Kentucky to Ohio Car Shipping (2024 Cost Guide)

Quick answer: The average cost to ship a car 249 miles from Kentucky to Ohio ranges from $473 to $581 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.

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  • Services all 50 states
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Shipping a car the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our Ohio to Kentucky car shipping guide.

The best Kentucky to Ohio car shipping companies

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

Best for accurate pricing
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.5 / 5
Check prices (833) 775-1461
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  • 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
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  • 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 discounts
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moveBuddha logo iconrating starstarstarstarstar 4.3 / 5
Check prices (770) 501-9057
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  • 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
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  • 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
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

Alternative ways to ship your car from Kentucky to Ohio

  • Drive it yourself. This is straightforward but not always an option, and it will put about 249 miles on your car going from Kentucky to Ohio. 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 Kentucky for a move to Ohio, 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 Kentucky to Ohio 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!

KY to OH auto transport costs and transit times

The tables below detail the costs and estimated transit times for shipping a car between popular cities in Kentucky and Ohio. The average travel distance is about 249 miles, with shipping times typically ranging from one to four days .

Cost to ship a car from Louisville, KY to Ohio

From Kentucky to Ohio Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Louisville, KY to Columbus, OH $429 – $564 207 miles 1 – 4 days
Louisville, KY to Cleveland, OH $555 – $737 349 miles 1 – 4 days
Louisville, KY to Cincinnati, OH $322 – $488 100 miles 1 – 4 days
Louisville, KY to Toledo, OH $513 – $707 301 miles 1 – 4 days
Louisville, KY to Akron, OH $513 – $766 331 miles 1 – 4 days

Cost to ship a car from Lexington, KY to Ohio

From Kentucky to Ohio Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Lexington, KY to Columbus, OH $420 – $591 190 miles 1 – 4 days
Lexington, KY to Cleveland, OH $513 – $766 332 miles 1 – 4 days
Lexington, KY to Cincinnati, OH $295 – $444 83 miles 1 – 4 days
Lexington, KY to Toledo, OH $464 – $627 285 miles 1 – 4 days
Lexington, KY to Akron, OH $513 – $693 315 miles 1 – 4 days

Cost to ship a car from Bowling Green, KY to Ohio

From Kentucky to Ohio Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Bowling Green, KY to Columbus, OH $561 – $744 326 miles 1 – 4 days
Bowling Green, KY to Cleveland, OH $617 – $907 468 miles 1 – 4 days
Bowling Green, KY to Cincinnati, OH $433 – $592 219 miles 1 – 4 days
Bowling Green, KY to Toledo, OH $617 – $836 420 miles 1 – 4 days
Bowling Green, KY to Akron, OH $655 – $890 450 miles 1 – 4 days

Cost to ship a car from Owensboro, KY to Ohio

From Kentucky to Ohio Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Owensboro, KY to Columbus, OH $533 – $714 312 miles 1 – 4 days
Owensboro, KY to Cleveland, OH $617 – $821 454 miles 1 – 4 days
Owensboro, KY to Cincinnati, OH $465 – $541 205 miles 1 – 4 days
Owensboro, KY to Toledo, OH $575 – $853 406 miles 1 – 4 days
Owensboro, KY to Akron, OH $603 – $860 437 miles 1 – 4 days

Cost to ship a car from Covington, KY to Ohio

From Kentucky to Ohio Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Covington, KY to Columbus, OH $325 – $464 108 miles 1 – 4 days
Covington, KY to Cleveland, OH $443 – $592 250 miles 1 – 4 days
Covington, KY to Cincinnati, OH $201 – $364 1 miles 1 – 4 days
Covington, KY to Toledo, OH $456 – $558 204 miles 1 – 4 days
Covington, KY to Akron, OH $430 – $617 233 miles 1 – 4 days

Shipping an SUV or truck from Kentucky to Ohio

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 Kentucky to Ohio you should expect to pay between $591 and $726.

Factors that affect car shipping costs from KY to OH

When transporting your vehicle from the Bluegrass State to the Buckeye 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 Ohio.
  • Distance and route: The journey from Kentucky to Ohio spans approximately 249 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 Ohio 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 Ohio should take between one and four days. Expedited services are available but come at a higher cost.

Ohio vehicle regulations you need to know

  • Car insurance requirements: In Ohio, it's mandatory for drivers to have car insurance with a minimum coverage of $25,000 for bodily injury per person, $50,000 for bodily injury per accident, and $25,000 for property damage liability. Meeting these requirements is essential for vehicle registration and serves as financial protection in case of an at-fault accident. Explore the option of increasing your liability limits and acquiring additional coverage for enhanced protection.
  • Vehicle inspection: New residents must get their car smog checked during registration, which will also include a free VIN check. Ohio doesn't require safety inspections, but you may choose to have a car check for peace of mind.
  • Driver’s license: In Ohio, you have 30 days to transfer your license and get an Ohio title and license plates for your vehicle. Failure to do so can result in trouble from law enforcement and government agents.
  • Additional taxes: Ohio requires sales tax if a vehicle was purchased out of state less than 6 months before moving to Ohio. However, a credit for sales tax paid to the other state may be allowed. If the vehicle was purchased at least 6 months before moving, no Ohio sales tax is due and the exemption code CV should be used when titling the vehicle.

Learn more with our car shipping checklist.

Transporting your vehicle from Kentucky

More than 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 Ohio

About 22 million people are living in the Buckeye State. Ohio forms a part of what's considered both the snowbelt and the tornado alley which means your move may be affected if either of these are impacting the state on your move day.

FAQ

Does someone have to be present when you ship a car for pickup in Kentucky and delivery in Ohio?

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

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

If you’re not driving the vehicle from Kentucky to Ohio, you aren't required to have typical car insurance. Your car hauler should have adequate insurance if an accident happened on the drive to Ohio, 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.

In Ohio, it's mandatory for drivers to have car insurance with a minimum coverage of $25,000 for bodily injury per person, $50,000 for bodily injury per accident, and $25,000 for property damage liability. Meeting these requirements is essential for vehicle registration and serves as financial protection in case of an at-fault accident. Explore the option of increasing your liability limits and acquiring additional coverage for enhanced protection.

How long does it take to ship a car from Kentucky to Ohio?

Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from Kentucky to Ohio is about 249 miles, and that’s as fast as about 1 day. However, most car transport companies will take one to four days to travel from Kentucky to Ohio.

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.

New residents must get their car smog checked during registration, which will also include a free VIN check. Ohio doesn't require safety inspections, but you may choose to have a car check for peace of mind.

If I have a driver’s license in Kentucky, will I need one in Ohio?

In Ohio, you have 30 days to transfer your license and get an Ohio title and license plates for your vehicle. Failure to do so can result in trouble from law enforcement and government agents.

If I bought a car in Kentucky, will I be required to pay sales tax in Ohio after shipping it there?

It’s important to understand any tax implications if you’re having a car shipped from Kentucky to Ohio after purchasing it.

Ohio requires sales tax if a vehicle was purchased out of state less than 6 months before moving to Ohio. However, a credit for sales tax paid to the other state may be allowed. If the vehicle was purchased at least 6 months before moving, no Ohio sales tax is due and the exemption code CV should be used when titling the vehicle.

We recommend that you always check for updated tax information in both Kentucky and Ohio to avoid any hidden costs.

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

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

Shipping a car from Kentucky to Ohio costs $473 to $581.

Helpful Kentucky resources