Minnesota to Kentucky Car Shipping (2024 Cost Guide)

Quick answer: The average cost to ship a car 963 miles from Minnesota to Kentucky ranges from $821 to $1,246 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.

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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  • No deposit
  • Quick pickup

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

The best Minnesota to Kentucky car shipping companies

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

  • Drive it yourself. This is straightforward but not always an option, and it will put about 963 miles on your car going from Minnesota 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 Minnesota 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 Minnesota 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!

MN 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 Minnesota and Kentucky. The average travel distance is about 963 miles, with shipping times typically ranging from two to seven days .

Cost to ship a car from Minneapolis, MN to Kentucky

From Minnesota to Kentucky Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Minneapolis, MN to Louisville, KY $784 – $1,118 706 miles 1 – 6 days
Minneapolis, MN to Lexington, KY $851 – $1,169 780 miles 2 – 7 days
Minneapolis, MN to Bowling Green, KY $805 – $1,242 826 miles 2 – 7 days
Minneapolis, MN to Owensboro, KY $770 – $1,106 736 miles 1 – 6 days
Minneapolis, MN to Covington, KY $752 – $1,175 705 miles 1 – 6 days

Cost to ship a car from St. Paul, MN to Kentucky

From Minnesota to Kentucky Cost Distance Estimated transit time
St. Paul, MN to Louisville, KY $765 – $1,139 696 miles 1 – 6 days
St. Paul, MN to Lexington, KY $835 – $1,220 771 miles 2 – 7 days
St. Paul, MN to Bowling Green, KY $841 – $1,188 816 miles 2 – 7 days
St. Paul, MN to Owensboro, KY $786 – $1,094 727 miles 1 – 6 days
St. Paul, MN to Covington, KY $741 – $1,095 695 miles 1 – 6 days

Cost to ship a car from Rochester, MN to Kentucky

From Minnesota to Kentucky Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Rochester, MN to Louisville, KY $746 – $1,013 646 miles 1 – 6 days
Rochester, MN to Lexington, KY $784 – $1,129 720 miles 1 – 6 days
Rochester, MN to Bowling Green, KY $787 – $1,173 766 miles 2 – 7 days
Rochester, MN to Owensboro, KY $811 – $1,128 677 miles 1 – 6 days
Rochester, MN to Covington, KY $746 – $1,044 645 miles 1 – 6 days

Cost to ship a car from Bloomington, MN to Kentucky

From Minnesota to Kentucky Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Bloomington, MN to Louisville, KY $760 – $1,118 711 miles 1 – 6 days
Bloomington, MN to Lexington, KY $843 – $1,145 785 miles 2 – 7 days
Bloomington, MN to Bowling Green, KY $855 – $1,266 831 miles 2 – 7 days
Bloomington, MN to Owensboro, KY $754 – $1,117 742 miles 1 – 6 days
Bloomington, MN to Covington, KY $776 – $1,152 710 miles 1 – 6 days

Cost to ship a car from Duluth, MN to Kentucky

From Minnesota to Kentucky Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Duluth, MN to Louisville, KY $827 – $1,173 766 miles 2 – 7 days
Duluth, MN to Lexington, KY $830 – $1,205 841 miles 2 – 7 days
Duluth, MN to Bowling Green, KY $845 – $1,235 887 miles 2 – 7 days
Duluth, MN to Owensboro, KY $810 – $1,193 797 miles 2 – 7 days
Duluth, MN to Covington, KY $819 – $1,208 766 miles 2 – 7 days

Shipping an SUV or truck from Minnesota 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 Minnesota to Kentucky you should expect to pay between $1,026 and $1,558.

Factors that affect car shipping costs from MN to KY

When transporting your vehicle from the North Star State 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 Minnesota to Kentucky spans approximately 963 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 Minnesota, 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 Minnesota 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 Minnesota to Kentucky should take between two and seven 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 Minnesota

More than 39 million people call Minnesota home. Nicknamed the North Star State, Minnesota experiences temperature extremes characteristic of its continental climate, with cold winters and hot summers. Minnesota does experience weather such as: rain, snow, blizzards, thunderstorms, hail, derechos, tornadoes, and high-velocity straight-line winds.

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 Minnesota 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 Minnesota and when dropping it off in Kentucky.

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

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

If you’re driving your car at all in either state, you should understand the requirements. Drivers in Minnesota must maintain a minimum insurance coverage, including $30,000 per person and $60,000 per accident for bodily injury liability, and $10,000 for property damage liability, ensuring financial protection in case of accidents and aligning with state regulations for responsible driving practices.

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 Minnesota to Kentucky?

Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from Minnesota to Kentucky is about 963 miles, and that’s as fast as about 2 days. However, most car transport companies will take two to seven days to travel from Minnesota to Kentucky.

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

Minnesota does not have a mandate for regular safety inspections on personal vehicles.

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

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

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

Shipping a car from Minnesota to Kentucky costs $821 to $1,246.

Helpful Minnesota resources