Kentucky to Rhode Island Car Shipping (2024 Cost Guide)

Quick answer: The average cost to ship a car 872 miles from Kentucky to Rhode Island ranges from $784 to $1,270 and takes two–seven 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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  • No deposit
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Shipping a car the reverse route? We’ve got you covered with our Rhode Island to Kentucky car shipping guide.

The best Kentucky to Rhode Island car shipping companies

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

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
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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 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
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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
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 Kentucky to Rhode Island

  • Drive it yourself. This is straightforward but not always an option, and it will put about 872 miles on your car going from Kentucky to Rhode Island. 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 Rhode Island, 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 Rhode Island 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 RI 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 Rhode Island. The average travel distance is about 872 miles, with shipping times typically ranging from two to seven days .

Cost to ship a car from Louisville, KY to Rhode Island

From Kentucky to Rhode Island Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Louisville, KY to Providence, RI $830 – $1,287 946 miles 2 – 7 days
Louisville, KY to Warwick, RI $847 – $1,235 940 miles 2 – 7 days
Louisville, KY to Cranston, RI $805 – $1,235 943 miles 2 – 7 days
Louisville, KY to Pawtucket, RI $788 – $1,311 951 miles 2 – 7 days
Louisville, KY to East Providence, RI $847 – $1,325 947 miles 2 – 7 days

Cost to ship a car from Lexington, KY to Rhode Island

From Kentucky to Rhode Island Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Lexington, KY to Providence, RI $795 – $1,324 894 miles 2 – 7 days
Lexington, KY to Warwick, RI $837 – $1,273 887 miles 2 – 7 days
Lexington, KY to Cranston, RI $853 – $1,324 891 miles 2 – 7 days
Lexington, KY to Pawtucket, RI $870 – $1,210 899 miles 2 – 7 days
Lexington, KY to East Providence, RI $787 – $1,261 895 miles 2 – 7 days

Cost to ship a car from Bowling Green, KY to Rhode Island

From Kentucky to Rhode Island Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Bowling Green, KY to Providence, RI $782 – $1,251 1,066 miles 2 – 8 days
Bowling Green, KY to Warwick, RI $840 – $1,278 1,059 miles 2 – 8 days
Bowling Green, KY to Cranston, RI $831 – $1,357 1,063 miles 2 – 8 days
Bowling Green, KY to Pawtucket, RI $815 – $1,370 1,070 miles 2 – 8 days
Bowling Green, KY to East Providence, RI $848 – $1,370 1,066 miles 2 – 8 days

Cost to ship a car from Owensboro, KY to Rhode Island

From Kentucky to Rhode Island Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Owensboro, KY to Providence, RI $815 – $1,343 1,051 miles 2 – 8 days
Owensboro, KY to Warwick, RI $782 – $1,264 1,044 miles 2 – 8 days
Owensboro, KY to Cranston, RI $782 – $1,291 1,048 miles 2 – 8 days
Owensboro, KY to Pawtucket, RI $799 – $1,370 1,056 miles 2 – 8 days
Owensboro, KY to East Providence, RI $823 – $1,343 1,052 miles 2 – 8 days

Cost to ship a car from Covington, KY to Rhode Island

From Kentucky to Rhode Island Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Covington, KY to Providence, RI $855 – $1,229 848 miles 2 – 7 days
Covington, KY to Warwick, RI $830 – $1,168 841 miles 2 – 7 days
Covington, KY to Cranston, RI $830 – $1,192 845 miles 2 – 7 days
Covington, KY to Pawtucket, RI $834 – $1,183 852 miles 2 – 7 days
Covington, KY to East Providence, RI $814 – $1,180 849 miles 2 – 7 days

Shipping an SUV or truck from Kentucky to Rhode Island

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 Rhode Island you should expect to pay between $980 and $1,588.

Factors that affect car shipping costs from KY to RI

When transporting your vehicle from the Bluegrass State to the Ocean 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 Rhode Island.
  • Distance and route: The journey from Kentucky to Rhode Island spans approximately 872 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 Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island should take between two and seven days. Expedited services are available but come at a higher cost.

Rhode Island vehicle regulations you need to know

  • Car insurance requirements: When relocating to Rhode Island, it's essential to secure car insurance meeting the state's minimum requirements, which include liability coverage of $25,000 per person for bodily injury, $50,000 total for bodily injury per accident, and $25,000 for property damage per accident. Additionally, Rhode Island mandates all drivers to carry uninsured motorist coverage for comprehensive protection.
  • Vehicle inspection: All newly registered vehicles (except new vehicles) must pass a Safety and Emissions inspection or have a valid inspection certificate within 5 days of registration. If not, the registration may be suspended. New vehicles are exempt from inspection for 2 years or until they reach 24,000 miles. Different categories of vehicles have different inspection requirements and must be inspected at a licensed station.
  • Driver’s license: If you are moving to Rhode Island from another state, you have 60 days to obtain a Rhode Island driver's license. You will need to provide proof of identity, residency, and legal presence in the U.S. This can include documents such as a birth certificate, passport, or permanent resident card.
  • Additional taxes: When moving to Rhode Island and registering a vehicle, you will likely be required to pay taxes and fees, even if you have already paid similar taxes in your previous state. It's best to check with the Rhode Island Division of Motor Vehicles for the specific taxes and fees that may apply when registering your vehicle in Rhode Island.

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 Rhode Island

About 22 million people are living in the Ocean State. Rhode Island has warm summers and cold winters. The state's southern coastal portions have hot summers and cool winters with a mix of rain and snow.

FAQ

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

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 Rhode Island.

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

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

When relocating to Rhode Island, it's essential to secure car insurance meeting the state's minimum requirements, which include liability coverage of $25,000 per person for bodily injury, $50,000 total for bodily injury per accident, and $25,000 for property damage per accident. Additionally, Rhode Island mandates all drivers to carry uninsured motorist coverage for comprehensive protection.

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

Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from Kentucky to Rhode Island is about 872 miles, and that’s as fast as about 2 days. However, most car transport companies will take two to seven days to travel from Kentucky to Rhode Island.

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.

All newly registered vehicles (except new vehicles) must pass a Safety and Emissions inspection or have a valid inspection certificate within 5 days of registration. If not, the registration may be suspended. New vehicles are exempt from inspection for 2 years or until they reach 24,000 miles. Different categories of vehicles have different inspection requirements and must be inspected at a licensed station.

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

If you are moving to Rhode Island from another state, you have 60 days to obtain a Rhode Island driver's license. You will need to provide proof of identity, residency, and legal presence in the U.S. This can include documents such as a birth certificate, passport, or permanent resident card.

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

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

When moving to Rhode Island and registering a vehicle, you will likely be required to pay taxes and fees, even if you have already paid similar taxes in your previous state. It's best to check with the Rhode Island Division of Motor Vehicles for the specific taxes and fees that may apply when registering your vehicle in Rhode Island.

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

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

The cheapest way to ship a car from Kentucky to Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island?

Shipping a car from Kentucky to Rhode Island costs $784 to $1,270.

Helpful Kentucky resources