Missouri to Kentucky Car Shipping (2024 Cost Guide)

Quick answer: The average cost to ship a car 466 miles from Missouri to Kentucky ranges from $617 to $881 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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  • Established in 2007
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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 Kentucky to Missouri car shipping guide.

The best Missouri to Kentucky car shipping companies

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

  • Drive it yourself. This is straightforward but not always an option, and it will put about 466 miles on your car going from Missouri 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 Missouri 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 Missouri 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!

MO 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 Missouri and Kentucky. The average travel distance is about 466 miles, with shipping times typically ranging from one to four days .

Cost to ship a car from Kansas City, MO to Kentucky

From Missouri to Kentucky Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Kansas City, MO to Louisville, KY $638 – $850 507 miles 1 – 6 days
Kansas City, MO to Lexington, KY $706 – $1,036 584 miles 1 – 6 days
Kansas City, MO to Bowling Green, KY $670 – $886 522 miles 1 – 6 days
Kansas City, MO to Owensboro, KY $636 – $898 453 miles 1 – 4 days
Kansas City, MO to Covington, KY $671 – $967 591 miles 1 – 6 days

Cost to ship a car from St. Louis, MO to Kentucky

From Missouri to Kentucky Cost Distance Estimated transit time
St. Louis, MO to Louisville, KY $465 – $622 260 miles 1 – 4 days
St. Louis, MO to Lexington, KY $534 – $737 337 miles 1 – 4 days
St. Louis, MO to Bowling Green, KY $474 – $634 275 miles 1 – 4 days
St. Louis, MO to Owensboro, KY $452 – $575 206 miles 1 – 4 days
St. Louis, MO to Covington, KY $552 – $778 351 miles 1 – 4 days

Cost to ship a car from Springfield, MO to Kentucky

From Missouri to Kentucky Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Springfield, MO to Louisville, KY $604 – $838 474 miles 1 – 4 days
Springfield, MO to Lexington, KY $661 – $1,005 551 miles 1 – 6 days
Springfield, MO to Bowling Green, KY $591 – $835 442 miles 1 – 4 days
Springfield, MO to Owensboro, KY $575 – $836 420 miles 1 – 4 days
Springfield, MO to Covington, KY $710 – $967 565 miles 1 – 6 days

Cost to ship a car from Columbia, MO to Kentucky

From Missouri to Kentucky Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Columbia, MO to Louisville, KY $609 – $753 383 miles 1 – 4 days
Columbia, MO to Lexington, KY $648 – $898 460 miles 1 – 4 days
Columbia, MO to Bowling Green, KY $603 – $817 399 miles 1 – 4 days
Columbia, MO to Owensboro, KY $555 – $715 329 miles 1 – 4 days
Columbia, MO to Covington, KY $661 – $847 467 miles 1 – 4 days

Cost to ship a car from Independence, MO to Kentucky

From Missouri to Kentucky Cost Distance Estimated transit time
Independence, MO to Louisville, KY $631 – $913 500 miles 1 – 6 days
Independence, MO to Lexington, KY $685 – $1,016 576 miles 1 – 6 days
Independence, MO to Bowling Green, KY $618 – $886 514 miles 1 – 6 days
Independence, MO to Owensboro, KY $597 – $869 446 miles 1 – 4 days
Independence, MO to Covington, KY $692 – $997 583 miles 1 – 6 days

Shipping an SUV or truck from Missouri 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 Missouri to Kentucky you should expect to pay between $771 and $1,101.

Factors that affect car shipping costs from MO to KY

When transporting your vehicle from the Show-Me 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 Missouri to Kentucky spans approximately 466 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 Missouri, 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 Missouri 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 Missouri to Kentucky should take between one and four 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 Missouri

More than 39 million people call Missouri home. Nicknamed the Show-Me State, Although temperature in Missouri doesn't get extreme, being in the heart of tornado alley means that storms in the area are common. Be sure to check the weather forecast before move day to prepare for any upcoming weather.

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 Missouri 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 Missouri and when dropping it off in Kentucky.

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

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

If you’re driving your car at all in either state, you should understand the requirements. In Missouri, drivers must have minimum liability coverage, including $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for bodily injury, along with $25,000 per accident for property damage. Adherence to these requirements is crucial for financial responsibility and contributes to a safer driving environment.

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 Missouri to Kentucky?

Car shipping companies can travel about 500 miles per day. The trip from Missouri to Kentucky is about 466 miles, and that’s as fast as about 1 day. However, most car transport companies will take one to four days to travel from Missouri to Kentucky.

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

Missouri's DMV requires that passenger vehicles undergo a biennial safety inspection to evaluate the condition of its suspension, seatbelts, headlights, and related components. Additionally, residents of the St. Louis metropolitan area are required to have vehicle emission inspections.

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

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

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

Shipping a car from Missouri to Kentucky costs $617 to $881.

Helpful Missouri resources