in the Golden State of California. California has a great Mediterranean climate throughout most of the state. In the Southeast, you may experience colder winters and hotter summers. The northern part of California experiences more rain than the rest of the state. Before your move be sure to check for rain or very hot days.
FAQ
Does someone have to be present when picking up my car in Kentucky and when dropping off my car in California?
Most companies will require someone that is at least 18 years old to be present when picking up your car in Kentucky and when dropping it off in California.
Do you need car insurance when shipping your car from Kentucky to California?
If you’re not driving the vehicle from Kentucky to California, you aren't required to have typical car insurance. Your car hauler should have adequate insurance if an accident happened on the drive to California, which you should verify before loading your car in Kentucky.
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.
If you’re driving your car at all in either state, you should understand the requirements. The minimum car insurance requirement in California is $15,000 for individual injury, $30,000 per accident, and $5,000 for property damage in the case of an accident involving another driver.
How long does it take to ship a car from Kentucky to California?
Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from Kentucky to California is about 2305 miles, and that’s as fast as about 5 days. However, most car transport companies will take 5-13 days to travel from Kentucky to California.
Will I be required to have a vehicle inspection in either state?
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.
California requires an annual safety inspection to ensure that all vehicles used on public roads are in good condition and safe to operate. The inspection can be carried out at any California Department of Transportation approved service station.
If I have a driver’s license in Kentucky, will I need one in California?
If you move to California and become a resident, you are required to obtain a California driver's license within 10 days.
If I bought a car in Kentucky, will I be required to pay sales tax in California after shipping it there?
It’s important to understand any tax implications if you’re having a car shipped from Kentucky to California after purchasing it.
You are required to pay taxes on a car purchased in another state if you used it for less than 12 months outside of California before bringing it into the state.
We recommend that you always check for updated tax information in both Kentucky and California to avoid any hidden costs.
