Kentucky to West Virginia Car Shipping (2024 Cost Guide)

Quick answer: The average cost to ship a car 259 miles from Kentucky to West Virginia ranges from $465 to $634 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 West Virginia to Kentucky car shipping guide.

The best Kentucky to West Virginia car shipping companies

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

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
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  • 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 West Virginia

  • Drive it yourself. This is straightforward but not always an option, and it will put about 259 miles on your car going from Kentucky to West Virginia. 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 West Virginia, 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 West Virginia 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 WV 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 West Virginia. The average travel distance is about 259 miles, with shipping times typically ranging from one to four days .

Cost to ship a car from Louisville, KY to West Virginia

From Kentucky to West Virginia Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Louisville, KY to Charleston, WV $451 – $593 247 miles 1 – 4 days
Louisville, KY to Huntington, WV $454 – $585 198 miles 1 – 4 days
Louisville, KY to Morgantown, WV $629 – $861 401 miles 1 – 4 days
Louisville, KY to Parkersburg, WV $460 – $673 287 miles 1 – 4 days
Louisville, KY to Wheeling, WV $555 – $722 330 miles 1 – 4 days

Cost to ship a car from Lexington, KY to West Virginia

From Kentucky to West Virginia Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Lexington, KY to Charleston, WV $381 – $547 175 miles 1 – 4 days
Lexington, KY to Huntington, WV $355 – $500 126 miles 1 – 4 days
Lexington, KY to Morgantown, WV $561 – $730 331 miles 1 – 4 days
Lexington, KY to Parkersburg, WV $462 – $573 226 miles 1 – 4 days
Lexington, KY to Wheeling, WV $513 – $672 314 miles 1 – 4 days

Cost to ship a car from Bowling Green, KY to West Virginia

From Kentucky to West Virginia Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Bowling Green, KY to Charleston, WV $561 – $737 335 miles 1 – 4 days
Bowling Green, KY to Huntington, WV $460 – $647 286 miles 1 – 4 days
Bowling Green, KY to Morgantown, WV $609 – $863 490 miles 1 – 4 days
Bowling Green, KY to Parkersburg, WV $551 – $817 385 miles 1 – 4 days
Bowling Green, KY to Wheeling, WV $609 – $886 449 miles 1 – 4 days

Cost to ship a car from Owensboro, KY to West Virginia

From Kentucky to West Virginia Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Owensboro, KY to Charleston, WV $547 – $748 352 miles 1 – 4 days
Owensboro, KY to Huntington, WV $513 – $693 303 miles 1 – 4 days
Owensboro, KY to Morgantown, WV $631 – $939 506 miles 1 – 6 days
Owensboro, KY to Parkersburg, WV $591 – $785 392 miles 1 – 4 days
Owensboro, KY to Wheeling, WV $585 – $843 436 miles 1 – 4 days

Cost to ship a car from Covington, KY to West Virginia

From Kentucky to West Virginia Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Covington, KY to Charleston, WV $415 – $574 195 miles 1 – 4 days
Covington, KY to Huntington, WV $379 – $509 146 miles 1 – 4 days
Covington, KY to Morgantown, WV $497 – $686 309 miles 1 – 4 days
Covington, KY to Parkersburg, WV $415 – $551 191 miles 1 – 4 days
Covington, KY to Wheeling, WV $444 – $617 231 miles 1 – 4 days

Shipping an SUV or truck from Kentucky to West Virginia

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 West Virginia you should expect to pay between $581 and $793.

Factors that affect car shipping costs from KY to WV

When transporting your vehicle from the Bluegrass State to the Mountain 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 West Virginia.
  • Distance and route: The journey from Kentucky to West Virginia spans approximately 259 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 West Virginia 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 West Virginia should take between one and four days. Expedited services are available but come at a higher cost.

West Virginia vehicle regulations you need to know

  • Car insurance requirements: West Virginia's required minimum insurance standards, encompassing liability coverage at $25,000/$50,000 for bodily injury and $25,000 for property damage.
  • Vehicle inspection: New residents are given 10 days from the date they title a vehicle to have a West Virginia safety inspection at any official inspection station licensed by the West Virginia State Police.
  • Driver’s license: If you are moving to West Virginia and you have a valid, non-expired out-of-state license, you are eligible to transfer the license. If your out-of-state license has expired, you are required to take all tests and obtain a certified driving record, dated no more than 30 days from the date of the application, from the state in which you were previously licensed.
  • Additional taxes: New residents with a vehicle already titled in their name in another state do not need to pay sales taxes in West Virginia for it.

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 West Virginia

About 22 million people are living in the Mountain State. West Virginia has warm to hot, humid summers and chilly winters. Be sure to check the weather during your move to avoid inclement weather.

FAQ

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

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 West Virginia.

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

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

West Virginia's required minimum insurance standards, encompassing liability coverage at $25,000/$50,000 for bodily injury and $25,000 for property damage.

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

Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from Kentucky to West Virginia is about 259 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 West Virginia.

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 are given 10 days from the date they title a vehicle to have a West Virginia safety inspection at any official inspection station licensed by the West Virginia State Police.

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

If you are moving to West Virginia and you have a valid, non-expired out-of-state license, you are eligible to transfer the license. If your out-of-state license has expired, you are required to take all tests and obtain a certified driving record, dated no more than 30 days from the date of the application, from the state in which you were previously licensed.

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

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

New residents with a vehicle already titled in their name in another state do not need to pay sales taxes in West Virginia for it.

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

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

The cheapest way to ship a car from Kentucky to West Virginia 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 West Virginia?

Shipping a car from Kentucky to West Virginia costs $465 to $634.

Helpful Kentucky resources